Homestead update

 The rains have been frequent as you can see the palms have been swamped.  The MacArthur palm doesn't seem mind at all.  Luckily the water recedes within a day or two it will be back to normal unless there is more heavy rain.

 One little puppy doesn't mind getting wet at all and doesn't

need any excuse to go for a swim. I believe he is part if not full Labrador. 

 The front patio is nearly completed, the lattice work is up and waiting to be prepared for painting. It will be painted in light green like the sunburst.

 I was really tired of this eyesore and had been itching to replace it.

I told Remington my carpenter what I wanted and showed him a few photos. He went to work on it and this is the results. The wood used is treated Honduras pine, it is a denser and stronger pine than the North American yellow pine.

 I applied Thompson water sealer for outdoor wood to prevent water damage and going grey. I  like the natural wood look and will have to continue to keep it oiled.

 I love my new gate! Thank you Remington! If you need a very good carpenter I can recommend Remington just drop me a line!

 On the other side of the homestead the garlic vine (mansoa alliacea) is making a spectacular entrance.

 

August has come to an end, the garden is now lush from the recent rains, slugs and snails are having a feast. My daily and nightly patrols have taken on a more urgent air. I am using salt to eradicate them. Some people say beer will help but I am not sure. Some have told me to use white lime and I will try it again. I am not sure how effective it is in this rainy season. Any non chemical method you use please share. 

It is also time to start pruning the poinsettias, the snow on the mountain and mussaendas if they need it. Now is the time to weed the garden beds, with all the moist soil weeds are easier to pull in our clay soils.  

Golden apples (spondias cythera) aka pommecythere, june plum are still small and are great for making juice. 

To all who are reading and following this blog have a great weekend!

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day August 2013

 After several weeks of drought we finally had some rain. I had made plans to put a liner in an area where there was a mud pond. I had hired the bobcat to come excavate it and was just waiting on my garden helpers to assist me in laying the liner. But  the rains came before I could put my plans into place. I even had to move the liner to higher ground when the water level started rising.

 My bearsie bear looking at the great sea of water that appeared almost overnight.

 The old pond where I planned to put the liner in.

Looks quite beautiful and luckily the palms can weather the storm.

 After the rains out came the blooms.

Yellow zephranthes aka rain lilies

                          

Pink rain lilies

Hello and welcome to Garden Blogger's Bloom Day where gardeners from around the world show what is blooming in their gardens. The weather is extremely hot and humid and not enough rain for the season as yet. I do hope we get more showers.  To see more of what is  blooming please skip over to Carol at May dreams gardens. Have a great week.

under the cocotiers....finale

While in Martinique I met up with another friend Moris whom I hadn't seen for fifteen years. He met us in Trinité on the east coast and took us around.

Basse pointe  a picturesque little bay on the east coast.

Mountain spring water pool tempted me to  wet my feet.

Sea bathers rinse themselves with fresh spring water

We visited a desolate village that was reclaimed by the sea and the inhabitants were forced to move to higher ground. The shrine above is intact and still used.

The village is known as North village. It was a treacherous descent by vehicle and Maurice had to make several 4 point turns to clear the corners.

There were a few people around  and I assumed  that they were visiting like us when I came face to face with a rather large dog in a doorway. I made a U turn and speedily retraced my steps to a much safer place. So someone was still living here.

The oldest church on the island

We visited Grand Rivere where the water was so clear you could see the fish swimming.

 

 

This mother enjoying the water with her chicks.

This road allows the river to run into the sea. During heavy rains it becomes impassable.

the road above led to these homes on the right.

 

On my next trip back to Martinique I will certainly spend some time with my friends in Gros Morne. I was only able to spend a few hours with Moris and his family. I was able to see his  eighty five year old mother who was overjoyed to see me. I had spent many happy vacations at their house some 30 years ago. Miguel Moris' sister was busy at work but we managed to see each other very briefly.  Moris asked me if it  will be another twenty years before I return to Martinique. He said that the last time I had seen him he had hair  on his head and now he has none. He told me that the next time I visit he may not have any teeth. We both laughed and hugged each other. 

Matinik a bientôt

Mangomania has ended

Mango season has come to an end and what a season it had been! This was the largest crop I have ever had. 

My mangoes were well known and was sold out at the market.

I was even the proud mother of a twin!

Today I am officially announcing the end of my mango season. My freezer is filled with bags and bags of mangoes. Today I will be making mango Jam and a mango tart. Will post  the results later.