Stolen moments of rest...

On the Monday we woke early and headed back to a little place just outside George called "Klein Brak" {Little River} to meet my parents at my Aunt's spot.  I was thrilled to see my family and folks, a delightful little surprise slipped into this trip.

For some or other reason, I couldn't sleep-in on this trip.

At 6.17am like clockwork, every morning, I woke... who knows why?

But we kept it slow and read in bed together.

Some mornings we headed out to find brekkie others, we lit the fire and snuggled around.

Whatever it was, each moment felt deep and sacred.

As for these two... keeping themselves busy as we found places to kick back in...

While Digz and I chatted or caught up with connection.

This spot was one of my favs... right opposite the beach.

 Corks managed to squeeze in some pen work.  She never stops amazing me.

She is truly gifted.

Reading, reading and more reading...

Every time I looked around - Kitty had a book in her hand.

3 books in one week.  Forsaking sleep one night to read through.

Seriously... the bug has finally bitten!

I read a book too for the first time in years.

I usually rely on Audible for my reading entertainment,

but I have to say, I loved taking the time to read again... it's become a bit of a luxury these days.

And having it these holidays was a real spoil.

Each morning was cuddles and reading in bed together.

Precious moments.

LookOutBeach...

After the race we woke up on Sunday ready for adventures.

After a great home cooked holiday breakfast - we headed into town for our mandatory "holiday jewellery" shop.  It's a holiday tradition - we aren't on holiday until we have our bracelets on.  We did a few other bits and bobs and then we headed down to LookOutBeach.

Can you see the "Outeniqua Rust" settling in...

After much chatting, photo taking, reading and goofing around - we headed down to the beach...

I love going away in winter.

Especially here - it carries it's own beauty... and today - outstanding.

Sacred keepsakes.

I won't forget this day for a long time.

We had a truly outstanding time on the rocks.

Best day ever...

 These two... the best!

Kickstarted our holidays with a bit of trail...

We kickstarted this holiday with the Knysna Moutain bike marathon (50km) for these two.

It was a bitterly cold send off.  But at least they were together.

Corks rode her heart out.  She placed 1st or 2nd in her age category... we are querying one of the results that they slipped in after the fact.  But all in all - she did beautifully.

I have more news about this later... exciting times.

Exercising...

After our adventures of roadtripping... I crawled into bed, quite exhausted.  But I knew I still had to do my #1FaceaDay.

Corks was sitting in front of me and she said "draw me, mommy" and at first, I completely resisted.  It's something I've never done before.  But she pushed me.  So I said "okay".  But no judging was allowed...  I have to say I sooooo enjoyed it.  I am not sure there is a likeness and lots of it is still intuitive but I loved looking at aspects of her beautiful face and trying to capture them.  I loved the tweaking and the lighting... of course I love this piece so much.  I love that it pushed me out of my comfort zones.  And I love that we got to create together.  There is something quite beautiful having someone sit in front of you, quietly and looking into each others faces.  It felt sacred.

When I was done, she then sat and drew me.   Which was quite impressively done - she's much more free and braver than me.  I admire that about her.

We have agreed to do this everyday these holidays.  Hmmm maybe by the end of it - I will present one that actually looks like her... I'm rather excited by this little holiday project.

Roadtripping...

Sometimes the best part of a holiday, is the road tripping part.

It holds the excitement, the views, the expectations and the hope of adventures.

Our holiday literally starts as we walk out the door.

As we head out and pray for travel mercies and safe arrivals.... we settle into music, books, chit-chatter, news and stories.  Oh, did I mention lots of laughing and teasing.  There is always a mandatory breakfast and coffee stop and this time we stopped at Peregrines, in Wine to Whales territory.  The breakfast to date, was one of the best we have ever experienced.
A great way to start any holiday....

what is your ORIGIN?

car shenangians ❤

canola country...

On the way home, we are going to jump that fence and have a tiny mini photoshoot in those yellow blossoms.

Too beautiful for words...

It was a smooth trip... we stopped over in Knysna to register for Digz and Corks mountain bike race.  And we arrived at our cabin in the woods in good spirits.  We unpacked and headed out to get some supplies.  We got the fire going and hunkered down.  It's cold for sure.  There is no signal in our little wooden cabin.  It will take us a day or so to decompress from technology but I know it will be good for us.  The quiet and slowness will creep into our bones and maybe, just maybe, the "Outeniqua Rust" will too.

Busy week before we headed out...

This sweet girl had to job shadow this week for a school assignment.

I asked at my office if she could job shadow our Creative Researcher, who has a Fine Arts Degree, specializing in photography.  Right up her alley.  Corks landed herself on a our production set for two days this week and got to help out and job shadow on a Music Video of one of our local Rap Artists.  Hence this pic of her with attitude.  She's so cute... I love this pic of her... that and because she doesn't have an ounce of attitude in her (you know, the bad kind).  It was a great experience for her to see how much work happens behind the scenes.

Not all glamorous, that is for sure!!

When we get back after the holidays she does another day job shadowing our Creative Researcher's hubby who will be doing a picture editorial.  Pretty exciting stuff!

As for this sweet girl... we got to send her picture in to some casting agents this week, with the help of a beautiful producer friend of mine.  Being in the film industry... and exposing my girls to this wasn't something I was always keen for.  It's a tough industry.  But I guess it's not about me and it is about her own journey and I will be walking closely beside her.  Kitty's creative side is more in drama and words - that's her paintbrush.  And I have to support her in that too.  When we get back from holiday - we will see what unfolds naturally!

As for us two, we had to keep ourselves busy while Corks was on set.  Never a difficult thing to do. 

 We had a coffee date, picked up last minute things, baked bread,   cleaned linen and packed for our trip.

Oh yes.... and Kitty read, a lot.  Holiday is in the air and the excitement...  it's tangible.