Rainy Joburg, pic by Jeppestown on Flickr, CC BY SA 2.0
It’s been raining for three days in Joburg. Which, if you’ve ever been here in June, you will know is just not what’s supposed to happen. Our winters are supposed to be dry, windy and cold, with a clear sky and weak, watery sun. Joburg is famous for its winter sunlight. So we’re all kind of stunned by the fact that, right now, it’s grey, cold, overcast and raining. Not hard (which is the usual kind of rain we get – torrential downpours with impressive MGM-style thunder and lightning accompaniments) but the rain all gardeners dream of – a gentle, soaking drizzle that goes on all day.
Of course, it’s great. I yank on my wellies a couple of times a day and go out there to check on things and look at my beans (growing like crazy) and make sure the worms don’t drown, and look about and feel very happy. In part, I was feeling happy because in 24 hours or so, I lave for London for a week. It’s kind of a work trip, but know of not, and I was really looking forward to the fact that I would be winging my way north, like a dyslexic swallow, for some sunshine. But I had a look on the BBC Weather site just now and it told me that the forecast for Saturday, when I arrive is: Heavy Rain, 21 degrees. I feel like I’ve been robbed…
But I am looking forward to my trip. I’m going to stock up on seeds, like the committed smuggler that I am. I’ve also packed some seeds from here, so if you’re in the market for some Namaqualand Daisies, let me know, and we can make a plan. Vivh and I have discussed the possibility of a trip to Kew, and I can’t wait to go back to Kensington Gardens and see what it looks like when it’s not miserable. Exciting times, I tell you.
Bring some tissues, because there’s pollen, I tell you. It catches right at the back of your throat. Horrible.
It’s sort-of sunny today.
And you’re bolder than I, Rebekahn. In smuggling seed I’d be terrified of introducing a malicious invader to either country. I wonder what the chances are…
You know, I just have this feeling that, at least in the Anglo-SA seed smuggling scenario, if the colonialists didn’t manage it 100 years ago, there’s little chance of me making a significant difference…
Wow, I can’t believe that’s Jozi right now. Crazy weather.
Enjoy Kew! Garden of mystery, history, and awe. Place of Hooker and Banks, and custodian of the world’s oldest potted plant – a cycad from South Africa.
It’s going to be great!
Picture looks like a recent take on an Atkinson Grimshaw painting