31 Mar 2009: Blowing down the house, Camps Bay style

There's a cloud pumping down the mountain, a wall of whiteness

I love it.

You cannot but respect the power of nature when you see a cloud the size of a mountain, covering an area as large as the City Bowl, moving as one

So we're not trading to day, just cleaning equipment. But good news is from tommorow, - expect three good hot days, in the region of 30C degrees.

Now thats something to look forward to, isnt it?

30 Mar 2009: Sunset to end all sunsets...

We often show the beginning of the day, but here's yesterdays end.

Mesmerizing...natures own little show...a result of the change of season and last nights arriving SE wind

Enjoy

29 Mar 2009: His Holiness, the Dalai Lama would have been welcome anytime at MASSAGE ON THE BEACH

Its another beautiful blue day. It could be anywhere in the world, with no borders, no politics and no limits.

We have seen people from over 50 countries, and would welcome 50 more.

There are no entry policies here at MASSAGE ON THE BEACH

Anyone is welcome

Today will be a mid20C's day that will warm slowly till it reaches that soulful warmth we know so well. There is a little SE wind on the horizon which we think will only be feature around Tuesday.

But be happy about it, the longer the SE wind blows, the longer summer sticks aound.

28 Mar 2009: Massage Guerrilas in the Mist

We set up on a Saterday a little earlier to avoid territorial issues with the touch rugby players who spread themselves quite far and wide.

Whilst it must be said they are probably the best game of touch you will find in SA, we have given up explaining to them, the environmental dynamics we have to contend with in making our bussiness work for the rest of the day after they leave.

Thank heaven for the balancing wisdom of women

25 Mar 2009: The sight of peace

This was yesterday. Quiet. But when its like this there is still so much to absorb.

Days like this are my breathe of fresh air, the peace between our effort.

Look now for amazing evening sunsets at about 10 to 7pm, and also amazing morning light. We're still around, and despite missing some days for studies, we are back from Friday at our usual times, every day the weather is good 9 to 6pm if the temperature will allow it

See you there

24 Mar 2009: It just carries on being THAT good...

As much as studies have kept me face-to-face with my laptop and not much else, we have had some great days on the beach. Theweather at this time of the year, is stable, with warm days, but the mornings and evenings carry that cool air hint that the seasons are changing.

So, as one of our client said to me today, that makes you just appreciatte these good days even more, knowing what is to come.

So join us for the last great days. We'll be there till the end. Promise.

9am till 6pm weather permitting (and yes studies are almost done now)

Thanks for your support and patience

19 Mar 2009: and where are we...

No we havent dissapeared.

Ive been off studying most of the time and sometimes feeling like I'm getting nowhere

Stefan is sick and will away for 10 days

And the weathers been frisky cold

But the good news is, well be back tommorow and we expect a hot weekend. Yay

so...

we look forward to see you there, bussiness as usual

17 Mar 2009: The winds of massage change

Just like that.

Monday opened with overcast skyes, and midday drizzle that sent us home.

Tuesday openied with cloudy skys and fresh breezes that moved around, and kept the beach clean and quiet. It was the first hint that in the next couple of months we will be more into Winter than Summer.

We set up on the grass for a while, until strong S/SE wind gusts ended our day. As you can see, one just clean ripped the gazebo wall.

14 Mar 2009: The massage crew that makes Sunday magic

Today we worked flat out, full out, delivering the perfection of hours and hours of training, and work reinforcement.

All in all we massaged over 100 people at 2 venues in nearly 30man hours. and to each one we applied a mindful, effective touch, aimed at leaving them with a lasting impression that was the highlight of their day and a memory that will not fade.

This photo was taken at 8pm after we all came together, did a debrief, before heading all for hots howers and baths and the company of our loved ones

We really love what we do, we really love this bussiness, and we also love what we do for you.

goin

15 Mar 2009: Corporate massage in a non-corporate style

Sunday was another incredible day. Super hot at 35C on the beach.

Whilst Stefan and Panorea worked the beach, Katya and I worked at the Caprice annual VIP party in Lududno. Its the number one party of the season outside of the J&B met.

15 Mar 2009: Massage with the end in mind

This is what the end of today will likely look like.

Just like the end of yesterday. It will be over 30C degrees. Myself and Katya will be doing the Caprice corporate function in Lundudno, but fear not Panorea and Stef are awaiting you as we speak.

We will give you a massage to remember. Come down and see us

14 Mar 2009: Early morning Massage blues

This was early morning yesterday, for what turned out to be a hot and intense day.

The line in the sand you see, is from the constant Saterday morning territory issues we have with the touch rugby players. Just another issue in the enviroment to contend with.

But we love what we do, and we love Camps Bay. We love doing our massage for you.

13 Mar 2009:Massage so quiet you could here a pin drop

When I arrived at the beach it was surreal. So calm, so quiet, we dared not do more than whisper.

I envied those on our tables. The weather's calmness pervaded the day and carried on into the evening at a mild upper 20C degrees

12 Mar 2009: The massage window on the world

Our office comes with its perks, for sure.

Whilst we do have to cope with plus 30C degree heat, erratic winds, spring tides and some other dynamic hazards that require a very flexible approach, we love our little space in the greater environment.

The next 4 days are looking to be all in the region of 30 degrees. These last 2 weeks have been the most delicious of all summer. This is the time of the eyar, to leave work with a towel in your car, boardies, and a casual attitude for the evening. come swim, have a massage enjoy the best of Cape Town sunsets.

It'll be winter sooner than you think.

10 Mar 2009: Lunchtime MASSAGEON THE BEACH-Style

Yes we make the the staff lunch created by yours truely. Its always different and often related to where I have been running errands that day.

Today was rocket, avo, baby tomatoes and feta done with olive oil, salt, oregano in a panini of sorts. Panorea likes coke, Katya doesn't, both like grapes. What can I say, we try where we can too look after ourselves, otherwise the tank runs dry.

10 Mar 2009: Terrabytes of Massage

We have taken so many pics of MASSAGE ON THE BEACH that I had to get a new external hard drive!

Today I have been studying again, the tools of systems-based bussiness confounding me at every turn. Katya- back and healed, and Panorea, are on today, massaging in glorius conditions.

The wind is slightly cooling from the west, the temperature is around 28C degrees. But its hot enough to send Molly, our faithful Jack Russel mascot to lie on the pool cover!

9 Mar 2009: The day after...

It was a day of sore legs for Stefan (from the Argus Cycle Tour), a sore head for me(from the studies), spring tides and baking heat that went over 30 degrees again.

Anthea and I, at home have taken to sprinkling the sheets as a sort of cooler mechanism!

It was busy enough that I had to leave my studies, and didn't even get to blog.

MASSAGE ON THE BEACH has taught me to be more flexible, adaptable and accepting in my life than I anything I could ever imagine. And yesterday was no exception.

Expect a warm week, with some cooling SW winds, but still HOT.

8 Mar 2009: The Argus day that was ALL wind

This is a report of the weeks wind from http://www.windreport.co.za/ who has a weather station at La Med, just across the bay from us. Just check out the graph of todays wind compared to the rest of the week.

Hair raising, to say the least

8 Mar 2009: Argus Mayhem

Today we're not trading for sure.

Its become too akward in recent years to get not only our equipment across the barriers set up for the cycle race. In addition, today the wind is the strongest I have seen it all season.

Phew. Thats rough...

Stefan's riding tandem with his dad today so we are hoping he made it through okay.

We'll be back tommorow as normal, 9am to attend to all stiff bodies, aching legs and tired souls. till then, take care

7 Mar 2009: The other Argus Cycle Tour

Yes the day before the tour, thousands of cyclist ride the route, stopping off at every coffee and breakfast spot they can find.

So beware this morning, if you are in a rush somewhere, dont be.

The beach will be pleasant, the sea is calm, warm enough to swim, and the temeprature will reach 32C degrees. Certainly the stifling heat of yesterday will abate, aided by the slightest breeze

We have been busy the last couple of days wih thousands of cyclists in town for the race so if you want to come on down by all means do, but be warned, early is better.

We wish you a great day, it promises to be one Cape Towns most beautiful and interesting ones of the year so far.

6 Mar 2009: Ok so we were wrong!

It wasn't 38C degrees yesterday. Instead it reached 42C degrees. In fact it got to 46C dgrees in Paarl. That was just like Black Saterday in Australia recently.

This morning it was 30C degrees on the beach when we set up at 830am! The temperature should cross 40C again at that rate. No wind is expected

Fortunately the beach is about 5 degrees less than the city!!

So, seeing its Friday, the Argus Cycle Tour mayhem is in town and no one wants to work, what about coming down for a swim, a picnic and and a jolly good time? Afterall, this is what Cape Town life is about and soon, when winters here, you'll regret not taking advantage.

5 Mar 2009: Our story in pictures Part 5

This season has been incredible. so much happens in such a short space of time. We take pictures every day, so much that I need a new hard drive!!!

No matter how many hours and days I have spent on that beach and with that bussiness, every day is like a fingferprint, unique. each one scribes itself in my heart. Each one has a place in my memory, each is a strand of my soul.

Each smile, each staff member is a lifetime's work and dedication.

5 Mar 2009: Massage on the Beach - Bikram style

Yup at the predicted 38C degrees for today, its like yoga in a hot box

Now before you think oh dear thats sounds too much, consider this:

• You can wear your board shorts, bikini, costume
• Before, during and afterwards, you can relax, we do the work
• We'll keep you in the shade
• We'll give you complimentary water afterwards courtesy of Bon Aqua
• You'll be more relaxed, in fact massage in the heat is like a 90-minute massage at 40-minute prices, due to the relaxing effect of the warmth(we charge local, not tourist prices)
• You can cool off under showers, or in the sea
• Cocktails and great food are but 50metres away

Beats the office, or anywhere in the city today, doesnt it?

4 Mar 2009: The big heat on the beach

Its another great Wednesday here on Camps Bay. Expect the SE wind to pick uplater today, with 30C degree temperature...and tommorow, ...wait for it, up to 37C degrees. Ouch!

So ill be down there this morning, and Stef will join me later.

Perhaps we will see you later?

3 March 2009: Our Story in pictures Part 4

Click on the pic and see the story of us that Lauren Fowler made. By now the figure os over 6000 people massaged, and over 50 countries. But take a look, its a magic story.

3 Mar 2009: Tuesday flew bye

It did.

I am bumbling my way through the Failure Systems Model for my bussiness honours, completing learning logs and readings. Somewhere amongst this I am trying to get our new wesbite up. We are so excited about it

Panorea worked today in warm, midly windy circumstances. You can feel CT is heading towards the Argus Cycle tour this weekend.

For tommorow, 35C degrees are expected agian with some South winds. So expect bright, hot times.

I'll be on tommorow morning with Stefan who will be cycling this weekend's in the Tour. So whether you are cycling this weekend or not, come down, we have a massage just for you.

1 Mar 2009: Massage Reality Bites Hard

So we have a great bussiness, and yes we love it.

But just as an indication of what we deal with outside of the perecived idyllic existence heres 48 hours of massage reality

Sat morning:

After initially not setting up and moving apprnetice training to my home, the wind drops enough to change plans, setup, and change the training venue. I try load the blog, the internet goes down and my already full computer reminds me its time to get more memory to hold all these photos you see on the blog.

I rush to a website meeting to rescue a misunderstanding hiccup involving a 6K discrepancy. As we meet Katya slips a disc. I finish the meet, solve the problem, phone the laundry to ask them to wait for me, whilst I address Katyas back.

At that moment gale force winds hit and all hell breaks loose. I help Stef packup, whilst Katya lies contorted in the vehicle. We take her and her car home, fetch the washing from the lady who kindly waits outside the store which has by now closed.

Katya is fed, medicated and sorted with DVD entertainment, we return, pack and closeup

Sunday:

Anthea gets called to the office and so our morning breakfast together is interrupted. Without 2 staff availible (Panorea away), we have to make sure that we cover our normal day and a corporate event. The tide sends us very high on the beach, and probelms with parking cause trouble in getting equip to the beach

We set up, in a low sand flood-plain, and as we swop venues with clients waiting, a young lady dislocates her shoulder, and nearly passess out with pain. I stabilise her, Stef takes over at the corporate and I head back to the gazebo 15 minutes late for a client. We massage for 4 hours straight thereafter with no lunch break in 35 degree heat. My cell-phone breaks in a fall, a fact that will use hours of my monday in repair and replacement

After closing, I swim in the sea to cleanse and revitalise from my near anethetised state, I enjoy a pizza on the beach with Anthea before heading back to complete bussiness school assignments till midnight whilst falling asleep at the computer.

We love what we do.

But make no mistake, the beach is a dynamic enviroment unlike anything other.

1 March 2009: Busy day on the beach

It was.

We worked at the Friends of Caprice Volleyball Event as well as at our own station in 35 degrees windless weather. Several sprains, a shoulder dislocation and our regular customers kept us busy well past 7pm.

The day had to be ended with a cooling swim and a pizza and salad on the beach, whilst witnessing another beautiful sunset...followed by 10 hours of sleep!