signs

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A FEW MORE SIGNS

This bakkie probably belongs to a helicopter pilot:

There is no mistaking what cargo this one is carrying:

People who enjoy travelling:

Could be anywhere in Africa:

A mouthwatering sign on a large truck:

Definitely a farmer’s truck:

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WATCH OUT FOR WARTHOGS

We are used to seeing warthogs in the Eastern Cape. While these ones were photographed in the Addo Elephant National Park, such a sight is fairly common in the area where I live:

Perhaps one of the most common warning signs we see along our country roads – as well as along the highways – warn motorists to be aware of the possible presence of kudu. These are a real danger, especially from dusk onwards, as they can leap over fences with ease. We once experienced a side-on collision with a young kudu very early one morning. Fortunately, we got off with only a large dent in our vehicle and the animal ran off unharmed. Other motorists have had head-on collisions with these large animals – often resulting in the death of the animal, enormous damage to the vehicle, and even injury to the occupants. Warthogs are not nearly as large:

Instead of jumping fences, they burrow under them! I have come across warthogs in the middle of the road several times while driving along nearby country roads. This is why it is difficult, if not impossible, to contain warthogs within the borders of a farm or game reserve. They are thus considered as a free-roaming animal in this country. Warthogs usually run away very quickly, yet, on occasion have stood their ground – possibly because they have young nearby. It is one thing to see these animals during the day, but they are particularly difficult to see at night both because of their dark colour and their relatively small size. So, a sign that we are seeing more often these days warns motorists to be aware of the presence of warthogs.

Image credit: George Curror

 

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MORE SIGNS

I was waiting outside a physiotherapist recently when I noticed this wall art advertising the presence of one of several security companies we have in this town. This must have been their headquarters at the time:

When parking outside the dentist, I noted the sign on this dairy farmer’s truck:

A local eatery draws attention of passersby by this bright mural along its outside perimeter:

While waiting outside the optometrist, I noticed this mobile dental clinic van turning down a side street:

Visitors to our national parks are constantly reminded that it is not in the interests of the monkey population to feed them – no matter how cute you think it might be:

MZNP = Mountain Zebra National Park.

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SOME RANDOM BLUES

During our first week of high school, the Standard Sixes (Grade 8s now) had to put on a variety concert. I partnered with a boy – who was destined to become my brother-in-law – to sing There’s a hole in my bucket, which begins:

There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,

There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza,

There’s a hole.

 Then fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

Then fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it…

I remembered that when I placed these buckets under the leaks in the roof above my study. Yes – it has been raining all night and for much of today!

On page 10 of the Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum we read:

Why should a man die in whose garden grows sage?

 Against the power of death there is not medicine in our gardens

 But Sage calms the nerves, takes away hand

 Tremors, and helps cure fever.

 Sage, castoreum, lavender, primrose,

 Nasturtium, and athanasia cure paralytic parts of the body.

 O sage the saviour, of nature the conciliator!

The sage plant in my garden has moved from near death to blooming beautifully in the space of only a few weeks:

How can one ever feel ‘blue’ with a good book to read?

If I need cheering up, there is always the chance to drink coffee from this large breakfast cup given to me by my son in Scotland:

Something really cheering was seeing these gas canisters fitted to the back of a Land Rover in the Mountain Zebra National Park:

Although I am revelling in the longed-for rain at the moment, let me leave you with a picture of the clear blue skies we are treated to throughout most of the year. In the foreground is the tower of our city hall: