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

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

Simplicity .....

 Today's title pretty much sums up this post .... just simple images taken in the 

country ... they truly speak for themselves .....

An Outdoor Wednesday post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images and {Gena D Photography} for thinking aloud

More Travel shots

 Images from a road trip - wonderful country scenes with endless views

My World Tuesday post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images and {Gena D Photography} for thinking aloud

Road Trip

I've realised that as an avid photographer, I shoot away in any setting, place and time ....

The problem, you ask?

Well it's that I end up with too many pictures, which need to be previewed, at

times editted and "used" in some format, otherwise what's the point???

All of which, I might add, takes time.....   So why am I telling you this?

This selection is from a country trip I did in mid May this year, (point in case) to

the wonderful area of Chrissiesmeer - South Africa's lake district.    Not a very well

 known place and normally only noticed if you are on your way to Swaziland,

(which is how we found out about it).

So without further ado, here is a selection of images taken in and around this

 small, but breathtakingly beautiful, country place

I will post more on the actual venue that we stayed at soon!!

Previous Posts on Chrissiesmeer:

  Old Stone Church - click here

Dawn over Stone Barn click here

Stone Church - click here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Portinho Beach, Portugal

Images from my trip to Portugal this past June.

These are of the beach area adjoining Portinho da Arrabida - it's
secluded and very scenic. I love the fact that it's surrounded by a huge
mountain as a backdrop, and the sand dunes are covered with
 very different vegetation... see below ...
You might want to check out my previous post on this area here

a My World Tuesday post and

Watery Wednesday post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Hennops River Valley

a view of the Hennops River (South Africa) as seen from the

patio deck at River Place.

Weekend Reflections and Scenic Sunday

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

A Favorite Spot

 One of the pics taken during my trip to Portugal this year - it depicts the beach area at

Portinho da Arrabida - a little piece of paradise!!!  Heaven on earth ....

 It's a little port/ marina/ bay area, surrounded by mountain.  I first went there in my 

teens and to this day it  remains one of my all time favorite places!

This time we visited during a week day, before the crazy holiday season and it was

awesome to be able to enjoy the space and quiet...

 In this shot Portinho (the actual marina and little port) is behind me and ahead,

in the distance is Setubal - a major town and port.

a Skywatch and LATSOF post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Reflections on the Dam

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Dew II

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Running Stream

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

African Reflections

View more Reflections here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

An Eco Estate

reflection on a man made lake

these images were captured during a visit to a local residential estate,

where the aim is to maintain an eco friendly environment.  They have

used indigenous trees and grasses - the objective being to invite the

local birds, insects, frogs and whatever else, to inhabit the space(s).

a collage of some of the scenery on the estate - the round "building" is used

by estate management- not sure for what purpose, but I love the shape

and the great architectural detailing - including the shadows ...

a wider view of the lake

one of the windows and the great shadows around it ...

a dead tree, left in place to add character

View more Weekend Reflections here

more Scenic Sunday here

and more Shadow shots here

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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

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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

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Dusk at the Beach

the vibrant orange hue in the sky at dusk 

see more Skywatch images here

 and more Looking at the Sky here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Concert in the Gardens

a view of the Lake at the Durban Botanical Gardens

with picnickers up the one embankment enjoying a music concert

on a sunday afternoon

see more reflections here

more shadow shots here

and more Scenic Sunday here

and more Watery Wednesday posts here

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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

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