Fruit trees and turmeric

August 17 2016

Suddenly it has got warmer and sunnier and we are getting into spring mode.  The goats are beginning to look pregnant and the grass has started to grow again.  It has been very wet so I seized the chance yesterday after two dry days to mow down all the capeweed before it can flower.  It was a good thing I did because it rained over night and today the ground is too soft again.

I have harvested our turmeric.  The eldest plant had several huge “hands” hidden under the soil.  There was enough to put aside some for fresh use and turn the rest into powder.  I saved the growing bits and replanted them for next years crop.  I have also transplanted tomato seedlings into larger pots and planted out eleven fruit trees under the poly house frame.  The plan is to cover the frame with netting to keep off the parrots.  We lost most of our fruit to flying hazards last year.

The netting should also protect the trees against deer that are now engaging in raiding parties at night.  Ben reckons he shot at a deer on our roof not long ago.  The Bhutan pine that was attacked seems to be surviving. It is now very well enclosed by chain link fencing in case the attack is repeated.

Al and family are back from their trip to Spain.  They did manage to meet up with Arj who drove from Germany to see them.  What an adventurous life he is leading. Apparently he now speaks fluent German and in the photo Al took he looks healthy and happy.  He was travelling with his girl friend and another person so they are probably having great fun.

Alv managed to spend some time with my mother but found it very sad and difficult when the time came to say goodbye. Mum has now been given new medicine to calm her so she is asleep most of the time, which has meant that I am not able to talk to her every day as I have been doing.  The staff were trying to wake her when I rang last night to tell her she had a new great grandson, but even they could not wake her so I got the news instead.

Today I was back working in the bathroom tiling the wall behind the bath. Another two days should complete that wall but there are still two and a half more walls to go. That equates to several weeks work at least, possibly months! I reckon if I keep going it is bound to be done one day.