Friday, 29 April 2011

Kayaking..... All The Way From Johannesburg!



Words can't express how delighted I was to get home from work and find this card safely delivered!  Cathy in Johannesburg posted it on 31st March and 28 days later it finally arrived in London.  I would have been so upset, had it been lost in the post never to re materialize.  It's particularly special to me, not only because it's so beautifully painted and depicts a part of Cathy's life, but also because it has kayaks!  Kayaking on the River Thames in London is my sport and so i feel and instant familiarity with this scene, not least because the figure on the left has a red vest. That's my club colours- Richmond Canoe Club.  So very apt! 

The view is of Emmarentia Dam, it's where Cathy goes walking and sketching. I can't help wondering who the kayakers are and if they know any of my club friends here. Kayaking is a big sport in South African and many young South Africans come to our club if they have come to London to work for a while.

Whilst spring is bursting out here and everything is bright new green, it almost seems strange to see Cathy's view where beautiful autumn foliage is now very obvious. It still looks warm and lush though, despite autumn beginning to arrive there. 

The reverse is as lovely as the front with it's carefully painted golden honeysuckle cascading down the side.  I love the stamps too! 

Lucky, lucky me!  Thank you so much Cathy!


10 comments:

vivien said...

This is lovely and it would have been so sad if it hadn't arrived.

The blues in the bark of the tree and the blue greens of the trees and the vivid blue water seem to wrap around the viewer, pulling you into the scene and the golden leaves glow against the complementary colour.

I agree it seems strange to see the autumn colours when we are watching all the spring greens and flowers.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Wonderfully personal theme and a delightful watercolour. I love the sparkle on the water and the richness of the foliage. The Golden Shower Honeysuckle is gorgeous too. Brava Cathy. Lucky Alison.

Bridget Hunter said...

I'm also very glad this postcard finally made it through the post. The composition is really clever - yet it doesn't look at all contrived - very natural -and the colours are delightful especially in the water.

Anonymous said...

So glad that this card made it safely to you. It is a beautiful piece. It is something to see spring around us and to imagine elsewhere it is autumn.

Desiree's Designs said...

Phew, it made it!! Wow, and it was well worth the wait, what a beautiful card! I love the foliage framing in the Kayakers! Another mini masterpiece, well worth framing!

Felicity Grace said...

Gorgeous colours and a lovely scene - definitely worth the wait for such a gem!

Albrecht Rissler said...

Middle of spring here it's strange to see the autumn foliage. But this beautiful postcard shows Autumn can be beautiful as well. But now has to come first, a warm summer.

Joan Tavolott said...

I just love the kyaking scene on the one side, and that wonderful hanging honeysuckle on the other. What a treasure!

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

I love your autumn card Cathy, with a desire to sit under that shady colourful tree and drink in the calm of fall!
Ronelle

Papierflieger said...

I love how these guys splash the water around and the warm evening light is gorgeous!