Well hello, stranger
Welcome to our Wednesday walk! I found a few photographs for the start of the year as I was sorting my external hard drive. This particular day was one of those "I'm bored, what can we do?" days. My cousin was in town for a few days and we didn't want to waste our time going to the shops or a movie. So naturally, I suggested a walk 😎. I mean who wouldn't? I've seen enough of the mall, movies are more fun at home and we all needed fresh air and a bit of bright sunshine.
Even though this was taken a while back, I think we achieved the goal of the Wednesday walk. To look for something you would not necessarily see. To look beyond, to search for all the hidden things around you.
With everyone in the car, singing songs and being merry, we made our way to the outskirts of town. I remember my cousin saying that a walk down the street is not a proper walk. So we had to take him on a proper walk out in nature, anyway from the buildings and people and traffic. I do agree with him to some point. Walking around town is enjoyable at times, and at other times you want to be as far away from people as possible.
Honestly, I think as much as he wanted to be outside, he did think we would be "walking walking". He got tired after a few minutes 😂. But the view is worth it. Rocks, plants, birds, insects, clouds, trees... all the lovely gifts of mother nature right next to you. Now that is something that helps calm the soul.
We continued down the path, exploring what nature had to offer us. All the green grass flying in the wind, the little birds cheering in the sky, bees floating around the fresh flowers, and all the other beautiful senery around us. Naturally, my cousin was complaining every now and then... Wanting to take water breaks every 10 minutes. At least during those times, I could have a proper look at all the colourfully flowers.
A few of the flowers I saw during our walk. I always take a bunch of photographs of flowers or sunsets only to delete them after a few months. This time I get to share it with you all!
As per usual, we had to visit my favourite spot and see what has been going on with the water levels of the river/dam. This time around it was dry. Well, most of the time it is dry, but once it rains... O the joy I have is unexplainable. And I think the rest of the creatures agrees with me.
This big tree must have fallen over years ago, but if you look closely at where it snapped in the middle, there is a tiny tree sprouting. We go for walks at Seven dams quite often and the last time I was there the little tree had grown quite a bit. Maybe one day he will replace his old friend.
What is a family walk without a little bit of fun? We tried to make it look like my brother was hanging from my cousin's hand. I think I took around 14 photos since they both kept laughing or moved too much. In the end, the photo might not be perfect, but it's still amusing for us to look back at it and remember the fun we had creating it. On a side note... Can you spot the bottle in the rivier/dam? I just had to remove it. Luckely I carry a plastic bag around for our rubbish and I used it to remove the bottle from the water.
We ventured up the fallen tree trunk in search of praying mantises. I assume you are asking me why... Why would one go and search for them? Well, my brother had a few at home that started to lay eggs and he wanted to see if perhaps the ones outside in nature had started laying eggs and what spots they have chosen. You know, in order to make the ones at home as comfortable and happy as possible.
We never found any praying mantises, although we did search for quite some time. However, the disappointment didn't last long since we found something equally as cool!
At first we didn't notice the tiny frog while walking towards one of the benches next to the dam. My cousin nearly sat on this tiny froggy, so we had to move it. The bench is completely in the shade and we assumed the little guy wasn't moving because of the cold. We picked him up and gently moved him to a sunny spot. After a few minutes, he was happy and moving again. Can we just appreciate the neon green stripe on his back?
This big fella was not part of the days' adventures, but I wanted to add him. Before anyone bites me for mishandeling him, he was one of our Micro-Biology rehabilitation froggies. He's a Giant Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) and can weigh up to 1.4 KG. We realised him a few years ago, and although I know it's not possible, I keep telling myself he and Sir Tinny frog knew each other 😅.
After our break next to the water with the tiny frog, and some snacks, we made our way back to the car. Given it was still a bit of a long walk back... So naturally, we looked at everything around us and made comments on every plant we saw, all the little critters, and even all the weirdly shaped rocks. There were a few plants in particular that we spend some time admiring and wondered where we could find more of them. My mother always tried to get my brother and me to help out in the garden, but as kids, we weren't big fans of "working" in the garden. These days things are different seeing as we both have hundreds of plants. And whenever we can "save" a plant we try our best to do so.
On this walk we found a few plants that were dug up, possibly by the animals roaming the area. Nevertheless, we collected the little plant and tried to place it back in the soil. I did take home the little parts that didn't have roots and tried to propagate them. A few of them survived and are currently growing happily outside my front door. I know a lot of people who feel that one should leave it alone but as a geographer, biologist and environmentalist, I believe it is our duty to try our best and protect nature. Even if this means I'm taking home a piece of a plant and keeping it thriving in our own gardens. Doing something small still helps.
And of course, what is a family walk without a family picture?! I remember a time when I used to be the second tallest. Back then we formed a pattern 📈... Now I'm just short... At least we are all still rocking our shades as we used to when we were younger.
Well, that's all from my side! I hoped you enjoyed tagging along on our Wednesday Walk. Adventure is all around us, we just need to make time and go have them. While it is not always possible or easy to make time for adventures, it is definitely worth it. You can catch up on your work or sleep, but lost adventure time can never be replaced. So go out and have your adventure, even if it is just a walk!
Until next time! Take care and spend some time doing something you love!
Until next time! Take care and spend some time doing something you love!