Noncombustible materials

I found it interesting that the exoskeletons of these roaches proved to be extremely fire resistant.

Wood cockroaches feel the heat

These unfortunate roaches were hiding under the bark of a log that was set alight in the fireplace. They soon got engufed in flames. It was horrible. Should I have tried to rescue them?

Two hands too easy

Odessa challenges Stephen to a hand of foosball - left-hand only,looks like Stephen is in the lead.

Perfect Fire

A good fireplace is simple to light after some learning.

Woodlouse

I kept an eye on this rolypoly all afternoon but it did not unroll. I think it is dead. Where's that sauce recipe?

Snake

I can't identify this snake. I first thought it was a Brown House Snake, then an Olive House Snake, but then I learned that Olive House Snakes have red eyes - so that eliminates that option. I thought it has a head-shape that looks like an African House Snake but I decided it is too small to be that - or maybe it is a young one. On the other hand maybe it is a common Slug Eater. The only thing that seemed to stand out for identification is a pale yellow stripe down its belly. Anyway, all I have left of him is the photographs because I released him back into the garden.

No mouse here.

Invisible Web

These little spiders make huge webs that are so thin that only the little spider can be seen. See if you can spot the spider in the centre of this picture.

Babbling Rapid

I can hear the river flowing from my house.
A moment after the lower picture was taken, a large crab decided to cross the rapid. I circled the intrepid animal in the photo above.

Tranquility

My house is next to a river. I climbed down the steep slope to the river bank and found it to be in a beautifully pristine state.

Insect legs

To prove that these large bugs were not lice, I turned one onto her back. Six legs. They are insects. I noticed that they make a squeaking sound when you touch them. I think they will make good pets.

Squeaking Cockroaches

I disturbed dozens of these insects while cutting old logs for the fireplace. The adults are about 40mm long and sometimes squirt a yellow liquid if you touch them. I thought they were woodlice and read that those crustaceans are edible and one can find wood-louse sauce recipes on the internet. But the lower one in the photograph looks more like a large roach, not a woodlouse at all, but they were all living together. I'll have to count their legs... I did. See next entry. I guess the lower one is a male of the same species.

Cockroaches are difficult to photograph in a group because as soon as you uncover them they run in all directions.

No power - No problem

Odessa lent me her LED headlight. With batteries powering my computers I stay as productive as ever. Much better than candles because the light follows your eye focus, or with a downward adjustment, the computer keyboard.

Goodbye Tigga

Today we found our neighbour's cat dead in our garden. We will miss him.

Video Visit

My son Andrew and granddaughter Kyla.

We are Mongrels

Daughters' dogs, Charlie and Magenta, behave better when they are outside.

Guest Cook

My daughter-in-law, Jessica, came for dinner. She showed Odessa how to make lasagna.

Learning 4 burning

I was surprised to find several good tutorials on the internet.

Ignited at last

The weather was a bit cooler today. Now I discover that a fireplace fire is different to a braai fire. I think I need an instruction manual.

Much room

Make yourself at home

Tigga must think this is his holiday home. His owners seldom see him.