Growing up, the only source of water I knew about was the Orange River which runs through my home town. People talked about The Sea, I saw pictures of it, but nothing could prepare me for my first sight of the clear blue, endless ocean. I was ten years old and lost a little piece of my heart on that day. A piece I found again only many years later.
When our last kid left home, my husband and I moved to Betty’s Bay, a small coastal village about an hour’s drive from Cape Town. And now I’m fortunate to have the sea on my doorstep, to experience its different moods and to fall asleep every night to the sound of waves crashing in my ears.
Christmas for me means spending time with our children. They all lead busy lives but for a week of two we get to see them, touch them, hug them, hear their stories. Johan, our second son, is working in China this year, so his place will be empty around our table. I’m trying not to think about that too much.
We have been blessed with two grandsons and their wide-eyed wonder about everything adds something special to the whole occasion.
Christmas also means long, warm, lazy days. Strange for anyone living in the northern hemisphere, I know, but a Summer Christmas is enchanting in its own way. There is no snow, just lots and lots of sunshine and clear blue skies.
On Christmas Day all our relatives who live near enough join us which makes the day all the more special. Everyone brings something for the table and for most of the day we eat. A lot. You get the picture.
I’ve published mostly in Afrikaans up till now, and most of the stories I tell happen near the sea. It’s not as if I plan it that way, it just happens. My first English romance, Love, in writing (Escape Publishing) has Kommetjie, another quaint seaside village nearby, as its setting.
Below is an excerpt from it. Enjoy!
‘Details, my dear, details,’ Jen called out as soon as Margaret walked through the door of her bookshop.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Margaret said and with her chin held high, tried to squeeze past Jen. Unfamiliar feelings had kept her up most of the night and when she’d finally fallen asleep, erotic images of her and Graham making love woke her up. Now all she wanted to do was to try and occupy her mind with something normal so that these constant thoughts about a strange man could vanish.
Laughingly, Jen grabbed her arm. ‘Oh no, you’re not getting off so easily. The last time I saw you, Graham Connelly had you in his arms and you looked blissfully happy. What happened?’
Margaret winced. ‘He actually carried me out?’
Jen nodded.
‘I was sleeping?’
‘Snoring. You, my friend,’ Jen said and pointed towards Margaret, ‘were completely and wonderfully sloshed. You did it with style, though, I’ll give you that. No loud singing or dancing on the tables, you just passed out gracefully. A good thing, considering some of the esteemed guests we had.’
Margaret opened her mouth, but then closed it again. She stormed down the corridor to her office. She should find a hole where she could hide out for the rest of the day. Jen’s peals of laughter followed her all the way into her office.
She sat down and cradled her head in her hands. Two glasses were her limit. What was she thinking? And to be so out of it that she didn’t even know Graham of all people had carried her. What must he be thinking? A groan escaped her lips.
Her fingers touched her mouth. She could still taste him, feel him. Who was this man who had, within the short span of a few days, thrown her completely off balance? And why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? Stop dreaming about him?
‘Black coffee?’
Margaret opened her eyes. Jen stood in the door with a cup of coffee.
‘Thanks.’
Thanks for reading this 🙂
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Sounds like a wonderful read . Thank you
I think a summer/warm Christmas would be wonderful! It’s cold, dreary, and currently wet in Atlanta, GA. I’m also a little jealous that you live by the sea.
I also think it’s amazing all of your books have been set along the water even subconsciously. It just goes to show how much you love it. Thanks for the excerpt too. It’s intriguing. Is it available in English?
Great excerpt. You really piqued my interest with this one.
In hope you’ll enjoy it, Shari!
Yes, this is my first romance in English – please let me know what you think? Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Shirey! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
A wonderful excerpt Elsa.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks Elizabeth – nice to meet you 🙂 I hope you also have a great Christmas!
I loved learning more about you, Elsa, but I already knew you were a very family-oriented person! I also love the sea. I grew up in Durban and now live inland and I miss it so much! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thanks, Kathy! There is something magical near the coast and I’m grateful every day that I can live so close to the sea 🙂 I hope you also have a wonderful Christmas!
What a lovely post, Elsa! This will be my first summer Christmas and I’m still struggling to reconcile the Christmas decorations with the temperature. We’re heading out to a remote chalet in the Drakensberg on Christmas Eve and I can’t wait to experience some of the wide-eyed wonder you describe!
I can just imagine how strange all of this must be for you, Rebecca. But it will grow on you, I’m sure 🙂 I hope you and hubby will have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Elsa
Your Christmas sounds a lot like mine warm weather and lots of family and this year we will be at my sisters near the beach 🙂 . I have this book downloaded onto my kindle ready to read and looking forward to it
Have fun
Helen
Great – are you in Australia? Thanks for downloading my story, I hope you enjoy it! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family 🙂
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I’m enchanted by the sound of your Summer Christmas, Elsa! I enjoyed the preview of ‘Love, in Writing’ too!
Thanks for stopping by, Chris. I’m glad you like the excerpt 🙂
Really looking forward to reading Love in Writing! Hope it flies!
Thanks, Téa, so nice of you to stop by 🙂
Loved your excerpt. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year and that you at least get to talk to your son in China, too.
I enjoyed hearing about your warm Christmases, Elsa. It’s rare when we don’t have snow for the holiday (I’m in Michigan in the US), but I’m not sure how I’d feel without it. LOL
I also loved the excerpt and want to find out more. I’ll be checking out your book.
Thanks Sherry – fortunately with technology it’s easy to talk. It’s the hugging I miss 🙂 I hope you also have a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hi Marcy – so nice of you to stop by, nice to meet you. I can image how strange a summer Christmas must sound like 🙂
I hope you enjoy the book! Have a wonderful Christmas 🙂
Yes I am in Australia and really looking forward to Christmas
have Fun
Helen
Thanks, Helen -you too!
Ah, Elsa . . . lucky you living in Betty’s Bay 🙂 I grew up in Somerset West but have been in Jo’burg for 19 years, so miss that ocean. Enchanting post and excerpt too! Wishing you all the best for Love, in Writing, and also for a beautiful Xmas with your family 🙂
Thanks Naomi – hope you also have a wonderful Christmas!
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