The tales of tread bare pathways

Five years ago, we resurfaced the garden pathways with a fresh layer of broken apricot pips. Recently, the tread bare pathway in the rosarium, was a clear indicator that the garden pathways needed resurfacing in places. The patches where more pips were required, told the story of how important a section in the garden was. In these areas, the pathways had accordingly become more tread worn.

Fresh broken apricot pips in the pathway at the top of the steps leading into the rosarium

Clearly a lot more time was spent in the rosarium. To describe the path as tread bare is quite fitting. Where one could see the soil peering through the pips, the bareness could only be ascribed to all the treading. If one had the time and inclination, one might even determine which areas of the rosarium were more popular.

Mountains of broken apricot pips

Following this assessment, after the rosarium, the vegetable garden clearly had seen more traffic than the herb garden, for instance. We had already decided to resurface these pathways at the end of 2018. However, a shortage of broken pips at the supplier forced us to wait until after the apricot harvest season this year. Clearly, there is either a great demand for this eco-friendly surfacing material, or fewer apricots are being processed.

Mountains of broken peach pips

I can remember when we started using them 28 years ago. There were mountains and mountains of broken pips that were readily available all year round. A greater demand for the broken pips as well as a reduction in apricot orchards in the valley, means that we only have them available at certain times of the year as demand outstrips supply.

Broken apricot pips

Suddenly, we find that we need to plan the resurfacing of pathways for when the pips are available. Not when we have a convenient break in the gardening calendar, as in years past.  I anticipate that soon we might have to book our pip orders in advance. The citrus orchards that have replaced many apricot orchards, will not be supplying pips for pathways in the future.

Broken peach pips

It is still an adventure to fetch bakkie (pick-up truck) loads of pips from among the mountains of dried broken pips in the neighbouring town of Montagu. The pathway in the rosarium was refreshed first. The rest of the pathways will follow once I have upgraded the irrigation system and the winter pruning has been completed.

Broken apricot pips

Where I sit in the dining room for breakfast, I have a doorframe view of the rosarium and its freshly pipped pathway. My seating position makes me feel like I am at the centre of our world. There is a view to the orchard on my left, a view to the oaks on the lawn to my right, a view to the rosarium in front of me and if I were to turn around, I would see the neighbouring olive trees bordering the front garden.

The freshly pipped pathway in the rosarium

Lately, I have noticed a small flock of laughing- and turtle doves, frequenting the rosarium pathway. I discovered that they are there to eat the broken kernels that have remained within the broken pips. The apricot kernels contain a toxic chemical known as amygdalin. This chemical is converted in the body to cyanide, which is poisonous. It was thought that amygdalin was taken up first by cancer cells and converted to cyanide. Thus, making it a subject of interest in attempting to use apricot kernels in the fight against cancer.

The doves, however, seem unperturbed by this. They can be seen walking up and down the rosarium path, enjoying their daily treat of dried apricot kernels. We are quite happy that the apricot pips serve a further purpose in the garden, adding yet another dimension to their already diverse eco-friendly uses.

The former tread bare pathways have another tale to tell as dove feet tread lightly over freshly pipped pathways and the feasting doves forage for crushed kernels.

Old ways and new directions

Opposite the Towerwater garden, embedded in the hillside, stand the dates 1838 and 1938. They are packed out in white-washed stones. There used to be an ox wagon packed out in the same manner, just below the dates, but the wagon disappeared into the dates when they were refreshed a few years ago. The stone wagon must have been a later addition as only the dates appear in 1938.

The 1938 re-enactment procession passing by Towerwater

The dates recall the Great Trek of 1838 and the subsequent centenary re-enactment. This great migration took place when Dutch-speaking settlers migrated northward. They journeyed in wagon convoys from the Cape Colony into the interior of South Africa. The objective was to live beyond the Cape's British colonial administration.

Towerwater as seen from the outspan in 1938

In 1938, a century later, the re-enactment of the trek began at the foot of the Jan van Riebeeck statue in Cape Town. It wound its way, meeting up with many smaller parties, so that many small towns could participate in the re-enactment. The combined convoy arrived in Pretoria, with the climax of the celebrations culminating in the laying of the foundation stone for the Voortrekker Monument. The greater purpose of the centenary celebrations was to further the Afrikaner cause and to encourage a greater sense of unity and solidarity.

Our first petrol stop in Leeu Gamka on the N1

The outspan for the re-enactment wagons that passed through Bonnievale on 18 August 1938, was just below these dates on the hill overlooking and abutting Towerwater. The outspan was alongside the old wagon road that headed north. I am grateful for this choice of re-enactment venue. It was on the film that recorded the procession through Bonnievale and the gathering at the outspan, that I first saw the by now already altered Towerwater house complete with its hearth, chimney and bakoond (adjoining wood-burning bread oven).

Driving through the Karoo

A wet and wonderful Karoo

Rain and Neruda the best accompaniment on a road trip

Why am I reminiscing about these two events you might ask? Earlier this year we decided to rent out the Pretoria apartment. This decision was in view of Keith’s approaching retirement in May this year which was accompanied by the vacation of his Pretoria office. Although the bulk of the furniture was being moved by a removal company, we preferred to fetch the objets d’art and other small valuables with the bakkie (pick-up truck).

The Dutch Reformed Church in Colesberg, inaugurated in August 1866 (Northern Cape)

Dutch Reformed Church in Colesberg

Cape Georgian double-storey house in Colesberg, built in 1835 by Thomas Plewman

Planning the over 1 400km trip with a 23-year-old Toyota bakkie, made me think how this trip was made with an ox-wagon. You have to admire the sheer pioneering spirit of the people that did so all those years ago. We knew where we could stop for refreshment on our trip and what to expect as we left for Pretoria at 3am one morning. Those early pioneers had no idea what they would encounter on their journey and how often they would have access to fresh water for man and beast.

The Orange River on the border of the Northen Cape and Free State

The landscape on the border of the Northern Cape and Free State 

What a road trip it turned out to be. We had the pleasure of driving through a wet Karoo with rain leaving big stretches of water everywhere. The beauty of the early architecture of the Karoo and Free State towns is so amazing. Crossing the Orange and Vaal rivers through landscapes that are so different from the valley from which we came that morning. We know that we are living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. A beauty that is enhanced by the diversity of the landscapes changing constantly as we drove through four provinces.

I will miss this view of Skuilkranskopje from the apartment in Pretoria

Some delicious fare from Alma deli around the corner

The empty lounge in the Pretoria apartment, goodbye Pretoria

The loaded bakkie ready to head home, hello Towerwater

In Pretoria, we visited some favourite places for the last time for the foreseeable future, as we packed up the apartment. With a fully loaded bakkie we left with the removal truck just before 11am on the Saturday morning to head back to Bonnievale. By the time the removal company’s truck arrived in Bonnievale three days later, we had made space for the extra furniture in the loft, while the rest we incorporated in the main house.
 

Dutch Reformed Church, Winburg built in 1899

Sandstone commercial building, Winburg

The old "Afrikaanse Handelshuis" in Winburg, Free State

With our 2800km ‘Great Trek’ behind us, it is time to consolidate and change our old ways. Time to enjoy new directions with projects planned by Keith to enhance and simplify our lifestyle. It is clear that it will be a busy retirement. I for one, am looking forward to it with anticipation.

The speedometer reading of the bakkie in Edenburg, Free State

My other travel companion in the apartment in Pretoria before we headed home

I am pleased that the month of planning and preparation is behind us. I have time to write this blog once again.