h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I play the bass guitar and sing backing vocals . I have yet to visit the Fish River Canyon - but it's on the list of local spots to see (hopefully on a motorcycle!)

Our BMW motorcycle club exhibited today at the Cullifest - a yearly farmers fair held in the nearby town of Cullinan (the mine that produced the Cullinan Diamond in the Crown Jewels). We had good fun, partaking of local delicacies, produce and fire-water

Today is Workers Day here in SA (and tomorrow is me Mum's birthday) so I took a day's leave to make a long weekend out of it...
I work in Jo'burg and commute 130 km's to and from Pretoria each day

Hi again Wrinkled Rocker and AR1! WR, I know about that stuff ... it's actually not a worm, as far as I know, but a kind of beetle grub. I also think that the ant activity is independent of this grub. With my trees it's not so much the sacred coral trees as the broad-leaved coral trees that get this problem. In the case of the broadleaved coral trees I've found that they have a way of overcoming it themselves. When they initially sprout from the seeds they start by developing a huge thick underground root. When the grubs infest them they eat the above-ground stems, after which the trees resprout from the underground root. If I find the grubs though I just remove them, cutting the branch or twig down to below the point to which the grub hs dug into.

Coral trees generally all have great regenerative powers. But termites seem fond of attacking them and do sometimes kill them.

Yes, I think tobacco dust will keep away the ants and termites.

I really love the Pretoria Botanic Gardens! It's a bit far away, but I do go there every now and then. It's a great place to relax, and also to watch birds, and of course to get to know indigenous plants. I've many times first got to know a certain kind of tree there, and was later very happy to be able to recognise it in the wild! And they sell very interesting trees and plants as well.

So you're performing in Ellisras? You know I'd like to go and see that but I have a bit of a problem ... loud music and crowds set off my PTS, still ...

Just a couple of days ago I was on a trip up North! We went to Messina and from there on the road to Pontdrif though not all the way there ... we turned off to Alldays and from there back home. Photographed a lot of baobab trees! Now I have subjects to paint again. I'll put them up on my website ... in fact I'm going to have to start up a new website, the old one closed down...

So you were a national-caliber swimmer AR1? That must have been some experience!

I have ridden that Mussina/Pontdrif road many times!
Along that road there is a very beautiful massive solid granite koppie with a solitary wild fig growing out of a crack in it on the south western side. (There is a guest house right next door.) I have a few photographs of the many baobabs, including one of a group of three on both sides of the road within a hundred metres of each other. A beautiful sight, indeed!

Hi guys, big
Nice to catch up with both of you and all your news. You make me feel very nostalgic when you talk about the northern Transvaal as you do. Is Pontdrif on the way to Botswana? I wonder if it would be possible to go to the Fish River canyon on a bike? It gets incredibly hot in the summer.

We have had a leisurely holiday but unfortunately my telephone line for my computer has given up the ghost so I sm obliged to rig up an alternate line on my home number in order to get on line. I have missed everyone. and that dreadful tornado in the States. That was grim.

I found a web site for hotels in the Western Cape. so am now trying to find one that has facilites for a wheelchair. Easier said than done. I seem to remember that the Flora Bay Bungalows at Hout Bay could possibly be accessible. I must get their address.

Happy birthday to your Mum Wrinkled Rocker. She is a Taurean. and I, my dear chaps, am a Gemini. On the 23rd May I am going to be three quarters of a century. I cannot believe it, and do not feel that ancient. What shall we do?. I was going to have a lunch party in France, but as my son is still ill and I cannot leave him, I think I should arrange a virtual party. Now, Willem, you shall have to help, because as you are a vegetarian, I shall have to have some vegetarian dishes for the Braai. the only thing I can think of are sousboontjies. Which I love!!.

Affectionate good wishes.

AR1

AR1 - Pontdrif is the borderpost between SA and Botswana that gives access to the Tuli Block game reserves. It's very laid back compared to the Beit Bridge border post. We were almost arrested for taking a photo of the bike there..!
We can make Willem curried beans (kerrieboontjies) and pot bread (potbrood) with nice 'pap' covered with tomato and onion gravy

Well, done! (for the 23rd that is) 75 is a good innings - how about going for the three figure score? I'll drink a bottle of good SA wine on the day to celebrate!

Very dear Wrikled Rocker,

I know that you will find it hard to believe but I have been to the Pontdrift border post TWICE!! My daughter and her husband have an interest in a game farm in the tuli block. I am invariably scared stiff when I go!!. Have also crossed over the river in the funny little lift thing as the Limpopo was in flood.

Please do come to the party. I have asked you and Willem to be in charge of the South African food. I would like you to come in a fancy dress and tell me what it is. I want to print out all the acceptances after the party, so if you and Willem can reply on the "official" thread that would give me a wonderful momento.

Kind regards
AR1

Well now, AR1, if you've been to Cape d'Agulhas too, you've been to the North and South extremes of SA. Just add Kosi Bay and Alexander Bay and you've done them all!

OK, I've replied on that thread ... anyways, for here ... yes sousboontjies are great! My mom can make good ones. Kerrieboontjies too, and potbrood as well, and also pap with gravy! The gravy I know has tomatoes and onions but also mushrooms! That's great. And the pap has whole some whole mieliepitte (maize/corn seeds) in the mix as well. Anyways here are some more vegetarian possibilities:

1) An ovo-lactovegetarian (i.e. eggs plus dairy products (except cheese) allowed) 'potjiekos' stew made in a round black three-legged iron pot. Here's how ...

Get a fire started under the pot. Start by frying a big bunch of onions and garlic in butter in the bottom. When they are nicely fried add some tomatoes and some water with salt and pepper and spices so it makes a thinnish sauce. Now start adding the vegetables, whole: potatoes, also sweet potatoes ('patats'), different sorts of pumpkins and 'squash' ... typically some green marrows and some yellow squash. Also cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, green peas, broccoli, sweet peppers, chopped celery, and corn-on-the-cob cut into sections about 5 cm (2 inches) long. Then put on the lid and let it all simmer. Now fry some whole mushrooms in butter in a pan, and also boil some whole eggs. And cook some brown rice with some whole grains of wheat in it. Let the contents of the pot cook until the vegetables are all cooked but still firm, not soft and soggy. Now throw some cottage cheese on top. Also take a packet of onion soup and mix it into a thick paste in a cup. Then pour it on top as well. Now mix the soup and the cottage cheese gently into the pot. Let it cook for an additional 5 minutes or however long the soup needs to be cooked to be done. Now add in the mushrooms as well, mix them in whole as well but also gently so as to not break the vegetables. Finally cut the eggs in wedges and arrange them on top. Now it's ready and people can 'skep' it out in their plates along with the brown rice and with the sousboontjies and kerrieboontjies and potbread and pap and tomato/onions/mushroom sauce and everything.

We're really going all-out here ...

2) Some neat salads. Vegetable salad with cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, thin fresh onion rings, green peppers, fresh green marrows, olives, raw mushrooms, whole grapes and cut pieces of apple. A seperate nut salad ... apples and celery cut into small pieces, mixed with nuts also chopped into small bits ... pecan, macadamia and cashew nuts ... mixed with yoghurt so it's a paste. Fruit salad ... pawpaw, banana, grenadilla (also known as 'passion fruit') and orange 'sauce', with in it pieces of apple, pineapple, and whole grapes.

3) Fruits to be eaten seperately, delicious in and of themselves: watermelon, mangoes, and avocadoes. Avocadoes can also be used to make a 'paste' for a dip or 'sauce' for other food.

4) A real sweet delicacy ... date cakes! Start by cooking a bunch of butter mixed with sugar. Beat some eggs and add to the sticky mixture and beat it until the mixture thickens. Now cut the dates into small pieces and add to the mix. Also add some chopped pecan nuts and vanilla flavouring. Take some sweet biscuits (here we use what we call 'Marie' biscuits for this bit) and break them into small pieces (trying to prevent as much as possible their disintegration into crumbs) and add into the mixture. Mix it all together still while trying not to break the biscuit pieces into crumbs. Now pour the whole affair into a pan with a high rim ... when the sticky mixture is spread out in it it should form a layer about an inch thick. Now put it in the refrigerator. The mixture will become firm. Now take it out and cut it into rectangular pieces about two by two inches. These are the 'cakes' and put them out in a tray for the guests to eat. Yummmm!!!

4) More sweets: koeksisters! You start by making a syrup with sugar and water, dissolved over low heat. Add cream-of-tartar, finely cut ginger, and cinnamon. Boil syrup 5 minutes. Let syrup cool down before using. Now make the dough ... cake flour, a bit of salt, baking powder, butter and milk. Add the butter cold ... rub it in with your fingertips. Beat eggs and add it, and milk as well, and knead the dough until it's even. Let it 'rest' for 2 hours or longer. Then you 'roll' the dough into long strips about 1 cm (say half an inch) thick and cut them into smaller strips ... say about six inches in length. Then you twist/plait the strips together into the familiar koeksister shapes. Now you fry these in deep fat until they're light brown. When done on both sides, lift out, drain the fat briefly on a piece of absorbent paper, and then dip them for a few seconds in the syrup. Lift them out with a ladle that will allow the excess syrup to drip off. Let them dry out on a flat tray. Then serve! Yumm ....

5) And while we're at it, why not some pancakes as well? Made with wholewheat meal, and with honey and cinnamon. Compatible with lots of other foods!

Oops sorry I see I got the numbers mixed up! Anyways the above are all ovo-lacto-vegetarianically-acceptable, and (except for the koeksisters and the date cakes) quite healthy as well ... but certainly very very tasty!

My dear Willem amd Wrinkled Rocker,

I am so sorry I have just caught up with your wonderful receipes. Ooh!! those koeksusters made my mouth water. And all your beautiful salads. I would love to try the date cake but I think that it is not sensible when I remember that I have diabetes!!.

I have not heard from you both for ages. Please write and give me your news.

I have some Cape Harebells flowering for the second year running. they are so graceful the way they dance on their stems. How are the baobabs? It is your winter now


and I have just phoned my friend in Zim. She says that it is very cold.

With affection

AR1

Hi again AR1! Sorry, I've been away for a while (to Heidelberg where I visted my sister and her husband, and also the wonderful Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve!) and I've also been rather busy and preoccupied lately.

I think the date cakes will be OK if you don't eat too much of them all at once!

Yes here it is cold. The Baobabs have lost their leaves. But the Spring is coming! The days are becoming longer again!

Anyways I've missed you AR1 and I'm glad to hear from you again!

Wrinkled Rocker, where are you?

WR is well, thank you, TRUMP. I've been struggling with ongoing sinusitis for weeks, but no more than that.
Suikerbosrand NR is presently seeing some major development that I'm involved in from a compliance point of view (I was on site there on Thursday). The closest we have got to actual meeting one another?

Has it been cold up in Baobabland? The nights maybe, but from my memory the days are seldom under 20C - so quiet balmy by UK standards - eh, AR1?

Although I do remember the recent Eclipse being a trifle chilly and overcast...