Travel
It's not often that you step into a unknown world so close to home. An open space of bright green, streams rolling beside big, old trees and bridges over soothing-sounding waterfalls. I recall playing here with friends when I was younger and still had sleepovers, played hide and seek and explored as if pioneering a discovery expedition. That seemed like such a long time ago, but it all came back to me as I hopped off the scooter, left the tarmac and ventured onto the gravel path of the Alphen trail.
After passing walkers with their dogs, children, prams and conversation, I felt as though I had disappeared into another world. A world with secret moss-covered gates beckoning you to leave the beaten trail, new fern shoots amongst the wooden logs, lilies growing wildly and freely beside the river and horses munching hay on the other side of the wire fence.
Two swings made of rope hung from a tree's top branch over the river. I wondered how that Dad had braved the climb to fasten it there. The swings hung in lonely fashion, perhaps in wait of summer when kids and others dare to swing on it, land in the shallow water below and dry off in the sun.
We stood admiring the shape the river took. At times, it formed a perfect S and further down it was almost fully obscured by the foliage. Out of nowhere, a thick pipe ran across the river. Being the risk-averse person I tend to be, I stood and watched as Vaughan tested his balance walking across the slippery pipe. The shadow of a giant tree fell on the grass in the shape of a wide mushroom.
It still amazes that in the heart of the city, so close to my home, I can wander off along my own 'yellow brick road', where the only sounds you'll hear are those of gentle waterfalls, birds ushering in the Spring, wind rustling through the trees and your feet crunching the carpet of leaves.
- Excitement Out Beyond The Weed Patch
After wearing myself out walking a mile and a quarter at a very fast clip, I decided it was too early in the day to knock off. I donned my gardening gloves and carried a big plastic trash bag to the back yard. After pulling two weeds the gloves...
- Back On The Trail
I parked my car at a lot a few miles further along the trail and walked about 2-1/2 miles, which is 5 miles round trip. My legs are hurting, and I can't understand why they should since I walk a lot to begin with. The sun was...
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I finally got out of the house this weekend, and on Saturday went with Jeannie & fam. to a nearby mall. I don't normally like to go anywhere near a mall, but I jumped at this opportunity to be out and about. It was a pleasant...
- Cecilia Forest Walk
There are very few things that make you feel more submerged in nature than the sound of a waterfall in the midst of a green forest. Crunchy brown leaves and twigs beneath your feet, panting dogs sniffing out every scent, orange leaves rustling...
- A Few Of My Favourite Things At The Getaway Show
I missed Sunday lunch with the family, hopped in the car and put foot all the way to Lourensford estate in Somerset West just to experience the Getaway Show. Being mid afternoon on the final day, I missed long queues, parking problems and crazy...
Travel
The Secret Garden
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| Secret Garden discovered. Photography: Vaughan McShane |
After passing walkers with their dogs, children, prams and conversation, I felt as though I had disappeared into another world. A world with secret moss-covered gates beckoning you to leave the beaten trail, new fern shoots amongst the wooden logs, lilies growing wildly and freely beside the river and horses munching hay on the other side of the wire fence.
Two swings made of rope hung from a tree's top branch over the river. I wondered how that Dad had braved the climb to fasten it there. The swings hung in lonely fashion, perhaps in wait of summer when kids and others dare to swing on it, land in the shallow water below and dry off in the sun.
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| Winding river. Photography: Vaughan McShane |
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| Photography: Vaughan McShane |
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| Spring on the way. Photography: Vaughan McShane |
We stood admiring the shape the river took. At times, it formed a perfect S and further down it was almost fully obscured by the foliage. Out of nowhere, a thick pipe ran across the river. Being the risk-averse person I tend to be, I stood and watched as Vaughan tested his balance walking across the slippery pipe. The shadow of a giant tree fell on the grass in the shape of a wide mushroom.
It still amazes that in the heart of the city, so close to my home, I can wander off along my own 'yellow brick road', where the only sounds you'll hear are those of gentle waterfalls, birds ushering in the Spring, wind rustling through the trees and your feet crunching the carpet of leaves.
 |
| Trailing through the Greenbelt. Photography: Vaughan McShane |
- Excitement Out Beyond The Weed Patch
After wearing myself out walking a mile and a quarter at a very fast clip, I decided it was too early in the day to knock off. I donned my gardening gloves and carried a big plastic trash bag to the back yard. After pulling two weeds the gloves...
- Back On The Trail
I parked my car at a lot a few miles further along the trail and walked about 2-1/2 miles, which is 5 miles round trip. My legs are hurting, and I can't understand why they should since I walk a lot to begin with. The sun was...
-
I finally got out of the house this weekend, and on Saturday went with Jeannie & fam. to a nearby mall. I don't normally like to go anywhere near a mall, but I jumped at this opportunity to be out and about. It was a pleasant...
- Cecilia Forest Walk
There are very few things that make you feel more submerged in nature than the sound of a waterfall in the midst of a green forest. Crunchy brown leaves and twigs beneath your feet, panting dogs sniffing out every scent, orange leaves rustling...
- A Few Of My Favourite Things At The Getaway Show
I missed Sunday lunch with the family, hopped in the car and put foot all the way to Lourensford estate in Somerset West just to experience the Getaway Show. Being mid afternoon on the final day, I missed long queues, parking problems and crazy...