The dam and the honeymoon.

Yesterday we all took a break from the Big Move, and headed for the dam.

Rocks were explored and  plants were examined.

At the dam, Pollox went to cool off and Lucy had a scope around.

On the way back, we had the luck of seeing a very clear Table Mountain with its cable car twinkling, and an owl hooting on a rock!

Today we had to get the Ecolodge ready for a newlyweds.

KindofthePlayground helped to clean the jaccuzi… “Oh, got we to clean it all up?”

Me: “Careful around the edge please!” Him: “Oh my word-Im being careful!”

And added a romantic touch with flowers in vases, proteas on pillows and a wreath on the door.

We wish you a Happy Ever After!

The sun, the rain, tiny tomatoes and chickens.

I had to relinquish the camera back to sister # 1. So for todays story, you’ll just have to use your imagination for the  images!

It was a hot, hot, week. The plants looked sad and dusty. Unfortunately it was also the week where the irrigation in a certain plant area decided not to work properly and we lost a lot of plants. They did not quite die, luckily,  but will only look good again in a while. Thankfully a strange summer storm appeared, mist rolling down the mountain (picture it), bringing  a brief respite from the suns harsh rays.

On the brighter side, two days ago, Mike the BB man was clearing out the Protea area and ripped out a pile (and I really mean a PILE) of baby tomato plants growing wildly there. (Imagine three buckets full of baby tomatoes) So, tomato tart for all!!! (Imagine, a sumptuous  mouth-watering tomato tart – crispy pastry, melted cheese and fresh origano on top, mmm..)

Apart from never wanting to see another baby tomato for a long while (only so much amazing tart one can eat) the Big Move is happening. Phase 1 starts today…Ownerlady begins her move – exciting changes. Our turn next week maybe – just hope the chickens can deal with the stress of it all…they really are pea-brained. Have visions of them wandering back to their old roost wondering why it’s so drafty.

Heres a photo I took a while ago of Kingoftheplayground having a chicken of a time:

Have a great weekend!!!

Tomatoes and prep for the revamp.

Yesterday was a howling wind.  It whipped and whistled around the nursery. I decided to try and escape it by going out to ‘Town” for last minute buys for the Ecolodge revamp.

What a ridiculous idea.

It was at least ten degrees hotter! Without the wind though, so I couldn’t complain. Much. I got white cotton bedding for the beds, white curtains, roof paint, tile adhesive, toilet roll holder, and some supplies for the Tea Garden. Three shops. It took me 5 hours. Time warp? Space vortex? Suburbs on a Saturday.

Once home, I was so thankful for the cooling wind, that I went tomato picking for pasta. I got there only to find that the tomatoes had been unattended for a few days and the slugs had arrived under a bush. They were having a party. They looked quite drunk. Sighing, I reached out for the first when I heard a Bark. Looking around, chicken #2 and chicken #3 had followed me like dogs and were peering round the fence with beady eyes. Brilliant. Took chickens to slugs, chickens ate all of the slugs and a few tomatoes and then I threw a stick and they left. No, I actually just chased them out.

Taskmaster had been busy finishing up our house (relief) and continued today. Ownerlady sewed up the new couch covers and I drew Proteas on the scatter cushions. Blinds painted white, bookshelf painted white…Collecting paint tomorrow – because it all starts!!! Four days, total revamp…from Rustic Drab to Eco Fab! Here are some of the before shots:

More photos of the During and After coming this week!!!

Smile like you mean it.

Yesterday was a great day. I decided to be nice to everyone. Eye contact, smile, full attention. It was very interesting. I got:

• 1 Proposal (from assistant at hardware shop-very flattered but, er.. no thanks, not ever. )
• 1 free sausage and the best service ever (no, not what you thinking-from the lady assistant at the deli)
• Lots of wierd looks as though “what the hell do you want/what are you on/where’s the hidden camera/where did you escape from”
• Mimed apologies (From confused road-raged drivers in the wrong after I waved and smiled)

And I had a good luck day too:

• Designer friend emailed to say paint shop had donated large amounts of paint for the Ecolodge revamp.
• The wind stopped.
• The sun came out.
• Taskmaster stopped work for the first time in months and we went surfing.
• Kingoftheplayground didnt run away and get lost once…oh wait, just the once. Found him barefoot in puddles “just runnin’ alon’ “
• The renovations should theoretically be finished by tomorrow.
• The jumping castle has been booked for Good Hope Nursery’s next event on 5th April – Fynbos Family Day.
• Found this Protea repens in flower:                                                                                                                                                    Later on…

We discovered where on earth chicken #2 and chicken #3 have been hiding their eggs. Mike the BB man found a clutch of old and new eggs all cosy in a nest of sticks under an old gum tree. Got given dirty looks of hate and the beady-eye each time I passed them…. Smiles do not work on chickens!!!