Not having lived by the sea since 1966, I have forgotten the contradictions that the active weather makes of the weather bureau predictions for the coastal areas.
The saying that you have four seasons in one day at the coast is totally true.
For me the beauty of the day manifests itself in the early morning, just following the rising of the sun, which is especially awesome at the coast, as the orb that is the sun clears the far horizon.
On the best mornings, the air is still, birds are welcoming the day and we sleepy heads, are pushing back the bed covers and heading for a cup of coffee (or tea if that is your preference).
Of course, the freshness and perfectness of the morning is not guaranteed to last, as light coastal cloud begins to form and the first gusts of a wind to come herald this transformation.
By mid to late morning, being on the beach is no longer a pleasure, as the whipped up grains of sand sting the legs and decisions to stay at the beach are cancelled.
In summer especially, the gathering heavier grey clouds forecast a rainstorm is on the way, so definitely no longer time to be outdoors.
Of course, the consistently heavier and persistent rain showers along the South Coast explains why the natural vegetation is so very green and visibly dense.
Developing and travelling through this part of this country must have been a challenge to the early pioneers, and besides the constant search for the easier route through the trees and shrubs, fording the many rivers and streamlets would also have presented problems.
Fortunately, once the old wagon trails had been established, and over time tarred, travelling was now a pleasure – and this was later improved upon when the freeway was built.
My pleasure lies in driving the ‘old’ road, which is definitely more interesting, as one can appreciate the true atmosphere of hamlets/towns by the sea which were established over the years to service the holidaymakers from inland.
Some of these places, like Anerley and Southport, still exude the easy going and uncomplicated aura of a day by the seaside.
Naturally, without the people of the South Coast, this special holiday ‘place to escape’ would not be.
Residents of the South Coast, your relaxed attitude to life makes living here a gas.
BIO
Trevor Barnes is a retired gentleman, who recently entered the club of septuagenarians. He was raised and schooled in Port Elizabeth at Grey High School until Std. 8 and finishing his matric year at Pretoria Boys High School. He trained as a cartographer and spent his productive working years on diamond mines or signage companies. His wife and he raised twin sons who presently are working in the UK and UAE respectively. His interests are history, exploring South Africa and meeting people.
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