The dogs playing in the garden
BONGO MAD DOG!
Quading Boys
Cape Town…something of a habit!!!!Our 6.00 am departures for Cape Town are becoming something of a habit now, the only difference this time was that it was still pitch black when we left the farm, with two very confused dogs, blinking through the glass kitchen doors as we departed, not quite understanding why they had been breakfasted quite so early.
Bossy had been up since four, his internal alarm having “pinged early”, and so he stretched himself out on the rear seats with ample pillows, whilst I cracked on with the drive, and Finn nodded in the co-pilots seat next to me. In honesty this is how I prefer to drive, either with silent passengers or none at all.
Immersed in my own choice of music,[ having sneaked Bossies Europop,and Dunbilly collection out of the “in car”CD collection.,an action was to bite me on the backside during, our return trip], I rattled along at my own pace, aware of the sun coming up behind me and the desert landscape ahead, taking on a rose coloured bloom.
Once the sun had risen, I realized that the desert section was GREEN!...or a dusty grey green, with frondy grasses at the roadside standing about 18 inches tall and gently swaying in the warm breezes, The rainy season, has transformed the harsh passive landscape, and it now appears more gentle, this softness and growth, has brought movement to the desert.
Each side of the road, behind wire fences, animals were grazing,[ I have never seen this before, so far North on this route], I assume that the farmers who are brave enough to work this land, have moved their stock up to take advantage of the fodder. The route was lined with cows and sheep/goats and a surprising number of horses, many with foals.A. very bucolic scene.but unlike anything I have ever seen in Europe.
For three hours I enjoyed pottering along, then, just as we were approaching Garies,Bossy awoke. This signaled the end to my peace and quiet; after several barbed comments directed at the slow rate of my progress and my reluctance to overtake Lorries whilst negotiating bends…I careered into Garies petrol station and “handed” over the keys! If Bossy had wanted to, he might have checked the “on board” computer and discovered that since leaving the farm, we had done an average of 91 miles per hour and clocked up 280 miles,on the long straight roads from Marchant.
Anyway, arriving at the Winchester mansions around 1.30, we lunched outside, watching a progression of happy sunny people traveling along Beach Road, and the dramatic cool sea beyond. We sauntered around the waterfront, having bought Finn a leather bushman hat, which both Bossy and I, insisted he wear to demonstrate that he was indeed a tourist…of course we are no longer required to wear such items, being legal occupants of the country now. The atmosphere was wonderful and the three of us were on good form despite the long drive.
Bossy and Finn had had something of a geographical dispute on exactly where the Angel of the North stood: was it “just outside of Newcastle” which Finn insisted it was, or,was it, as Bossy had insisted 20 miles + out of Newcastle..The two of them had taken a bet,and the winner was to be purchased a pair of new shoes by the losing party. Much of the Waterfont experience was spent eying up, very expensive shoes, and listening to the two of them needling each other! It was agreed that on our return to W.M, we would use the internet as judge and jury.
That evening, we met the Van Zyle clan [who were en route to Mossel Bay for their Easter hols] in the Cod father for supper..a truly spectacular meal..possibly ranking as one of my best ever meals out. Finn was particularly smiley as he was guaranteed a pair of new shoes the following day, after we had collected Little from school.
9.30 a.m and we were at Bishops prep, watching the stream of little boys and waiting for our big one!. In the distance I saw someone who looked as though they were going to a fancy dress party…it was Edwin, dressed,as every other boy in the school was, in his “number one uniform”. However the shorty shorts,the long grey socks and the white shirt and blazer with horizontally striped tie [ looks very 30`s!] …simply made him look totally incongruous, in view of his extreme height[ he is now almost as tall as I am!]..This man/child came gamboling towards us, much as Bongo does, struggling to co ordinate his extremely long legs. Sporting a painfully cruel, school hair cut, and the biggest smiliest smile ever. He had wanted to get straight in the car and head back to the farm, however once we explained that Bossy had a debt to repay, he was amused and with grace, agreed to our detour back to the Waterfront, where the debt was settled. The three of us racing off to buy shoes and the obligatory experimental bottles of wine from Mr Vaughn. Whilst Bossy parked the car.
This is when Bossy, left to his own devices managed to buy and install one of his notoriously suspect Music Cd`s in the car… Paulo Contini`s “Hits”…Now some of Paulo`s music I find great…but this CD was clearly purchased at speed and without looking at the content. Whilst were driving out of Cape Town, we were treated to the aged Signore Contini..putting his vocal chords through their rather tired paces, accompanied by accordions and an assortment of percussive instruments that did NOT sit comfortably with his ailing vocal abilities…Bossy was initially fiercely protective …and had to put up with our mirth and accompaniments’, which we all achieved remarkably accurately by pinching the skin on our necks and wobbling it..as we sung “Italianesque” lyrics along with Signore C. After a very few kilometers, a new CD was found. I do feel sorry for Bossy sometimes….each to their own and all that!...in this case, most definitely in the privacy of a padded cell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE QUADING EXPERIENCE
To explain this picture of Bossy and Smallie.
Smallie [Moses` son,] is staying here, with Mrs Smallie,during his school break, he delights in being involved in the whole quading experience, but sadly is too small to drive any of them, Bossy is always really kind to him and invites him on our expeditions into the wilderness, Smallie, sits behind Bossy,[clinging on for dear life], and if I go out, I sit behind Little [clinging on for dear life]…Smallie justs stands and watches in complete admiration as the boys leap and skid around,and shower him in orange sand ,when they do “doughnuts”…despite my shrieking at them to stop…Smallie,whoops and shouts with glee. Bossy is particularly amused by this picture, suggesting that perhaps Maddona might be a little envious!...Cant take him anywhere!
LAKE GRAPPA
Most afternoons we have gone to the lake , where the boys have canoed, and in Finns case, jet ski`d, or simply mucked around in the water, until the sun has set [ around 6.45 pm,now!] and we have all returned to the farm tired and ready for supper in the braai room.
After the first 10 minutes both Finn and Edwin were moaning, that the sand track was bumpy and that it was hot and that there were NO animals….. I then retaliated, advising them that I seemed to be surrounded by moaning men.
Actually I was quite enjoying the spectacular landscape, which they argued was solely because it was “arty farty”. We struck a compromise and decided that we would travel as far as Echo Corner and then retrace our steps and head back to “base camp” for a late breakfast. We did manage to see a herd of Springbok, and I saw plenty of “arty” stuff.
On our way back from Echo Corner, Little, started to feel very car sick as we bumped our way back to the reserve reception, and copious sips of cool water and promises of a cool swim helped avert certain disaster. As we had embarked on our trip. at 10.00 am the temperature was a balmy 25.5 and as we exited the park at 11.30 it was 34 degrees! SO MUCH FOR SAFARI`s!!!!!! . In general it was a disappointing expedition, on the premise that we were in a “game park”!
Little recovered within 15 minutes of returning to the farm and plunging into the pool which stays remarkably cool..thank goodness
Dead quiver trees
Silhouette shaped hole in rock .Augrabies
Above: Sink holes n the granite at the waterfall...One notch on the legendary [and imaginary] Bronco Layne throwing knife
Those of you who are squeamish or are particularly fond of creepy crawlies are advised to skip this section.
On Wednesday evening ,we returned from the lake, and braai`d….we lay the dogs ,vet bed out on the braii floor, Bongo has taken to copying Bee, and they both stretch out and “sleep” [actually they only pretend to close their eyes and snore, whilst we eat], and come to life when scraps are on offer. We had just completed this ritual ,and Bongo had returned to “Sleep”, when he suddenly sat bolt upright, staring towards the concertina glass doors that separate the braai room from the lounge…As he did this, I was aware of something racing under a brick, that was propping the door open. Mercifully he stopped in his tracks when he heard me shout. The dogs were promptly removed, and we took a look behind the brick…a disgusting thick tailed scorpion…one of the more poisonous type to both humans and dogs!...
Both Bossy and Finn were standing well back, discouraging me from scrabbling around to find a sharp spade [Loops!]…But I ALWAYS know where they are, and despite their groans , removed the brick and unceremoniously decapitated the scorpion….The internet tells me that they are of significant importance to biologists on account of the strength of their venom…..As you know, I am perfectly candid about my attitude to all dangerous creepy crawlies. . I remain utterly unashamed and consider my own biological importance and that of my family, of far greater value than that of a thick tailed scorpion.
If I had a Bronco Lane throwing knife, there would be one notch in it!
Finn then proceeded to lecture me about my attitude. This week he insisted that I purchase a very thick and thorough book about indigenous snakes. Since the purchase, he has been doing a great deal of reading,[ I have steadfastly refused to open the book] and now insists on regaling us with fascinating facts about the snakes that live in this area [ none of it nice!]…the theme of his lecture was to question the wisdom of my seeking to attack nasties, and suggested that as an option to “attack mode”, that I back off….of course if the situation allows I would back off…but on home territory and particularly if the dogs or we were threatened…..I would “go for it”…but in a sensible way…I have been watching Bear Grills and now consider him something of a modern day Bronco Layne. Whilst I don’t model myself on Bear Grills [just don’t have the muscle tone!]..I do watch how he handles threatening creatures very closely ,I note that he uses a “Bear Grills throwing knife”, which I am deeply impressed by, but do think he should carry a sharp spade with him at ALL times.
Seeds.
The talk of creepy crawlies brings me onto the setting up of our herb garden.
From the back of the farm..we overlook the drying slabs… most raisin drying has now been completed, and our slabs are now empty, however one of the farmers that Bossy rented them to, has left two large wooden raisin bins by the side of the slabs. I have had my eye on them ever since I returned from England…feeling that one, suitably filled with earth would make a great herb garden outside of my kitchen door, the other would be a brilliant start for my intended raised vegetable plot, the other side of the house where the “orchard” is…..in reality we have four or five orange trees in need of a severe pruning, and two fig trees.
Having discussed this idea with Finn, we decided to go and pilfer the bins, he was concerned that we should take suitable snake protection, so we armed ourselves with loaded air pistols [on safety], a sharp spade [of course] a towel…my idea…to throw over any snakes and confuse them.We loaded ourselves into “The RAISIN” and set forth towards the drying slabs.
Removing ourselves ,and strapped with our weapons, we approached the bins,stamping on the baked sand..on Finns instructions. These bins are incredibly robust and VERY heavy,and were stacked on top of each other ,with their closed bases facing up. Both taking a grip and with a deep breath, …on the count of…”One ,two,Three…….we heaved the first bin upwards, ……………….. a sudden dart of movement caught our eye and at the same moment… we immediately dropped the bin, both did synchronized screaming, and then both leapt backwards, as far away from the bins as possible, grappling for our weapons…………….
………………………….a small and rather innocuous desert lizard was making a hasty exit from the shade of the bin, and ran scuttling under the nearest bush for protection. We both sheepishly looked around to see if the spectacle of our ridiculous behavior had caught anyone’s attention…only the lizard was eyeing us with what can only be described as utter contempt from the shade of his new abode.
After a grueling 10 minutes the bins were both loaded onto “the Raisin”. We returned, hot and exhausted to the farm, where the bins were offloaded, in readiness for filling with soil.
I’m sure that I caught a glimpse of Moses, sniggering in the garage as we returned.
As these bins have a rival raisin producers name burnt in stencils onto their sides, Bossy insisted that we had to paint them. So the following day Finn and I painted the outside of the “herb garden” a dark blue, which Finn rather irritatingly kept referring to as PURPLE!, whatever its hue, the paint was sufficiently dark to hide the lettering, and evidence of our miscreant behavior.
We the spent the rest of the day filling the bin with rocks and course sand then some compost and then earth. Then I planted some of my seeds.
Taz…your peppers are in, and Dotti, the Chinese salad leaves, rocket, chives ,coriander,basil ,parsley are in. I restrained myself on quantities planted as I don’t want huge amounts coming up all at once…I plan to do some successive planting…but its all very experimental at the moment.
To my amazement THREE days later and I have small lines of very green seedlings bursting forth….I had to take a picture…sorry it’s deeply boring, but I just cannot believe that the salad leaves have germinated this rapidly. The entire process has made me feel very chirpy indeed…Finn is very amused at how I sprinkle water on the seedlings with a large sugar shaker [sans sugar]…as I don’t have a watering can yet!.
First sign of fresh herbs!
This blog is more full of photos….and less full of words than usual,[phew…I hear you all sighing with relief]…but they paint a great story of the past few…very happy weeks since my last blog, Finn seems to have recovered well from the state in which he arrived, and my dreadful home sickness has been helped by Skype and keeping busy.
Much love to all, have a wonderful Easter, whether it be with family, or ski ing or doing the garden…or anything else. We miss you all very much and think of you often.
Big Kisses to Tommy and Jell, really miss you both, after such a wonderful week & weekend in London Town. Get your heads together and start to plan your trip here in the summer. We are planning to come home for a couple of weeks of the 25th June.
Good luck with the revision Jell and Tommy, keep forging on with your training.
Kisses on the lips.
DawnXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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