DELHI BELOVED - AND SO IT BEGINS

Years ago I set off on a journey. It seems like a lifetime ago. I had no frame of reference. No preconceptions. No clue to be honest. Looking back it's pretty crazy how much of an effect just a few days in foreign city would have on me. It's changed everything. I still remember the lights from those celebrating Eid strewn across rooftops as we flew into a bustling midnight Mumbai, destined for Delhi. That was 2006. Then again in 2008. Now six years on and I'm moving to city that has caught me totally off guard, but has never left my mind. So for those keen on keeping up to date on what I'm up to, please pop in and say hello or leave a comment. I leave South Africa on 20 March and after two weeks in London I will arrive in Delhi. I hope to find time to blog in all of the settling in. I'll be walking the streets, taking photos and volunteering with a few initiatives that I've been eye-ing out... plus exploring this amazing country... first stop Varanasi perhaps. I'm not too sure yet whether I'll be starting a new blog or what, but when the times comes I'll keep you all posted. So here's to taking risks and being scared. Hope to keep in touch with those I've neglected recently in all the prep and busy work vibes. Above are a few snaps from my last trip.

WISDOM AND YOUTH - OUR OFFICE

Our team and our office were recently featured in the latest edition of Elle. Jenna McArthur visited the studio and checked out what we wear and what we get up to. Thought you guys might want to have a look see at what we all look like and the cool space we get to work in every day. A few of the team were chosen to be featured in the mag. I was pipped at the post for a guys spot by my boss Neville Trickett and my mate Darryn, two of the best dressed and stylish blokes I know. It was an easily accepted defeat. I did however get a mention and a pic on the site. That's pretty neat :) Read the article here. Oh and that's me with the camera and my Dad's army jacket.

FEATURED: IWANTTHAT.CO.ZA

I was approached by Vicki of iwanthat.co.za a while back and asked if I'd be interested in contributing to an ongoing interview section on her blog that she's called A Day in the Life. The idea is pretty simple. You take a few photos from a random day in your life and write a little about what you got up to. I chose a Saturday a few weeks ago as most week days are more busy than they are interesting. So pop by her blog and have a read through mine and others. Thanks Vicki!

GET INVOLVED EXHIBITION

Recently saw on Lucky Pony that they were hosting a photographic exhibition at Wolves on the 2nd of September. It's a film-only show so I had a scrounge through some recent shots. Hoping to make it up for the show but it's looking doubtful. These are two of the shots I submitted. If you're in the area, pop by on Friday night for what's sure to be cracker of an evening. Big thanks to Shane for sorting me out with the printing.

LOTENI - THE VERY LONG WAY ROUND

Three weekends ago a couple of us took off to the Drakensberg for the long weekend. Taking Monday off, as Tuesday was a public holiday, meant we got the chance to get some good solid rest. Getting up there was a mission though. Please note if you're thinking of visiting Loteni, whatever you do, take a 4x4. We did end up in a ditch on the side of the road, but after some choice navigation from yours truly and superb driving skills from my mate Jono we were out. We had no choice but to turn back and overnight with friends in Dargle. The following morning we were off early and made it through to our cottage. All in all, it was a simply amazing weekend. Two of the highlights were a waterfall swim in a sub-zero pool and taking an afternoon stroll down to the river. The valley was lit up with this golden winter light that rendered even the drabbest shrub ablaze. It was magical. I got to shoot a ton of images; mostly of my mates. These were my favourites from the remainder of the shots.

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

I remember being in my teens, I'd say towards the end of my high school years and just developing this deep love for music. I think all teens go through this stage. I'd spend hours and days stopping, pausing and rewinding tapes so that I could get the lyrics juts right. Who wants to be at a disco and have a song come on and summoning all your teenage angst, blare out the wrong words. The reason I write about this is because I found an old book of my foolscap book of my Dad's from his high school years. The front contains a few pages and accompanying photos detailing the guys in his rugby team, row by funny hairstyled row. The back however has a few pages with carefully transcribed lyrics to the above songs, "neatly" written in his barely decipherable cursive. He'd often ask me to try and make out what he'd written down. So, it's kind of odd to picture my Dad as a teen. Hitting the dancefloor, trying to impress a girl with his moves, getting dumped and finding love again. These are the songs and lyrics he wrote down. Drop me a comment if you recognise any of them 1. With a girl like you - The Troggs 2. The House of the Rising Sun - The Animals ( Prepare to have your face melt when Eric Burdon steps it up a gear ) 3. As tears go by - Marianne Faithfull ( originally by The Rolling Stones )

A LATE FATHERS DAY COLLECTION

Sunday was Father's Day. My Dad was on my mind the whole day. He was such a great guy. He was kind, funny and always had time for me. I started gathering items that he'd given me over the years and others that he left behind. Above is a collection of certain things that remind me of who he was.

1. An old toiletry bag he used to use on his travels. For manly goods...shaving cream, razor, flick-knife. 2. A camera he bought in1975 in Mauritius. Pentax Asahi. My grandparents were born there, but I've never been...yet. Hopefully going next year for Mom's 60th. 3. A Leatherman he received as a gift a few years ago. 4. He taught me how to play chess. Don't think I ever beat him. 5. His army jacket. I'm over 6ft so the sleeves are on the short side. 6. His Bible. He grew up Catholic. He taught me well. 7. A traditional French card game called Nain Jaune. We spent hours playing this as kids. It dates back to the 1600's. 8. His wedding tie. A thin little number. Hope to rock it one day soon. 9. He ran the Comrades Marathon twice. One up and one down, and vowed he would only ever drive to Pietermaritzburg again. 10. A torch that reminds me of one of the last fishing trips to Ixopo. We got stuck in the mud at night in a deep valley and had to be towed out by kind locals. 11. He loved anything old and interesting. These are two copies of The London Illustrated News from 1913 and 1936. 12. A slingshot/kettie he bought. He grew up on a farm and always had the craziest stories to tell. 13. The last watch he owned. Nothing fancy...just aTimex. 14. This and a Mazawatee Tea tin remind me of all the weekends he'd spend in his garage, tinkering with his antiques and collectibles.

BUCKET LIST BEACHES

My hometown Durban has had some miserable weather lately. All the cold, wind and rain has had me yearning for warmer climes, so I compiled a list of salt water and fresh water beaches to see before I die. Each choice has a reason behind it, some personal and some frivolous. Some may not have the hugest beaches, so I've taken a little artistic licence if you will. If I missed any that should definitely be here, let me know.

From top left: 1. Krka National Park, Croatia 2. Blue Hole, Belize 3. Bora Bora, Polynesia 4. Mambo Island, Malawi 5. San Blas Island, Panama 6. Boulders Beach, South Africa 7. Noordhoek Beach, South Africa 8. Phak Nam Bay, Thailand 9. Ipanema Beach, Brazil 10. Durdle Door, United Kingdom 11. Manly Beach, Australia 12. Algarve, Portugal

ENGAGING STRANGERS: KOBUS

You can't live in Durban for very long and not notice the poverty. It's everywhere. My honest opinion is that poverty is not just about whether you're well off financially. There are people everywhere that are spiritually battered and bruised. Now I'm not saying we should give money to a beggar, street child or hobo every time we come across one. Plus I don't think money is always the solution. Many poor people have issues with alcohol or drug abuse. Not all of them, but some of them. There is however something we can give every time. Our attention. Some times that's all a person needs. Just a simple greeting and chat. If they ask for money and you don't want to give say, just say, "I'm sorry I can't give you money, I just wanted to say Hi". Seriously, try it! Most people just ignore them, probably out of guilt, frustration or annoyance, but I think ignoring them is far more rude than not giving them anything.

Now, I'm not saying Kobus here is poor or other issues. Far from it. When I met him recently on a side road in Underberg, he did seem like he had been through a bit of a hard time, but he was friendly enough. We chatted for a while, maybe 20 minutes. I asked him about his tattoo. He said if I ever came through the area again not to forget to come say hello. "Don't forget me", was the last thing he said. "Don't forget me". Funny that. Out of all the things he could have said as I left, he asked that. That made me sad to be honest, that he felt forgotten. I will visit Kobus again, and we'll chat more.

BLADES AND KNIVES

So the past few posts seem to have been ultra-nostalgic. That's not a bad thing right? I love old items. As a child, and even as an adult I love sitting and pondering the history of an item. Hang on. I think I've already posted that exact sentiment somewhere on this blog. Anyway, I knew my Dad collected penknives, but had no idea he had so many. We began going through his stuff after he passed way last year and I realised he had quite a collection. These are some of them.

BEFORE I WAS AROUND

My parents' anniversary is coming up in a few weeks, so I had a rummage through an old tin my mom has with a wad of old photos. I found these few of them together. Most of these were taken in 1973, so five years before I was born. It's sort of strange seeing them together in the photos though. No kids around, no house, no joys and sorrows the following years would bring. I often wish I could go back in time and hang out with them in those days that seem so carefree.