The veld is bursting with flowers after our magnificent rains. Here is a typical combination of Pinky bos (Acmadenia alternifolia) in the top right, Indigofera hamulosa (middle right) and Erica arenaria (bottom). Pinky bos is a member of the buchu family and the leaves have a delicious citrus-y scent when gently crushed. Although pinky bos grows widely around here, it’s official status is endangered; while the pretty erica is officially threatened. Ping still joins us on short walks, but only when she feels like it; she’s holding on to the famed cat independence. She semi-hides in the little besem riet and then fake-ambushes the dogs as they stroll past. It’s a lovely game, and we all feel a little happier after one of these rambles.
icy nights
Night time is bitterly cold, and we’re really grateful for abundant firewood and a big fireplace. Here ms Ping cuddles up to old Fiver to enjoy both the warm fire and retriever.
Snow on the Langeberg
The Langeberg in the distance were coated in snow last week – although it is not too easy to see here. The farmer’s fields are beautifully green for these weeks of winter; the renosterveld in the middle remains dun-coloured. Protea obtusifolia are also flowering abundantly; red, white and occasionally pink blooms glow in the wintery sun. Bees adore the nectar of these proteas – imagine how delicious the honey would be?
Using our own compost
We have been turning our kitchen scraps into compost in these large wheelie bins. R is filtering out the rougher stuff – mostly avo pips that have not yet completely broken down. We plan to use the wired circle behind the wheelbarrow to further decompose the rougher compost, and also to add our wood ash and rooikrans chippings. (Note to self: the rooikrans babies in the background need to be removed asap!)Using the compost in the upgraded veggie bed. Ping loves gardening with us – also fascinated by the grubs we found in the compost. But I keep her out of the veg green house – sorry Ping, this beautiful bed is not for your convenience!
Milkwood seeds
Harvesting white milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) seeds – it’s a sticky business! The latex from the pulp around the seed is quite a mission to remove. But then again, not much that’s really worthwhile is all easy, right? The seed within the pulpy mess in smooth, brown and a bit nut-like, almost like a unpopped popcorn kernel.
Milkwood trees are a protected species in South Africa, with several trees enjoying heritage status. For example, the Treaty Tree is a 500-year-old white milkwood tree in Woodstock, Cape Town.
‘Peace was made under the tree on 10 January 1806 after the Battle of Blaauwberg, thereby starting the second British occupation of the Cape and leading to the permanent establishment of the Cape Colony as a British possession. Until 1834 slaves were sold and convicts hanged under it.
Prior to the arrival of the Dutch, the tree was known to have been a feature of the local landscape.’
(thanks Wikipedia). These are the precious seed. Knowing that these trees can live for many hundreds of years is a really satisfying thought. I collected these seeds from a small tree down at river camp. The trees seem to thrive in this area, so I am hoping they’ll germinate, and then thrive into actual proper trees.
Kalk Bay nostalgia
Finally, I had to include a picture of Kalk Bay – my old ‘hood. Used to have swimming classes in that pool back in the day. And in the centre of the picture is the legendary Brass Bell, the setting for many good times. I am so grateful that I got to be a teenager here back in the 70’s long before it was cool.
Taking some pictures of the garden, I saw one of our resident Black Harriers peep around the front of the house. It’s that speck on the horizon
If you look really really close, and know where to focus your attention, you will see one of the most endangered South African bird of preyFrom a certain angle, it looks quite lush in the late summer evening lightSweet peas and fynbos decorate my scullery
Needed a trip to Cape Town to restore my faith. And deliver some household goods to J. On day two, I stopped on Chapmans Peak to gaze at the sea midway afternoon. This place, on this day, was truly magnificent.
A soft mist descended to soften the harsh westerly sun. And a black harrier soared around me after rising from a place in the bottom right of that shot. It was a lot!
And all of this was after another huge highlight: a morning swim with dear friend J. at St. James. The air was warm and still and the Indian ocean chilly. And the lockdown was eased – there were many mothers and babes enjoying the magnificent gift of a day. J. and I spotted a runaway child and swiftly rescued her from sprinting off to Muizenberg; once reunited the mother did not thank us. She must have been in some shock so I guess manners aren’t mandatory then? Funny that I felt weird about her lack of grace? I need more therapy, clearly.
The local gladiolus is inbloom. Can’t get an exact match with any of the published glads, so maybe it’s quite endemic to this patch around here? Closest G. bullatus?
Yesterday we ‘rescued’ some seedlings to an ‘upgrade’ in our garden. Was delighted to find this scented glory.
Freesia in the wild
Then, we cleared the degraded space above the river bend view and found passerina corymbosa aka gonnabos or bakkerbos. After looking like nothing at all for the rest of the year, it is most certainly blooming full-on right now.
Pretty and useful! The stems, which are made up of extremely tough fibres, are not easy to break and the bark peels off in long, tough strips. Due to its tough stems, bakkerbos is good fuel and is used to tie down thatch.
‘Khoi people are said to have used certain Passerina species as cordage for the purpose of tying together poles for huts, and also plaited it into twine and thongs for whips’ according to SANBI (reference) .
Bakkersbos aka gonnabos, an important pioneer plant in fynbos biomes.
Definitely a gladiolus but not sure which one.Also the only specimen we found on our ramble along the ‘old road’ path.The stunning bright pink erica is already fading and looking sad. Am hoping that today’s rain may restore these although I suspect that is somewhat optimisitic.
Happy Friday, every one! We have serious windy conditions forecast for the weekend, along with a bit of rain and low temperatures.
Have delayed planting out my newly germinated borage and basil seedlings to keep them protected from the harsh conditions, but with their fine little roots popping out of the bottom of the coir pods, am not sure if I am actually doing the right thing. Definitely as soon as it’s safer for you to go into the ground, darlings, I will! Gardening is a touch of a hit-and-miss affair over here. Cannot get the peppers, lettuce, savoy cabbage or thyme to sprout. Is it me? Lol.
It’s a whole year since we moved into Ridge House. Wow! A bottle of bubbly will be popped as soon as the occasion is celebrated.
The road over the Groot Rug sanddune is ablaze with salmon oxalis, cerise lampranthus and a light blue unknown beauty. What a treat! A tiny orchid-type flower growing near the Duiwenhoks river.
A walk down to river camp last week highlighted the different biome down at the river level. The poor Cape Ash looks like it’s not loving the ring-barking done by the porcupine, with many yellow leaves. Damn!
We visited the sump, where we collect water from the springs. It’s the source of all our water, and it’s important to keep it flowing and clean. R did a quick de-mudding. The moss is looking glorious on the old rocks, and the masses of maidenhair fern are delightful too.
Didn’t know that this is a herb!
According to Margaret Roberts ‘My 100 Favourite Herbs’, Capilllaire was a drink made from mature fronds. It was once the drink of royal courts, served at balls and other ceremonies. It also is used in Ayurvedic medicine, as well as various Southern African tribes. I just love the colour and the form. Who knew?!
Finally, progress on our fire protection plan! Orders placed for pump and tanks – YAY! At least we’ll be prepared for the upcoming fire season.
Turning to Vermaaklikheid 