A DAY OF REFRESHMENT

This is a creative writing piece , in response to the Monday Morning Writing Prompt over at Victoria's place .

Choose a place you'd like to go to for a bit of respite …  It can be a setting near you , or somewhere that you travel to only in your imagination . You can focus on the details of the environment or paint in broad brush strokes how your getaway inspires .

First off , I have to admit that the challenge forced me to confront the fact that , there are many beautiful spots that I do not take advantage of , don't visit often enough , places that offer the perfect opportunity for a little relaxation …

Africa's oldest surviving botanic gardens , on my doorstep , is the ideal spot … a beautiful , tranquil , serene getaway … it is like another world , unhurried and laid-back , situated close to the hub of the city . I always remember the frequent visits to the gardens during my childhood . It represents a haven , the perfect retreat ; an ivory tower of lavish , overflowing greenery in the perfect sub-tropical climate . It boasts a herbarium which contains an impressive collection of over 100 000 dried , pressed and catalogued plant specimens ; an orchid house ; the fern collection of local and exotic species ; and an extensive Cycad collection ! The sight of the lush carpet of grass promises more therapeutic value than the $9,6 million Persian rug sold at Sotheby's … Besides the R&R it offers , it could definitely tempt the creative muse , lure it out of hiding , all that's required is a pen , notebook , the warmth of the sun on your face as you lie on the expanse of lush green carpet … aaahh !

Check out the prompt at the ff :

http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/monday-morning-writing-prompt-a-day-of-refreshment/                                                                                                                                 

14 Comments

  1. Bodhirose on August 25, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Sounds like a very relaxing and restorative place to spend some time and like you said, find some inspiration for writing.  I love gardens too.  We have some lovely ones here in Florida.  Aren't orchids just amazing?  Thanks for sharing your destination, Mish.
    Hugs,
    Gayle
     

    • mish on August 25, 2011 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks Gayle ! :)The challenge made me realise that I actually need to take some time out … visit the Bot Gardens more often … spend some time there … unwind … 🙂

  2. vivienne blake on August 25, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I enjoyed your grateful wander round a special garden.  Afriica's very big – NSE or W ?

    • mish on August 25, 2011 at 2:54 pm

      I’m down in the South … to be precise , the east coast of South Africa ! Thanks for popping in Viv … 🙂

  3. Victoria on August 25, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    You are making me want to visit South Africa, Mish. I love botanical gardens and I can only imagine how lush they must be there. Nice respite. I agree…sometimes there are places like this nearby that we just take for granted and don't visit. Life seems to take over.

    • mish on August 26, 2011 at 1:29 pm

      You are so right … and I’m the guilty party with regards to taking places for granted ! We do seem to get sucked in by the hustle and bustle of everyday living … don’t stop to “smell the flowers” … or visit the gardens ! 🙂

  4. Sharp Little Pencil on August 26, 2011 at 1:55 am

    Oh, Mish, I had no idea you lived in such a lovely place.  Funny, Lex and I finally made it to the local botanical gardens, and the last of their seasonal butterflies were hanging around before making their pilgrimage south.  Lovely, lush prose here, and beautiful images.  Wish we lived closer!  Peace, Amy
    http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/hot-town-poetry-tow-truck/

    • mish on August 26, 2011 at 1:32 pm

      Ah Amy … thanks for your warm words ! 🙂 Lots of people do not realise the beauty of my country ! There are countless beautiful parks/game reserves spread throughout the country … and the wildlife is amazing ! You have to see it to believe it ! Maybe one day , I will get the opportunity to visit your country ! 🙂

  5. JamieDedes on August 28, 2011 at 12:15 am

    This sounds so very lovely, Misha. Thank you …
    Victoria's prompts are wonderful.  
     
    Take it easy. Happy days …

    • mish on August 28, 2011 at 9:10 am

      The prompts are always so different … and interesting … Thanks Jamie ! 🙂

  6. Blaga on August 31, 2011 at 7:35 am

    The image looks absolutely beautiful! If you have the chance to visit such a place you are very lucky person Michelle! Lovely post!

    • mish on August 31, 2011 at 3:13 pm

      Count me as being lucky ! This spot is 5 minutes from my home ….. 🙂

  7. mil holmes on September 24, 2011 at 3:33 am

    I, too, live in a beautiful spot that I don't always take the time to enjoy. I just walk, run,live. I live in the country.

    • mish on September 26, 2011 at 8:22 am

      I think we take these beautiful spots for granted … we know that they will always be there , within reach if we want to visit … but then we seldom do ! 🙂

Leave a Comment


Notice: Undefined variable: user_ID in /home/writerintrans/public_html/wp-content/themes/bb-theme/comments.php on line 69