Fear and Fun

Cheetah's differ from the leopard as they are smaller and have black tear markings from the eyes to the mouth.
They run at a speed of 114 km/ph.
They make various sounds, this one was purring............as a way of communication not as a sign of being happy like a cat!!!
The skins were worn as a sign of wealth. There are only 10-15000 left in the world.

Technology

I watched Stan lead the parade for the commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood in Port Elizabeth today. 3000 young South African volunteers died there in the First World War.
After the parade I squeezed out a tune and met some of the band members.
I bought my pipes in 1984.
It had (still has) a sheepskin bag which was sealed with a thick syrupy substance. The cane reeds were kept moist.
Nowadays the bag is made with an airtight material and zips closed. Inside is a contraption to absorb vapours from the air breathed into the bag. The reeds are now plastic. The advantage of this latest technology is that the pipes are easier to tune and the reeds last longer.

Grahamstown Festival

I went to the Festival in Grahamstown recently but did not go to any shows for various reasons.

I met Stan and Harriet in 1982 in Welkom in the then Orange Free State. Stan taught me to play the bagpipes. Today I went to their home in Port Elizabeth for a braai and saw what the "new" pipes are like. They have come a long way since 1982!!!!

Reflection Day

Today was a great reflection day.
The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful with beautiful surroundings.
I was introduced to the labyrinth a few years ago at a Catholic retreat centre in Hibberdene and had the privilege of walking the largest one in the world today.
(1.4 km)
The oldest one discovered was in Sardinia 2500BC and another in Egypt near the pyramid of Pharaoh dating back to 1800BC.
The path symbolizes life’s journey.
The circle = unity.
The idea as you walk towards the center is to “Leave Behind” relinquishing and forgiving.
The center is love, the point where reason meets imagination, mystical transformation into spiritual liberation. An old practice was for couples to marry in the center.
The turns are change, discovery and spiritual evolution.
Coming back is empowerment, finding, healing and renewal.
I have added a picture, one of many, of the reflection in a nearby dam.
I then had coffee and scOnes which reminded me of Cornwall with the real clotted cream that I enjoyed so often when I lived there. I learnt that the cream goes on the scOne first then the strawberry jam on top. It is impossible to spread the clotted cream on top of the jam. A waitress took this pic of me before the scones arrived.
This area of Hogsback is called THE EDGE and is renowned for the spectacular views.