I’m suffering from a creative block this week and couldn’t think of anything to blog about. Then I remembered I have a set of pictures and sketches from my jacaranda walk in Kensington, which I hosted with Johannesburg in Your Pocket a few weeks ago. I never got around to writing about that walk due to the Rugby World Cup madness that happened on the same day, so I’m doing it now.
Photo shot from the overlook in front of the Fishbird Villa in Kensington on the day of our walk. Endless thanks to Grey Loerie for this jacaranda t-shirt that has become my favorite article of clothing. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)
Joburg’s 2023 jacaranda season already feels like a distant memory, and the world is a giant dumpster fire. So let’s hearken back to another time, just under a month ago, as the Springboks balanced on the cusp of victory…before the heat wave hit and the last few stubborn lavender blossoms fell to the ground and got washed away by a crazy hail storm.
Jacaranda views in Kensington.I say this all the time, but this time it’s seriously true: Thorsten’s sketches from the walk are much better than my photos. See more of his work at @theThinking_Hand.The tiny person on the left is me.Our hardy group of walkers. We walked about five kilometers, mostly uphill.One of the steepest hills of the walk.We climbed to the Scottish Horse Memorial at the top of Caledonia Hill, which has great views of the Joburg city skyline and the suburb’s thousands of jacaranda trees. The clouds and lightning were dramatic but it never actually rained.The Scottish Horse Memorial. Thorsten is on the left, sketching.What he sketched.View from the Fishbird Villa, where our walk ended.Sketch from Fishbird.The Fishbird Villa boasts one of the prettiest jacaranda trees in Joburg.One more photo of me and my shirt.
Okay, I have no more 2023 jacaranda imagery to share so that’s really it until 2024. (Sob.) Next week I’ll move on — I promise.
Nice. Next time you have writer’s block contact me for a Cradle Human Origins Tour. That’ll give you lots to write about. Let’s do that in the New Year!
I’m an American writer/blogger/photographer living a quirky life in Johannesburg. Follow along as I explore Johannesburg, South Africa, and the rest of the world.
Nice. Next time you have writer’s block contact me for a Cradle Human Origins Tour. That’ll give you lots to write about. Let’s do that in the New Year!
Thanks Paul. Yes, for sure!
It looks amazing! Love the Artwork! 🙂
Thanks!
I never get tired of seeing the purple blossoms. Ours were unimpressive last spring because of the unseasonably cool weather.
It’s a sight that never gets old.
Love all the purple and seeing Thorton’s sketches in color!
I know, the color sketches are extra special 🙂
Beautiful. Uplifting. Happy. That’s enough. After all, it IS Thanksgiving weekend in the USA,. Thank you Heather for the joy,
You’re very welcome!
I love Thorsten’s sketches and your photos are great. Glad you got to do this in my hood the only thing missing is me. (Yay! I got to post this)
Haha yes, the problem mysteriously righted itself 🙂