Living In A Cloud

For the past two days we have been living in a cloud! Well, at least that's what it's felt like! :) The cause of this has been some unusual weather - unusual at least for South Africa  - and me.
The Summer rains started late this year, but thankfully we've had quite a bit since then. Our "rain" in this part of the country usually means thundershowers of the kind that build up in the heat and then there is something of a cloud-burst with lots of lightening and thunder and sometimes strong winds and hail. When it's all over, the sun comes out again and everything is back to normal and everyone is thankful for the showers. It's not often that we have days of continuous rain.

Rain water pouring down the carport roof like a mini waterfall.

Last weekend, however, it began raining constantly - not the usual thundershower but a quiet, steady rain....and it's hardly stopped since! Then about two afternoons ago the rain changed to a light drizzle and we were shrouded in mist. Now usually when we have mist in the early mornings, it usually clears quite quickly and then the day is very hot. This time the mist just hung there! We live quite high up on a hill  near the edge of a gorge and usually have views for kilometers, well the last couple of days we haven't been able to see past our front gate. I found it very strange, really like being enclosed in a cloud. Even our pets were puzzled at the weather and would stare out the window at the funny sight! :D I suppose this sort of thing is common in many other countries, especially Europe, but I've never experienced this before!

Our cat, Munchkin.

I'm sure it's somehow got something to do with the Leonid meteor shower that happened on the 18th - EVERY time there's a meteor shower, we have strange weather (and miss the "shooting stars", of course!)

Well, this afternoon the mist has finally lifted and although it's still completely overcast and everything is dripping wet, we can see across the gorge again and all the birds and insects are very busy and noisy. The birds are all preening themselves and the bees are visiting the wet flowers.

My reflection (while taking a photo) in a pool of rain water. :)

Here rain is always welcome and it also helps to keep the heat down but the last week and especially the two misty days have made me realise how much we take sunshine and clear weather for granted here in South Africa!

Just for interest:

S.A. is famous for it's sunshine. There are an average of 2993 hours of sunlight per year with an average of 8.2 hours of sunlight per day.

South Africa receives some of the world's best sunshine and experiences some of the highest solar radiation levels in the world .

The Stream

There is a stream that runs across the back of the garden - it actually comes off one of the many lakes in the area. As we don't often get rain in winter here in the northern part of the country, the stream sometimes dries up then. In Summer though it is always filled and this past summer we had so much rain that it was close to overflowing many times.
The stream is one of our favourite places on the property and we have spent many happy and interesting times here. You can spent hours here although in Summer it's usually too hot to be outside except in the early morning and late afternoon or evening.
The area around the stream gets left pretty wild and natural there are always lots of facinating creatures and things to see.

Lama (above) on a path through the thick, wild area on the south side of the stream where it enters the property.

Upstream there is a wild, boggy area - just right for frogs and toads and tadpoles.

Also a place for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, water beetles and all other interesting things. There was even an otter enjoying the stream this summer

If we sit really still, the frogs and tadpoles and little fish come out of their hiding places among the reeds and plants and carry on with their lives just as if we weren't there. One of the most common frogs we have here in the stream is the 'platanna'. They don't stay still long enough for us to get a photo of them but below is a pic of what they look like.

We also get the African Bullfrog here - they grow very large and can be aggressive sometimes.

Down by the stream is also a lovely place to sit and have some quiet time with the Lord.

Lots of birds nest in the thicket. The Masked Weaver (above) likes to build it's nests at the end of branches hanging over the stream.

Of course the dogs love it down at the stream as well, but we don't love it when they come back all wet and dripping! The cats find it an especially facinating place, but they make sure that all four paws stay as dry as possible! :D

I don't have to tell you that it's also a favourite place for our flock of 11 geese! Whether swimming in the deep part at the northern end of the stream or gliding up the narrower part, they spend most of the day here.

So please come and take another 'walk' with us and in picture form and enjoy some moments down by the stream :)

"When I would beget content and increase confidence in the power and wisdom and providence of Almighty God, I will walk the meadows by some gliding stream, and there contemplate the lilies that take no care, and those very many other little living creatures that are not only created, but fed by the goodness of the God of Nature – and therefore trust in Him!"

This Is Where We Live

Our family moves around a lot! Since I was born we've moved house ten times and Jessica can add on an extra two moves in her sixteen years. We've often wanted to settle but somehow that doesn't seem to be the Lord's plan for us, so soon we'll be packing up and moving once again! Sometimes one does just long to be able to stay in one place but then it's as though the Lord gives us the extra strength we need whenever a move comes up and He always so wonderfully smoothes the way! Every move we've made has a wonderful testimony behind it. Also we've really been privileged to travel around the country, see and experience so many different places and meet different people, all of which would never happen if we stayed in just one place. So yes, we actually enjoy the 'pilgrim' life we lead, it can be difficult at times and hard work, but it's full of excitement, miracles, surprises and fun. :)

Come and take a walk around 'in pictures' to get an idea of where we are living at the moment: :)

Our house

The back of the house and Gran's cottage are enclosed by wall which gives it a sort of private garden and seperates it from the rest of the property.

Northern side of the property in early morning light.

Our flock of geese out on a walk!

Two of our dogs, Tula and Lama on the lawn on the southern side of property

Above & below: flowers, shrubs and trees, oh and Tom, the cat :)

The trees and bushes grow thick here - often all we see of our neighbours properties are a bit of thatch roof and the lightning conductor poles.