On the road ... again ....

 We're on the road again... well not literally.  I was recently writing a post about time - 

that fact that at this time of year it appears to be such a "big issue" - I have a few 

perspectives on that thought, but that's for another post.   

 The reason time came up, was that in looking thru my archives (in fact whilst 

"cleaning" out),  I came across a folder with photos taken from a road/ country trip we 

did exactly a year ago (you see, I told you time flies!!).   As I've not blogged or posted

much about this trip and since there are some really scenic shots, I decided, now is as 

good a time as any.....

So, we were on the road to Nelspruit (a main town in the Eastern Transvaal, now called

Mpumalanga) and the largest town before heading out to Mozambique.   These pics 

were of our first stop on the way to Nelspruit, at Milly's just outside Machadodorp.   The

area is renowned for it's trout  and trout fishing, and it's truly gorgeous, so Milly's was 

the place we chose to stop at.   The picture above and below give a very good idea of 

what the surrounds look like ....

 Blue skies, rolling hills of green, lots of water .... to top it off a wonderful mud house 

and nguni cattle - this has got to be one of my favorite pictures of rural south africa .....

 after lunch we continued onto our destination and stopped by an old friend for coffee.  He happens to live high up on a hill, and these two images

are some of the wonderful views he enjoys on a daly basis.   There was a storm coming in so clarity was not at it's best.  Still scenic nevertheless.....

WelI I hope you enjoyed that ... I'll be posting more of this trip over the forthcoming weeks .....

A skywatch post

a LATSOF post

Scenic Sunday post

Image(s) All Rights Reserved Copyright 2010 

Gena D Images and {Gena D Photography} for thinking aloud

Signs of Pilgrims Rest II

Another post on the gorgeous museum village of Pilgrims Rest, which we
visited late last year.   As per previous posts, most buildings are as
they were in times gone by and are being used as actual stores,
hotel space or living museums ...               This blue building is the original
general dealer (grocer etc.etc.) so it is set up as a real store back
in the times of the gold rush.   It  great to walk around and see the
 wares "on sale" and other wonderful items for that time. 

I loved the texture and detail on the outside and of course the gorgeous red and

rather rusty Pepsi sign....

Another store sign in the area ... selling arts & crafts and also serving

as a restaurant.   This is the same place where we stopped to enjoy

pancakes  - click here to see yesterday's post

Click here to view previous posts and images of this gorgeous area

View more Blue posts at Smiling Sally - click here

and click here to view more My World Tuesday posts

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Pancakes at Pilgrims Rest

This is one of the places we stopped at for a bite whilst visiting

Pilgrims Rest in December 2009.  

The whole village is a living museum, with old buidlings restored

and mostly being used as stores, hotels or for other arts & crafts or

museum display purposes. 

 Click here to view previous posts and images of the area

Click here to view more Scenic Sunday posts

Click here for more Ruby posts over at Mary's blog ....

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

The Pinnacle

a view of the Pinnacle offset against a crisp blue summer sky

 Mpumalanga Province South Africa
click on links for more info on the Pinnacle and the area

see more posts &  images of the area here.

View more Skywwatch images here

and more Looking at the Sky on Friday here

and more Scenic Sunday images and posts here

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Trout Dam, Machadodorp

the trout dam at Milly's in Machadodorp (Mpumalanga Province), South Africa

This was taken whilst we were on route to Nelspruit over December (see Thursday

 and Friday's posts below for more pictures of the area).   Due to time of day and the

 haziness (and timing I guess!?) it was difficult to capture decent pictures.

Nevertheless this area is sooo scenic, that it was worth getting something ....

view more Weekend Reflections here

and more Scenic Sunday here

I also thought it was worthy of Shadow Shot due to the shadow created

across the landscape by the clouds obscuring the sun.

see more Shadow Shots here

and of course, it's worthy of sharing for My World Tuesday

clkick here for more

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Stormy Skies over Nelspruit

a stormy sky hanging over the valley in Nelspruit

Incidentally this image was taken from a friends' patio - what a view!!

 - and they get to enjoy this everyday!!!!!

Nelspruit is the largest town in the Lowveld (Mpumalanga province) and

is  developing at a pace of knots.  It's also the last major stop before

the Mozambican border, so has become a real thoroughfare and a

shopping mecca for people from over the border.   It's also very close

 to White River, Barberton and the Kruger Park to name a few places.  

For more info on the area, click here and here

also see the two posts below regarding more interests in the area.

View more Skywatch posts here

and more Looking at the Sky on Friday here

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Signs of Pilgrims Rest

Images of some of the vintage and historical signs at Pilgrims Rest

- a living museum mining village in Mpumalanga. 

It's the original mining town of the region and is still a beautiful place to visit.  

For those interested, it's close enough to Mac Mac Falls (see post below), God's Window and even the Kruger National Park - for more info on the town, here is a link.
 I hope to be posting more of the gorgeous and quirky signs over the weeks to come.

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Mac Mac Falls

the gorgeous Mac Mac Falls in Mpumalanga South Africa

It's close to the historical village of Pilgrims Rest (see next post) and even

the Kruger National Park.

Here is a link with more info, for those interested

View more Watery Wednesday posts here

and

For more Thursday Challenge participants, click here

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Hazyview

View of the gardens at Sabi River Sun, Hazyview, Mpumalanga

These pictures were taken quite a number of years ago, so I would imagine that some of the
trees and plants here, would be much, much larger today. Hazyview is a little "village" in
 Mpumalanga (North Eastern South Africa) and is quite central to getting around to other places
 in the area such as White River, the Kruger park, Sabi, Pilgrims Rest.        
Sabi River Sun is so named due the Sabi River running though it, and is one of the many
 options for accommodation in the area.

Link to more info on Sabi Sun and the area: click here

Other info on Hazyview: click here and here

View more Weekend Reflections here

more Shadow Shot Sunday here

and more Scenic Sunday here

Image(s):  All rights reserved.

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for Thinking Aloud

Lowveld Botanical Gardens

the waterfall at the Lowveld National Botanical Garden

The gardens are just outside Nelspruit  - they are exquisite and very well maintained,
worth a visit if you are in the area (see yesterday's post on St George's also)
View more Outdoor Wednesday posts here

and more Watery Wednesday posts here

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

St George's - White River

a view of the quaint St. George's Anglican Church in White River, apparently built

on this site in 1916.

White River falls in the Mpumalanga Region of South Africa

and is very close to the Kruger National Park - worth the visit if you are in the area.

click to view more My World posts

Image(s) All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

A Reason, A Season or a Lifetime ....

Such great words! I am sure most of you have seen/ read this before , but I thought it worth re-publishing, just because ..... 

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,   

To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,  this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire  fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,  whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Authored by:  Brian A "Drew" Chalker

Picture taken in Mpumalanga, south Africa