Some more excerpts from Mama Nightjar and The German (a visit to the Cape) :-)
Which was more enjoyed? The lunch at Kirstenbosch, or the art exhibition, or the mass flowering of both the yellow and orange Strelitzia Reginae? To be able to show a fresh foreigner the flowers, in such abundance and size, tickled me orange! Did you know that these flowers are named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg – Strelitz, the wife of King George III?
Of course, when I mentioned these proud spikes are also called Bird-of-Paradise flowers, my friend was suitably impressed. When I mentioned they are also known as Crane Flowers, it led to a discussion of the way languages can influence each other… crane… kraan… but the imposing line of orange won and we followed it all the way up to my favourites, the cycads. And yes! Crowning as proudly as the Strelitzias. A sight I had not experienced in years. Even the Encephalartos Stangeria was gently pushing up two cones. Some cones were as fat as only a king can dream to be. My friend was gasping. Then the mountain backdrop clinched it for her. She will retire in Cape Town.