Once again it is time. In the wee hours of the morning I am propped up in bed. Just like in some Hollywood movie scene  – tapping away on my laptop with my beloved fast asleep next to me. Most un–Hollywood like a paraffin lamp supplies light for this nocturnal operation.

How he can sleep , is beyond me! My soul is so filled with joy because I am heeding  its persistent call at long last.. Surely heaven’s  bells  are ringing loud and clear? If he is deaf to the bells, maybe he can sense my little inner child? That blonde tousled haired rascal is doing a Sister Act dance of delight.  Her thumbs in her ears , she is waving her minute fingers, crowing: ”Told you so, nanana! All of this, just because I have not been writing as I know my soul longs to and have been bad tempered as a result.

Someone remarked the other day when I was lamenting my present lack of literary productivity : “Well, you are probably living what you will write about” and no doubt that is true.

We are packing in quite a bit of living at the moment. Life has once again brought us to a truly beautiful place. Living and working on Witvoets Kloof, tucked away in the fynbos mountains behind Bodhi Khaya, we are running Fynbos Retreat. Originally a flower picking farm, it is now used to accommodate hikers and other nature lovers as part of a joint tourism venture between Grootbos and Flower Valley.  This piece of paradise, with it’s amazing serene dams and tranquil natural surroundings has captured my heart.

FUN! Hard work for sure too: physical – making beds, cleaning, to-ing and fro-ing , dealing with all the many aspects of the hospitality industry. Getting used to living off- the- grid :  gas appliances and three hours of diesel generator time for lighting only for guests!

Temporarily housed in a minuscule  restored farm worker’s cottage, nicknamed “Snowdrop” in honour of the small patch of my mother’s favourite flowers in front, we are as busy as the ladybirds that bless this space. Close by, a dedicated team of builders are beavering away.  A miracle in the making, it seems to me – a derelict old crumbling structure becoming a managers’ house .   A brand new gable sports a hand-written  : ”2013”!

The last few days have been spent cleaning and making our temporary nest live able -clearing the plants around the cottage away to keep moisture at bay.  Jan has been crafting a path from stones and old building rubble to keep sand away from the front door which in typical farm style is really the back door!

All of this, as we ready ourselves and this magnificent wilderness place, for the many hikers especially those walking The Walker Bay Fynbos Trail and other visitors who will grace us with their presence. Also hopefully  keeping my soul happy writing the odd blog early in the morning…

Check out our beautiful space : www. fynbosretreat.com