20 Comments

on The Amazing Power of Scent in the Wild: How Smell Can Trigger Memory

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Beautifully written blog Kate. It is strange how the smell of a plant, or the call of a bird can bring back memories. Sometimes vivid and sometimes elusive, and it is rearly appreciation of nature and the small things that matter most.

Thank you Marinda, I completely agree with you, it’s amazing how something so small can have such an impact on the senses.

Roxanne Reid
Guest

Lovely blog about the power of scent. For me two evocative scents that take me back to childhood are the scent of a Highveld storm, and the smell of gas, which makes me feel 8 again, on our first caravan trip to the Kruger Park.

Lovely Roxanne, those are great memories, I loved going on long car trips and lying in the back of the car or looking out the window… So many special memories.

Master Tracker

What a lovely blog, poetical even.

Thank you Ian, I enjoyed writing it 🙂

Kate, indeed a very sublime and poetic expression. Please offer this walk when I visit Londolozi next time. Smell of the first rain on parched earth has been a subject of poetry for hundreds of years in India…a scent truly unequalled and hopefully never bottled. Thank you for triggering a beautiful memory through your blog.

Hi Shveta, thank you for your lovely comment. I think it is wonderful idea to offer a sensory walk. Hopefully this can be arranged on your next visit to the bush, would love to join you. 🙂

Barbara Bethke
Guest

The smell of a summerrain on a dry earth I think everywhere is the same, but the smell I have in my nose if I see a picture like yours of the golden hour, it belongs to Africa, I am longing for.

Nothing like Africa! 🙂 Thank you Barbara.

Magriet Kruger
Guest

Loved going on this sensory journey with you, Kate.

Thank you Magriet, so pleased you enjoyed it! 🙂

Senior Digital Ranger

Thank you Kate for this beautiful blog! My favourite scent in the bush is of the wood when it is burnt in the fires, then I know I am in a very special place!

Thank you Wendy, that is a wonderful smell and a strong reminder of the bush and being outdoors 🙂

Jill Grady
Guest

Beautifully written Kate. I have always found it fascinating how our sense of smell can trigger memories. I loved coming along on your journey back to your special moments.

Thank you so much Jill. It is amazing how powerful the senses can be… I have the same experiences when I revisit places or drive along roads that I have driven before (usually on road trips) – so many old memories instantly come back from the trips before.

Interesting article and such an important part of the bushveld experience. I completely agree that scent is a massive catalyst for nostalgia. Really enjoyed the information on the Fever Tea plant, would love to know more about medicinal uses of local plants and cultures.

Thank you Rich, I agree, it would be very interesting to know more about the medical uses of local plants and cultures, – perhaps a future blog? I will look into this more – it is very fascinating

Beautiful article and very well written. You took me there with you! Thank you!

Thank you Kim, I loved writing this, it brought back so many memories. What is your favourite scent that reminds you of childhood? Do you have one?

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