My new route home is pretty.

I recently moved from my much-loved Humble Abode [read: teeny-tiny garden cottage that took approximately 13 steps to cover from end to end] into BF’s generously larger, gorgeously renovated, 1940s House. A year of independence, albeit with my two cats to keep me company on the lonely nights, was enough for me to feel like I’d made my point that I could do it alone, and happily.

But there comes a time in life and in forward-moving relationships where you have to make the leap and shack up altogether.

But one thing I’ll miss is the seven-minute drive to work every day. My former home, Blairgowrie, is on CLEO’s doorstep, and that was the main feature pulling me to live there in the first place. Now, I replace my seven-minute hop, skip and jump with 30 minutes of marvelling at beautiful oak trees down Glenhove Road and the better part of Jan Smuts Avenue (while also concentrating on the road …). On my way home, I pass Zoo Lake – one of my current favourite spots to hang out in the sun on a lazy afternoon. I don’t mind the added travelling too much, because the beautiful scenery of Jo’burg, which so often gets overlooked on a stressful, traffic-filled drive to work, makes the extra time spent in the car more enjoyable.

A big plus of moving in with BF is how I no longer have to commute back and forth between his place and mine to feed cats, drop off dirty clothes, pick up new clothes, do laundry, fetch forgotten hairdryer, change bedding – the list goes on – and all in the fear of my old skedonk breaking down. Again.
Now, I can get up, go to work, visit the gym, and go Home. No more back-and-forthing! The simplicity of this detail honestly makes my life happier.

So, the next time you’re huffing and puffing about rambunctious taxis and stand-still traffic, have a look out your window and find something beautiful to appreciate on your way home. And if you can’t find anything, try a new route.