A Thousand Sunsets, Yet Each One More Beautiful than the Last.

Earlier this week sitting in grid-locked traffic on my way home, I knew the last thing I wanted to do was to go home. The day had been good but long and it didn’t help that once again I was jumping ahead thinking it was Wednesday when it fact it was only Tuesday. Yes, it had been one of *those* days.

The sun was still relatively high in the sky, the sea in the distance glistened under the sun’s beams as Table Mountain looked out over it all.

Yes, I sat there in a long queue of cars, on top of a hill looking down over the peaceful scene below me, beyond the frantic impatience of everyone wanting to get home. As if on auto pilot as the traffic sneaked slowly towards my home, I eventually turned left and pulled up at the beach.

I took off my sandals and without wasting a moment I headed to the soft sand and icy cold water beckoning me from beyond the sand dunes.  There was a cool breeze blowing off the ocean and as I walked I took a deep breath in and felt all my senses come alive.

Yes, this was exactly what my soul needed.

A view that just never gets boring ~ Table Mountain across the bay.

A view that just never gets boring ~ Table Mountain across the bay.

A lone kite-surfer in his playground of the waves.

A lone kite-surfer in his playground of the waves.

With views like this on my doorstep, I undoubtedly live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

With views like this on my doorstep, I undoubtedly live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

A relatively empty beach with a lone kite-surfer in his playground of the waves, darting back and forth with a few ships lining the horizon, I found a nice spot on the soft sand and settled down. I sat there for almost three hours, watching a small handful of people walk their dogs, a team of young boys doing some training on the sand, a lone figure walking aimlessly along the sand, feeding their soul like I was.

The waves rolled in, crashing to the shore, a rhythmic melody of tranquility, soothing my soul with each crash.

A cyclist silhouetted by the sun's rays.

A cyclist silhouetted by the sun’s rays.

As the sun sinks lower, the sky begins to paint a picture.

As the sun sinks lower, the sky begins to paint a picture.

The sun setting the sky on fire as it sinks towards the horizon.

The sun setting the sky on fire as it sinks towards the horizon.

The sun was sinking lower and suddenly to my right, laughter burst into the air, filling my ears with its joyful noise.  As I turned to the side, I watched a young man darting onto the beach with his three dogs running with crazy excitement around him, as the laughter continued to escape from his lips.

His laughter was contagious and I laughed out aloud listening to his joy, smiling from the inside out.

Ships lining the horizon as the sun sets fire to the sky. As if unoticed, a young man laughs as he plays with his three dogs.

Ships lining the horizon as the sun sets fire to the sky. As if unnoticed, a young man laughs as he plays with his three dogs.

I watched this man for a while as he threw a ball for his dogs, who would then dart off after the ball, barking and wagging their tails in delight while dashing in and out of the waves.

The fading sun splashes the sand around me in soft tones of pink, engulfing everything around in colour.

The fading sun splashes the sand around me in soft tones of pink, engulfing everything around in colour.

I could watch a thousand more sunsets, yet each one will always be more beautiful than the last.

I could watch a thousand more sunsets, yet each one will always be more beautiful than the last.

The blue sky dissolving into wisps of colour as the sun begins to sink.

The blue sky dissolving into wisps of colour as the sun begins to sink.

Pink sky night, gentle warmth lighting up the sky.

Pink sky night, gentle warmth lighting up the sky around me.

A couple strolls hand in hand with the sunset as their backdrop.

A couple strolls hand in hand with the sunset as their backdrop.

The blue sky began to dissolve into wisps of crimson and tangerine, setting the sky on fire, the sun melting into the creamy clouds on the horizon.

With beauty like this, how can my soul not be restored?

With beauty like this, how can my soul not be restored?

Darkness begins to fall as the sun melts into another part of the world. Such perfect in such simple moments.

Darkness begins to fall as the sun melts into another part of the world. Such perfection in such simple moments.

A slip of the camera in my hand, caught this contract between the sand, sea and sinking sun.

A slip of the camera in my hand, caught this contract between the sand, the sea and the sinking sun.

My soul full again, my heart at peace ~ sunset, a perfect band aid for a long day!

My soul full again, my heart at peace ~ sunset, such a perfect band-aid for a long day!

The sun having melted into another part of the world.

Let the darkness of night creep in.

Behind me, the moon began to rise.

Above me, the stars came out.

My soul full.

My heart at peace.

I was ready to head home.

~ All Photos By Me ~

And the Gargie Award goes to…

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This morning I was like a kid in a candy store on the eve of Christmas!

I was going to say “And the Oscar goes to…” but then with all the media hype currently flying around South Africa and the world, I thought that would probably not be a very clever idea as anyone who googles “OP” (I won’t even dare write the name out in full) as it will be linked to my blog for all the wrong reasons! Anyway, who needs an Oscar when you can have a Gargie!

Now can you imagine my surprise waking up this morning to find a little note from the truly inspiring Claire Cappetta nominating me for the Gargie Award?!!

I know, I was just as surprised!

Now to be honest, I have heard very little about this prestigious award but I am so hugely delighted to add my very first blog award to my blogging accomplishments.

Cartwheels, back-flips and excited screaming ensue…

Claire’s blog is such a wonderful, inspiring space that speaks of her journey through relationships, domestic abuse and standing in your power.  She inspires, uplifts and encourages and has just recently published her first book, A Broken Ring.  What an honour to be nominated by such an inspiring lady!

As with most blog awards, there are rules to follow upon acceptance. The rules are:

1. Display the award badge prominently  on your site….if you want…and link back to the person who nominated you…for courtesy’s sake.  ~ Done and Done! Do check out the link above to Claire’s page, she is truly inspiring! And in case you missed it here’s the link again CLICK ME

2. Publish a post to inform the world of your great achievement…..unless you can’t be bothered.
~ Done, can you feel my excitement?! :)

3.  Nominate some fellow bloggers (who have been outstanding in their field…figuratively or literally) and tell us the particular way in which they have excelled…if you feel inclined. ~ Absolutely the best part, sharing the love!

4. Indicate to your nominees that they have received the award…provided you have completed step three. ~ See my nominees below!

I am delighted to nominate the Gargie Award to the following blogger who inspire & thrill me with their words and pictures:

Bucket List Publications ~ Lesley Carter the woman behind this blog is living her life to the fullest. Adventurer, wife and recently a first time mom to a beautiful little girl. Her blog inspires me to get moving on my bucket list. She shows me the world and all the incredible things that are out there. This blog will never bore you!

Just So You Know ~ Trina is a real, everyday women walking through life, sharing her adventure that is life and everything that comes along for the ride. Lessons learnt, photo’s to prove it. A glorious read, always!

Another Day in Paradise ~ Stopping just long enough to write a blog, Another Day in Paradise shares the beautiful places she visits and lights up my computer screen, never knowing where she will turn up next. She makes me feel like I’m on permanent holiday and yes, sometimes she makes me a little jealous too!

The Better Man Project ~ Evan Sanders journey’s through life one day at a time focusing on becoming a better man. His writing is honest and sometimes raw and totally inspiring. He said it himself, “The world needs better men. This blog is simply about my journey to become a better man and the things I run into along the way.”

Back2blueprintsrunningform ~ Michael J Morris reminds me of what I want more than anything in this world. To find a cure for CF. I recently “met” him and this man’s determination and courage inspires me endlessly. He started his blog in January 2013 and a few days ago finishing running over 500 miles from Rosenberg, Texas to New Orleans in memory of his dear friend Debbie Lynne Cheramie. His run was to raise awareness and much-needed funds to find a cure for Cystics Fibrosis. Although he hasn’t written in his blog recently due to his running, I am sure he will be back to updating it again soon after his return home.  This is what you call giving!

There you have my selection of 5 fantastic bloggers who brighten up my days reading about their journeys through life.

Go forth and spread the love.

I just did!

And don’t forget to look for the magic all around!

Want to read more about the Gargie Award

CLICK ME

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