The dawn breaks and the first pale light dulls a million stars. The Fiery-Cheeked Nightjar’s “Good Lord deliver us” call fades to give way to the melodious song of a Cape Robin-Chat. These opening bars cue-in the avian orchestral fanfare, …
The kite seller strolls slowly past us along the beach, the wind lifting his wares aloft in a fluttering chorus of colour, the most intricate and beautiful sailing boats with wings, hoisted on colourful stacked sails bobbing and pitching effortlessly …
The first bicycle rolls into Nottingham Road about two hours after we left the greening fields of Michaelhouse. Total distance covered: 13km. Not a great pace, but the first day always seems to bring out the worst teething problems in …
The evening of the Michaelhouse Matric Ball brought unusually warm, clear weather for Balgowan, where the mist inevitably descends after a hot summer day. Wanting to make an interesting entrance, without upstaging any of the matric boys and their partners …
The aircraft has just left terra firma. White tropical beaches give way to the deep blue Caribbean sea as we climb into the clouds. Yesterday was different. The Airbus accelerated down the runway but instead of taking off, slewed to …
Hwaqahwaqa, “mottled object”, “overcast sky”. This was her Zulu name, given due to the irregular black pools on her soft grey coat that seemed to echo the ancient skies over a dull African veld. To the mlungus who knew her …
This is my first post as an aspiring author at Chapt3r1. I am a recent entrant into the world of writing. As a scientist I have written many formal and structured papers, articles and reports. The surprise of a successful entry …
Paul Personal Info I currently live in rural South Africa in Balgowan, which boasts a post office, Michaelhouse (an ‘Ivy League’ boy’s boarding school) and green farmland. I am married with two adult children. Hobbies Anything outdoors, camping, hiking, mountain …