Slow down Time !

We come this way of mortal life but once. Doing good to others is by all means the greatest virtue we can aspire to. The satisfaction of helping to put a broken soul back into place cannot be bought with any currency. The last 25 years of my life has been dedicated to do just that. But that is not what this little scattering of thought is really about although the view above was a clear reminder of just that. In the early 80's this view was part of my daily life. Sitting with Annatjie next to me last month at the start of a much deserved 10 day break on the east coast of SA gazing over the bay of Scottburgh I could not believe how time had flown. This was the first stop on the coast to catch a lunch after the drive from our stopover in Harrysmith. I am getting no kickbacks but if ever you feel tired or just want to spoil yourself and your lady pull in to LA LA Nathi  just outside Harrysmith. They have the most beautiful lodge, lovely ambiance, decent food and the most quaint of cottages all constructed from thatch and sandstone.

A bit closer to the coast at the top of Van Reenen pass there is also a historical inn called the Green Lantern. It dates back to 1892 and has an amazing old pub. The entrance leads into a hall which served as a movie house in which they showed old "still" movies. The projector room dating back to 1932 is still there. This is real "auld" English culture and in the pink dining room we were served a lovely "English" breakfast, what else?



Back to Scottburgh where proudly I was once an honorary life saver. Off those same rocks I nailed my fair share of shad, the most delicious fish for braaing on the coals or cutting a fresh fillet to throw in the smoker and eat on the rocks. After our lunch up at Phat Boyz, the local hang out for surfers, I was curious to know if my old friend, Mickey McConnell still owned the surf shop downstairs. Isn't it amazing how God gives attention to detail in touching base with his kids here on earth? We hardly enquired from the shop assistant when in walked the man, much less hair, more wrinkled but still that same friendly smile. "Are you still such a committed Christian as then"? he enquired. We used to have open air outreach services all over Scotties in those days and he never forgot it. I left the town with a good feeling smiling to Annatjie, it is good to know one left a good impression on folk, an imprint of Jesus, is all what we really are as Christians. I looked forward to the rest of our time down in Uvongo and time really seemed to be slowing down. 

Years ago when we were really doing well in the art industry I was led to purchase points with several Holiday exchange companies. The annual levies are quite reasonable and we have had the most blessed break aways because of that divine inspiration. Once more we were blessed to stay in a lovely newly built two bedroom flat fully equipped and within walking distance from the beach. To add to the pleasure it was really a quiet time of the year and we almost had the entire place to ourselves. We where just up the road from Uvongo beach which is quite amazing in itself with its own waterfall, lagoon and these huge towering cliffs hanging over the beach. The only downside was the dirty sea water, the constant north-easterly which I knew brings in those mean blue bottles. Needless to say we only went to the beach for those long lovely strolls.

  Annatjie was simply blown out with the incredible garden God had laid out for us to enjoy. The variety of texture shape colour and shape thrown together in such abundance and yet with perceivable and intelligent composition was really something to just take in and enjoy. On this particular day we had the entire beach all to ourselves to enjoy with each other and the Lord who was almost visible He felt so close. For moments time just seemed to stand completely still. Who can compare with His majesty? There is no one like You Lord Jesus, and you made all this for us to enjoy with you.                                                                                                 Psa 96:1 Sing a new song to the LORD! Sing to the LORD, all the world! Sing to the LORD, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us. Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples. The LORD is great and is to be highly praised; he is to be honored more than all the gods. The gods of all other nations are only idols, but the LORD created the heavens. Glory and majesty surround him; power and beauty fill his Temple. Praise the LORD, all people on earth; praise his glory and might. Praise the LORD's glorious name; bring an offering and come into his Temple. Bow down before the Holy One when he appears; tremble before him, all the earth!  Say to all the nations, "The LORD is king! The earth is set firmly in place and cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with justice."

Be glad, earth and sky! Roar, sea, and every creature in you; be glad, fields, and everything in you! The trees in the woods will shout for joy when the LORD comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness. 

Psa 96:13

Well I can't really say that during our stay down on the coast,  that either of us where making a serious effort to do anything spiritual. We slept a lot, loved a lot, ate some delicious seafood, curries and other food and watched quite a bit of TV. A few times the niggling little voice of accusation tried knocking at my conscience but fortunately I know who the accuser is and therefore ignored him. This was really a time to slow down and chill. So folks. though I had the mini HP there and a modem to connect and even though I could make mobile uploads from the BlackBerry, you heard nothing from me. I made a few half hearted attempts to check Facebook and our cause but that was it. I mean holiday is for slowing down ain't it? That was my intention and we hit the mark. 

So finally, Margate was great to visit at sundown and they serve delicious food on the balcony from where I took these shots. We will be back down there for the Africa Bike week to do a bit of marketing among the biking community. I have just been informed that our application for a bikers club which will focus on bringing down drug dealers has been approved, but that is for another time.

Adios for now! Thank you Jesus for your goodness!