Music, Winds of Change and The Long and Winding Road

Yesterday I drove a bit down the road to do my daily shopping in another village.

They (whoever they are) say a change is as good as a holiday, you know. ^😉

I was super excited to be able to hop into the car and travel again!

Once-upon-a-life-ago I'd often do this on a Sunday and make a whole day of it. Cape Town has pretty much every kind of landscape you'd wanna spend some outdoorsy time in and you can drive around the entire Peninsula in less than a day and experience all of it.

From forests and forest streams, to mountains, to beaches and oceans, to farms and vineyards. It's really all within a short drive if you know the path well.

And so I'd pack a little backpack:

1 x Sarong (can be both worn and used as a towel) 1 x jersey and a pair of leggings (I'd often stay out past sunset to see the magnificence and, sometimes, went straight on to party if the outing was on a Saturday instead of a #SlowSunday) 1 x Litre Bottle of water A few apples to snack on (simplicity was a part of the experience) A bit of cash for snacks (always from farm-stalls or interesting cafes along the way because adventure is out there) And a book. Of course!

This was one of my greatest pleasures, and the sense of freedom it afforded me, that I've really, really missed over these last years of going it on foot in the Western Cape.

There's slim to no public transport on weekends around here, you see.

I've been meaning to spend more time in Rooi-Els for a while now.

So I decided to use the initiative to move again, gifted to me by recent events, to get there and see the place a bit more.

I must add, here, that every time "Life" has thrown a curve ball in my direction, during the events over these last years, that it was by taking "right action" (instead of avoiding things) that I levelled up and made some genuine progress.

What began as circumstances beyond my control that were so out of alignment with my principles that they spurred me into stepping up even though I was terrified at times...

has become a habit for me now.

No. Wait. That's not entirely correct...

has become both "A Way of Life and The Only Right Way Forward" for me now.

And, sometimes (usually) when I've been struggling along for a while but haven't changed direction...

"Life" has kicked my butt hard enough for me to finally shift.

These days a nudge is enough. Perhaps when you can't afford to lose much more it's easier to stay awake for longer. Or for good. I hope.

You and I are gonna be traveling to other places together as soon as humanly possible. And I'm busy trying to find a new place to live for the next while. Also as soon as humanly possible.

No time to explain.

Get in the back of the Van!

_{Honestly though... I don't want my son coming back to this in two weeks, so am looking seriously to move on asap. I shall madly miss my landlady, who is another Pippin for sure and, who I adore and may try to take with me.}

_{But wtaf is a "Pippin" you may ask. Well, strangely enough, that's exactly how I've decided to begin the next book. To follow on Hive asap as well.}

I'm not "running away".

There's a difference between running away from yourself (we call this "doing a geographical" in recovery and yes, I've done it - for some years actually. The endless summer, anyone? ^😆) and a difference between knowing when and how to take "right action".

And what "right action" may even be in a situation.

The first thing most folks want to do when something challenging arises is either "Fight" or "Flee". But this is an instinctual reaction and I've personally found it's best to wait a bit until it abates.

There is also some "right action" that may do you more harm than good in certain situations. Or in the world as it is today. If you're still naive enough to believe that the truth and justice prevail in 2023. #freejulianassange

I guess what I'm trying to share is that one must factor in a lot of what isn't "right action" to make sound choices on when and how to take action.

And here's the kicker...

if you don't take "right action" you're going to suffer the consequences in one way or another.

Even if you think a situation has nothing to do with you at all.

But this may only be more understandable when I figure out how to write that part of the next book for you. Stories illustrate things best, I reckon.

Working title: "The Perfect Practice" or "The Perfect Experience".

TBD

And, right now, I'm busy trying to find the stability and peace to do it. ^{Again and still^🙄}

_{Kinda like most of humanity, really. Only most folks are too busy trying to survive to "see" this part fully. Yet. I hope one day we realise that, by working together, we may actually beat the dysfunctional and corrupt systems that are holding us captive. And that we will naturally thrive more, as individuals, as an outcome of this.}

_{But, until then, I remove myself from situations that won't allow me to (or, in an ideal world, actively support me to) thrive, these days. And I walk away as quickly as I can. Life is challenging enough, thanks.}

"They" say a change is as good as a holiday anyway. So here's some of Rooi-Els and the guy at the local store was groovy, cool and had lekker tattoos.

And my car was safe so I'll be doing my shopping in Rooi-Els, in Betty's Bay or in Kleinmond moving forward.

Problem solved.

_{Nope. I didn't do anything.}

^{It was like this when I found it!}

So... I stumbled upon something (at last) on my wonderings and wanderings through Rooi-Els.

_{Translation to English: "The Point"}

I've seen this something, from Clarens Drive, on the coastal drive into the Overberg via Gordon's Bay.

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_{November 2022}

This breathtaking coastal road is now closed due to damage from the storm and it looks like it will be for a while still.

The only road into Rooi-Els is via Kleinmond at the moment.

This is impacting trade for local businesses, sadly. I do hope people take the time to travel, the only eight (according to Googley-Google) extra minutes, and visit the beautiful village of Rooi-Els to show some love and support.

Rooi-Else is a bit more "larney" than Pringle Bay.

I saw the homes, as I drove into the Overberg all those months ago, and commented to the driver that Rooi-Els is where the rich folks must have their holiday homes in the Overberg.

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_{Driving past Rooi-Else, November 2022}

_{And back to yesterday...}

But Rooi-Els is also still casual and earthy.

Nobody batted an eyelid as I walked around barefoot. ^{Of course}

And the beaches are empty and spectacular! ^💥