When I was leaving Capetown, Kent and Landy's wonderful neighbors Jay and Debbie (there adorable daughter Maya is the one in the picture of Kent, Landi, Tim, and I), gave me an adress to a couple that they were friends with in Morgan Bay (The west end of the Transkei). Later, when I passsed throught Port Alfred, another newly made friend, Mellie, said she also knew them well, and that I must stop to say "hello"....Well two people who do not even know each other form completely different parts of the country could not be wrong. So I paid Chris and Linda Bodges a visit.
There house in Morgan Bay, is about exactly what I would love to construct one day. They built it from almost entirely recycled and local material. It is modeled after the traditional Xhosa style with log-pole rafters, mud earth walls, and grass roofs. They run a quasi-restaurant (more like inviting kitchen) from their home. All of the produce they grow comes from the beautiful gardens surrounding the house. I could not pass the guava tree without picking up one to grave on! The meals are deliciously adventurous, and healthy. They make their own chutneys, sauces, and jams from various plants as well.
Since Linda was in Capetown for a few days, I spent a lot of time getting to know Chris, from whom I learned so much. He has (what is now quite rare) an incredibly positive outlook on the world spinning around us, and makes sure he and others make time to acknowledge it. When there is surf...surf. When there is work to be done...work (unless the surf is really good). Though we did not get a chance to get in the water, we spent a few afternoons going for walks along the majestically green and black cliffs overlooking the bay. I have never been to Easter Island, but for some reason kept thinking hat it must look like this! From the tops of the cliffs we saw whales, fish swimming, and dolphins. No sharks, but as with almost all of South Africa, it is very sharky water. I really enjoyed there 3 dogs Joey, Webster, and Hope, as well as there cat Jeremy , whom also kind of thought he was a dog. Thanks so much guys. Hope to see you "Immediately...if not sooner!"
There house in Morgan Bay, is about exactly what I would love to construct one day. They built it from almost entirely recycled and local material. It is modeled after the traditional Xhosa style with log-pole rafters, mud earth walls, and grass roofs. They run a quasi-restaurant (more like inviting kitchen) from their home. All of the produce they grow comes from the beautiful gardens surrounding the house. I could not pass the guava tree without picking up one to grave on! The meals are deliciously adventurous, and healthy. They make their own chutneys, sauces, and jams from various plants as well.
Since Linda was in Capetown for a few days, I spent a lot of time getting to know Chris, from whom I learned so much. He has (what is now quite rare) an incredibly positive outlook on the world spinning around us, and makes sure he and others make time to acknowledge it. When there is surf...surf. When there is work to be done...work (unless the surf is really good). Though we did not get a chance to get in the water, we spent a few afternoons going for walks along the majestically green and black cliffs overlooking the bay. I have never been to Easter Island, but for some reason kept thinking hat it must look like this! From the tops of the cliffs we saw whales, fish swimming, and dolphins. No sharks, but as with almost all of South Africa, it is very sharky water. I really enjoyed there 3 dogs Joey, Webster, and Hope, as well as there cat Jeremy , whom also kind of thought he was a dog. Thanks so much guys. Hope to see you "Immediately...if not sooner!"
hey thanks for saying such nice things about us, Just got a card from you and now that we are internet connected was able to have a good look!
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you. Will write soon