Equestrian Extraordinaire!

A few months ago I had a post about a family weekend in the mountains. (here) I also posted photos of the horses at the Youth with a Mission station where we visited John and Debbie at the time. I also mentioned there how, even though I love all creatures, I am absolutely petrified of horses. I cannot ride a horse (even though I took part in and completed a 60km/4o mile cross-country horse safari a few years ago) and I have no desire to ride a horse.

John, our oldest son, seems to take after me. (My husband is an accomplished equestrian, although he, like me and our children, prefers "iron horses" these days) Scrolling through some of Debbie's photos last night, I came across this scene above and almost fell off my office chair with laughter! There are other photos following this one, where John has our grandson on the horse in front of him. I tried to work out what he was doing in this photo.

I'm wondering if I should ask him.

Nature's Rewards

Yesterday while discussing the day's tasks with my gardeners, I spotted a bird on the lawn. It was foraging just a few meters from where we were chatting and not at all concerned with the human proximity. I dashed to fetch my camera and as I focussed on the bird, I realised it was a juvenile Cape Robin-Chat. I managed to take quite a number of photos, and although the young bird was aware of my presence, it was not at all afraid of me.

We have many Cape Robin-Chats in our garden. In fact the very first call in the morning is that of the Cape Robin-Chat. Also, if I'm in the garden when darkness falls, the Cape Robin-Chat can be heard from the trees in my garden, providing the last sound of the day: wurr-de-dur. This is actually its alarm call. The real song of a Cape Robin-Chat is melodious. This bird is also a capable mimic.

I know this youngster has been bred in our garden; I need to find the nest it came from. When I do, I will photograph it and post about it (what else? LOL!)

I couldn't help snapping away at this cheerful young bird. It gave me ample opportunity to do so!

Above the Robin-Chat scrummages in the thick compost which has been laid in my garden. He kept looking up at me and hopping a little ahead to scratch for food again.

It was great for me to be able to capture these images. Adult birds are a lot more suspicious and you don't get good photos.

Long may you live in my garden, little lad. Next year you may breed your own young here. I look forward to seeing them!

For more on other worlds, click here.

Spring/Early Summer Garden

Coming home to South Africa in mid-September was a real blessing for me. All the fruit trees were in flower, the grass was beginning to sprout green shoots and the shrubs and perennials were bursting into fresh foliage and flower.

I walked outside on Thursday and found Eddy sporting a pansy corsage. Our older granddaughter who loves flowers, picked a bloom and tucked it into Eddy's collar!

Gradually over the past fortnight the garden has become soft and lush. Last week we had 20mm of rain which arrived with perfect timing. John and I had planted a selection of vegetable seeds and as well as planting out two perennial basil plants which I'd grown from slips during the winter months.

The herbaceous garden under the apricot trees on the far side of the garden, is cool and green. The arum lilies blooming with wild strawberries and violets creating a thick carpet underfoot.

I know when I arrive back home at the end of December, it will be mid-summer and we will enjoy another beautiful season with our precious family.