💛 In summer I always enjoy an early-evening walk on our smallholding. No need to get in my car to find nature, I have 8.5ha right here to explore, hoping to see the Barn Owl or some Guinea fowl, but always enjoying the Bluegum trees and beautiful grasses and wild flowers along the way.
We’ve been having extremely hot weather and even my chooks have been
gasping in the heat. My chickens have no problem with winter, but every
summer you can find them listless in the shade, trying to cool off.
Unfortunately chickens don’t bath in water (they have sand baths)
otherwise that would be a quick solution to cooling off! But they do
find shady spots for a bath in the cool sand leaving my garden looking
like a volcanic eruption has taken place!
Here Chi-Chi, the youngest of my pet hens, takes a break amongst the Leopard Lilies and ferns.
Camera : Canon EOS 550D
Taken in my garden (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa)
Dedicated to all garden-lovers!
A path in my
garden slowly getting taken over by all the plants after the good rains
we had this last summer (winter here now in South Africa) and if I don’t
do something about it, I’ll soon be crawling around in a jungle!
Taken in my previous garden in Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa
Camera : Canon EOS 550D
There is nothing more exhilarating than checking up on your
garden plants just as the sun is rising. Everything is smiling in
anticipation of another glorious day!
And two Aloe ferox eagerly await their turn in the sunshine!
Taken in my previous garden in Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa
Camera : Canon EOS 550D
After months of drought, few experiences can match the sound and smell
of falling rain – unless it is the exhilaration of being caught in it
while working in the garden!
Camera : Canon EOS 550D
Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa
Well, we've sold our smallholding, so this blog was a very brief sojourn! We're moving down to the North Coast, Kwa Zulu Natal (South Africa) and hopefully our new life there will be as exciting, ordinary, meaningful and wonderful as our 42 years in Tarlton (Gauteng, South Africa) has been.
It's hard, difficult and heart-breaking to say goodbye to a life-time of gardening, chooks, running our business, sketching and painting the area and joys and sorrows, but life has a way of taking one in different directions and enjoying the journey is what it is all about, right?
I will be documenting the move and happenings here till the last moment and maybe throw in a few Tarlton articles in between. It will be adieu, but not forgotten...
W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm - unframed 12" x 8"- original for sale here.
After years of not seeing any guinea fowl around our property (Tarlton,
Gauteng, South Africa), I was lucky enough to have a visit from them a
couple of days ago and I was totally thrilled! Taking some photographs also gave me a chance to do some quick sketches.
a guinea fowl
molting polka dot feathers—
I see
handmade earrings
Situated in the heart of Tarlton, The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site region in South Africa is approximately 90 minutes' drive from the Johannesburg city centre and offers visitors the opportunity to learn about stones and bones, wine and dine in tranquil surroundings, try out a range of adrenalin-pumping activities, have a beautiful wedding, discover a range of wonderful wildlife and experience culture and craft.
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is one of eight in the country. It's the world's richest hominin site, home to around 40% of the world's human ancestor fossils.
The area is also home to a diversity of birds, animals and plants, some of which are rare or endangered.
The striking Tumulus building, which houses the Maropeng visitor centre, greets you as you arrive for your journey to discover Maropeng.
In one of the passages inside Maropeng
In one of the passages inside Maropeng
Outside in the gardens
The impressive entrance to Maropeng
One of the passages inside Maropeng
The largest collection of human hominid fossils are on show right
now, but not for long - go meet Naledi and learn about the awesome
cavers Rick Hunter and Steven Tucker who discovered the fossils, the
incredible all female anthropologist/archaeologist team who retrieved
them, and (my favourite) Professor Lee Berger who led the team 
😍 also, their latest addition of an Experience Lab is awesome. Kids got things lucky these days.
Maropeng is not just a showcase for old bones and history. You can also take an awesome boat ride through the "depths of the earth", traversing ice tunnels and erupting volcanic chambers. Be sure to hang onto your hat for this exciting trip!
The drive to Maropeng offers beautiful vistas. Discover the Cradle of Humankind and the Sterkfontein Caves all in one day.
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