'The historical novel gives us perspective on modern lifes and helps us connect with the story which we are continuing ourselves' Mary Pope Osborne

I start my writings today after a very very busy past few days ! My thoughts this week were triggered off by this grave that stands proudly on one of the properties close to ours. Although I have seen it many times, this time ,whilst taking the photographs, I noticed the inscription ("Hier rus H.V. Tonder 1880 - 1939")  and for the first time I realised that he was exactly my age when he died. Was that the universe talking to me? I believe that it was needed  - a time to reflect on the the people who walked the path before us. 

As we continued our walk high along the cliffs above the river ; along what must've been the path he frequented regularly   

my thoughts began to wander :

• Had the veld changed much or was it even more beautiful ? 

Beautiful litchen

Hard to believe that in this arid climate there is velvety moss
protected by the the natural bush

A 'Gif' Ball - not sure of its English name
but it's a beautiful bulb

• What animal life still remains from years past?

An unbelievable find far from water!

I'm sure Mr HV Tonder must've had the same problem with ants though, although it was lovely to see the tunnels that they had made. Made me wish I was still teaching!!

A collection of baboons?  a troop, flange or a congress ( this one I didnt know but the ones in our riverbed certainly have a congress meeting often!🤣)

Did Mr HV Tonder see the riverbed dry? Did he ever use water as carelessly as we do? 

• Did past people on our farm in the 1880's witness floods and huge downpours of rain as we did for our first time last week ? (this I'm sure they did but perhaps their responses were a little less anxious than mine!)                        

We measured 36 mm but some say our rain gauge is faulty and that we had as much as 50 mm! I wonder what Mr HV Tonder's rain gauge looked like ? Did he in fact have one? I wonder what makes us want to use rain gauges?!

After the rain, we walked the riverbed and found this carcess .... I'm sure in Mr HV Tonder's days there would be a lot more of these lying around? Any ideas of what it may be?

Porcupines I'm sure were a menace and perhaps were trapped and killed as they would eat the farmers vegetables. 

More rain gathering. Beautiful patterns.

One thing I know for certain is that having the landrover here in Calitzdorp has certainly made our lives easier and I can't imagine what people in past years would've had to do to get from one place to another if I look at historical vehicles! I'm certainly glad I am alive now in the 21st Century!

• How would people cook ? I believe just like Michael and I do - with wood fires and perhaps gas! We have gone back to making our own food with local produce much as was done years ago. Jams, braaied meat, eggs and bread from neighbours, fresh jersey full cream milk : all shared with love    💓💓💓        But I think that with modern seasoning and the with influences of globalisation our food may be a little more tasty? (I may being biased as 'Bokkie' is an unbelievable cook!)

Fresh tomato and chilli relish/jam

• Veggi gardens have been in exsistance for years but these are making a resurgence(thank goodness!) and here is our one which we started just before the rains - excellent timing!

River sand collected and deposited as a base

Compost ( in bags !!) 😅 Thank goodness!

Planting seedlings. Claudette is collecting all sorts of seeds to germinate so we won't have to buy anymore seedlings! The conditions are harsh so we're praying they survive!

• Did people in the past collect rain water? I believe they absolutely did! I remember having one outside my bedroom window as a child but somehow they went out of fashion and as people moved into towns, tanks were left to farmers and farms. We have realized how critical this practise is and would encourage each and everyone of you to install one - a practice we need to resurrect from Mr HV Tonder's days.

Our new base for our second JOJO tank. A life saver

We filled our JOJO tank with 1000ml of rain water !
It's made such a difference to our lives 

So lessons learnt from this weeks reflection on Mr HV Tonder's life and mine:

• Have we as humans protected our planet?

• Would he be shocked as to where we are as human beings toady?

• Are we all doing our 'bit' or are we leaving it only to those who care? 

• Will water be something we will fight over in the years to come?

• Is Environmental Science given priority in the curriculum in ALL schools in South Africa or is it just an 'add on' for an enuthiastic teacher ?

• What advances would Mr HV Tonder have enjoyed if he were here with us today (as there are many good things that have made our lives easier!)

Off tomorrow to hike and spend the night in the Gamkaberg💓 Have a good long weekend and safe travels to whoever is going away for the long weekend. If you're anywhere near us pop in and visit!

With love from me in the Karoo 💓💓💓