We went up to the plot to plant some trees on Monday and Tuesday in the holes we had dug three weeks ago. Only two full days to do the deed yet we managed to finish before driving back to Cape Town. On this visit, I finally remembered to take photographs of the pony we usually treat with carrots or apples during our stay.
He lives a lonely life on a smallholding while the owner spends much time in Cape Town. He has a blue, blind eye which I think is called a "marble eye".
Roy offered a local farmer, who was herding his sheep nearby, the use of our field for two days. His aim was for the sheep to graze the grass around our bungalow, building and gate, in anticipation of summer and fire hazards. The sheep entered onto our field and were seen skipping with delight at the smorgasbord on offer. Soon there was the soft whispering and ripping of grass. Two ewes gave birth to lambs overnight in this haven.
I was not keen on the idea and as per my predictions,
the sheep did not understand the purpose of this excursion as they
nibbled on Olive trees and the like, with us chasing them from one
corner of the property to another whenever they approached our plants.
Roy will be there for two weeks soon to do some minor building and I have threatened him with a dire fate should he attempt this experiment again. Even the lustrous Ostrich egg given by the appreciative farmer would not tempt me to this folly again.
Roy will be there for two weeks soon to do some minor building and I have threatened him with a dire fate should he attempt this experiment again. Even the lustrous Ostrich egg given by the appreciative farmer would not tempt me to this folly again.
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Near to Caledon
Yellow fields calling from far and wide,
Spring awakening the sweet countryside.
What trees did you plant? Love the pony.
ReplyDeletePlanted in a long line along the one fence as wind buffer for future trees. I had six more Keurbooms...children of my original lot. I do adore them but eventually will have to plant something next to them to replace when they die. Then eight Wilde Pruim (or Cape Ash....I really cant tell the difference between them...most people struggle to differentiate) which I grew from seeds from trees at my work. They do surprisingly well up there....a super tree for shade, evergreen and tough with minimal water. I just have to protect them with wire-cage until they reach a height not accessible to rabbits who just love eating the leaves. And then four Wild Camphors, grown from seeds off the tree in my garden here. Unfortunately the tree blew over this winter...it was about 30 years old...so no more offspring for transfer up-country. I still have about another 20 holes to fill which will be buffered by these. I was thinking of a few more nut and olive trees. The olives do so well there...OH....and I planted out the non-indigenous Flame tree (see http://madogman.blogspot.com/2011/12/survivor-secrets.html). I grew the seed out before I knew what it was and feel I have to give it a chance. Not invasive and very pretty. Doubtful whether it is going to survive the very heavy winds.
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