Summer Rains Continue...

It's been raining and raining some more in the Free State. Every morning dawns bright and clear. The days are hot and sultry. By mid-afternoon, the clouds which have been building up since lunch time, turn black and lie low overhead.

Then it rains...


OK so what’s new? Weather-wise in the Free State, I mean? The summer rains started in earnest during the first week of January and it’s been raining ever since.

Hallelujah!

At last our flat dry land has had sufficient rain to raise the water table. The dams are overflowing, the spruits (brooks) which were either dried up or a mere trickle, are pumping downstream. The rivers? Well, the rivers are overflowing onto the roads in low lying areas, and everybody is happy, happy, happy!

A regular afternoon summer rainstorm

As for me, my garden continues to flourish and develop beautifully. All new growth which I planted at the beginning of the summer is strong and healthy. The older established plants and shrubs are just growin’ and growin’ ...

Tranquil and sunny after the daily afternoon shower of rain. Above is my garden on the sidewalk/pavement

I don't often post a photo of the above:

my old and well-established front garden

Cosmos (Bidens formosa), although not indigenous, is endemic to this area and grows in huge swarths along the country roads;

a truly glorious sight in late summer
Debbie and John relaxing in the shade

of my white stinkwoods (Celtis africana)

Along my southern boundary wall, I've created a woodland area