Harts-tog

noot vir noot

woord vir woord

dis `n reis deur jou hart se kamers, jou siel se witwater

dis swaar 

en die tog is vol hindernisse

my hart is net mens 

en my siel society

my paspoort het verval maar dalk lê daar `n ander koers

die reistog is seer 

en dit maak my vry 

of dink ek so?

I hope you are not lonely without me...

I hope you disagree...

my vlug is hier

my blou wag, 

die aankondiging van realiteit skeur my weg

wat lê in jou oë?

Europa, Afrika, Amerika...

OF

die hele Wêreld net vir my...?

~dirk van der bank

Op die stasie betower

So jou geboortedag gevier liewe Del

Kennismaking met die trein se fluit en staalwiele

So spesiaal en onverwags het hy verby geseil

Wyn in houtvate met sitrus en karamel
Soet die samesyn en troos

Eerlik aan tafel haar siel gedek
Die kos se smaak getuig van die vreugde wat sit om haar mond se glimlag

Wees bly en geseend met wat die lewe voorsit,
Smul aan elke oomblik
en soet haar toekoms soos die mooiste poeding

Verleidelik is haar gedagtes van die mooiste more
Die maan wat helder skyn oor visvangwaters

Soos pennies op die spoor

So bring Transkaroo haar huistoe

~dirk van der bank

Die lig in my lewe

die donderweer slaan hard daar buite

binne is jy my troos

die blitse gooi lig in die hemelruim

staties is on liefde

die donker klop aan my deur

in my hart is jy die lig

wind saai verwoesting

stil staan jy langs my 

sterk

die stilte maak my mal

maar sag jou siel se klank

die duiwel is lustig

sterk ons geloof in God

my beminde jy moet weet,

weet ek het jou lief

                                                                                  ~ dirk van der bank

Pizzas and green figs

In the quaint seaside village of Wilderness there is an Italian restaurant that invites you from under the big tree...
As we arrived, we were greeted by passing plates of traditional pasta and customers humbly eating wood fired pizzas.
I ordered a very nice red wine with coffee and chocolate flavours to compliment the Italian flair and feel of the whole dining experience!
The menu was true Italian style with awesome flavour combinations.
We ordered the Green fig, Brie and Pancetta pizza......It was heaven on a thin crisp base!
Every bite a blessing!

"cibo dell'amore"

Hoop

Soos die maan en sterre plek verruil met die son

...en die koue die somersdag verdryf, 

so begin n jong man sy droomtog

van n soete verleiding...

van n mooi begin...

gedagtes en glimlagte van elke dag gebêre in die maan se glinster,

vir herhinnering wanneer die son se strale die oseaan verkleur en loer oor die horison...

verloor jou balans en bêre jou wense in die aandster se knipoog,

vertel dit aan my met die branders se breek...

hou my teen jou oor soos n skulp,

daar weerklink my afwagting...

geduldig soos n visserman...rustig wag ek op hoop, 

die aandster dra jou wense en ek bly kyk,

ek kyk tot daai ster skiet en die wense vrylaat...

tot dan is die see kalm, 

die strand spierwit en warm

en die see belowe my hoop

     

                                                                                       ~dirk van der bank

Tussen treine...

So ironies was die koebaai ete...
Dit was weer sulke tyd vir my pa om terug te vlieg vir sy werk gelee bokant Afrika se renosterhoring.
Die ete was by n ongerepte juweel langs die treinspoor in Grootbrak. Die ou stasie gebou kompleet met n stoep waar jy die geluid van ysterwiele kan smaak.
`n Plek waar soveel afskeidstrane en verheugde verwelkomings moes plaasgevind het in sy leeftyd.

Die wynlys is `n sorgvuldig gemaakte olienhouttafel met kurwes en karakter soos elke bottel wyn wat op hom staan. So verfrissend om die wyn op te tel en te lees van die smake, die kleur te bekyk en opgewonde aan tafel te gaan sit om jou trotse keuse te bestel!

Tussendeur die geselskap, afwagting vir die heerlike disse en verwondering, staan kersfees se boom teen die sinkplaatmuur, so onopgesmuk en asof daar geplant. `n Herhinnering van die seisoen se blink en natuurskoon. Dankbaarheid syfer deur my met elke sorgsame sluk van die botterryk Chardonnay.

Die hoofgereg was papsagte Fillet steak met n spek en bloukaassous. Die sous is delikaat gegeur met bloukaas en spek wat n glimlag laat. Hulle soetpatat is goudkleurig en smaak asof die gode in die hemel daai smake bymekaar gesit het! Perfekte balans!
Een van die goed waarna ek soos n kind uitsien by die restaurant is hulle cappaccino!! `n Barista kunswerk!

Ek het my italiaanse koffietroos saam met `n pekanneut tertjie geniet wat bedien was met `n mokkaroom.

...en dan natuurlik die absolute wonder en uitdaging om die cappaccino te drink sodat die barista kuns ongesteurd onder in die koppie gaan rus...

"transkaroo ~

...bring haar huis toe, laat jou ysterwiele rol, bring haar en maak my lewe vol …” 

`n Blou gedig

op n sondagmore lees ek my digte aan jou

die liedjie blou speel op die radio

blou my hart en

blou my gedagtes

so erg die seer wat in my opwel

net trane kan troos

ek bid en bid vir kalmte

maar binne die branders sterk

my vrae le uitgestrek

soos n verlate Kalahari pad

eindeloos

gaan ek verstaan

net tyd gaan my leer

                                                                                       dirk van der bank

Sondagmore se Gebed

...die spore op die strand loop eindeloos die skemer in
dankbaar spoel die branders die spore se kommer weg
dankie vir die rots wat ek in Jou het om aan te anker
elkedag se son skyn warm
bly is ek vir Jou.

dirk van der bank

Lullaby

a lullaby for u

when God puts away the sun

and takes out the moon for you

sleeping dust glitters on your pillow

heaven sent for sweet dreams

softly my love cradles u to sleep

a kiss on each eye

to protect the sparkle that makes my day

everything’s going to be alright

the stars they pave your way

follow them

for they end in my soul

i love you

dream away my angel

for we will meet on the moon

we can run and laugh

for this dream is blessed

God will keep u safe

i will keep u warm

fall asleep beautiful love of mine

we'll meet in the stars

the stars they pave your way

follow them

for they end in my soul

i love you

        

                                  dirk van der bank

Sielskuier

In jou lewe is daar mense wat jou diep raak en wie jy altyd in jou hart koester. In so vriendskap is dit nie oor hoe gereeld mens mekaar sien nie, maar liewer hoeveel die tyd beteken wat mens saam spandeer.
So was my tafel gedek op die 6de Januarie 2012. Met 2 goue mense en my ouers wat soveel aandeel het in ons vriendskap.
Saamwees het vir my opnuut nuwe betekenis gehad aan die eettafel. Ek het vir ons Lize Beekman se nuwe album 'Ek het jou lief" gespeel...die vuur het gebrand en die wind was kalm, kalm vir die mooi wat ontvou het.

Die stukkie kuier tussen nagereg en daai laaste glas wyn...sekerlik die eerlikste gedeelte van die aand.
Ons het gepraat oor musiek, familie, liefde, vriendskap, verlies en hartseer...maar tog ook oor die vreugde van die lewe! So was ons tafel gedek...

The large sea bird

One of the gems in Mossel Bay is the restaurant named after the large sea bird...The Gannet!

Upon entering the posh setting with glamour fynbos arrangements, you are greeted by the bubbly and friendly hostess and co-owner.  To me a restaurant with buzz is always such a blessing, and with the holiday vibe in Mossel Bay every dining experience is one with conversating guests, faint backround music, movement and buzz!
We all had fillet steak that was so perfectly cooked and tender! There was a very interesting little taste explosion to the meal....so simple and lekker! The onion garnish! The meal was complimented with yummy sweet potato chips...the colour of a golden sunset!

...and of course! Towerkop Chenin Blanc out of the Little Karoo to compliment a betowerende meal!!!!

Always a dining pleasure

On my second visit to Cape Town during the holidays I always make a point of visiting La Boheme Wine bar & Bistro....
The menu constantly changing with incredible flavours and service with a professional warmth!
The menus are huge black boards placed in front of your table in a way that brings such a cosy feeling. Love it!
I had the Gemsbok marinated in Lime that was served as a warm and cold salad with butternut and baby potatoes!
After dinner you have a feeling a contentment and not a bulging tummy!
After our dinner the chef took a seat in the restaurant busy with pages of ideas and menu planning...I thanked her for a dining experience that was yet again one for the soul!

During my visit to Cape Town I was eager to explore new places that is divine and humble at the same time and whilst driving with one of my dearest friends up Kloofnek Drive we by accident got thirsty for some ice cold white wine...
We saw this place with umbrellas...old world trees...children...beautiful people with sun glasses and european skin...Little I knew what was waiting while we sat down next to the entrance by the rusty gate...
Our waitress, a joyful bundle of energy came and sat with us for a brief minute! Explained that there is a harvest table inside the restaurant! With no hesitation we explored the landscape of organic produce, colourful salads and a true lip smacking Tomato Bredie with spicy potatoes...I was in awe of this natural gem!

Spending time with my parents is such an awesome experience with every encounter! We decided to soak up the sun at the V&A! And what better place than on the waters edge at Quay 4. It was a perfect day! A little apprehensive of what to expect as the service and food did take a dip a while ago. But as perfect as the ships were sailing in and out of the harbour loaded with tourists and the summer sun, as was the service and food!

I decided to attempt the Kilo of prawns....which was irresponsible and gorgeous!! Thats what a holiday is all about!!

First Words

After an incredible holiday I now have to change my mindset to work, figures, clients and all things that require focus. I have tried to let go of responsibilities as far as I could, to switch off from the frame of mind that is alarm clocks, meetings and staff issues.
The journey was a wonderful one indeed!
Spending time with my incredible parents and friends was a great blessing on its own!
There were so many highlights and amazing times that I keep them close to heart.
One of those moments was the meeting with a true gem that was postponed for almost 4 years. It happened on the last day of 2011. A mutual hunger for talking and listening as we devoured the conversation and soulful tapas that was served to us at cafe Havanna on the stoep.

The ocean was blue and still, the pink bubbly eager to be drank and the conversation a journey through happiness and finding the calm that we so often neglect.
A truly liberating way to end 2011 and start 2012 which I believe is the year of change and new opportunities!

Is sent my friend a sms afterwords describing the afternoon for me in one lyric from my favourite singer/songwriter Lize Beekman...

"...breek die soetste vy, pars die druiwe vir wyn, koester die dag se draai...gister is lank verby..." ~Lize Beekman

And I sent one of my own poems. A poem that is actualy a prayer for someone you want to keep safe.

"vir Hom vra ek om jou sagte helder oe te beskerm

om Hom oor jou bekommernisse te ontferm

die Engele vra ek om jou in satyn toe te draai

vir die mooiste drome so fraai

tot jy die moreson aan die oseaan sien vasklou"

~dirk van der bank