I have been out and about in the arid heart of my country in a vast area known as the Great Karoo. I was surprised, taken aback by the sense of isolation in the park...

Winter is making itself felt. The mornings are downright cold, leaves are falling, and the clouds are putting on more dramatic displays.

We met when I moved in next door. I cannot recall what brought about the actual meeting. There was no foretelling that this was to be a special friendship.

I have gardened for most of my life by now. For me I first woke up to the possible magic of a garden when I met my husband’s grandmother...

Isn’t food interesting? We all have food that defines high days and holidays. We have comfort food and healthy food, naughty food…well, I do!

I have found my own responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine very interesting. As the rumblings began and grew louder, came closer...

I have not read a Joanna Trollope book for many a long year. Then out of the blue my daughter found one of the newer ones...

I have been thinking about how one can disagree productively. Or at the very least how one can disagree without being destructive.

So…how are things? This last year was for me personally a year of upheaval and change. The shape of my life and my days changed.

How fortunate I was as well for I had been born in a time of giants! One of them is being buried today and my language is being used as part of the service. How extraordinary is that?