The generous sunlight of summer

November in the Western Cape is filled with sunshine. We can enjoy daylight for more than 14 hours a day. This will be increasing to 14 hours and 25 minutes at the most on 22 December, which is the Summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. After that, our days will gradually become shorter again.

Afternoon sun

We will be able to enjoy the long sun-filled days deep into summer. The longer days have turned the garden into a paradise of green. I am sure that if I stand still long enough in the vegetable garden, I will see the vegetables grow fuller and taller.

In the tree-filled garden, the sun gets filtered. It creates a visual experience that is pleasing to the senses. In the house, the morning sun falls deep inside through the kitchen door. Only to be repeated by the afternoon sun that falls deep into the house through a bedroom window on the orchard (western) side.

The play of light creates different atmospheres in the house the day long. It is as if it intends to highlight different details in the rooms at different times of the day.

Summer brings a different energy to Towerwater. The birds announce the sunlight at least half an hour before the first rays peek over the Langeberg. When the light filters into the bedroom, I simply have to get up. Even if just to walk in the garden with my camera, capturing that one perfect moment in the soft morning light.

Edward Hopper – Sun in an empty room 1963 - https://www.edwardhopper.net/sun-in-an-empty-room.jsp

I love what the sun does to the rooms in the house. Streaks of light fall like brush strokes over floors and furniture. If I had time to paint, I would like to capture it on a canvas like Johannes Vermeer or Edward Hopper or like so many other painters in history.

                                  Johannes Vermeer – Lady at the Virginals  1660’s                                                                        -https://www.rct.uk/collection/405346/lady-at-the-virginals-with-a-gentleman

At Towerwater, I have not reached the stage where I can indulge in the art of painting. The busy days allow me only to capture brief moments of brilliance with my camera. With the sunlight changing the mood in rooms, no moment is the same in the house at any time.

It is a fact that sunlight lifts the mood, is antibacterial and has healing properties. We are fortunate to enjoy a generous helping of sunshine all year-long. But in summer, we are restored in mood and being.