Karoo Kos

When my Instagram pal Karen McEwan of True Karoo Trading (and festival organiser supreme) invited me to come to the Karoo Food Festival to talk about weeds, I hesitated.  It is so far, I thought. That’s true, it is far, but also a fabulous opportunity for a little foodie road trip.  What if there are…

Privilege

I have a fabulous car named Lupa. She is undeserved. Unearned. She epitomizes privilege. Purchased with generational income, not even earned in my arm of our family. I love her. While I can absolutely never, ever, make up the carbon footprint of the construction of a new car (ok, I have not done any breeding…

49 Walks

Progress through my 59 Walks is steady, despite small challenges imposed by lockdown and distancing.  Of course, they are all out of doors, groups are small and often, masks are worn anyway.  This post features walks 41 to 49. If you missed them, you can enjoy the first 19, or the next 20 up to…

In a Pickle

It is easy to get flustered at this time of year when radishes go to seed so fast, courgettes double in size each day and there are more beans on the vine than you know what to do with. One way to use up the abundance, is to pickle things. I’m not big on food…

Squeaky Nights

‘tis the season when the doors don’t close when windows stick and drawers jam when jam is fresh as fruit falls freely and days are drenched in cuckoo calls but the nights! oh the nights dusk settles as silent bats swoop but deep in the dark the big bats squeak frogs creak and click and…

39 Walks

There have been a few months recently when walking, beyond our garden, was not encouraged and I began to despair that I would ever manage 59 different walks before next June. However, despite lockdown challenges, I have found lots of lovely local spots to explore, and have kept walking each day in my usual places….

Sense of Place

I was a little startled to be asked by Makhubalo and Lungile Ikaneng of uBuntu Nest to participate in their OneMuntu Storytelling Festival. However, it did not take me long to get over myself and accept. Everyone is doing something new and online these days, so why not me? After having to cancel live performances…

19 Walks

On my 59th birthday, I completed 19 of my proposed #59Walks before I turn 60. In March, I wasn’t hurrying as I thought I had heaps of time to fit them all in. I didn’t count on 3 months without doing any new walks! Of course, I do walk everyday – my usual walks. My…

Lockdown Leaves

During the Covid-19 Lockdown season we all focussed our attention on our immediate environment, so came to appreciate the undervalued beauty of blackjacks, for example.  We also tried out new foods as access to our usual favourites was restricted. This post features easily accessible wild and weedy edibles, with some nutritional information and preparation tips….

Golf Caddies & Car Guards

I only have two car guards in my life. Petrus Ngcobo when I visit Dovehouse Organic Farm Shop, and Sifisiso Mncwabe who watches over our cars outside the Howick Agricultural Hall during Zumba class. I walk around town quite a lot which means I do not often need car guard services. The only golf caddy…