JULY 2016 IN PHOTOS

Chris and I officially became members of the Durban & Coast SPCA in July and with that attended our first AGM - it's my intention to start doing more volunteer work within the organisation. There were also many a warm Winter's afternoon spent relaxing in the Durban Botanical Garden, having a good laugh with friends and sneakily sipping on the odd glass of Prosecco!

July brought with it evening's that were chilly, hence the visit to our local gas refill shop. 

A sunny afternoon sky as seen from the patio of Blue Zoo Restaurant at Mitchell Park. 

A light lunch was had with two sweet friends.  

I'm not often in front of the camera but when I am, it's usually Chris sneakily taking photo's whilst I'm busy chatting away and not looking - he always seems to take such candid shots - until I notice what he's doing, then the quality of the photos seem to take a dive, as can be seen below!

If I had to choose a single place that makes Durban, Durban for me it has to be it's botanical garden - it costs nothing to enter and I don't think I've ever walked through the front gates and not seen people from all walks of life chilling and taking in the abundant views of the different flora and bird species from the comfort of a blanket spread out on one of the manicured lawns. Over the weekends there are usually a few different bridal parties having their photos taken in and amongst families, friends and couples enjoying the freedom that this green lung offers. Coupled with the fact that the garden has been impeccably maintained and with the added comfort of knowing that there are friendly guards patrolling - you know you're safe and that counts too. Every few weeks, the venue hosts a Music by the Lake concert - our tickets are already booked and paid for the upcoming Mi Casa concert - can't wait! 

Chinese from our local Maan Hing Restaurant for supper!

The sky obviously drew my attention in July, as I took various photos whilst out and about. These two photos were taken on a Friday afternoon, spending some time with a friend before her return to Dubai; the afternoon was spent listening to her reading out loud from one of the 50 Shades of Grey volumes, the both of us critiquing where necessary and people watching. We saw a good few people - walking in groups of two - eyes glued to their phones, gathering Pokemon tokens (is that correct, are they tokens?). Definitely not how I'd like to spend my time but each to their own. 

Aunty Helen and I took a couple of red roses and placed them by Uncle Lenn's side. We sat on the grass adjacent
and chatted about him for a short while; nothing morbid, just a few sweet words of love and adoration. A friend of ours lost her husband to cancer during July and Chris graciously accepted her request to be a pallbearer at his funeral. I can't remember the words verbatim that the minster said during his sermon but he something along the lines that a broken heart is our price to pay for loving someone and we should wear it proudly and to accept that the pining will never totally disappear and we should learn to live with it; that, that grief is our way of knowing we truly loved someone. Those words stuck with me. 

We attended the Durban Pride 2016 after party - pity it was a wet and cold evening but luckily we were in good company - safe to say, laughs and a good time was had by all. I have to admit that I wouldn't ordinarily attend a party like this but I felt compelled to show my support, especially in the wake of all those party-goers who were tragically gunned down the month before at a gay club in Orlando. Personally, for me, it was my small way of saying that I am not afraid to go out, that homophobia should not exist in this day and age. According to Chelsea Handler, 1 out of 50 people are born Gay yet the LGBTQ community still has to contend with blatant discrimination and all for what? Being who you are? It makes no sense to me. The sad thing is that half the atrocities committed against the community are done by people who haven't been able to accept that they are gay, which all comes down to acceptance and love (or lack thereof) from their close circle of family and friends. 

At the carwash!

It goes without saying that if one leaves Justin in a room on his own, he'll make his way from the hound's bed to not only on the couch but under a couch blanky too!

​So that's July all summed up in a few photos - now for August!

Until next time, 

​Rev