LANGEBAAN VISIT – September (1)

September 2022

Garden close to our home

What a surprise! Berto bought two plane tickets to Cape Town and we got to spent a few wonderful days in our hometown, Langebaan.

In Cape Town, one of our friends’ son had a big 21^st birthday bash and we were happy to join all of them for this special occasion. And then we travelled 120km to Langebaan … it was good to be back home (even if it was only for a couple of days) and to spend quality time with my mum. It was a great opportunity to check that everything was still in order at our house and to pack our suitcases with more stuff to bring back to East London.

I also enjoyed a lovely breakfast with one of our fellow bloggers, Aletta (nowathome). You will find the most beautiful photo’s on her blog (I’ve learned a lot from her regarding all the different flowers and plants in our region). Thank you Aletta for making time to meet me and for your thoughtful gifts.

Although Berto still had to work, the change of scenery was just what he needed. And I was excited to see that there were still a few flowers around to announce spring on the West Coast of South Africa. Thus, brace yourselves for a couple of flower posts!

Just around the corner from our home is a beautiful public garden. Although it’s not big, it certainly is a great place to just stroll around and admire all the plants and flowers. My mum and I chose a lovely sunny morning to see what the garden has to offer.

There are an abundance of African daisies and gazanias this time of year. My mum knows most of the plant and flower names (though, most of them just in Afrikaans … so, my apologies if I gave them the wrong name). Let me know if I need to correct some of them – that way, I’m also learning ☺️.

A plant that grows really well here on the West Coast, are succulents. They don’t need much rain and basically takes care of themselves. Back home, we have many pots with succulents which looks great all year round.

It’s only when one walks slowly, that you see all the colourful bushes of flowers on the ground.

I am always amazed to see a certain tree/plant that leans over, it almost forms an arch and is in most gardens in Langebaan. I had to google this plant and find the name very appropriate – it is called a Foxtail or Lion’s tail.

(Update: This is actually called a Foxtail Agave attenuata – thanks Aletta).😊

There are also many types of aloes in the garden, yet another plant that does not need a lot of water and looks really pretty when they bloom.

The next flower is probably my favourite in this garden – the Rock Purslane. It’s a bright pink, got the most delicate petals and smells nice.

I always enjoy a stroll through this garden, especially during spring and I’m really happy that I could see all the plants and flowers on our quick visit.

On our way back home, we walked past our neighbour’s house. They also have some lovely flowers in their garden and I stopped quickly to take photos of the most colourful ones.

Once a year, around the end of September or beginning of October, my Amaryllis will bloom. I have this plant now for 8 years and always enjoy its flowers. When we left Langebaan, my Amaryllis had seven buds and will probably start to bloom within the next two weeks. My mum promised to take photos once all the flowers are open and then send it to me … but in the meantime, here is a photo of my Amaryllis with all its flowers open, taken last year.

In our next post, we are taking a drive into the West Coast National Park and Postberg Nature Reserve … on the lookout for more flowers and scenic landscapes. See you there.