Saving Water 201: When Nature Calls

An idea of what part of our dams already look like.

The water situation in the Cape is still spectacularly dire. If you want to read up about it, here are some articles from City of Cape Town, eNCA and News24 to get you up to speed, and my previous blog post about the basics of saving water.

So, ever the problem-solver, I’ve been wondering how I could step up my game. This is the part where the super-squeamish among you need to close the browser and step away from the screen. Not that I think what I’m about to divulge is unhygienic, but I know the preconceived ideas out there. I know that what I am about to tell is going to gross a few people out because it already has. That said, some people have thought quite the opposite, so I hope to win a few people over because I seldom do things of this nature without good reason.

Litter: The Undesired Way to Market a Brand

You know you’re in the Strand when you see this.

Best view with a cold one.

On 2 January I went to the beach with my neighbour. He’s an avid surfer and came knocking on my door first thing to join him for the day. To give some background, my plan had originally been to go to the beach on 1 January, but in the coastal areas of South Africa, that is one of the few days of the year that it seems everyone and their friend is at the beach. Thousands of people descend upon the beach, making traffic and finding parking and a little spot on the beach a veritable nightmare. So postponing this outing for one day seemed reasonable.

Saving Water 101: The Basics

Photo credit: Rick Waalders

The water situation in the Cape is pretty dire at the moment, to say the least. Not only have we not had enough rain in the last two winters, but we’ve had some pretty hectic mountain fires in the last week or so, which of course use up a lot of water to kill.

And then, worse than that, are the people who think the water restrictions don’t apply to them. I cannot stress enough how much people need to let go of some comforts at this time. It is quite possible for anyone to do, but requires a small shift in thought and habits. Here are some things I have been doing for some time, and some I have started doing in the last month. They are not difficult and the discomfort level is marginal at first. After a while, you realise that you are one lucky cookie having water so readily accessible, unlike most people in the same municipal district you live in.

Speaking of discomfort levels. They will be exponentially worse once the water does run out.

My Garden: What Stayed and What Left

I haven’t written about my garden in ages. Partly because I’ve been working in it whenever I’ve had the opportunity (lots, if you make the effort!), partly because I’ve been studying after hours and then partly because I’ve been enjoying the few moments I’ve had free having a social life. As one does. However, I reckon it’s about time I just sped you all up on what’s going on.

Since we last cast an eye soilwards, summer has seemingly arrived early here in the Winelands, prematurely booting spring off her floral throne. It’s been hot and dry already and that’s only supposed to kick in in a month or so. Roughly six months ago, I had only one raised bed made and installed and nary a vegetable in sight.

Black Friday – What’s the Deal?

 

 

Street Shopping Scene

This is the talk of the week, I guess, Black Friday. On social media and everywhere we go, posters up, newspapers splashed with deals coming, and pamphlets … You name it, we’re aware of it. Big bargains coming …!

But I’m not so sure. I’d like to think it’s a symptom of the society we live in. The one where we buy without turning the thing we are buying around.