Musings on Life and Travel: June 2010

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Our newest piece of art

One of our two new works by Susan Mitchinson from Namibia, now framed and hung over the mantle in our dining room. I love it!!

And here is the artist of that wood-block print...Susan Mitchinson and her daughter, Rebecca, at their home in the desert, east of Swakopmund. When I was arrived at my room at Doro, I saw a wood-block print on the wall that I knew was by the same artist as the ones that we have been living with for twenty years. Of course, I exclaimed loudly! Co-manager, Danize, replied that the artist is Susan Mitchinson and that she lives in Swakopmund. The long and the short of it is that Danize arranged, through her friend and Susan's other daughter, Abigail, for us to meet in Swakop.
Susan, Rebecca and I were together for five hours. Soul mates. I am now the proud owner of two more of the evocative works done by Susan. Woot!!!

From our collection

20 years ago, Al was in Namibia on professional business. He purchased this print and another, by the same artist. They have been prominently displayed ever since.

Friday, June 11, 2010

And the sun rises on Doro

Wonderful kids. The same as being at home.

Ludwiga, Buruxa/Ignatius, me, Suzan. Or, Buruxa in his glory. LOL

The will to survive

All heroes to me. "Just let me get my toes in here."

Doro !Nawas friends and me

Voila!!!

On our way back from where ever we were, Buruxa decided that, instead of taking the paved road back to Doro, he would follow the Huab river bed. Hot diggety!! A long march of ellies, returning from where ever they had been, to De Reit. They had not been seen at De Riet for several months. What possessed the matriarch that now was the time? Our extreme good fortune!! They numbered in the 20s. Forever etched in my mind is the view, from an elevated bank of the river bed, of these most intriguing fellow creatures coming up the river. Thank you, ellies, for allowing us to share your space.

Satellite dishes

We drove into this village and saw three or four houses with satellite dishes. Baruxa said that there used to be one, but in the last while, the rest have been added, so that the folks can watch the World Cup. Certainly!! Just because they don't live in a metropolitan area does not mean that they don't want to be connected to the rest of the world. Of course, not. More power to them!!!!!!!

A tip for female travelers

When you travel, rocky places are the best---an ischial tuberosity perched upon a rock is a comfortable toilet seat. You will thank me!

Grasses

I wonder what kind of grass this is? So beautiful, waving in the breeze.

And Baruxa found some ellies!

From Oscar's group or Rosie's group. I really HAVE to go back again, to get the lay of the land!

Etendeka volcanic rock

http://petrology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/39/2/191
Oh, my word, the knowledge that one can acquire with travel! There are many of these mountains, all of the same height. They look as if they were sheared with a hedge trimmer. Anyone have any idea how old 129-132 Ma is? Time to study rocks, I guess. And the "geomagnetic polarity timescale at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary".

On our way to find the elephants

Buruxa, where are you when I need you? Can't remember the name of this tree. And, yes, the sky really is this blue!

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 05:32 PM

The fading light on the ancient, red sandstone rocks of Damaraland.

Yes, I was there.

Trees that have become petrified

Oh, lordy! How does petrification happen? Geographically, where do they occur? I can see more research in front of me! How much fun.

And more W. mirabilis

The plants are either male or female. It is now thought that the Welsitchia bug is not involved in pollination. There are several sites to learn more about this unique plant. It has taken me all afternoon to post these pics, because I keep finding more information to read!!

And more W. mirabilis

"Welwitschia mirabilis grows in isolated communities in the Namib Desert, in a narrow strip, about 1 000 km along up the coast from the Kuiseb River in central Namibia to Mossamedes in southern Angola. The plants are seldom found more than 100 to 150 km from the coast, and their distribution coincides with the fog belt. Welwitschia is still common in its habitat and shows variability, which is a sign that it is far from extinction. They are neither endangered nor rare, nevertheless they are protected by law." Quote from this URL http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantwxyz/welwitschia.htm