Pinney Posts

The walk through the woods this Sunday morning was livened a little by a sunbathing crocodile.  So, they do come out and walk about, even out of the rainy season.  Also, our 'drain dwelling' friend further in town had found a new spot that drew a bit of attention.  It was easy, though maybe not wise, to get about 6ft from it.  Just as I said 'is it dead?'  it flicked open an eye.  Yah, yer trickster...     I have started to check the swimming pool for crocodiles. Seeds are now in pots: tomatoes, squash, cannas and spinach.  Compost is doing its thing in a bucket and got very hot during the week.  There is always a sense of belonging and investing when making a garden.  Amid the ongoing speculation, we are glad of every pay cheque and will hopefully get some homegrown tomatoes before June. SIAO, the massive African Art Fair is on.  I had big hopes and organised a bus trip.     Rocks from Mali      ...

 Luke screeched to a halt, brakes tested and working.  I stopped behind him but alarmingly close to the 5 foot crocodile that was sunning itself in the large open drain.  It was true.  The crocs move around the city and it isn't even the rainy season yet. I moved respectfully out of the way while Luke moved into its space to take a photo.  It slid down a bit, perhaps half thinking of sliding back under cover.  Its belly was full to bursting, so no room for a full grown Brummie in there.   When I look at this photo, I can't believe we were so near... We have started doing our garden.  It takes a pick axe to break up the soil.  Inherited pot bound shrubs and plants have been forced out screaming and finally given some space to grow.  Hopefully most will adjust to this new life.  Luke took a wheel barrow round to what we think is the local salvage yard.  It is run, perhaps, by an elderly man who seems to also live on top of t...

 Not our usual seeing in the New Year!  I am sat in our upgraded room in  Casablanca.  I slept through the New Year, again.  Luke saw in the New Year, again, and is asleep next to me.  We will honour the sea dip tradition though and have already found our perfect spot which we will walk to later. An upgraded room means you have further to walk to your tiny bathroom.  I think we won this privilege due to spotting a sudden burst water tank and averting serious hotel room flooding.  Heroes with wheelie suitcases.   It didn't feel particularly heroic, more annoying when the manager would not get off his arse and the flood was picking up momentum.  My French for 'please give us a bucket while we wait' didn't work and many a towel was lost to the fight.  We need to add some more phrases to our French lessons list... We have walked a lot of Casablanca.  Sadly both too scruffy to go to Ricks Cafe-no trainers, no jeans, no sports w...