Our place in France Chapter 63

During this week we received horrific news of the terrible storm in the Western Cape, closely followed by the even worse news of the fires in Knysna. We had seen warnings on the news of the approaching storm and even phoned the family to find out if reports that the schools would be closed were true. It was true, and with good reason as the winds ripped through Cape Town and surroundings at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour, accompanied by torrential rain. Many people had roofs torn off and trees were blown over but luckily our family suffered only minor damage. The huge awning over the deck on one side of the house was split down the middle but may be able to be repaired. On the other side of the house, the two car car-port which has a corrugated iron roof was lifted right off its supports and came crashing down again, landing fortunately on the wall of the next door property, and not on the cars, but with some puffing and panting and a fair amount of muscle, it was lifted back up and replaced on its poles. Andre then made sure it would not happen again by bolting it in place.

Almost simultaneously we heard the first reports of the fires in Knysna – our old home town. As the day went on, the reports continued to flow in – by phone and on the internet. And as they came, they got more and more horrifying. Whole suburbs were being consumed by the vicious flames, fanned by gale force winds. We still know a lot of people who live there and were desperate to find out if any of them had suffered damage. Needless to say, some had. I think the worst story we heard was of an eighty-something year old couple who had lost everything. How on earth does one start again at that age! My heart really goes out to people like that. Our whole day was spent checking the internet every half hour or so for updates, hoping to hear that it had started raining, but no such luck. The storm that had ravaged Cape Town had blown out to sea and taken the rain with it. Water supplies were getting scarce in Knysna and residents were being asked to use as little water as possible. A difficult ask when your house is in danger of being burnt down. In the end some 10,000 people were evacuated to different locations in the town which were deemed safe. Even the lagoon was not  a safe place to be as the howling wind was whipping up enormous waves and a boat that was ferrying people from the Western Head apparently broke in two while trying to get across the wild water. For those who were there it must have been a terrifying ordeal, while those who had relations and friends there were suffering too as all communications were lost. This is a disaster of the greatest magnitude.

Meanwhile, back in France, summer is upon us and the temperature today is 32 degrees with a promise of 33 by Wednesday. The house, which was so very cold in Winter, is now beautifully cool and we have had the shutters closed all day to keep out the heat. It seems to work rather well. Once things cool off a bit tonight, we will open everything again and let the cool in in preparation for tomorrow. The weather forecasters have already told us that this will be a torrid summer and I am not looking forward to it one little bit.

I do so wish you could all hear the bird that has been singing outside our window for most of the afternoon. It sounds just like a canary, with chirps and whistles and trills, but I can’t see it and have no idea what it is I just know it is lovely to listen to.

Some more good news is that the lilies that were given to us last year and were planted last July, have at last flowered and what a show they have made. We planted them at the bottom of the front steps at the edge of the road against the grey stone wall and they really look very good. We may not be gardeners yet, but we are getting there. Our veggie garden is also coming on well, as is the rockery. I will send some pictures once the rockery plants are bigger than the rocks and can be seen!