About
I was inspired by my father, a creative man, who wrote several short stories and a book about experiences in his early twenties that shaped his life. He planted a seed that sprouted and grew and grew into a great big leafy tree. My love for writing led me to take a course in journalism while at university, but conventional reporting is not my thing. It has always been creative writing that lights my fire and makes my heart sing.
In my earlier years, I persevered through several jobs, which were spent watching the clock and looking longingly outside at the blue sky. It was only when I gave them up, packed my boxes for the very last time and jumped fearlessly into the unknown that I found my way. There is a quote by Edward Teller : ‘When you get to the end of all the light you know and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.’ I discovered that I could fly. Or rather that I could flow on the gentle stream of life, like an iridescent fish happily following the current.
A stint of volunteering and then some relief management at remote desert lodges in Namibia got me into the groove of living with a freedom and rhythm of life that isn’t in accordance with the conventions of society. And it suited me well. Without a brick and mortar home to return to, every work-stint filled my pockets with enough for exploring another section of southern and east Africa. My well-worn ‘Africa on a shoestring’ travel guide became a loyal friend and often served as a pillow in my tent. Home became wherever I was at the time, and when my meagre funds ran out, I would return to Namibia to see if I could pick up some more work. This led me to have many unusual and wonderful adventures in the country, and gave me the opportunity to work on projects and hone my skills as a freelance writer. Since then, I have had - and still have - the privilege, in the name of work, to spend many days on gravel roads travelling through Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, dusty as all hell and on many occasions hardly seeing another car for hours on end, while researching articles. I thank all the kind souls who continually provide this opportunity. There is no doubt that I do my part - or more - workwise, often hitting the bottom of my reserve tank with a loud clunk. The journeys provide inspiration and I, in turn, convey it in words and images, passing on the good energy like a ripple in a golden pond.
I have a bit more of a base now than in my wandering days (although I have a hunch that they will come round again and again) and love to spend my time in between trips at home in Scarborough, Cape Town, writing up, breathing in the beauty around me, hiking in the mountains and walking on the beach as the sun sets. Soon, however, the road calls and I am eager once again to throw my tent and bedroll into my trusty chariot and to be on the move with my window open and the wind blowing my hair into a fuzzy halo. I find myself smiling widely, invigorated by the freedom and joy of the open road and the shimmering promise of adventure.
As each year swings by or flies past with the speed of an arctic tern flying ahead of a tail wind, I realise with increasing clarity that life is not black and white. It is an incredible rainbow of colours, and in order to live it fully we to have to bend with the wind and flow with the river, celebrate the experience and the adventure, and radiate love and give gratitude for this extraordinary experience of life.
