Sitting on a rock overlooking the bay for hours, sun hot on my shoulders, watching the Southern Right Whales coming right in close to the side. Now and then, leaping out of the water and smashing down, to try and dislodge their hitchhikers. Sitting really still, feeling bubbles of exhilaration shivering through me and wanting to come out as laughter.
I did not have a camera back then, but I remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday.
During that short time I was a student at Stellenbosch University, a bunch of friends and I would drive from Stellenbosch past Somerset West to the Strand. The beach bunnies would peel off to cover themselves with oil and bake, the macho guys would thunder off into the waves with their boards, and I would continue along Marine Drive till it made a sharp turn to the right. I then had a choice, to drive on a bit and go watch the seals, or to park the car and walk a bit along the road and then sit down on some rock. Sit, wait and hope. That's what I usually did, on the rare days that I would go to the Strand (I'm not much of a beach slug).
I wonder if that spot is still there.
Maybe I should go and see, one day. Or maybe I should just keep that memory as it is.
Perfect.
(Oh of course I google-mapped the place. It looks all built up now...)
(One really should let memories lie and not go back)
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