Here comes the sun

Gallery

KNYSNA NEWS - "Every day, a million miracles begin at sunrise." These are the words of late American author Eric Jerome Dickey, and there are few things I agree with more.

If you've ever woken up that extra hour or so earlier than usual and taken the time to head out and watch the sunrise, then you are familiar with that unique sensation that only a sunrise can provide.

It's difficult to put into words, to be honest, but I'll give it my best shot.

The sun sets and the sun rises, and so is the daily 24-hour cycle of life on this rock floating around in space that we call home. With no sun there's no light, and largely no life. On a daily basis the sun breathes life into even the darkest and most lifeless corners of the world, and this is a concept one can only ever really rejuvenate through witnessing a sunrise.

I've watched a few sunrises in Knysna, admittedly all from Lake Brenton. But though I may have never seen a sunrise from anywhere else in town other than that spot, I remain steadfast in the feeling that it is hands-down the best place in town from which to watch the sun breathe life into the world.

Photo gallery: Sunrise, the promise of a new day

The lay of the land naturally faces east/north-east, and therefore lends itself to spectacular sunrise viewing.

Between myself and the friends that accompanied me, we could not take enough photos of what lay before us.

As Knysna was emerging from a rather miserable week of bitter cold, I elected to pay Lake Brenton a visit for my first sunrise in over a year (shameful as it is). It had been pouring with rain the day before, but I remained resolute to take on the gamble and armed with numerous layers of clothing, a coffee in one hand and tea in the other, I arrived at the Lake Brenton causeway on Friday to a largely cloudy sky.

There was promise though, with a solitary break in the clouds at the point where the sun rises above the hills that envelop Knysna. You don't really know when the sun's coming, unless you pay attention.

The closer the burning star gets to the horizon, the more vividly it starts colouring the linings of the clouds. From peachy orange to pink to gold, every stroke part of a larger natural masterpiece. Bit by bit the light pours over the hills to wake up the town.

It creeps across Lake Brenton and The Heads, then Leisure Isle and Hunter's Home. Then Thesen Islands, Phantom Pass, and Lower Old Place. Of course, the centre of town, Upper Old Place, Knysna Heights, and all the areas tucked into the foot of the hill in mid-town are the last to be blessed by the emerging light.

When you add a little bit of rain, the sunrise effect is only amplified.

Sitting on my backside in Lake Brenton, in the space of 30 to 40 minutes, I watched the special daily drama of my town slowly coming to life.

There's something incredibly magical in that. The ability to sit back and see the world taking shape and shaking its feathers for the day. It reminds you of your place in the universe and places things into a fresh perspective. It's simultaneously thrilling and humbling.

And all you have to do to experience this is to get up early enough and open yourself up to the light of the sun and the warmth that lies in its living breath. I sign off with a quote by author Anthony T Hincks: "The secret to a good morning is to watch the sunrise with an open heart."

When you add a little bit of rain, the sunrise effect is only amplified.
Photos: Blake Linder