tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21323134863786633162024-03-13T20:14:37.710+02:00The Pickled FenceAlong Green Paths - A Family JourneyMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180593405996076078noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132313486378663316.post-30972446715231057222011-02-27T23:15:00.082+02:002011-03-12T23:46:59.965+02:00Mulberry jam anyone?<div class="deleteBody"><div class="postBody" style="color: #777777;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Sorry for only posting now, but with the hectic job of settling into a new town and country again, mulberry Season came and went in November! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">The mulberry trees produced an enormous crop, as is usual, and what else was there to do with so many mulberries, but to make yummy jam!</span></div><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> Jam making has been a bit of a learning curve for me, with much frustration, primarily in trying to achieve the setting point without burning or caramelizing the jam. But practice makes perfect. Correct? Well so the experts say....</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TO1jzBSLsqI/AAAAAAAAAIM/zaY5tktHOrc/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strike><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TO1jzBSLsqI/AAAAAAAAAIM/zaY5tktHOrc/s400/IMG_6865.JPG" width="300" /></strike></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> The tree we have in our yard is probably the Morus Alba,<span id="goog_1644098267"></span> although it is hard to tell as I haven't seen the blooms yet. Will keep you posted! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPQEKaniXrI/AAAAAAAAAJo/PGgiNrNy3Bs/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPQEKaniXrI/AAAAAAAAAJo/PGgiNrNy3Bs/s400/IMG_0576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Above: The front view of the leaf - Smooth and the margins have rounded little 'bumps' rather than very pointed/serrated ones of the Morus Nigra.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Below: The back view of the leaf - slightly lighter and the veins quite prominent. Heart shaped.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPQLGL_NCKI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/gRjJdv9ApBE/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPQLGL_NCKI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/gRjJdv9ApBE/s400/IMG_0575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">I found a </span><a href="http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR_237.pdf"><span style="color: black;">site </span></a><span style="color: black;">that may solve some of the confusion with identifying the different species of Mulberry trees.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">It is still as"thick as mud" to me, but hopefully It will eventually become clearer ones the blooms and buds arrive!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TO1ulQXSZXI/AAAAAAAAAI0/3kZOwjrUMo0/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TO1ulQXSZXI/AAAAAAAAAI0/3kZOwjrUMo0/s400/IMG_6877.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My son sneaking some mulberries.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">The crop yield is very high, so we have had mulberries coming out of our ears!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">A tip for picking: Lay a plastic sheet under the tree if the branches are not too low, and with a good shake you can harvest quite a few.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Alternatively, it you have to hand pick, cut the stems off at the very tip of the fruit, thereby saving you the VERY tedious job of picking the stems off later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">If you pick too much, you may end up with a batch that goes moldy and has to be tossed into the bin! So pick only what you will need immediately.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPf-Y55ILEI/AAAAAAAAAOE/tmUSH9nlwHA/s1600/IMG_6883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPf-Y55ILEI/AAAAAAAAAOE/tmUSH9nlwHA/s400/IMG_6883.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The first job after picking bucket loads of the purpley and very messy fruits, is to wash them.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Make sure you protect your clothes as they stain!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">This should remove any 'creepy crawlies' which may have inadvertently crept into your bucket.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I prefer to give them 3 washes. Do not soak them as this will draw in water and they will lose their flavour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Rather pick and wash small batches at a time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">If you haven't already de-stalked them while picking the mulberries, do this now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1uSS-aV1Z28/TW1K_vtfvTI/AAAAAAAAAOg/cTxkvEVogXQ/s1600/IMG_6881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1uSS-aV1Z28/TW1K_vtfvTI/AAAAAAAAAOg/cTxkvEVogXQ/s400/IMG_6881.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">The next step is to prepare the homemade lemon and apple pectin, which aids with the 'setting' or 'jellying' of the jam. (Instructions can be found <strong><a href="http://journey-to-green-paths.blogspot.com/2011/03/homemade-apple-pectin-old-fashioned-way.html">here</a></strong>.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Now measure out no more than 6 cups of mulberries and 5 cups of sugar and set them both aside for later. (For a no-sugar recipe, replace the sugar with 3 cups of honey and 2 cups of grape juice.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Cooking batches bigger than this does not allow for even heat distribution and can cause the jam not to 'set', and instead you will end up with something that closely resembles nice mulberry syrup!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fwwAbwk_s6Q/TW1KjBWv5eI/AAAAAAAAAOc/YOiePhMDjnI/s1600/IMG_6886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fwwAbwk_s6Q/TW1KjBWv5eI/AAAAAAAAAOc/YOiePhMDjnI/s400/IMG_6886.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Pour the mulberries into a large pot, with enough room so that it does not boil over, and very lightly mash them. This will release some of the natural pectin. Don't overdo it, as many people like whole fruit in their jams.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> Keep on medium heat until the mulberries are soft and then pour in the pectin (amount depends on the pectin test, details which are found </span><a href="http://blog.peppercorngardens.com.au/2010/08/19/berry-jam/"><span style="color: black;">here</span></a><span style="color: black;">.) Once the pectin level is correct, add the sugar and stir it in until dissolved. Now Stir in gently and increase the heat to medium high. Now bring the mixture to a fast 'rolling boil' (a boil that isn't disturbed when stirring, but try NOT to stir now), until setting point of 220c has been reached. (This is the setting point at sea-level, therefore at higher altitudes, the setting point will be slightly lower.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDabtp7Qgpo/TW1LP6nKupI/AAAAAAAAAOk/YU0-gYqFcCQ/s1600/IMG_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDabtp7Qgpo/TW1LP6nKupI/AAAAAAAAAOk/YU0-gYqFcCQ/s400/IMG_0405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Use a cooking thermometer if necessary. Some stoves battle to reach this point. A gas stove top would be the best as it reaches high heats fairly quickly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k3s10UE_XyQ/TW1O4oD69II/AAAAAAAAAOs/EsRdfuJWrPY/s1600/IMG_0407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k3s10UE_XyQ/TW1O4oD69II/AAAAAAAAAOs/EsRdfuJWrPY/s400/IMG_0407.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Alternatively, you can used the saucer method below: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Place a glass saucer in the freezer and once the mulberries have been on a rolling boil for a few minutes, take a teaspoon of the mixture and place on the ice-cold saucer. Put this in the freezer for about 3 minutes. Then test by running your finger across the jam. It should resist and 'fold' rather than just let your finger run through it smoothly. If not set, continue on a rolling boil for another 5 minutes or until you feel it has set and try the method again. It may be a good idea to have a few saucers ready in the freezer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Another method , also very similar though, is to use a glass of ice water and leave a teaspoon in it. Dip it into the mixture. If it gels or sets on the spoon after a minute, the jam has set.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f1rMHOwUwo4/TW1LkqCHfzI/AAAAAAAAAOo/cx-2s417xn4/s1600/IMG_0406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f1rMHOwUwo4/TW1LkqCHfzI/AAAAAAAAAOo/cx-2s417xn4/s400/IMG_0406.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Make sure that your clean jam bottles are sterilized, preferably first in the dishwasher and then in the oven, and 'bake' on high for about 5 minutes prior to filling. Once the jam has set, with forceps (to protect your hands from the high heat and hot jam), remove a bottle from the oven and place near pot. Using a wide metal funnel, now pour the jam mixture into the bottle. Be sure to only fill to just over 3/4. The remainder of the jar, fill up just with 'syryp', therefore preventing it from being 'dry' by having too much fruit and not enough syrup.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">ps: excess syrup can be used as a delicious desert topping. My cousin reckons I can make a killing on selling just the syrup on its own, it so yummy on ice-cream!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ljcFi9owVjw/TW1jin2q4OI/AAAAAAAAAO0/CmYaQE17Qqo/s1600/IMG_6975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ljcFi9owVjw/TW1jin2q4OI/AAAAAAAAAO0/CmYaQE17Qqo/s400/IMG_6975.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh mulberries with mulberry syrup on ice cream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Once <strong>completely</strong> filled to the brim, (which prevents air bubbles forming), close the jam jar with the now sterilized lid as tightly as possible, using an oven glove to protect you from the heat. Now place the jar upside down in an ice 'bath' which you need to have prepared before hand. This extreme temperature difference will ensure that the lids 'suction' feature comes into effect to effectively seal the jar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Ensure that only high quality glass which is able to handle such extremes, is used.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Locally, the '</span><a href="http://www.consol.co.za/irj/portal/anonymous"><span style="color: black;">Consol</span></a><span style="color: black;">' range of glass jars is really nice, but cheaper jam jars with rubber seal lids, are just as effective.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IfXi-WKHEHw/TW1jN4xD-pI/AAAAAAAAAOw/vzMsDaydsR4/s1600/IMG_0578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IfXi-WKHEHw/TW1jN4xD-pI/AAAAAAAAAOw/vzMsDaydsR4/s400/IMG_0578.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Voila, ready to be labelled and stored!</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180593405996076078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132313486378663316.post-82828740820909540622010-11-23T20:26:00.158+02:002010-12-02T17:44:13.774+02:00Every family needs an organic vegetable garden!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Having recently moved into the new property we have now decided that we need to establish our own vegetable patch so that we can feed the family organic home-grown produce. <br />
From the veggie-patch straight to the kitchen table!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVXa-qmcSI/AAAAAAAAAK8/jXtFITi68Xc/s1600/IMG_6340cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVXa-qmcSI/AAAAAAAAAK8/jXtFITi68Xc/s400/IMG_6340cr.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the BEFORE photo. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The area we chose is quite near the kitchen, so we thought it would be a good spot for a veggie garden, as it is fairly sheltered from the wind and the extreme Karoo summer heat.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">(Notice the thick layer of 'hen-and-chicken', other wise known as the indigenous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytum_comosum">'spider plant'</a>, (Chlorophytum comosum) which had overgrown this area. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPaB9pHXi9I/AAAAAAAAANI/lFTl3E2w2eg/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPaB9pHXi9I/AAAAAAAAANI/lFTl3E2w2eg/s400/IMG_0436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">These had to be dug out as they have numerous bulbs which if left in the ground, just begin growing again.) And these little guys can take over your garden if you are not carefull!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPaBBlqWKdI/AAAAAAAAANA/JAAOUu8MyYo/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPaBBlqWKdI/AAAAAAAAANA/JAAOUu8MyYo/s400/IMG_0432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With great excitement, we started by clearing the designated area of weeds, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytum_comosum">'hen and chicken'</a> plants ...not an easy task, but hubby excelled at the job! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPaBedwx1SI/AAAAAAAAANE/M7WwQ0_zPVw/s1600/IMG_0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPaBedwx1SI/AAAAAAAAANE/M7WwQ0_zPVw/s400/IMG_0435.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">AFTER photo!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVZeDlOiDI/AAAAAAAAALM/lBphLYVQ5d8/s1600/IMG_6504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVZeDlOiDI/AAAAAAAAALM/lBphLYVQ5d8/s400/IMG_6504.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Finally, 'hen and chicken' out! The next project was to erect a type of "square foot garden". </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hubby came up with the genius and cost effective idea of making a fence and trellising from the local reeds, and so daily excursions to the river bank ensued, until sufficient reed was collected. </div>The kids where reluctantly 'volunteered' to help with the stripping and cleaning of the reeds......!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPalY8LeYyI/AAAAAAAAANU/ZsKtRH_pxWA/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPalY8LeYyI/AAAAAAAAANU/ZsKtRH_pxWA/s400/IMG_6663.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Voila! We put reed trellising at the back for the climbers such as tomatoes, beans etc, and finally the bricks where laid in between the squares, as easy pathways to make the watering and weeding easier . <br />
We where given a whole lot of onion plantlings, and so they where planted behind each patch, as a starter for our vegetable garden.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPamfVQAi5I/AAAAAAAAANc/0mLQ3X6EBPc/s1600/IMG_6910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPamfVQAi5I/AAAAAAAAANc/0mLQ3X6EBPc/s400/IMG_6910.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A reed fence has been erected to keep 'Daisy' the dog out. The first young plants have been planted, and some seedling have been sown directly into the soil. Our idea was to have different patches/squares for different purposes: a 'veggie' patch, a 'herb/medicine' patch and a 'salad' patch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVTY4Mk1RI/AAAAAAAAAKk/_B40PkKgTYo/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVTY4Mk1RI/AAAAAAAAAKk/_B40PkKgTYo/s400/IMG_0012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad patch....except the spinach!</td></tr>
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Note the apricot pips in amongst the home made compost? Montagu is 'apricot country' in the Cape! <br />
And 101 uses for plastic cable-ties.......Hubby Macgyvers idea.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVUHaYqt-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/H07bpGY-3_8/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVUHaYqt-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/H07bpGY-3_8/s400/IMG_0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> </div></div>After a few weeks the patches have started resembling a 'real' vegetable garden. Almost ready for the picking! Soon it will be time to harvest our first crop.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Below: 'Daisy', our <a href="http://africanis.co.za/">Africanis dog</a> inspects the veggie patch. (So what was the purpose of the fence?)</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPav1yhXkxI/AAAAAAAAANs/af_LiCsR2Tc/s1600/IMG_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPav1yhXkxI/AAAAAAAAANs/af_LiCsR2Tc/s400/IMG_0223.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have planted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marigold_(common)">Marigolds</a> (<em>Tagetes)</em> and <a href="http://www.healthyliving-herbs.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96:nasturtium&catid=40:herbs-a-to-z&Itemid=53">Nasturtiums </a>(<em>Tropaeolum) </em>around the edges of the squares, as these are good companion plants and they also aid in keeping the bugs and 'goggas' away from the growing vegetables.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(For this seasons planting, we have not stuck to the 3-patch 'plan', as not all seedlings where available.)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPay8E5P_EI/AAAAAAAAANw/tsqnT2xwwDA/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPay8E5P_EI/AAAAAAAAANw/tsqnT2xwwDA/s400/IMG_0227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TOpigNv93qI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mki5xT96RmE/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Finally, the veggies are nearing harvest-ready. In this patch, we now have: lettuce, cauliflower, spinach, basil, tomato and chili. The other patches have various herbs, broccoli, zuchini/courgettes, pumpkin, cocktail tomatoes, and of course Leopard tortoise.</div></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPe7LEVBh0I/AAAAAAAAAN8/kWDYoJ8UL2s/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPe7LEVBh0I/AAAAAAAAAN8/kWDYoJ8UL2s/s400/IMG_0226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And look who has moved in! The resident wild tortoise...he seems to have decided that the vegetable patch is his new 'built-in kitchen'.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVV6WVbpuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/VQ2zlMTlnM8/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVV6WVbpuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/VQ2zlMTlnM8/s400/IMG_0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And finally, our first 'home grown salad' .</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now THAT is rewarding: knowing that it has been grown in your own back yard, and with no chemical pesticides!</div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180593405996076078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132313486378663316.post-21639680017208444762010-11-18T11:08:00.070+02:002010-12-02T22:04:27.761+02:00No water and another tortoise!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This morning we where greeted with the prospect of having no water in Montagu, so I had to quickly water the vegetable garden with the little that was left in the pipes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVnokw0quI/AAAAAAAAAMY/nnrTOo3CrLY/s1600/IMG_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVnokw0quI/AAAAAAAAAMY/nnrTOo3CrLY/s400/IMG_0251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thankfully we have the swimming pool water as a backup for the families ablutions! </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPf6uZmiqKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/U8RIKU7amgU/s1600/IMG_6547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPf6uZmiqKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/U8RIKU7amgU/s400/IMG_6547.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This morning the neighbour arrived at our doorstep with a flailing tortoise in his hand. Quite a fiesty little fellow!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tortoises in this area (The Klein Karoo) are very common and it is said to be the highest concentration of tortoises in the world. Due to the fact that our town is an enclave in what is best described as a 'mountain-bowl', many gardens have become homes to them as they tend to venture down the mountains from October onwards in search of gorgeous mates.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVqqQcGXdI/AAAAAAAAAMc/eLJ3u6jJlS8/s1600/IMG_0193cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVqqQcGXdI/AAAAAAAAAMc/eLJ3u6jJlS8/s400/IMG_0193cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This little chap is a <a href="http://www.carecentre.org.za/angulate.html">Bowsprit male tortoise</a>, otherwise known as an Angulate tortoise, and we have decided to return him to where he originally came from.</div></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We still have the resident <a href="http://www.carecentre.org.za/leopard.html">Leopard or mountain tortoise</a>, who had been hit by a car locally, but he seems to be happy, the property is large enough and it is his natural habitat. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVXCzmr8oI/AAAAAAAAAK4/NODJPFV-8bA/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVXCzmr8oI/AAAAAAAAAK4/NODJPFV-8bA/s400/IMG_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ps: The main diet of tortoises in South Africa is grass (70%) and weeds, and NOT lettuce!</div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVyBQ1wOYI/AAAAAAAAAMo/QeoyPUN2zrI/s1600/IMG_0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVyBQ1wOYI/AAAAAAAAAMo/QeoyPUN2zrI/s400/IMG_0208.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The rest of the day I spent laying of the garden sprinkler piping system, which will help us to keep the flowers-beds and roses regularly watered. </div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVsC4RJM4I/AAAAAAAAAMg/eYqWfXk4S2I/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVsC4RJM4I/AAAAAAAAAMg/eYqWfXk4S2I/s400/IMG_0214.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The temperatures in Montagu can soar to 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees fahrenheit) on a really good summers day!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">PS: The water was finally re-connected to the town late this afternoon. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Bath time for all!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180593405996076078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132313486378663316.post-12595792521393097342010-11-17T23:28:00.037+02:002010-12-02T17:54:00.618+02:00So where do we start? Our story.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Welcome to our new blog and you may ask why the blog is called 'The pickled Fence"? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I pondered over the photo I had chosen for this blog, (which I had taken of the fence at the 'De Bos' rock climbing facility just a few hundred metres from our home,) and remembered my childhood dream to one day have a quaint home with a little 'picket fence' , and it all started there...!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hubby is on mission to grow our own <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_seed">organic/heirloom seed</a> crops, but also to pot, preserve and pickle the produce, so that we can truly be a self-sustained family unit. I considered variations on the 'Fence' theme such as the 'Preserved Fence', the 'Potted Fence', but somehow they just don't have the right 'ring' about them? Anyhow, I finally chose the name "The Pickled Fence" with great fanfare.....!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have started this blog with a little trepidation, as I dont really feel qualified enough to put our self-sustainable living and organic life thoughts and aspirations to 'computer-pen'. But I suppose it is best to start something which is not 'perfect' rather than do nothing at all and never progress and learn! <br />
The aim of the blog is to journal our journey of learning and growth, so here goes:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVhmovt3cI/AAAAAAAAALU/62ukK9cNRqo/s1600/IMG_1064cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVhmovt3cI/AAAAAAAAALU/62ukK9cNRqo/s400/IMG_1064cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, hubby and I and our two children, aged 12 and 10, have lived in <a href="http://www.wellingtonnz.com/">Wellington</a> New Zealand for over two years. Thanks to the worldwide recession, we have found ourselves back on African soil! Nevertheless, our New Zealand experience inspired us to work towards a more 'organic' life-style. While in New Zealand, we endeavoured to start an organic-style and self-sustainable <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/489910-help-start-an-eco-village-training-school-in-beautiful-new-zealand?m=f32df59e">eco-village training facility</a> which would teach all the necessary skills and trades required to make such a venture successful, and even formed a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=101486986565424">facebook</a> group to start it. We hope to pick up where we left off....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVY7zwjM6I/AAAAAAAAALI/9yC0vUHMHzA/s1600/IMG_6421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVY7zwjM6I/AAAAAAAAALI/9yC0vUHMHzA/s400/IMG_6421.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Although we had initially left South Africa via Johannesburg, we now find ourselves in the very quaint Cape <a href="http://www.karoospace.co.za/">Klein-Karoo</a> village of <a href="http://www.montagu.org.za/">Montagu</a>, which lies in the Breede River Valley on <a href="http://www.route62.co.za/">Route 62</a> - the Klein Karoo alternative to the Garden Route that stretches from Worcester to Oudtshoorn. Montagu received an award for the South African village of the year 2002-2004, so it is a real blessing to live here! It is indeed virtually impossible to look in any direction without a breathtaking view on these mountains. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVYf7wkUYI/AAAAAAAAALE/vNNcnr_psrY/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVYf7wkUYI/AAAAAAAAALE/vNNcnr_psrY/s400/IMG_6345.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You Enter Montagu through the spectacular rock formations of <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2384890">Cogman's Kloof</a> and enjoy the little town with its well-preserved <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Dutch_architecture">Cape Dutch architecture</a> surrounded by orchards and vineyards against the backdrop of the Langeberg Mountain range. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVSozPFiFI/AAAAAAAAAKg/b0rvoH6LuWk/s1600/IMG_6800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVSozPFiFI/AAAAAAAAAKg/b0rvoH6LuWk/s400/IMG_6800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The town is said to produce South Africa's best muscadel and boasts natural, healing <a href="http://www.montagusprings.co.za/">hot springs</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVyf-0Qa-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/BnvRZ38bW3Y/s1600/IMG_6598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVyf-0Qa-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/BnvRZ38bW3Y/s400/IMG_6598.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British Fort above Cogmanskloof entrance to Montagu- Anglo Boer war </td></tr>
</tbody></table> Among <a href="http://www.debos.co.za/">rock climbers</a>, Montagu is known as the Cape's ‘mountain mecca' with its challenging cliff faces and is also famous for some of the most strenuous rock climbs available anywhere else in the world. Other adrenalin boosting activities on offer are 'kloofing', abseiling, mountain biking and paragliding or choose more relaxed <a href="http://www.proteafarm.co.za/Services/TractorTrips/Index.asp">tractor rides</a> up the mountains or boat trips up the <a href="http://www.breederivermarathon.org.za/en/">Breede River</a>.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The town of Montagu is surrounded by the majestic Langeberg mountains. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Scenic walking trails are the now famous lover's walk, through the gorge leading from town, through the mountains to the hot water springs; up the Bloupunt mountain; through Cogmanskloof and the Aasvoëlkrans hiking trail. <br />
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The<a href="http://www.sa-venues.com/westerncape/guesthouses/montagu.php"> guesthouses</a> and B&B's comply with world class standards. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVy0MMBPII/AAAAAAAAAMw/RRx7VvwmcUk/s1600/IMG_6658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVy0MMBPII/AAAAAAAAAMw/RRx7VvwmcUk/s400/IMG_6658.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVzd0ZdrhI/AAAAAAAAAM4/us5QPpBr2H0/s1600/IMG_6648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVzd0ZdrhI/AAAAAAAAAM4/us5QPpBr2H0/s400/IMG_6648.jpg" width="300" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Upmarket <a href="http://www.montagu.org.za/restaurants/">restaurants</a> make it worth while staying for a couple of nights in order to experience gourmet cuisine. Wine cellars, <a href="http://www.montagu.org.za/information/montagu-museum/">museums</a>, nature and herb gardens, art cellars, craft shops, <a href="http://www.montagu.org.za/information/joubert-house/">historical buildings</a> and sport facilities make Montagu one of the most interesting places to visit. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVzH0RWpOI/AAAAAAAAAM0/EWutjIgOkJA/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVzH0RWpOI/AAAAAAAAAM0/EWutjIgOkJA/s400/IMG_6649.jpg" width="300" /></a></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We now live on a reasonably sized property with enough land for planting vegetables, but not too big to handle! The Montagu area is abundant with wildlife and you can find guinea-fowl, herons, Ibis, Hadeda, field-mice, Spotted Eagle-owls, tortoises, Harrier hawks, baboons, lizards, and of course dozens of snake species! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVYJ0NWyoI/AAAAAAAAALA/CkzN6-cwAS0/s1600/IMG_6343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EMTwtqOvXrs/TPVYJ0NWyoI/AAAAAAAAALA/CkzN6-cwAS0/s400/IMG_6343.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, now that you have an idea of where we are situated, and what the aim of this blog is, lets start the journey together, and hopefully this blog will serve as a learning tool or at least a just a little bit of inspiration and joy!</div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180593405996076078noreply@blogger.com0