I woke up this morning thinking about the beautiful house we used to live in in Constantia Cape Town, perfectly situated on a very tree lined street, the trees literally touched each other from across the street and the squirrels would run from tree to tree. There was a beautiful old church around the corner that we called the Parish church when if fact it was called St. Michael's but it was on Parish Road and just further on the Constantia village shopping centre. The shopping centre was less than a km from the house.
Why am I writing this - because with all that lovely sunshine, those beautiful tree lined streets, a shopping centre less than a km away I would get into my petrol guzzling 4 x 4 and DRIVE to the centre, leaving my dogs at home. Oh how much more balanced a way of life I now live. Why did I drive, because that is what everyone does there (I am not generalising either), except of course the maids. The walk would have been perfectly safe during the day, but I wouldn't have been able to tie my dogs up outside the centre though, and had I walked I would certainly have been considered 'different' to say the least.
I'm not sure about the 'perfectly safe' bit. Someone got abducted from that centre (in the parking lot) a year or two ago. But I know what you mean, thats just how things are here. I would also much prefer to walk more...can't wait!
ReplyDeleteWhen are you moving Ness x
ReplyDeleteYou've obviously been around Mel and Russ a lot :-)
ReplyDeleteBut ja, somehow strolling to the village shop with dogs in tow does sound very "British country life" We used to have that here: maybe it will be like that again sometime. I hope so.
I think its worlds better than it was a while back - but there is an awful lot of room for improvement.
Glad to hera you sounding so happy and settled X
Sounds very Little HOuse on the Prairie darlin'.
ReplyDelete;-)
You know I am kidding - sounds lovely and charming and quite mcgregorish. So so pleased you have found your niche and happy place.
I could do with a smaller house but still not sure I would take the dog to the shop with me. :-)
Wow! You guys lived in Constantia? We have friends who live there and it's the loveliest place in CT. I know if I lived there I would never leave, but then I have an insane love for CT... But I do love living in the UK, I just wish I could transfer the house we had in Westville to our town of Olney. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteAllie - in terms of crime or people getting their heads out their bums and walking? hehe
ReplyDeleteMelB - Countryside has it down sides we would prefer to be in a town as opposed to a village although this is classed as town we feel it is a little small for us. When we buy it will be in a bigger town.
Mistys Mum - Yep Constantia, I too love the place we still have a house in Constantia Hills.
Amazing the twists and turns life takes...glad you finding yourself in a good and happy space my friend xxx
ReplyDeleteYou sound so happy Jo...I am so glad that not even the lovely house in Constantia compares to your freedom right now.
ReplyDeletexx
Agree with Allie, I think its getting better.
ReplyDeleteThe people around here (In our suburb) walk every where...there is a little shop and a lake close by, so there are forever people about. In fact we walked to the shops today.
So I think things are changing.
Hayley - Good to hear, I hated the feeling of 'being noticed' if that makes any sense?
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty house. I miss our house in SA - especially my rose garden. Don't know if I could move back but sure would love a holiday in SA right now!
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought this was going to be a sad post about how much you missed SA but, hey! it turned out to be a positive one about where you are now. Every place has its good and bad points, of course, but I would HATE to live in a place where I needed a car to do every little errand. San Francisco was awesome for walking and using the bus/subway, and I do miss that. Here in Sandefjord, I can walk but the best part is the cycling. I can cycle just about everywhere I need to go. Uh, yeah, except in the dead of winter. Then it's snowboots time. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe housewife - welcome, yeah I miss the garden too, the fragrances and the squirrels and even the geckos - I love geckos.
ReplyDeleteIts always good to go back to the childhood memeories.
ReplyDeleteAnd doing it on a cycle must have been a different experience.