about
As long as I remember, I’ve been fascinated by trees. As a child growing up in the village of Underberg, this manifested as hours spent climbing the sticky pine in my gran’s garden. I followed my trajectory to New York, joining the corporate ranks of young professionals, where the great green heart of Central Park kept me sane. A pituitary apoplexy sent me spinning back to my roots in search of a path to healing. Six years later, I’ve circumscribed a circle, travelling 360 degrees to land on a farm in the Overberg, following my childhood passion of writing. And climbing trees…
I’m living in a romantically rustic little cottage (no electricity, just gas and solar power) for a year as I attempt to unearth the words buried in my head. A magnificent tree dominates my view, inspiring me to mark the journey by celebrating the mysterious cycle of life.
A full three hundred and sixty degrees of a tree: 360 photos, some words and a soundtrack. Climb with me?
*
Notes on climbing:
For the avid adventurer, a little insight into ‘how’ posts work.
- The title of each degree is taken from the lyrics of that day’s soundtrack
- The last line of the post, in italics, is also a line from that day’s song
- If the song title appears in green, there’s a video hyperlinked for your viewing pleasure
- The photograph has to be taken on the day associated with the degree
- Any prose/poetry unless stated otherwise is mine, and like the photograph, composed on that day
- Consecutive degrees are linked to one another by a thin thread: by way of word, image or lyrics. Can you see them?
- Photographs are taken with a Nikon D40 and an iPhone 4S and edited using Picassa and/or Avairy
Rest to zero here to circle back to the very beginning…
82 comments on “about”
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Favourite degrees…
360*tree 
lovely … :–)
Thank you Gabriel!
Welcome home! May you be inspired to write to your heart’s content! 🙂
Thank you! It’s great to be back – my heart is already aglow at being reunited with Africa’s red clay earth…
and the smells and the wide open spaces, sunsets and sunrises …. the list is endless. It’s why I live here 🙂
hear hear to that! endless African skies….
such an exquisite journey… i would love to climb with you.
Ah lovely lady, thank you for the honour of your company! from one nature lover, to another… see you in great green beating heart of the world tree xx
Thank you for following HoB. Much appreciated! I’ll be hanging around here… Bowie says “Meow!”
Thanks so much Bowie and Herman! So awesome to see my love of soundtrack mirrored. With a love of cats! All the best from me, Maximus, Mowgli, Simba and Thor…
Farms are paradise, and so magical.
You’re right! It’s been such a magical adventure living out in the ‘wilderness’…a blessing and a real privilege. Have a beautiful festive season. All the best, Bx
Your theme and your story intrigue me. Thanks for your recent visit to my photography blog. 🙂
Thank you Shelia, it’s been fun! And you’re welcome: I loved your photo’s! Sending lots of love from the Overberg, Bx
Hi! Thank you so much for visiting my blog, i hope you have an amazing new years eve 🙂
You’re most welcome, Andy! I loved your full moon image. And thank you I did – hope you did too. May the joyous celebrations of new years eve herald the start of a most magnificent 2013
To you as well! thank you 🙂
Glad you liked In search of unusual destinations. Sorry it, so far, has only one obvious tree-related shot! Although, check out the Muslim cemetery in Mardin shots. A fave spot of mine (with trees in some views).
Love your work. Great posts. Phil.
P.s. All good wishes for 2013.
You’re a star, Phil – thank you! Your comment and well wishes made my day. May you be blessed with many magnificent (and photographic) adventures in 2013. I’ll patently keep an eye out for the appearance of trees on http://insearchofunusualdestinations.wordpress.com All the best, Blou
You are lucky to live in such a lovely place. Come visit my blog anytime be lovely to hear from you……
The Hack.
Thank you so much Ross, I am indeed very fortunate to be where I am! Really love the unique mood and feel of your photographs – will certainly stop by again. Wishing you everything of the best for 2013
Hey thanks for the like on my blog, you have a great blog here.
You’re most welcome, I really enjoyed your magnificent icebergs photographs! Thank you so much for stopping by to visit my tree…and best wishes for 2013!
This is one of the most original and interesting blogs! 🙂 Beautiful shots too! I have a special love for trees too i am a horticulturalist and talk to my ‘ladies’ every day 😉
You’re a super star Deon, thank you so much for your kind words… your message made my weekend! 🙂 I bet your ladies love their daily conversations with you. From your surname, it looks like you could well be a fellow South African, living down under? Sending you rays of joyous sunshine from the Overberg – may all your deepest held soul dreams begin to bloom beautifully in 2013. Lots of love, Bx
Overberg looks beautiful! No not South African my father was born in Holland who nearly ended up in South Africa after the war and we have distant relatives there, but Opa chose Australia. sorry for the history lesson 🙂
I hope 2013 becomes everything you have hope and wish for too!
Peace
Oh it is! Ah, *that* it explains it! Thank you for the history lesson – I’m fascinated by names and how the decisions of our ancestors influences where we find ourselves. Like a magic length of string, our bloodlines stretching simultaneously backwards and forwards through the labyrinth of time. And thank you for your kind wishes, may 2013 see your ladies blossom with vitality. May your heart be blessed with the rich abundance of life’s little miracles, every single day. Lots of love, Bx
Thank you for stopping by my blog and likin it. I’m so thankful ’cause I met yours. Trees were always my helpers to survive in a metal-cement-cold world of the city. We belong to the nature, and I will go back there one day…
As am I, to find yours. Love your work! You’re so right – my quality of life has improved radically since I moved out to here… Nature’s great green heart offers such solace and peace. May you dream of moving out come true sooner than expected. Best wishes for 2013! Lots of love, Bx
beautiful!
thank YOU!
🙂
I am truly moved. Beautiful photos, poetry, and Lady. 🙂
Love your work Victoria. Thank you for connecting here… love your blog and am totally beguiled, resonating very deeply with your gorgeous daily devotional http://justilluminations.wordpress.com. Much love to you and your mountains, from me and mine xx
Thanks so much, B.
The feelings are quite mutual.
Howdy, and thanks for leaving your calling card. Trees, trees. I have a few pix of trees to share, and more stories, starting with the giant beech at the bottom of the sledding hill behind my childhood home in New England. Stop by again sometime, maybe I’ll have written a piece. — Mossy Old Troll
Hello Mossy Old Troll! Thank you for journeying back to visit me and leaving such a lovely note. I will definitely circle back to visit you and hope to find a story of the childhood beech tree. Please feel free to drop by and share the link when you have written it… May 2013 be a magical year for you, filled with many many trees! All the best, Bx
Thanks for visiting. Trees are most special of creatures: wise, sad, comforting. As a kid on a farm i had a favorite oak that grew along the edges of our property and overlooked a great forest and river bottom. i created a relatively stable perch as high as I dared climb and would spend hours there in my own version of Tarzan’s tree house. That tree showed me much about life and death and a great circle of things so i do appreciate your writing and thoughts. All the best to you.
David
David, you beautiful soul. Thank you for taking the time to circle back and visit me and my oak – I loved your images and so relate to what you have written here, which speaks of a shared communion with these leafy creatures. I feel as though I’m with family in the midst of an emerald celebration whenever I’m lucky enough to find myself in a forest. May your year ahead be blessed with dreams and beauty and the great circle of life, may your lens capture countless magical images that move and inspire all those who see them. All the best and lots of love, Bx
Thanks for visiting my blog as it helped me stumble upon yours… Your writing sounds beautiful and heart-driven.
Thank you so much for visiting and taking time to comment – I was inspired by your blog and the beauty of the human heart it celebrates. Wishing you a blessed 2013. Lots of love, Bx
Thanks for dropping by my blog. You have a lovely blog, beautiful words, and beautiful scenery. 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting Jere – and taking the time to comment with such kindness. I loved your blog – and will definitely circle back to dip into the inspirational beauty yours offered me. All the best, Bx
Wonderful blog so i wanted to pass this on to you, the Blog on Fire
Oh Sue! Thank you SO much. I’m honoured. And profoundly appreciate you passing the flame on. Thank you for the great start to the week… So much love, Bx
You are most welcome 🙂
Love this blog concept because like you, I am also fascinated by trees! 🙂
Excited to see more of your work and to share my tree discoveries with you too!
LOVE trees… and always glad to find like minded people to explore and share with. Thank you taking the time to comment Candice and I too look forward to witnessing your tree adventures as the year unfolds. Lots of love from the Overberg! Bx
Love the layout and especially the picture 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Great blog and interesting passion 😀
Thank you Radu – always been one for the unusual and extraordinary! *wink*
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I really hope you find what you’re looking for. It looks like a great place to do it.
You’re most welcome – I love seeing the range of awe inspiring beauty being shared from across the globe. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to leave these kind words. Wishing you a most marvelous 2013!
Your images are so awe inspiring… then I read your words… they really touch my soul. I became an instant fan. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Thank you so much Pam! This been such a fun project (one of those that came ‘in the shower’) and it makes my heart really happy to know the words and images resonate outside… So loved your photograph of the butterfly – it has become a beautiful symbol for me of metamorphosis. Likewise – I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful images. Lots of love, Bx
Beautiful blog and warm spirit! Thanks for visiting my photography blog… I too, have a passion for trees. Will look forward to reading more on yours. A happy 2013 to you!
I’m grateful for your visit and kind words Jane – loved your images and have just read your Wings post which I *LOVED*. Always makes my heart glad to find another kindred spirit who loves trees and is inspired by the magnificent beauty of nature. Lots of love, Bx
Thanks again for appreciating the Wings post and here’s to more beautiful nature moments. J
Hear! Hear! …and you’re most welcome. Great post x
Great post and good luck with your journey. As you like trees you may like the following couple of posts http://wp.me/p2sEYy-sR and http://wp.me/p2sEYy-tG
Thank you Mark – love the poetic way you use light to compose your photographs! Those forest images are hauntingly beautiful…
Ah man I love it in Underberg. Way too long since I spent some time there in the mountains by Cobham 🙂
You’re right Clint, it’s stunning! And a magical place to grow up… I loved looking over at Hodgson’s Peaks (Giant’s Cup) every morning. Such magnificent mountains, peaks like the scales of resting dragons. Love your images and the creativity you ignite. Sending love and best wishes back to my old KZN hood from the rain-fire WC, Bx
Hi, I’m glad you enjoyed the tree shot on Scout Mtn. There is something nurturing about them – like being on a seashore.
Hi Allan, thank you for stopping by. Loved your shot – and as you can see, I have a deep and abiding love for trees. You’re right – I feel deeply supported and nurtured by trees, especially this oak. All the best, Bx
I only had a quick look around your blog, but I love what I have seen so far! You have a beautiful soul, that is obvious, and a great eye, not to mention a poetic mind. Will be back, for sure!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ray. Takes one to know one 🙂 I used to live in Scarborough so I love your photo’s of Cape Point and the epic vista between Muizenberg and Gordon’s Bay. Such a beautiful part of the world. I’ll be visiting your imagery regularly for my fix of the sea… All the best, Bx
Awesome work! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog…much appreciated!
Thank you so much, Craig. I so appreciate you circling back to visit here… *loved* your photographs! Bx
Some how I’ve missed this page, perhaps it might of explain some of the fathoming, pondering I did early on in falling into your world of the Oak, and the tribe. At the moment, while sitting here listening to a reading of Jock of the Bushfeld (still to get the dvd, tracked it down, but not in stock, so waiting), and while also trying to write a few lines of my own writing. Visiting here has made a nice distraction from Autumn’s current confusion with Summer. The tropics, never quiet sure what season it is intended to be. What comes to mind….
Where the living is good, may the Overberg find your heart well in each passing degree, in the wild natural surrounds of the grand old Oak, amongst at times, together with, family, friends, and companions, along with the adventures to outlying districts, the sea and lighthouses. Like an ancient voyage of conversations upon a highwire, where each photograph, and line contains one atmosphere overflowing with many moments, and stories, given, and received. May the night sky greet you with it’s beautiful Way tonight, may your worlds be one of life, and love…
Hi. I love (am in love with) your blog. I discovered it several weeks ago, and hit the follow button several seconds later. I too am fascinated by trees. I have always had an affinity for them.I envy your access to such a magnificent tree.
Your photos, your words, the music all make up beautiful daily moments.
Thank you
Eric
P.S. I’m enough of a nerd to wish for a map showing the tree and map pins for each location where a photo was taken. 😀
Ah Eric, you are a STAR. Thank you for your kind words and for climbing along. Trees are such beautiful, wise and timeless beings… and so like us with the way they stand rooted in the earth yet stretching their hearts and leaves toward the heavens. Have been very moved by your wise words and intense poetry ~ just never get enough time to read as much s I’d like – lack of electricity makes for limited battery life on my laptop.
I love your idea for a map. I think I need someone a little more ‘with it’ from a technological stand point to help me plot it. Like some kind of infographic… will see what I can do! 🙂
Sending love from beneath the oak tree and fellowship of the quill to you, Bx
thanks for the visit and the like. Your words are beautiful and the pictures are very nice.
Nice reading about you and thank you for the award
Thanks for following my blog Ajaytao2010@wordpress.com. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may definitely find something of your interest.
What a beautiful story and concept. I have enjoyed trees through childhood exploring and adulthood reflection. Looking forward to seeing from your perspective and journey in your cottage with your tree.
Thank you so munch Dawn… so glad to have other avid adult tree climbers in my midst! Much love and respect, Bx
Thanks for liking my photo the other day! I mentioned you in a post today for another photo that made me think of your blog. I am not sure if you get notified like how it works on Twitter. Just thought I’d mention it so you could see it: http://techwhys.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/photo-florida-snow/
Thanks! Cheers, Mike.
You go girl!!! My hat’s off to you. Not that I think I could do what you’re doing. Good luck. Thanks for liking my Lock 12 post. I just gotta follow you… see how you’re doing. Carmen Aida
Thank you for stopping by and liking my post on the Bayan Tree. It definitely looks like something to climb.
I still don’t know why but I too am so taken with trees.
Glad you are back!! Looking forward to the next angle of inclination, I have missed your poetry…