Bits n’ Bobs

Autumn will soon be upon us … and it cannot arrive soon enough. We are experiencing a mini heat wave here in Johannesburg and temps have been approaching 30c.

I am too young to be having hot flushes, and probably the wrong sex!

It seems the only cure is an ice cold beer and a pool lounger.

Oh, the stress of it all.

Meanwhile …. on the load shedding front.

We have a new man In Charge(sic) of the electricity thing dontcha know, and lo and behold the power cuts appear to have all but ceased. I can’t speak for the rest of the country but here we have experienced minimal load shedding these past few days and long may it last!

This might add fuel to the fire…’scuse the pun… that we wos being robbed by those thieving barstewards and their cronies in the ANC and Eskom.

On the subject of  what do Chinese men do when they have an  erection?

Why, they vote of course!

And on that note … the missus received a call from the Other Party ( the Democratic Alliance) a couple of days back enquiring if we were planning on voting in the next erection …. dammit, there’s  my one track mind again. Election.

The missus launched into a lecture that would have impressed any school teacher faced with an unruly class of bloody animals. Children to you and me.

Eventually she told the canvasser that yes, she would be voting for them but if they let us down …. well, I wouldn’t want to be a member of the DA if they don’t come up to scratch and my missus were to come calling. Presuming of course they win next year. Personally I doubt they will.

But you never know, right?

A few photos …

Some of you may recall we rescued  a tiny week old rat we found abandoned on the driveway last year and Ems tried to rear it. Unfortunately the poor thing didn’t make it.

However … the cats found another one and this one had a stronger constitution.

Say hello to Ratty!

He is as cute as a button and as domesticated as I can imagine any wild rat could be and he loves his ‘Mummy’ to bits!

He has a nice cage, posh food and gets to run around her bedroom every evening.

He will soon be sporting a brand new Rat Harness and we can look forward to Walkies in the garden.

Sheesh!

Bark Mantis.

This one was being shown a little too much attention by one of the cats and had to be rescued.

It showed his/her displeasure by flaring out his her wings. First time I have managed to get a shot of this display.

After the photo shoot our mantis was carefully placed in a nearby tree and promply faded out of sight.

Bathtime.

The girlfriend of one our my son’s mates runs a dog grooming service so as we like to support local business we asked if she would pop around and give our two a wash and brush up.

Baxter was cool, as he is, but Ella seems a little nonplussed by the whole experience.

On the garden front …

Probably the largest Gemsquash I have managed to grow so far. A real whopper.

More garden produce

Making a fresh batch of chili, this one with green peppers, garlic, coriander and lemon ( all home-grown). Very tasty.

On the Baking Front …

Below…

In the Studio.

Putting the finishing touches on a baby shower cake

Delivered to a concert pianist over here on tour.

On arrival the crew were greeted by the pianist’s South African PR who turned out to be one of our clients and they were offered tickets to the show. Unfortunately, unlike the Santana gig we baked for, there were two more deliveries so the gracious offer had to be declined.

Bugs

A chance encounter with a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. I only had my phone with me as I strolled around the garden so this was the best shot I could manage.

Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpiller.

Found on the lawn. No doubt courtesy of the cats. Gently picked it up took a few photos for my records then relocated on one of the raised veggie beds where it will burrow underground and later emerge as a fully grown moth.

This was an unusual find.  These two (unknown) beetles were among several that had congregated on one unripe tomato.  I saw no others anywhere.  I  left them undisturbed and monitored their behaviour over the following week. The tomato remained un chewed and the beetles showed no inclination to move to another fruit.

Then, one morning they were gone.

Finally …

As I am sure Nan has been holding her breath throughout this post, bless her,  and not wanting to disappoint her …

Red Backed Crab spider discovered on on one of the Wild Daisies in the back garden last week.

There you go.

Time for a coffee and a piece of cake I think.

T’ra.

Ark