Contemplation

John Shortt-Smith

Contemplation

This was a nostalgic trip with my two daughters to the little country of my childhood*. I roped in Liz (my stepmother, my hero, in the middle) and my Aunt Margaret, on the right, then 86, whose father is buried on a lonely hill with a great rock on him looking up to these mountains. We hired a Kombi and drove up through the green valleys and crazy passes to Semonkong and then hired local Basotho ponies and rode to this point. Aunt Margaret insisted on jumping off her horse and she twisted her ankle. So she sat and watched the great Malutsenyane falls, the pool of the Great River Snake, the Place of Smoke. We rode back. She was frustrated at her sprained ankle and especially at her slow horse. She did get the horse to gallop at a point, and she later had a gin: she felt better; we all did at that point. Next day she was in fighting spirits… that was 2003, she’s going strong…

  • Trivia question: What country has the highest lowest point in the world? :) Go there, great place.

Contemplation belongs to the following groups:

All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Landscape and Abstract Photography, Landscape Photography and Scenery
Contemplation by John Shortt-Smith
  • linda858100

    linda858100

    FANTASTIC

  • John Shortt-Smith

    John Shortt-Smith

    Thank you Linda :)

  • georgiegirl

    georgiegirl

    Your Aunt Margaret certainly doesn’t act like others her age!! Most are doing embroidery or caravanning but not anything like mountain climbing or jumping off ponies because they were going too slow!!! This is a great photo too! ;D

    I love puzzles so couldn’t resist this one!! I would say it was somewhere like Tibet, Nepal or Pakistan!! And Aunt Margaret’s Father was a mountaineer!

  • John Shortt-Smith

    John Shortt-Smith

    Thanks so much Georgiegirl. Yup she’s formidable, although not a mountain climber, nor was her father. Answer: Lesotho

  • John Robb

    John Robb

    Love this – beautifully thought out.

  • John Shortt-Smith

    John Shortt-Smith

    Thank you John. Coming from someone who creates photos like yours that is a compliment.

  • Glenn Alderson

    Glenn Alderson

    Love it, great capture…............well done!

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thank you so much Glen, it was I have to say rather special and unusual…

  • Joanne  Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    This is absolutely amazing! Fascinating capture and made more so by the three companionable figures! Your aunt Marguerite sounds like quite the woman!

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thanks Joanne, appreciate the comments

  • DawsonImages

    DawsonImages

    Great use of light, striking travel image

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thank you Mike. A compliment from the Master!

  • ozczecho

    ozczecho

    Superb light….great image

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thank you so much ozczecho. (Like the name: I take it that means you are Australian of Czech origin?)

  • Wayne  Pearson

    Wayne Pearson

    Top image John

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thanks Wayne

  • Albert Dickson

    Albert Dickson

    Fantastic image!

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thank you Albert from Boise (beautiful place, you have beaytiful photos)

  • cathrinedp

    cathrinedp

    beautiful, peaceful image.

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Thanks Catherine

  • Kenny Gulley Jr.

    Kenny Gulley Jr.

    og this image is one of a kind

  • John Shortt-Smith replied

    Appreciate your comment Kenny especially as your talent is pretty special. Yes, this photo is special to me

  • Elana Bailey

    Elana Bailey

    Fab capture and story, John.

  • Kristina K

    Kristina K

    fantastic view, and a wonderful contemplating place :)) k

  • Hélène Mogensen de Monléon

    Hélène Mogense...

    Love the image and the story! Wonderful work.

  • EarthGipsy

    EarthGipsy

    What an adventure and how wonderful; she’s still going strong.

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