It is almost a week ago that I very quickly and haphazardly packed a car up with the essentials (and without some) and headed of for the place that is to be my home for this year, George. And what a beautiful home it is! It inspires me to breath in deep breathes of fresh air, look beyond the road at the mountains while driving and for a non-morning person, it's not a bad reason to get out of bed at six O'Clock and for the first time in a long time, it's rewarding to see the sun below ten degrees in the sky!
The trip here was a lazy affair. Never before have I ambled along stopping at every photo opportunity, some just an excuse to stop and take my time rather than rush, on the route through the magnificent Karoo to the Cape East Coast.
Most times, except of course with Brian as my travel companion, have been a race against the clock to make sure we make our destination with daylight to spare. This time, Colesberg seemed the obvious half way stop and where better to stay than on the banks of the Orange River, which was where the guest house I earmarked as my night stop was situated. 
Vast fields of Sunflowers didn't speed past unnoticed, Windmills and lone trees became my travel companions and talking to cows
about my journey wasn't frowned upon, night fall was the best opportunity to spot the enormous illuminated cross in Springfontein reminding me why I live! 
Having two days meant a late start on the second and plenty of time to slow down and notice Graaf Reinet, Willowmore and Uniondale (keeping an eye out for the elusive lady hitchhiker of Uniondale... apparently she doesn't like daylight hours). The Outeniqua pass allowed a glimpse from above of my new home and acclimatized my senses to an overload of sensory stimulation.It is now with this attitude that I approach my new chosen path, it is not about arriving at the destination quickly, it is about noticing the things around us, and more importantly, people we encouter, it is about savouring every moment, every new experience, embracing mistakes as well as accolades and enjoying every step of the way. It is about serving people as we are able and blessed to do and to laugh with others and at ourselves. Already a week has "flown by" and too much has happened too express it all. I will endeavor to remember this revelation throughout my journey.
