I know that some of you visited our province and this is a reminder.
If you haven't visited, put the Western Cape Province of South Africa on your bucket list.
Exploring the roads of a new area in the winelands is always a scenic pleasure and I have assembled some photos to show you the beauty. Of course a range of mountains also feature prominently as this is mountain country.
Each of the farms have a historical background and it is a very different and peaceful life out here in the wide open spaces.
Of course we stop here for pedestrians.
It was misty early morning, but thankfully the sunlight started to light things up.
I stopped the car to take a shot of this Cape Bulbul in the photo below and the songs of a flock of bulbuls in the trees sounded like an orchestra.
So it was a stop and start affair during our drive, as often we stepped out to look and to listen to the call and sounds of nature. At times complete silence that seemed to be filled with the strength of the mountains.
One's mind is stilled from the roaming thoughts of life and it's troubles as the silence invades the soul. This is true life and one can only wonder about what we are doing to ourselves in our daily chase after our wants and desires. Wants and desires that even if we achieve them all, we will still not be satisfied as we would want more.
This below is a closer look at the farming scene above and the colors of the lands were delightful to see.
Perhaps my favorite photo as I asked that cow to pose for me :)
Finally, I told you that this is the winelands and I have only shown you a small sample part of it today, as it stretches over many miles.
We have tourist routes in the winelands with many wine tasting venues and top restaurants on some of the farms. What I like is that the farmers work in partnerships with nature and hygiene is one of the top priorities.
Everything is clean, neat and orderly and not a piece of litter can be seen anywhere. I have the habit of equating this with my life and the charity work that we do and it is indeed two very different worlds.
The one world is wonderful and orderly and the other world is filled with ramshackle shacks and litter all over the place. Mindsets, I am convinced that it all has to do with mindsets. We were poor when I was a child, but our house and clothes were spotlessly clean. That left an indelible mark in my mind, almost OCD like. On the other hand the poor nowadays just don't care. Not due to a lack of money, but rather because of an unworthy mindset. A poverty mindset of I am poor and I will always be poor.
It is this mindset that we are working at to change and to restore dignity.
We do this by helping people to discover the hidden talents within themselves. So be it.
Sorry for the long scribe, but I felt like talking a bit today.
We hope that you have enjoyed the pictures and the story.
And That's All Friends.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
