Legends and Lilians

Legends and Lilian’s

There is a place somewhere deep in the greys, greens and purples of the Jesse of the Zambezi valley, It’s a place where water, the very essence of life comes from the ground, the animals of course know this place and they trust in it, it has been here for thousands, perhaps millions of years and I am sure almost unchanged from what it is now so many years before our time, an oasis in this harsh dry place that we love so dearly.

Hundreds of years ago the ancients also used this spring for water, evidenced by the remnants of pottery on the ground under the great baobabs that stand like sentinels, watching over this part of the great Chewore river

The ambiance here is spiritual, it’s a place that is truly magnificent to be a witness to, its natural Unspoilt beauty resonates deeply within you, and even in the blistering heat, being here has a cool soothing effect on your soul

The walk to this spring is always an emotional one, a journey that in some respects imitates the journey that is life. Some how each time I walk this path my my mind reflects on the most important parts and people of my life, so many images flash through my mind of days gone by and of days ahead, of my ” tribe “and of the experiences in life that have moulded me into who I am today.

Not far from the spring on a bend in the river stands an enormous Baobab, she sits like a sentry overlooking the river, her great trunk marked by the thousands of elephant that have stopped and contemplated in her shade. The energy is tangible in the air here, for this is “Padare” , the meeting place, a place where we stop and allow ourselves to take in the beauty and splendour of AFRICA , where we pause and remember the legends of our lives, past and present

Being out here reminds of us our own mortality, as for thousands of years ‘Padare’ has stood quietly observing and recording what happens around her

And if you sit here quietly and allow your mind to still, you will hear her energy talking to you, breathing on you, stilling you!

At this time of the year, the Lilians love birds become like Christmas lights as they flock to the ground, looking for food, their magnificent colours a stark contrast to the greys and browns of the dry landscape. A reminder perhaps that wherever we look and when ever we look, as long as we truly open our eyes we see this unbelievable beauty in nature. There is so much around us that we simply don’t see or hear ! It’s only in this humbling environment that we take in the ambiance of reality. It’s tough out here, but it’s real and there in lies it’s beauty and it’s why we are drawn to this !

It is not possible to put into words the emotion of being in this Untouched landscape, a place where life is simple, there are no excuses out here - life is exactly as it should be every moment of the day, a thought that takes most of us way out of our comfort zone.

Perhaps it is the harsh realities of the wild places that draw me in, or maybe its the sense of freedom I feel out here in this quiet place, where  the winds whisper the myths and legends of Africa as they blow through the branches of these great trees, somehow it feels like they beckon me to tell their story!

It is here that I reflect in my mind on the legends of my life , the ones I have had the privilege to have walked this path with. Some still walk with me on this path, whilst others have left on a path to eternity that we all take at some stage, but our bond still exists, and its in these places I feel your connection to me, through the winds, the sounds of the birds , the trees and the animals.

To those legends in my life who walk with me now, I can only thank you from the deepest part of my soul for helping me be who I am and. To the legends that taken the path to the sunsets, I feel you every day out here, you complete me !

And to the legends who I don’t know, the ones that stand on these dry soils, fighting the good fight in sometimes unbelievably difficult conditions, so that our children’s children will be able to know and interact as we have done in these wild places, I salute you and your efforts 

Padare 

Oil on Canvas 

Take the weight off your feet and just enjoy!

Life can be Exhausting

Sometimes its better to sit back and get perspective !

Stunning Nature !

The colours of Africa ...

Just breath !

There is nowhere as beautiful as being here, in the present. Take it all in, life is a mere flash of light on a dark night.

September 2018

Hwange 2018

August and September are always thoughtful months for me, too many life changing events have occurred over the years in these months, some good and some bad. A recent trip to one of the most splendid parts of Africa, as always, was very moving and touched me deeply. For many years I have been able to follow my heart and be, on many occasions, at one with the wild - a place I cherish deeply for its purity.
To convey completely the ambiance and 'feeling' of being here and witnessing this, is a task I don't believe is easy but it is truly soulful!

Out here water is life! Through generations of animals they have known that there is water in these pans and they plan their lives by it - water is everything in these dry kalahari sands and as the seasons dry out, the waterholes become an ongoing playground for predators and their prey - like some scene from a movie - peace can be shattered in seconds, only to return to peace in seconds.
This is reality!
There was a somber mood around the pan and whilst there was the normal jostling and cavorting amongst the younger elephants in the water, some of the elders were clearly uneasy. One cow was deeply disturbed at our presence, she walked close to us emitting low warning growls, probably as she was troubled by the tense feeling around the area.

She continuously paced metres from us, expressing her concern and showing us how tense she was at our presence.

There was a growing group at the back of the pan and they all stood in silence with their heads down, seemingly paying their respects as they gathered quietly near the body of the young bull that died the day before.

The constant procession of groups of elephants emerging from the tree line, coming to the water is, as always, spiritual but this time it was different - as many came in, they stood quietly halfway down with their trunks raised to the breeze, as though in silent salute to a fallen comrade. Like a church congregation, they gathered quietly with their heads bowed as if in some kind of prayer, some gathered around the body and the occasional one stood over it. There was clearly anguish at what had happened - the moment was deep and penetrating. 

Then gently they drifted off in various groups into the lengthening shadows. 

There is no question there was an emotion that existed around the pan that evening, a spiritual feeling and a sadness for these incredibly majestic and intelligent creatures. Leaving the pan and driving into the gathering night was thought provoking and special - a moment of the soul shared with some of the legends in my life, people who share a love for this magnificent place!

There is an ambiance that exists around these water holes - the combination of  heat, dung and the clay blends together like some exotic blend - only recognisable by those who know it as 'home'. It’s a blend of 'reality' something that provokes deep thought in us and, as always, these places awake an inner peace. Somehow there is perhaps a sense of recognition here hidden all the way deep inside of us that somewhat reluctantly identifies with this reality.

For too many of us, life has become an incessant rush, often at the expense of others and even ourselves, just to keep up. The never-ending need for more has really affected us and it is seldom that we get 'time out' for ourselves to seriously ponder the depth of it all. Is it only when someone we love passes away that we look inward?
Witnessing this, as always, makes me think of our Sim - what a father figure to his children and mine, what a husband, brother and friend - your energy is powerful but especially here.

Circumstances do not make a man they reveal him!

Another year has rolled by Sim - August is gone and we have penetrated deep into September, not that any of that means much in reality, time is as always an enigma!

The morning chill is tangible, a freshness that injects me with energy or perhaps it is just that feeling - the wonderful sensation of truly being in reality, of coming alive in a special place, what an honour!

 A sensation that is truly hard to put into words!

The night has been eventful, the rumbles of elephant and the call of lion amongst others - what will the day bring? Knowing, as we do, that out here its just today - as it's all we can be sure of right now!

The coals from the night before add to the ambiance as I sit here listening to the calls of the birds and the excitement of the new day's dawn, the sun is still below the horizon and the blend of noise and light sends me into deep thought. 

It has been time it seems, my friend, since you and I parted company, when you left this worldly form and yet the memories are graphic and sharp. The flame in the mopane logs dance joyfully, taking me back to the many times we sat around a fire just like this, laughing, arguing and even planning things with that sense of deep contentment with each other within our souls.
The sensations of being here in this early morning light reminds me of that incredible feeling of camaraderie we shared and wanted so deeply for our children before they were even born.
 Perhaps the time we spend with those we love never leaves, but deep in my conscious I hear your laugh as I think of the time we shared. The marvels of nature allow me to see you in your children everyday and it is a great honour to be able to have run this journey with them all. As we always wanted, they are close like we were, it is truly wonderful to watch.

As the hornbills start their almost hesitant 'poks' in the cool air and the doves herald the imminent rising of the sun - I remember the purity of our friendship and the eternal attachment that will exist between us and I revel in the love that exists between our families forever.

As we know out here the silence is pure and friendly, life is about the moment and nothing more. As I sit and watch I reflect on the journey we have taken, somehow, I feel you have been there all along - your presence being felt in so many ways. To us you are a legend Sim, we are the lucky ones who shared time with you and as we sit here and remember, we smile at the privilege it has been. 

For me and I am sure others, it's here that I feel you the most, being in the present in this timeless and humbling and spiritual environment.

I see you in my mind somewhere out there in the dust and haze walking the 'gwasha's' with the 'Ambuya', watching over us all - laughing at the crazy shit we do and shaking your head at how so very unimportant most of it is! We may have forgotten some of things you said but we have never forgotten the way you made us feel!

Now that ears of my ears are awake and the eyes of my eyes are open 

(E.E Cumming )

Hamba Gashle !

Will 2018

Zambezi River July 2018

Africa, The Worlds Greatest Wilderness

A privilege that knows no boundary, we the lucky ones have been able to witness a part of the Worlds Greatest Wilderness.The deep rooted connection that stems from this world and its inhabitants, knows no border, no political line on a map, it is connected to the soul of those who have stopped long enough to contemplate her ambiance. 

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Africa, a vast tapestry of stories and legends, flowing on the winds that blow through the branches of her magnificent trees, spreading the history of her wilderness to those who stop to listen.
That the experience of being in the wild here is spiritual, is unquestionable, and to the men and women past and present who have immersed themselves at the front line of conservation I have only the deepest respect.

The World is a small place now with its social media and "virtual" access to everything, people are often inclined to make judgement and decisions without the facts, and these facts only ever come from the front line.It is very sad that policy swayed by public opinion in far off lands is affecting conservation at the rock face so strongly, it seems the world is full of experts who only see what they want ! 

Listen to the drums that are beating before you speak, pause a moment and take in the silence, that silence that will give you perspective.

Will Maberly 2018