Workers are flocking to the area for the seasonal work in the vines.The roads are full of overstuffed lorries [with both human and animal cargo ] and from early morning till dusk, there is the sound of tractors chugging through the lines of vines, spraying. [note the white mist on the uppermost edge of the photo below]
Our vines,like everyone else's are being doused with a a cocktail of goodies "to encourage" bud development and the size of resulting grapes.
In my humble opinion, this might account for the interminable sniffles and coughs the household has been dogged with for the past few weeks!
But the bland brown scaffolding of the vine supports that surrounded us only 8 weeks ago,has now transformed to blocks of lush green new shoots,interspersed with the little teepee tops of the vines supports.
We have been joined by a new guest who has made a nest in the log basket in the braii room. She has laid three equisite little eggs.
I have scoured my book of south African birds,and I think she is a a little "Banded Martin."
She reminds me so much of the little teasing wagtails that used to peck around our courtyard at home.
When Bongo and Bee spot her, they lower their heads and go into stalking mode.She allows them to come just within reach and then flies off frustrating them.. they have now learned to stand and watch her without chasing.
My tropical border starts to regenerate ...notice Moses interpretation of my natural stone border retainers...not exactly what I had in mind..but for the moment its keeping the dogs off of freshly dug ground and newly planted shrubs.! Plenty of time for fine tuning!
After a matter of only a few weeks ,the sorry and unloved Iris bulbs that I collected from around the remaining tangled borders at the front of the house, and replanted in the first revamped border, have sprung into flower..quite unexpectedly.
No comments:
Post a Comment