Newsletter -April 2026
Greetings,
Something magical and fabulous has happened at the gathering place by our local beach this summer.
People Power!
At the top of the steps from our swimming spot besides the beautiful white sand (see the photo on the cover of my new book ‘A Journey of Thoughts’) are two vibrant and busy cafes. Between these cafes is a large concrete platform overlooking our glorious Indian Ocean.
It is the flat roof top of the surf club’s storage shed below – for their boats and equipment. For many years this ideal viewing and meeting place has been neglected by ‘the powers that be’ and left without any improvement or seating.
An attempt by the management of one of the cafes next to it to enhance the area with its own spare tables and chairs was thwarted, when the local council ordered them to remove all furniture. How ridiculous! Insurance concerns – it was said!
This is when regular swimmers and locals who love the beach stepped up. Odd plastic chairs began to appear and be left there on the concrete and the number of them grew over time. More and more chairs came (old, discarded chairs from homes or those left out on the side of the road (verge) for street collection. Milk crates appeared to serve as makeshift tables.
This summer the donators have gone up a level with their creative pursuits, adding wooden painted tabletops to the upturned milk crates and putting painted wooden planks securely on top of two spaced milk crates to create benches.
People have taken the initiative and now there is a wonderful area for everyone to connect, have their takeaway coffee or other refreshments out in the fresh air.
At this time of great uncertainty and many challenges in our world it is so important to keep elevated in our joy. Anything to gladden us and keep our hearts open is a must. This space at the beach is our wholesome healing place – in the sunlight and in nature, meeting with our fellow lovers of the ocean.
Sometimes common sense is needed to overrule bureaucracy “gone mad”!
Have you had the opportunity to improve the environment for the better in your area? If not, see what you can do.
Many blessings for a great April.
Merriene