Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind!

(This is the post that was meant for last week. Since then, we have had more rain, storms and strong wind, and my poor garden is not looking quite so chirpy!!)

I have shown you our 'tree' before, it's the one we bought in Montagu a couple of years ago. Rob attached it to the house-wall facing the road, and many people have stopped to have a look. One or two have asked us about it, and laughed when Rob tells them that the tree was straight when he put it up! It was the wind that blew it sideways! Then they ask 'Does it really blow as hard as that?'

Our beautiful metal tree.

Rob always answers, 'No, sometimes it blows harder!' 

Look at this tree.

Looks similar to ours, but crafted by nature!

It is just round the corner right on the edge of the bay and gives you some idea of the strength of the wind and how our gardens struggle to stay straight! (Some of the inhabitants also find it hard to stay straight, but that has nothing to do with the wind!!) This last week has been quite a stormy one, with strong wind and seas so rough that the remains of the barge Margaret, wrecked here in 2009, are now barely visible. The night before last we heard the wreck banging late at night and when we walked there this morning we were not surprised to see further damage to the remaining bits. It's only a matter of time before she disappears completely and all that will remain is the wooden cross to mark the place where John Charles Mitchell died. (See 'Margaret Day' in the list of 'posts about')

We do have lulls though, every now and then at this time of year we have a day that is so perfect and still, it is like a gift. And then we do things outside, braai, do a spot of gardening, find a sunny spot and read, stand and chat to the neighbours, or go on a trundle and meet up with friends. Simple things that make us appreciate every day that we live here.

And, talking of gardens, I thought I would show you a few blooms in mine!

The aloes have been beautiful.

The aloes have been stunning, and the little sunbirds have been busy.

An indigenous 'Skilpad bos' or Tortoise bush.

My wheelbarrows are stuffed full of various things, even I'm not sure what is in each one, but the lachenalias are a picture and the spring bulbs are up and gathering their strength to bloom in the coming weeks.

Lachenalias and gazanias mixed in the 'kruiwa'.

Talking of wheelbarrows, mine are really feeling their age (I know how they feel!) and every now and then we hear a sort of slithering crash and discover that another one has rusted through and fallen sideways!

Another one bites the dust!

Thank goodness for rocks to prop under the wobbly bits!

Another rock to the rescue!

I wish I could prop a few under my wobbly bits!