The dreadfully soggy late summer/autumn is finally over. We can now bask in what is left of the season before we plunge into winter proper. Milder, drier, days, but by the end of which a log fire is already a welcome event.
The winter sky is always an ethereal blue. This, before the smoke of fire breaks and veld fires dominate the dome. The contrast between the golden leaves and crystal blue is a drama all of its own.
As green turns to gold and bare branches begin to dominate we are still blessed with bursts of new colour. Our Camellia trees start to blossom with vim and vigour. Although an invasive species, the Cotoneaster – Bloudwergmispel in Afrikaans – offers up its rich bunches of berries. The late rains are going to give us a fine showing of Primula this year. Some buds are already appearing.
The African sunrise is an all round yearly spectacle. It really puts on its coat of many colours at this time of year in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Well worth getting up early, a hot mug of coffee in hand, to experience at the start of the day.
