Its been a little over a month since my last posting ………… very slack to say the least, but I do have a few excuses of sorts: Firstly I have been very busy work wise, which is good - but in the interim our son Stoddard visited for 4 days from Australia, and having last seen him in April 2015, a little over four years ago, I set aside the week for Pat and I to spend with him and introduce him to our little “centre of the universe”, really enjoying every aspect of the time spent with him. Just a pity that the cost of long distance travel precluded Nols and the kids from joining him - but maybe next time. Then this past week, his in-laws, Ian and Jill Hunt drove down from Gaberone to spend a week with us in an effort to learn what all the raving about Bathurst has been about …….. we trust that they left satisfied that it is indeed quite special in its own somewhat eccentric way and worth consideration as a “maybe” retirement option when they decide to take that step.
The view across East Beach from lunch at Guidos with Stoddard
Looking down on the Sibuya flats from the Poor Man's Game Drive through the reserve
Stoddard giving the Agricultural Museum guys a helping hand with the positioning of the 3.5 ton Tange pump on its concrete base
During this month we also experienced our first ever Bathurst Book Fair and Bathurst Dog Show, and were pleasantly surprised by both. The Book Fair drew more people than I have seen in the village at any one time since arriving here 13 months ago and really did provide something for everyone. The Dog Show too was something special: Held on the Village Green across the road from our house there were categories galore, and more than enough hounds of every description to make each category special. Just another magical day in Bathurst made more so by the venturing out of so many furry friends.
Mmmmmmm?????
Nog 'n Mmmmmmmm?????
Character in Spades
The day began with the “Bark Run” - a 5 kilometer run for all those wishing to enter, and Pat and I joined the many other volunteer Marshalls out and about in the village to steer the runners along their proper courses. We were lucky enough to be placed up at the Powder Magazine, so had all the benefits of the best views and one of the oldest buildings in Bathurst to keep us happy as we cheered the entrants on…. a couple of serious ones - a few with their dogs - and some that didn’t seem too sure what they were doing out there.
Shane Steenkamp - The Town Crier and his assistant
Pat on Marshalling duty (with Jesse in attendance)
A detail of the very old Powder Magazine
Eighty two years old and running second
Not quite eighty two - but giving it a go
Late in May we had almost a week of really heavy rain (always welcome), but for the rest the weather has been simply beautiful. Sunny and warm most of the time, with just enough chilly spells to remind us that it really is supposed to be winter……………but not really cold enough to be taken too seriously.
As we all know, the Proteas have not acquitted themselves too well in their opening 3 matches of the World Cup, and I have it on fairly good authority that CSA has instructed them to fly home immediately in an effort to ensure that they don’t lose their air-tickets as well :o) …………. I don’t really think they will, and maybe - just maybe - British Weather will throw enough spokes into the tournament wheel to allow them to somehow qualify for the next leg of the event. We live in hope!
With all the work and distractions we haven’t been giving too much attention to the birds, but the Green (Redbilled) Wood-Hoopoes (Phoniculus purpureus), have made their noisy return to the garden and are as exciting as always to watch as they flit about their business - particularly in the large flowering Chestnut next to the deck.
Green (Redbilled) Wood-Hoopoes (Phoniculus purpureus)
Our winter garden also is looking stunning as the Aloes point their flames skyward and the Strelizias compete for colour honours, and here in mid-June the peach tree is starting to blossom, before I have even had a chance to prune it back.
Aloe and Strelizia competing for color honours
Who would have thought the winter beds could look so beautiful
Strelizia close-up
Aloe close-up
Following advice from Anne McCreath I have amended this shrub's description from Magnolia to Camelia Japonica - thanks Anne
Methinks that postings will be more regular as we move forward - perhaps more anecdotal in ’Spirit of Place’ terms …………… after all, isn’t that what this blog is supposed to be all about and as we’re all getting older the time has definitely come to get these things down before they are lost forever.
Until next time then …………………….
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