Sandstone Necklace

by Mike Rossi
 
About 20 kilometres north of Ladybrand the power steering on my Pajero went dead – It was my cam belt. I dread moments like these, especially that day, as there was beautiful cloud build-up towards Clocolan, where the Koppie I called Caesar’s Head lay — a missed opportunity. Eventually I got hold of a garage. They said, they would get to me in the next couple of hours. Two hours is a long time, but not for country folk in Ladybrand.
 
I stood there in silence, listening to the chattering of the cicadas and the occasional tweet from indigenous birds. In front of me, in the vast expanse of veldt, stood a sandstone part mudstone Koppie. A thin sandstone necklace wound around her neck like an African princess. It accentuated her gentle flowing curves. Sheep were wandering down her slopes towards the waiting hands of their volk minders. Dassies like foraging ants, scoured the rock face. The wind rustled the tufted climax grass, bunched up in clumps. By the fence, a farmer’s plough had recently furrowed the rich fertile soil, leaving a trail of clumped earth. The fragrant, sweet-scented soil smelt of garlic, dried wood and no doubt the residue of the disturbed worms that lived beneath.
 
Looking westwards, I saw Nimbus clouds hurrying towards me. The first to arrive, decided they belonged on the Koppie’s head. Many more joined the solitary cloud. The setting sun created a halo around her head — she was now the queen of the African veldt.
 
Like a thief, the leaden sky had stolen the light from the day, casting shadows deep into the rocks. Bellows and bellows of clouds puffed above the Koppie. Nimbus looked black as soot, casting herself around and towards the next horizon. Now she looked more like a Garratt steam locomotive parked, waiting for the train conductor to blow the whistle, so she could make her journey through this part of Africa.
 
Solitary moments like this, cast a spell. Sometimes I’d stand all day waiting for the picture to compose itself. I was in another world. To be here, sharing this magical moment with nature. Without knowing, the camera shutter went off, my fingers to close to the button. The spell had been broken. Then, the tow-truck arrived.
 
Part of the "Shadows Over Stones" Photographic Art Collection. Available as “Custom Finish & Bespoke” Fine Art and Photo Prints, framed or unframed. Photography created as beautiful pieces of Wall Art for you to invest and enjoy, from OPENPHOTO-STUDIO.