Generally speaking, South Africans seem to experience summery weather from as early as October through to March, with spring-like weather often being confined to September. More to the point is that trees, birds, flowers and animals do not follow human conventions. Some of the many weavers visiting the garden are in full breeding plumage; I spotted three Pin-tailed Whydahs this morning that are sloughing off their winter tweedy look; Common Fiscals and Olive Thrushes are already flying back and forth to their nests with food in their beaks … ‘officially’ there is still a month to go before spring arrives on our doorstep.
In the meanwhile, here are some pictures from around my garden that are cheering. The first are some petunias that have been flowering bravely despite a lack of adequate water and having taken a battering from the wind that has been blowing fiercely.
The few surviving phlox are making a brave show too, in between the petunias, pansies and some self-sown African daisies.
Around the swimming pool, we are still enjoying the lovely blossoms on the Crassula ovata that attract bees and other insects.
Some of the indigenous Plumbago is coming into bloom too.
Soon the freesia buds will open – a timely reminder of the flowers carried by my mother in her wartime bridal bouquet.
Then there is the jasmine, the heady scent of which fills the garden during the late afternoons and early evenings.