Sunny Sunday

Today was another out of sync day.  I went to bed early last night as a consequence of having got up so early on Saturday morning.  I did a fatal thing. I started knitting.  I finished my third pair of gloves, and have almost completed my second set of boots - this time for an adult.  I had to stop as I have run out of wool.  I will finish them tomorrow.

What is really fun is that each knitting project is a little bit different.  Either the wool is a new texture or colour or thickness, or I think of something that would make the pattern more useful or attractive, so when I do it the next time I change the design.  Or it is a completely different garment or piece of craft work from one that I have tried before.  I am starting to understand why this hobby can last a lifetime.  I can also understand why Merle is passionate about quilting.  I can only begin to imagine that quilting is even more alluring.

The veggies are starting to pop through quite quickly now:

There are sixteen squares per box.  This is one of the squares.  At the moment, only radishes and lettuce have sprouted.  It is probably still a bit nippy for the summer veg that I planted.  Also, the larger plants, like peas and beans take longer to sprout.  It would be really, really nice if one or two of the larger or summer plants have popped up before Friday.  What is quite interesting is that when I planted the seeds, I painstakingly put one seed into each hole, thinking that I could always add new seed where plants did not sprout.  Yet I see that every now and then two little plants are sprouting from the same hole.  Either the seeds are minute and I managed to plant two in the same hole, or the seeds are producing twins :). 

I added to Lesson in Light with Love is like a butterfly.  And to Project 365 with Peppers.

Biorhythms out of sync

I was all hiked out yesterday evening, so went to bed ever so early - and paid the price.  I was up again at 02h00.  I played down all my open scrabble games, then noticed that Dani was on line.  We chatted for ever so long.  She tipped me off to National Novel Writing Month.  So I joined.  The next Novel Writing Month is in November, so I have time to plan and mull.

Then I went back to bed and snoozed for a bit.  Then harvested all remaining veg:

and cooked up some lovely roast veg for the next few days.

Then I went shopping.  Whilst at the Mall, I found a busker, and made him by photograph for Project 365.

And found a beautiful bush of vygies which made it onto Lessons in Light.

Hike through Cape Point, starting at Gif Kommetjie

Another wonderful day's hiking.  Now for this one, I don't want a stop button.  The spirit of fellowship amongst the hikers is like a spiritual balm, and the views, oh the views.  I can't seem to stop drinking them in.  I hope that this particular thirst is never quenched:

 More piccies of the beach can be viewed at Hike through Cape Point.

There was some scrambling through the bush:

And we saw three tortoises and a pair of ostriches who seemed to be protecting something - perhaps a clutch of eggs.  Pictures of these can be seen at Wildlife in Cape Point.

We didn't go and view the shipwreck, but took note for next time:

I have a horrible suspicion that the reason why we didn't go and view the shipwreck was because of me.  It is  bit embarrassing.  Of the hikers, I am probably one of the youngest, if not THE youngest.  Yet I am the strain on the group at the moment.  I had Walter walking ahead of me to get me through the patches where I might incur vertigo - and most certainly did!  And Brian brought up the rear guard.  Everyone assured me that in due course I would graduate from a mountain sheep to a mountain goat, like they are, and that they had all had their turns to be the sheep.  I so hope that this comes true.  I am just not sure how many hikes it is going to take for me to get there.  If anyone hiking today reads this, this comes with my grateful thanks for your kindness and support.

I have posted one picture of this hike on Project 365: On top of the world.

A stitch of Kindness

There is a project in Cape Town at the moment, to knit fingerless gloves for disabled children, for distribution during August.  Here is my first attempt:

Go Bokke!

The pink gloves in my previous post are my second attempt.  The ones above have already been handed in.  The pink ones will be handed in when I go to knitting club next week.

My DNA string doesn't have a stop button

I started knitting on 14th July.  I didn't sew anything up as I went.  I just moved from project to project.  Yesterday was pouring, so I made it into a sew-up day.  I nearly fainted when I actually looked at the pile that I have produced in the past two weeks:

I have enjoyed every moment of it.  Each project has a specific person or purpose in mind, and I meditate on the person or purpose as I go.  It's been fun, and productive as well.

Peek-a-boo, another 2

We most certainly couldn't avoid winter altogether.  After the love warm balmy days that we have had for more than a week now, we are back to the winter rainfall region's norm.  It is raining today, somewhat intermittently, but when it is raining, it is most certainly raining.  Makes sense then to make today a knitting day.  Here are two more of my 'secret' projects:

These colours are cool, dude!

Egad - is that a purple hat coming on?

A photo walk through Silvermine Valley

Today turned into such a lovely day.  Bev came through and we walked through Silvermine Valley, indulging ourselves to our hearts content taking piccies:

Bev taking shot of False Bay framed by the mountains

There are more piccies at Silvermine Valley Walk.  There are three posts.

I got some amazing knitting tips from Olive's Menage.  I will post more on this when tips have been put into practice.  I also started 'A stitch of kindness', which is a project to knit mittens for disabled children, for distribution later in August.  Once complete, I will post a piccie.

And the first sprout has sprouted:

First sprout - it's a radish

I have updated Project 365.  My sister-in-law has very kindly offered to help me put any photograph that I would like to print onto fabric.  I am grateful for the offer.  I will mull it over for a while and be really choosy about which picture I select, and also decide what project it will contribute to.  Will it be a picture to hang on the wall?  Will it be my first adventure into quilting?  Many things to think about before leaping in.  Thanks, Merle, for the kindness of this offer.

Home Baking

On returning from the hike, I baked bread:

The house is now redolent with the smell of freshly baked bread - enough to salivate over.  So guess what's for supper tonight :).

Hiking in Groot Constantia

Today's hike was in Groot Constantia:

More piccies of Groot Constantia can be seen at Groot Constantia Buildings and at Groot Constantia Mountainside.

We were well entertained by some baboons whom we encountered at various points along the hike:

with more piccies of baboons at Baboons in Groot Constantia.

Here is a very interesting tree:

Despite seemingly all efforts to kill it, it continues to grow.  The five 'uprights' are branches which have chosen to grow upward to bring light and air to the tree so that it can continue to live - a testimony to nature's survival in adversity.

Feed the birds at tuppence a bag

I have put a bird feeder on the tree in the corner garden outside my study and my bedroom.  Here is a picture of the pigeons enjoying a feast on a cold winter's day:

Silvermine Reservoir Walk - another path

Today was another lovely hike.  The wind has dropped.  It was, however, somewhat nippy.  Next time I will make sure that there is a pair of gloves in the boot of the car.  Here is one piccie:

with more at Lesson in Light.

There were some ducks:

And the proteas are out.  I especially took a picture of a protea for someone who will laugh when she remembers just why they are so special :).  They are coming into flower now.  See Lesson in Light.

Then I went down to Fish Hoek to do some admin and spotted a lovely little toy shop, filled with SMURFS.  Another reason from someone to smile :).  There are piccies, albeit not of SMURFS at La Chatelaine.

Despite the tearing wind

Despite the really vicious wind, there are still some successes in the garden:

Some Jumping Jacks hanging in there

Some strawberries, fruiting, nogal

Some fairly healthy swiss chard

More swiss chard

Giant Red Mustard

The Red Mustard is very aptly named.  One needs to use this somewhat sparingly in a salad, as it is quite 'hot'.

Project 365

I have started Project 365.  Picking out the best photographs.  Isabelle is doing it too.  See Isabelle's.  This allows one picture a day.  I don't always post, but do when there is a really nice one to post.

Oh baby, baby, it's a wild world

This morning was fun.  I met with other photographers at Kalk Bay harbour, ostensibly to watch the sun rise.  Well, it was wild, to say the least - overcast and very windy.  Here is a picture of some of the group:

And here is one of the pictures I took of the sea:

There are more piccies at Lesson in Light.

I must say, I learnt the value of a tripod.  Most of the photos that I took are blurred, which has to do with the fact that I simply didn't have the strength against the wind to hold the camera still.

I then took a quick turn at Fish Hoek beach, where I could barely open the car door against the strength of the wind.  The shark warning flag was flying:

Then I came home to some nice warm coffee and a bowl of oats.  My hands are so cold, I can barely type.

Progress on the Vertical Garden

The vertical garden has not been a raving success, nor a complete failure:

Some of the spinach plants have taken.  I am not going to assume that it is the garden.  I am going to assume that it is because I planted it up just before the deluge of rain that we had for weeks on end.  I will therefore plant some more spinach and wee how that goes.

Second Square Foot Garden filled and measured up

When I got home, I measured up the second square foot garden and planted some tomato plants:

There are still nine sections to plant up.  I am going to wait a while and see what comes up before planting more, for several reasons:

a)  It is still very early to be planting spring and summer seeds;

b)  It is a good idea to step planting, in that way stepping harvesting.

Valley Walk in Silvermine

This walk starts at the Sunbird Centre.  I didn't know where the Sunbird Centre was, so drove right past it, up into Silvermine itself.  I then got directions, but by the time I got back, the hike had already started.  I was not keen on hiking by myself, so took a few piccies and came home.  You can see piccies at Lesson in Light.  Here is the start of the walk:

Breakfast fit for a queen

I have discovered the ultimate in Oats:  Some oats, some cinnamon, some aniseed, a pinch of salt, some water and 2 mins in the microwave:

very yummy!

Square Foot Garden One planted up

With some help from Uncle Mel:

And the right reference page:

Square Foot Garden One is now measured up and planted up:

As one faces the box, there are beans, peas, squashes and peppers in the the squares on both sides from the front corner.  These are all climbers and/or trailers.  I will provide a frame for them which will help some with wind protection.  The beans, peas, squashes and peppers are all space hungry, so I have put radishes around them, as the radishes will harvest before the squashes and pepper need the space.  In fact, I may be able to harvest radishes twice before the bigger plants consume the space.  On the inside there is an assortment of parsley, rocket, butter and lolla rosa lettuce, spinach and swiss chard.  In the further most corner is some paprika.  On the road side are some marigolds, and on the path side, more spinach and swiss chard.  Now it is a case of waiting to see what comes up.

My property gets the sun from the road side, and the wind from the driveway side and the path side.  I'll have to make a plan to provide protection from the path side, without blocking sunlight.

Everything that is going to sprout should sprout before I leave for Korea, so I can fill in any 'holes' there may be as a consequence of barren seed, or seeds planted too deep.  The radishes will be ready for harvest when I get back.

I have taken a big of a risk by planting spring/summer veggies now.  I figure we are still in for some cold weather.  However, we do not get frost here, so maybe it will be okay.  Anything that is not okay will be lessons learnt for next year.

In all honesty, Uncle Mel's help has been really great.  It is so much easier to plant up a little square with the right number of veggies, than a very large patch of ground.  It is also easier to plant for need, rather than space.

I must still decide where to put my Trog Monster guardian.  I think I'll wait until some of the seeds have sprouted and then put him in an appropriate place.

Peek-a-boo, Project 2

It really doesn't help to sleep during the day.  Last night was another through the night knitting session.  So, here is a peek at 'special' project 2:

What keeps me at it is the array of colours.  They really are gorgeous.  To watch them develop as one knits is quite spell-binding.  Ok, ok, that is a comment on my life.  Don't go there :).

Mother's little helper

This 'flu thing is really starting to get me down.  I have had to cancel four things now because of it - a hike up Karbonkelberg last Friday and another today;  Computer Club last night, and Knitting Club tonight.

It is a very runny nose, very phlegmy chest - both of which are kind of ok, except for the lost sleep over a blocked nose and inability to breathe.  What is really causing the problem is the pneumatic drill in my head.  Each time I cough, it feels as if someone is drilling into my brain.  And actually, I need to cough.

I was so desparate this morning that I walked up to Valyland to go get help:

Mother's Little Helper

These have knocked me for a six.  What I can say is that whilst mother took her little helper, she did not knit.  I can't even wield the knitting needles without dropping stitches or mis-winding the wool.  I guess it is back to bed for me.  Unless I feel somewhat better, I figure even the photograph a day adventure is not going to happen.

Fish Hoek: A most enjoyable day

This morning started with a most enjoyable walk along Fish Hoek Dog's beach - from the light house to the Silvermine River Estuary and back.  I parted company from the other hiker's at that point, and took Bolle home.  Those without dogs, or dogs who would wait in the car continued up the beach to the cat walk and walked to Sunny Cove.

I had some admin to do.... the library, dog food, and collection of my Loot orders, and my photograph a day.  As I drove into Fish Hoek, I looked at the bay and it was as calm as a Mill Pond.  You can see today's pictures at Lesson in Light.

When I stopped, I found this cheeky fellow:

At Loot, this is what I collected:

Then, whilst at the library, I collected something I can recall from when Mom and Aunty Joan were in Fish Hoek:

We are fortunate in Fish Hoek that organisations like SAARP [the new name for ARP&P] and U3A are so active and so well supported.  Here are some of the most recent events within SAARP:

- A talk on Fire and Rescue Service;

- A mini Christmas in July get-together;

- A dance demonstration and Tai-Chi;

My debut event in September will be a Spring Tea, where I get to dress as my favourite flower.  I will have to engage the creative brain for this one.

I didn't go to the nursery.  Thursday is Pensioner's day, with discounts on offer.  I figure I'll wait until then :).

I have cancelled Computer Club for this evening.  My cough and cold have not abated, and the headache has returned with something of a vengeance.  I am going to go and curl up with an exhausted Bolle for a while and see if it dissipates.

Guardians for the square foot gardens

They may look absolutely ridiculous to those of you who share accommodation with others.  For me, they are my gardening friends, and the keepers of the square foot gardens.  Once I have planted up the gardens, they will move in and be company for me whilst I work there:

Ok, ok, they are a bit kitchy.  I could have bought the one scratching inside his ear, or the one picking his nose.  I decided that these were more me.  Their task is to keep the Trog Monster at bay.

Photo shoot in Kommetjie on a warm winter's evening

Here are some of the pictures taken this evening between 17h30 and 18h00:

Some of the people with one of the dogs

My favourite type of piccie - sea spray from the rocks

Bolle's debut to photo shoots and hikes - and being nice to other dogs

 Although it  was only a half hour, we had fun.  I met new people, who may become friends.  I went home with a thankful heart for the incredible beauty that is all around me all day.  I can go to Fish Hoek beach for sunrises, and Kommetjie or Noordhoek for sunsets.  They are rich, freely and abundantly available, every day.

More piccies of this incredible evening on Lesson in Light.

More progress on Square Foot Gardens

Here are the five bags of potting soil I fetched this morning:

This was meant to be enough for both boxes.  Wrong!  The first box ate all of them:

Admittedly, the first box now looks great!  It needs to be measured up and planted, with planting being the fun bit.  Whilst I was at the nursery, I got some more summer seed:

Except for a further SIX bags of potting soil, I'm fit to go!  I can't start the second box, as I need the potting soil to put at the bottom on top of the fabric.  So it will have to wait for tomorrow.  Sigh.  I suppose then, that I can progress my second 'secret' knitting project, or maybe just read and snooze, before I go out for a photographic session in Kommetjie, with Bolle in tow.

Progress on Square Foot Gardens

Yesterday was a busy day.  I progressed my second 'secret' knitting project somewhat.  Will post piccie when complete.

I also started filling the first square foot garden.  I first cleared the drainage holes of the bitumen that had collected.  Then I measured and laid the landscaping fabric.  I was going to completely line the box with fabric, but then decided that given the bitumen coat, and the relative permanence of the boxes in their current position, that a layer on the base would suffice.  So I did that.  Then I started filling the first box:

In the box above, so far are:

a)  two bags of potting soil at the bottom;

b) a mix of three bags of various types of manure and one bag of spaghnum moss;

Today I will add two bags of potting soil and one bag of vermiculite.

Then I will repeat the above for the second box and water them both down.  If  I need to top up, then I will add potting soil and mix again.  After that, it will be a case of measuring of the square feet and planting each square foot up.  I am going to put seeds into most of the square feet.  It is probably still winter enough to do spring onions.  I will also do radishes and some marigolds.  I am not sure that it is summer enough yet to start with green peppers and tomatoes.  I will wait until September for those. 

Disappointing day

I had arranged to hike over Karbonkelberg in Hout Bay today.  I got everything ready last night - camera, water, fruit, map, socks, takkies, clothes to wear.  I set my alarm for 06h30 so that I had time to feed cats and dog.  When I woke up, I had an awfully runny nose, a really sore chest and throat, and a raging headache.  So forewent my hike in favour of a few more hours in bed.  The cold has not abated much through the day.  I did manage my photograph/s for the day, though.  You can see these at Lesson in Light.

This afternoon I prepared my hoisin chicken, which lasts for the next few days, and mixed up a lovely batch of roast veg, also for the next few days.  I got a fair amount of veg from the garden, but supplemented, as always, with loads of squash - courgettes, baby gems and patty pans.  

Whilst I was at the shops, I saw that the spring and summer seeds are coming into stock, so bought some pepper seeds:

And a spare SD card for my camera:

It amazes me that something so small can cost as much as it does.  However, on my photography course, Peter made it clear that one gets what one pays for.  He recommended the above, so I bought it.  He proved completely correct about the batteries.  I initially bought cheaper ones.  They lasted about one photography session.  I subsequently bought the more expensive ones, and they have lasted WEEKS, despite taking photographs almost every day.  Wise advice, wisely taken.