Travelling without moving!

I have now tried to update this blog four times and have either lost internet connection or power each time, I have lost so much writing that I am now creating a word doc which I  am going to hopefully copy over! So sorry to all who have been trying to follow my progress, TIA (this is Africa)

South Africa has been a wonderful stage in the journey, firstly such a joy to be back in the mother country and to be able to see old friends, places and experience the magic that is this wonderful place. We have also had so many new experiences and been privilaged to share stories and learnings from so many new people.

I spent some interesting and inspirational time with both Jill Robson from Altziemers SA and Karin Botes from Dementia SA, both of whom are pioneering in their work in the field and were able to show me around some of their wonderful facilities and share their success stories and current challenges. I have been really inspired by the desire for both organisations to make Dementia Care truly person centred and feel like their are really battling to achieve their good work in the midst of a very unsupportive government.

We also spent some time at the wonderful KeisKamma Trust in Hamburg, where Dr Carol Baker has shared her work and aspirations with me. Turns out that I might have a lot to do with the trust in the future and I am really inspired by the community of Hamburg. I spent a lovely three days working from the Ceremics studio there, making a book piece, it was such a privilage to be working with the local people in a creative environment and being witness to the transformative effects of art in the healing of communities. Here I also met many artists and health workers who value the notion of arts and health as the most powerful tool for the recovery of all kinds of mental and physical health.

After Hamburg I have spent some time in the Transki, great to be back on this wonderful coast line, immerssed in the local community and surrounded by the Xhosa magic. Have been catching up on some reading and really taking stock of the work that I have done so far.

We are both really well, moving on to J'Burg on Sunday, where I will be spending some time with AIDS Consotium and Lefika Arts Centre. We then return to Hamburg where I have to talk more with Carol about future plans for the KeisKamma trust and potential Purple Patch opportunities, then back to Cape Town for  my final week of research and to begin to structure my report.

Love and light to all, and fingers crossed that this updates!