Introduction:
Some of these small but lovely flowers are very clever as they only show themselves in a very dry grassland habitat or sometimes immediately after grassland burning they become the first conspicuous flowers to be realized. This behavior makes it easy again to be realized by pollinators as there will be less competition around it.
moraea stricta - photo by Zenkat2
September is still a very dry month left with few pockets of snow in the high altitude areas of Lesotho. The competition for pollination and survival of high altitude flowers can be seen in so many mechanisms implied by plants in these areas. As such some of species behave more or less the same as those in in the European Alps such as plant species as Soldanellasp which flowers brightly immediately after the snow melt. The trick being, for it to be easily noticed by its pollinators.
The best way to experience these is a wild walk at the edges of Ts’ehlanyane escarpment, Bokong Nature Reserve and the Eastern route to ‘Moteng pass. All of the mentioned areas area at an altitude of above 2000 – 3000 Meters above Sea Level.
Spring Fling:
Spring to me means one thing. The approach of summer, which constitutes all the reasons one can think of to buy fresh items such as Strawberries and Cream, drink Sparkling Wine by the bottles and spurge on foods such as fresh Salmon, juicy Pears, Gorgonzola and wild Rocket. Have an affair with your taste buds this season, have a spring fling.
THE RECIPE: Salmon and Gorgonzola Salad. Continue reading
It’s Winter!
Erica cerinthoides - Photo by Marie Viljoen
Introduction:
An indigenous garden is simply not complete without this little redhead (Morita-nkoe (Sesotho) or Rooihartjie (Afrikaans)) will light one corner in your garden. This plant does well in our cool grassland vegetation of Lesotho although care must be taken if planted in the garden as it is naturally growing on rocky sand stone cliffs. Continue reading
Double trouble
Without the core there is no flower, without guests there is no Maliba lodge. I could not walk pass the flower rock outside Maliba lodge reception without taking these pictures. I don’t know if the rock was placed there for guests to take pictures or just for decorating, but never the less we took the opportunity to show everyone how much fun we had at Maliba Lodge.
Playing with the decor - photo by Alta Farquhar
The month of May:
Most of us don’t realize just how many holidays are celebrated across the world during the month of May. We all know that Mothers day is one of the biggies, but did you know that there are countries that celebrate national Teachers day, Holocaust Day, International Museum day and then my ultimate favourite is Ice Cream Day. What a wonderful thing to celebrate, and what better way to celebrate Ice Cream day with your Mother? Kids, it’s time to get ready for the ultimate Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce recipe! Let it be known that, yes, we love the month of May.
THE RECIPE: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Belgium Chocolate Sauce
Old Basotho woman grinding maize - Photo by Greg Marinovich
In the high mountains of Lesotho, a traditional lifestyle has been preserved alongside the inevitable modernisation in a fascinating mix of contemporary and customary life. Continue reading
Name: Saniella – It is said to be named after the World Heritage site of Sani Pass situated in the Mokhotlong District of South Eastern Lesotho highlands.
Introduction:
The wetlands of the mountains of Lesotho are unique and has been suggested that they represent type of wetlands related to those of Europe and North America. They are freshwater wetlands. This is where you find a mosaic of species ranging from red, white, pink, yellow, blue, maroon and etc. When almost all the species have finished flowering, the little white and yellow throated beauties will always be found as the last offer for a flower hunter to enjoy.
Description:
It is a dwarf, white and yellow throated flower with deeply dissected petals .
Distribution and habitat:
It is mostly found at an altitude of approximately 3000 meters above sea level, specifically in the head water wetlands of Lesotho main river’s sources (Bokong, Malibamatso, Matsoku) in the North East of Lesotho which contribute into the massive must-see Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Katse dam.
OPEN SEASON!
Trout fishing is something of a pickle, from the rods being lighter to the Bait resembling that of a dragon fly and then the technique of making one’s fly move without disturbing the water in order to create a flowing creature that looks good enough to eat! Trout fishing is a blessed affair in Lesotho; the streams are filled to the brim with flopping, shining, spotted trout. People come from all over to enjoy and marvel in the experience. This month I am celebrating the two seasons combined. Trout season and Spring.
