A win makes it all worthwhile

Occasionally I enter amateur photographic competitions in the hope that others share my belief that what I love doing is half good.  Then I forget about them and carry on with my life.

To be told on Friday that one of my photos had won first prize in the Weekend Argus newspaper’s weekly travel photography competition was a double delight:  Not only is the prize amazing, but the news came hot on the heels of the discovery that I have to fund most of the surgeon’s bill for an upcoming foot operation myself.  I’m thrilled the universe decided to give back a little in advance.

When I stepped onto the beach at Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique and saw the bike standing upright in the lapping tide while its young owner played soccer nearby, the magic of that moment took over and the photo is still one of my favourites.

About that prize though:  I won a night’s stay at the landmark Dolphin Beach Hotel in Blouberg which more than made my day as I have been wanting to photograph Table Mountain at sunrise and sunset from the Blouberg side of the city for ages, but the early morning travelling across the Peninsula to get there always puts me off.  Now I can literally slip out of bed, step out of my room and voilà .  Thank you so much to the Cape Argus and Karen Goosen at the Singer Group for this awesome, awesome opportunity to capture another iconic landmark without the hassle.