Carpets of Rose Gold

Camellia and Apple Tree Leaves 1

Haiku 128

Spring, Summer, Autumn?

Fallen Carpets of Rose Gold

Winter Wonderland

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In the photo above, I took the shot into the sun and by lucky chance my trusty Canon produced the lovely rose gold carpet effect.

Camellia and Apple Tree Leaves 2

Just as my apple tree finally decides to shed its golden leaves, my camellia bush is in full bloom, also shedding many rose petals.

This is mid-winter in the Western Cape.

 

post script: Rose Gold is an alloy of yellow gold, copper and silver. The copper provides the red colour and the silver tones it down to produce the rose colour.

 

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Ladybird!

Ladybird 1

Haiku 126

Before you fly home

Stop by my roses a while

Welcome visitor!

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Ladybird 2

Just the other day I was lamenting that it is yonks since I last saw a Ladybird in my garden. The next day my husband found this little lass, who the wind had blown into our lounge!

Ladybird 3

We gently transferred her onto the rose bush.

I hope she settles down for a lengthy stay and can keep the aphids from eating my roses!

Ladybird 4

 

I’m sure you all know the nursery rhyme, which dates back to 1744:

Ladybird Ladybird

Fly away home

Your house is on fire

And your children have flown.

 

A View With Room!

Vineyard Open Spaces 1

Haiku 125

A room with a view?

Open to the horizon

Views with lots of room!

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Vineyard Open Spaces 2

These photos are from a local wine estate on a winter’s morning this week in Cape Town.

Vineyard Open Spaces 3

You can see that the vines are taking a little rest before resuming their task of producing tons of delicious grapes to make excellent South African wines.

Vineyard Open Spaces 4

Yes, Cape Town is the most beautiful place in the world!

 

post script: A Room with a View is a novel written in 1908 by E. M. Forster.

 

Winter Solstice 2019

Winter Solstice

Today, Friday 21st June 2019, is the winter solstice here in Cape Town; the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

We finally had some good rains (it rained twice in May and, counting today, twice in June; our rainy season!) and the temperature dropped. It has been 10 C in my lounge and has dropped to 6 C just before dawn. I don’t have a heater, (just as I don’t have an air conditioner) so we just wear extra clothes.

I realise that this will not seem cold to my Northern friends. Then again, when they complain of a heatwave at 25 C, I understand. It is the difference in temperature that affects you. If you are used to 15 C and suddenly it is 25 C, you will feel too hot. Likewise, if you are used to 25 C and suddenly it is 6 C, you will freeze!

Also, every morning, I open all the doors and windows. This may seem crazy, but once the sun has risen, and I can stop seeing my breath when standing on the stoep, it is warmer outside than in. Certainly during the day, the sun will warm up the air and hopefully some will penetrate into my cold house.

I have to keep quiet about how happy I am, because everyone else is moaning about how cold it is! At least, with the drought, they don’t moan about the rain anymore!

But I love it!

 

Red Sky at Night

Red Sunset 1

Haiku 122

Pastel colours bright

Last rays of a winter’s night

Set the sky alight

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Red Sunset 2

Sunsets are very brief here in Cape Town. When I notice the light outside is slightly different at night, I grab my camera and try to catch a few shots of the sunset before the colour’s gone.

Moments after I took these photos the reds faded, leaving the dark blues and purples of the approaching night.

 

post script: Many of you will know the expression, “Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.” Alternatively, it can be sailors instead of shepherds.

You can read more about this prediction, and whether there is any truth in it, here. 

 

Golden Raindrops

Raindrops on Honeysuckle 1

Haiku 119

Tiny priceless gems

Glinting in the morning sun

How welcome you are

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Raindrops on Honeysuckle 2

Yes, we had more rain!

Raindrops on Honeysuckle 3

Marvellous!

Raindrops on Honeysuckle 4

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Sparky is Thirsty!

Sparky Takes a Drink

After working hard to bury his treasure, which he is still doing in my plant pots (see earlier post; Buried Treasure) little Sparky the squirrel is in need of a drink.

Sparky on my Stoep

It is the cutest thing to watch him pottering around on my stoep.

Even cuter to watch him drinking from the dog bowl: that the Olive Thrush bathes in!

Sparky Takes a Drink 2

Just look at those little legs!