Tails’ Blography

Myself and The Birds

What a day! Ok, it wasnt quite as exciting as it sounds, but it was still a great day. The bf’s parents are down on holiday, so they’ve been doing touristy things, so I suggested feeding the squirrels in the Company Gardens, and a walk through the musuem. You cant come to CT and not go to the musuem!

So it was decided, and we made a quick detour to buy two bags of unsalted peanuts for the squirrels (there are lots of them after all). Walking through the Gardens, it was pretty soon that we spotted our first (and very inquisitive) squirrel. My bf’s mom’s first attempt ended with her tossing a few peanuts on the floor, at the squirrel who sat calmly a mere metre away.

Tsk tsk, these non-CT people! Ok ok, I’m only kidding, not everyone knows how to feed the squirrels if they’ve never done it before – they are wild after all (the squirrels, not the parents). Actually, these guys (again, the squirrels, not the parents) are so tame they literally climb into your lap to get a peanut (haha imaging a parent climbing into your lap for a peanut…haha!). And they’re so cute and soft (need I say it? The squirrels, not the parents…ok that was the last time, I promise)! So, next squirrel in, everyone was successfully feeding the squirrels out of hand … and lap.

A squirrel sitting on the bf’s stepdad’s lap

Then along came The Birds. These pigeons are so demanding for peanuts (not that they should be eating any – they cant digest them) that they’ll land on your hand if you hold out a flat palm with peanuts in it. Next thing you know, SWOOP!! in lands about 4 pigeons, all fighting for a spot on your arm. You cringe and cry out as their razor sharp claws pinch and scratch you as they continue to push each other out the way to get closer to your palm. I dont remember the birds being so demanding??

Anyway, after eventually realising that if you just drop your arm, they have nothing to cling to…SWOOP! in zooms a pigeon which promply clings to your shirt!! The gall of these Birds!! No more just pecking around your feet, oh no, they swoop, dive, zoom and cling! One even landed inside my bag of peanuts!! Inside!!!

Attack of the Killer Birds

Ok, I write all this like its a terrible experience, but these birds actually had us laughing (until the stinging sensation started in my arm) as they entertained us. We even tried to lead them into the musuemwith us, but that’s where they drew the line (the birds, not the musuem).

Not much to say about the musuem, except they’re currently holding a wildlife photography exhibitition which has some amazing photos! Really inspiring stuff! They even have a catagory for “10 yrs and under”…what those 10 year olds are doing with cameras better than mine is beyond me but anyway! Pout. So, do try to visit before the exhibition is up (check the site for details). And take your time reading everything, there are some really interesting stories behind each photo!

The bf and myself having coffee after feeding The Bir…I mean squirrels

*photos courtesy of the bf’s parents*

After much procrastination, I finally got around to taking some photos of our bonsais in their beginning stages. After even more procrastination, I’m finally uploading them and blogging about them haha.

My bonsai – dont make fun of his braces haha

The bf’s bonsai

Still much work to be done, but they’re only nearly 1 month into training…will keep updating every month or so. The wire on my bonsai should be coming off within the next two weeks, so hold thumbs the training took.

So I’m a little late in putting this out there, but its still a great memory, so I have to blog it. The Sunday before last, my dad treated the family and a few friends to a horse-drawn carriage ride (18-seater) through our CBD. It was mainly organised for my mom, who’s been through so much with her sister’s passing, and has had to deal with so much (sorting Didi’s possessions, etc since Didi wasnt married) and needed some time to relax.

After keeping it a secret from my mom and our friends for the whole week, the day finally arrived. The carriage ride started the Castle of Good Hope where we (by special arrangement) had a few drinks on the wall before setting off.

Moving through the Castle gates

The ride continued along the streets where people waved and took photos. I cannot fault them, as I too would be grabbing for my camera if two Percherons clamoured by drawing a huge carriage. They really were a gorgeous sight! The ride itself was rather bumpy, especially when moving over speedbumps and parking lot entrances. Some of us had drinks of wine and/or champagne on the ride (again by special arrangement) but luckily nothing spilt. Please dont think me conceated mentioning ‘by special arrangement’ here and there, but I do so for two reasons. One, I dont want to mislead anyone who might want to hire the carriage, and two, it truly was a special evening, not one every person can experience, and I like to treasure that. Its not me being conceated, but rather just over-excited at such an opportunity.

About half-way though, we had a brief stop along the beach where we got out and I took photos of the family infront of the horses…well, those who were brave enough haha. The horses were also very relaxed and obliged my camera and I by yawning repeatedly…photos can be seen below!

The BF in front of Monty (left) & Light (right)

Myself in front of Monty (left) & Light (right)

After that we headed back and by sheer luck, I was awarded the privelage of actually driving the carriage! It was nerve-wracking to say the least to take the reins of two gigantic horses and have them listening to your instructions. Our driver, Joseph, quickly took over when the horses started veering to the right into the next lane of traffic. Whoops!

On returning to the Castle, 2 hours later at around 8pm, we attempted more drinks on the wall, but alas it was too windy, so we returned to the garden where we set up our picnic dinner (special arrangement) and toasted our wonderful hosts and my dad who organised it. Sushi and various other finger foods were shared amongst everyone, and champagne and/or wine all round!

The evening ended at around 10pm, where everyone left very happy and relaxed, with memories of a time well spent with loved ones.

More photos from the trip:

The view of the beach to our right

Rumbling down the streets of Seapoint

Light giving us a yawn

Monty giving us a yawn

Monty, “Wazzuuuup!”

The view from the Castle wall, 8:30pm

Inside the Castle garden, approx. 9:30pm

The entrance to the bonsai garden

Ok not quite, but I do know a little more about the practical side of Bonsai keeping than I did before today. Haha!

So, as I said in the last post, myself and the bf were attending a bonsai class today, which we did. The bf nodded off once or twice (our instructor spoke rather softly haha) but we both enjoyed it thoroughly. If thats all you wanted to know, you can stop reading and move on to your next blog, but if you wanted to know more about the day itself, keep reading.

We managed to be on time for a change, and got there nice and early, found a spot on the lawn, set up our chairs and sat down. The first couple of hours were spent listening to various points about bonsais and bonsai-keeping, from their history, to the styles, to the tools. Then we took a short break from sitting, and were escorted through the bonsai garden where our instructor explained the different trees and techniques.

On our return, we had some tea and/or coffee and biscuits and then continued our lesson. We went over more aspects of bonsai, including an in-depth look at the soil options, fertilisers, how trees gather nutrients (hmm, reminded me of high school biology!), general caring for your bonsai, and potting, pruning, and wiring (as well as had a short demo, which proved very helpful). We broke for lunch and potting our own bonsai’s were next on the agenda!

Choosing our bonsais was fun, as we had a bunch to choose from, and then it was on to finding its style. To do this, you have to clear away the soil from the base to see what the root system is like. In bonsai, you want to give a feeling of age, so you need to make sure you’re showing the start of the main roots, and base which was previously under soil. Once thats completed, you select a “front” for viewing the tree and start pruning – you might want to take your time on that part. Once you’ve pruned (selectively and probably not enough, if you’re anything like me), its time for wiring. The wire must be properly anchored before you continue, which either means its stuck into the soil and wound around the tree twice, or if wiring a higher branch, wound around a lower branch before moving onto the branch you want to shape. The thickness should be slightly tougher than the branch you want to bend/shape.

Once your soiling, planning, pruning and wiring is finished, you loosen it from the pot and once its out, you remove as much soil as possible from the root system. Trim down a small percentage of the outside roots (and the tap root, if necessary), and you’re ready to pot. Bonsai pots have either one or two holes, and you have to place a piece of plastic mesh over them to prevent the soil from draining out. Once thats done, cover the base with a little soil, in goes your bonsai, then fill and pack with more soil.

Once its properly packed (not too tightly, mind you) then its time to (gently) dunk your bonsai into a bucket of water. This is a sure-fire way of making sure all the gas pockets are pushed from the soil. It’s complete when no more bubbles eminate from the submerged soil. You remove your pot and watch how the water drains. It should take no longer than a minute at the most (mine took about 20-30 seconds). You now add moss and gravel to decorate. Incidently, the moss never should cover more than 40-50% of your bonsai’s base. After you’re happy with that, you’re done!

Once everyone had finished, we said our thanks, and were free to leave or wander around if we wished. I’d definately recommend a bonsai course to anyone wanting to get a more hands-on feel for bonsai keeping. I felt very nervous at the prospect of starting my own bonsai alone, but now after the course, I feel confident to start another, should I find one.

One of their main group plantings

A cascade-style bonsai

Some of the roosters and hens and chickies roaming about the nursery

Cleaning and detangling the root system before potting

Another couple putting the final touches of moss and gravel on their trees

That same couple took their two trees and joined them together. Over time, these trunks will merge to make one large, thick trunk.

Some of the finished bonsais…the bf’s one is in the middle

Most of the finished bonsais from the day! Mine is the dark, rectangular pot in the front row. You cant see it too well in the photo, but I decided on a slanting/leaning style due to the natural way the roots were formed.

Ficus Fig Tree Photo from Bonsai4me.com

So every few days I think about something to write, and then I always seem to put it off, thinking I’ll be adding more news the next time I post. I’m not sure why I do it, but this will be the year I try my best not to procrastinate! Hold thumbs for me!

“Yea yea, but why are you excited?”, you ask. I’m doing a bonsai course with the bf this Saturday. Also Viia and her bf/my cousin will be joining I’m uber excited, even though I have to wake up at sparrow’s fart to get there (its a long drive and the course starts at 9am sharp!).

I think I did mention this in a previous post, but its R550 per couple and you get a manual, a bonsai each, and a day’s worth of schooling. Its a little odd that you have to supply your own snacks/drinks and even your own chair though. I mean, for that price, surely they can invest in 10 chairs or something?? If you book late, bring your own chair, but if you book early, you get a seat provided? I dont know, just seems odd. But, I’m still excited and by Sat eve will be owning my own bonsai tree (probably Ficus/Wild Fig, as this is what they told me over the phone).