Tanka Tuesday
I missed posting for Tanka Tuesday last week because TC and I were away in Cape Town for three days and then I presented training for 4 hours in the Cape Town office before flying home. I met my sister and her family on Sunday and we spent Friday with friends so this didn’t leave much time for blogging.
The first poem is a shadorma for Yvette’s ‘masks’ challenge which you can view here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/10/27/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-88-what-lies-behind-the-mask-10-27-26/
The second is a senryu for Colleen’s challenge which you can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/11/03/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-89-senryu-11-3-26/
Unmasking
alchol
strips away veneers
exposing
true motives
unbridling thoughts and viewpoints
often quite shocking
***
penguins cavorting
dipping, ducking, and diving
toddlers in the surf



The Flower Hour
We met my sister at Kirstenbosch botanical gardens in Cape Town. It is a most extraordinarily beautiful garden. One of the best in the world. The pincushion proteas are in season so I’m sharing a few of the pictures I took.



the flowers are gorgeous, Robbie; it is good to meet up with family 🙂
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Thank you, John. Spring is a good time to visit 💞
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Great poems and beautiful penguin and flower pictures
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photographs, Thomas.
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I love proteas and those in my favourite colour. That was a great trip to Cape Town, you live in a big country.
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Hi Janet, South Africa is reasonably big and there are lots of different ecologies and environments here.
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Looks like you had a great weekend. I love the penguins and the pincushion proteas are gorgeous. xo
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Thank you, Darlene. It was lovely. Such good weather.
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So much truth in “Unmasking” Robbie.
The penguins are lovely and the botanical gardens sound beautiful.
Thank you for sharing.
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My pleasure. Perhaps one day you will visit South Africa.
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How lovely that you got away and also got to see family and friends–much more important than blogging! 💙
I love the penguins! Those flowers are gorgeous. That botanical garden must be stunning.
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Hi Merril, everything about Cape Town is stunning at the right time of year. 🥰
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🥰
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Ah those gorgeous penguins! I have been to see them in Betty’s Bay, such a lovely place by the pretty sea. And, of course, I have been to the fantastic botanic gardens in Kirstenbosch.
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Hi Chris, I’m glad you’ve been to both places. Each wonderful in its own special way 💛
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It’s good when life gets in the way of blogging for such a full and fun time…. and what inspiration it gives…. Those pin cushions are gorgeous. Alcohol can indeed be very unmasking, great shadorma and those beautiful penguins and your senryu, love what your brought back with you 💞
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Hi Suzanne, it was a worthwhile trip. I saw so many rare birds and flowers. The training also went well.
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Wonderful gallery and poetry, Robbie. I love the sense of lighthearted joy in your poem on the penguins. You got some wonderful action photos of them, too.
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Hi Suzette, I took over 150 photographs at Betty’s bay. It was wonderful 🙏🤗
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Fantastic! Thank you for sharing your gallery, Robbie.
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Revealing poem – so true. Love the penguins playing and orange is my favourite colour so, needless to day, these tickle my fancy big time!
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Hi Dale, I’m delighted you also like orange. I have three favourite colours: yellow, orange and pink. The penguins are so funny, waddling about and braying like donkeys.
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Wonderful poetry and pictures, Roberta! 😍
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Thank you, Tim 🧡😁
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Two wonderful poems, Robbie. It’s amazing how alcohol can loosen the tongue!
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Yes, it can be a bad thing 😅
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I don’t drink. I’m hyperactive and don’t need the added stimulation.
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What a beautiful post Robbie… so true the first one about the veil of alcohol.
I especially loved this post having visited Capetown and been to all those places you mentioned.
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It’s great you went to Betty’s Bay. It’s a bit obscure and most tourists go to Boulders.
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The whole trip was amazing and we were so lucky with the tours we took. Your words and photos brought it all back.
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Robbie, glad you had some travel time and some family time! Great poetry and spectacular photos!
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Thank you, Dave. I’m getting better at photography 🥰
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Wonderful flower and penguin photos Robbie. I hope you enjoyed your vacation.
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I did, Brad. It was great 👌
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Lovely nature pics.
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Thanks, Jacqui
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Very nice, Robbie. Looks like you had a rewarding trip1
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We did and the weather was great. I loved the birds 💛
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Great poems and pics, Robbie 🙂 How fun to have seen the penguins.
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Hi Denise, it was amazing to see the penguins and cormorants. I bought your book this morning. I remembered that the link for preorder wouldn’t work for me 🩵
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How cool to see the penguins in person! Sorry the preorder link didn’t work, and huge thanks for going back and getting it later. Hope you enjoy it! Xo
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True what you say about alcohol and masks…
Beautiful pincushion flowers they look exotic and nothing i have ever seen around my parts. Glad you are out and about and writing, Roberta much love 🩵
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The gorgeous orange pincushion proteas and the playful penguins at Betty’s Bay look like absolute perfection. Such a charming and heart-lifting update from your travels Roberta!
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I like your penguin poem. Not many people live in places where they can see penguins.
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Lovely poems! The penguins in the photos look so adorable! Waddling in sync! Have a nice day!
BBB
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Lovely all around.
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Great photos as always. The penguins are such fun! (K)
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Love your photos and poems Robbie.
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