First up. Sweet Potatoes. The root systems have developed enough to plant out. Left was the slip I planted in soil and Right was the slip I placed in water. No real discernible difference. So, time to plant out … Left the Soil slip. Right the water slip. Both seem okay in their new ‘home’ … More Bits n’ Bobs
Apparently it was World Kindness Day a few days ago. Thanks to Sally over at my beautiful things for the inadvertent ‘Heads-Up’. Being the atheist heathen I am I couldn’t think of anything kindly, other than to say ‘Hi” through gritted teeth to my son’s mate who is a Manchester United fan. And trust me, … More Bits n’ Bobs
Greater Honeyguide. Way up high in the acacia tree in the front garden When it was mentioned to my son’s friend who’s a bit of an ornithologist-type person that we had seen and photographed a Greater Honeyguide, he was adamant we had misidentified the bird as they are not usually found in suburbia. Oh really? … More New Species, a nice spidey surprise and other bits n’ bobs
A glorious rainy day in Johannesburg. The crew and I have booked off the day and have just returned from having our ‘second shot’ ( different vac. site). All fine. No problems. Here’s a few other ‘shots’ from the past few days. Ella on Frederick amid some Purple Rain! First small crop of carrots grown … More Bits n’ bobs.
It is another baking hot day here in Johannesburg. My phone app says 33 Real Feel 35. Supposed to go to the department of home affairs for updated id documents and whatnot. Booked off the day and then we get a message informing us that their computer systems are down. Oh really? Quelle surprise! If … More Bits n’ bobs
First up …. For Sally. Growing Sweet Potatoes. The potatoes are suspended over a beaker, using toothpicks or similar, and immersed in water (up to about half the potato is fine) The potatoes will start to develop roots and then shoots as seen. These have taken about about four weeks to shoot. Temperate will have … More Bits n’ bobs
Summer is almost upon us here in Jo’burg. Temperatures have been pushing mid 20s to early 30s. Been a while since I last posted anything … busy, busy and wotnot. Here’s a bit of a ketchup … I mean catchup. Had our first downpour of the season the other day. John Z will be pleased … More Bits n’ bobs.
Out and About – riding shotgun on a delivery. Old Mining Headgear. Johannesburg in the background with Hillbrow Tower on the far right. On the way to the flower market. Joe Slovo Drive- formerly Harrow Road (pre-democracy) bordering Hillbrow to the right with the round Ponte Building (residential flats) in the background. Hillbrow, once a … More Bits n’ Bobs
Spotted Joker. Byblia ilithyia, An infrequent visitor to the Ark’s. Photographed bright and early this morning as I was ambling up the garden path. Hottentot Skipper Gegenes niso, visits the Lavender. Baxter and Ella. Species of Twig Wilter. Japanese themed Anniversary Cake. The feathers on the Crane’s wings were individually made from fondant and assembled. … More Bits n’ Bobs. – Boing! Spring has Sprung.
Continuing with my toilet roll seedling experiment. The roots of this butternut seedling have pushed through the damp cardboard and it’s now ready for planting out. Tomato seedlings coming along nicely. Butternut in seed modules. Sunbird visits a Strelizia. One of the chickens may be suffering from what could be Merek’s disease ( a … More Bits n’ Bobs
Garden Commodore photographed this afternoon. Nice to see them back again. My garden experiment. In an attempt to do away with seed trays I am having a go at planting in old toilet rolls. Add a little potting mix, sow the seed, gently pressing it into potting mix and cover lightly. Bio-degradable so there’s no … More Bits n’ Bobs
The temperature has plummeted over the past two days and along with the seasonal high winds we are all back to thick jerseys. But life goes on irrespective of the weather … Building work continues … one of a few drainage holes put in place during the partial rebuild of a section of the retaining … More Leading you up the garden path
A Tale Unfolds 