Had a 9 am beer at the airport bar. The normal hustle and bustle of the Joburg Domestic Departure lounge was going on around me. Tourists with wide brimmed hats and sunburnt faces, business people rushing, talking a bit too loud into cellular phones. Moms, looking exhausted, wrestling with strollers and crying kids. Outside another beautiful summer's day was unfolding and the sapphire blue sky was filled with streaks of cirrus clouds. I was on my way to the Overberg close to Cape Town and I was excited to see my friends and make music and drink whiskey at Rusty Gate Mountain Retreat.
Met the band outside the airport, got on our bus and stopped for supplies on the way. It was a hot Friday and the ocean lay stretched out like a wild blue dream.
Seeing old friends and hanging with new acquaintances, sharing new songs and singing with a magnificent band was just some of the great experiences to write about. There was the beauty of the Overberg and postcard scenes in every direction. I was reminded by my friend Gerhard that there is a really big difference between the cost of things and the value. Profound wisdom from a man who's seen some stuff and always shows up when the chips are down. I left on the Sunday morning and spent the day walking along the beach at Bloubergstrand, having beers and seafood, staring at the ships in the harbour and processing the events, conversations and joy of the weekend. As I sat staring at the sunset turning Table Mountain into a flat black rock against the pink and purple clouds I was overcome by gratitude and appreciation for this beautiful life and country I call home. For the people I love and get to call my friends and family. The light in the darkness and hope...no matter how distant on life's horizon.
Grateful for perspective and good health.
There's so much coming up this year. I've got some shows coming up and songs to learn. I am trying to write some new ones and I'm excited about the brand new heifer calves in the herd....and the rain. Beautiful rain. I started this blog and I try to connect with you, share some stories and thoughts and tell you about upcoming events. It's right here where I hold nothing back. I write the truth, if nothing else. It's been a tough couple of months and I had to do a lot of walking away. I had to learn how to love myself again and how to make peace with losing someone you love...for a second time. I had to learn that sometimes there can be beauty in defeat and growth in the deepest pain imaginable. I got to learn the value of having a clear conscience and good friends and family. I might be stumbling through the ruins of love but I know I've got some blueprints in the barn....
I drink good coffee every morning
It comes from a place that's far away
And when I'm done I feel like talking
Without you here there is less to say
Don't want you thinking I'm unhappy
What is closer to the truth
Is that if I lived till I was a hundred and two
I just don't think I'll ever get over you
I'm no longer moved to drink strong whiskey
I shook the hand of time and I knew
that if I lived till I could no longer climb my stairs
I just don't think I'll ever get over you
Your face it dances and it haunts me
your laughter is still ringing in my ears
I still find pieces of your presence here
even after all these years
I don't want you thinking that i don't get asked to dinner
cause I'm here to say that I sometimes do
and even though I may seem to feel a touch of love
I just don't think I'll ever get over you
if I live till I was a hundred and two
I just don't think I'll ever get over you
Colin Hay
Thank You
JB
Photo by Roman Loranc