Friday 14 August 2009: Turning over a New Leaf

The curly tip of this growth shows the beginning of the emergence of a new leaf for this Philidendron Selloum.

At the moment it is protected in a quiver-like pointed sheath, but within a day or two it will free itself from this bondage and soon reach gigantic proportions.

I have measured one of the leaves of this plant, and in length it is 110cm by 80cm wide - not a small leaf at all.

The George Dam now has 34% water, an all time low for as long as people can remember. This means that after December, there will be no more water for the town.

When we first located here, eight years ago, it seemed to be rainy season all year round ... winter and summer.

There used to be a joke about George's car registration plates which have the letters CAW: cold and wet. When the rain became scarce, it changed to : cosy and warm.

It is hard to believe that we are only 8kms from the sea, and that the once lush gardens are turning into dust and that plants are struggling to survive.

Yet, evening and morning dew bring a little relief and for that we are thankful.

• DSLR-A200:
• f/9.0:
• 1/100":
• 70mm:
• ISO 100

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