Birdsong and Coral bushes
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2021. I hope you have a wildly better year than you expect. I also hope that you have not lost loved ones in this second COVID spike. Our deepest condolences if you have.
They say it’s best to focus on what we can be grateful for and we are keeping busy, working all over as always. And driving. I know planes are supposed to be safe, but it just feels like you can’t do social distancing on them properly. So when I had to do a site visit in Kimberley this week, I decided to take a road trip . I’ve known the architect on the project for years, so I’m surprised he had to ask me whether I’m crazy. Anyway, I’m glad I drove because I discovered a gem of a B&B in Bloemfontein. It was recommended to me and I made a booking without researching it, so I had no expectations. The place blew me away from the gate. It has generous grounds with tree avenues, sculpture, cattle and orchards; inspiring indigenous planting, architecture, interior design and artwork. And all I had to pay for was the B&B part! Anyway, it’s called Liedjiesbos (I must say the birdsong was a bit over the top). Check it out and, you know, the next time you stay over in Bloemfontein... by the way, I’m not being paid to write any of this. I don’t think this blog has gone viral enough for that yet.
If you’ve been following us on social media you will have seen the post on the seventh of 25 projects that we’re showcasing as part of our 25-year birthday celebrations, a pedestrianized public square on Kerk St in downtown Johannesburg. Also posted was a video showing progress on the Conradie Park near Cape Town. The Houghton Hotel won the Spa and Wellness category in the AHEAD Awards (Africa and Middle East). And you would have seen how BIH in Botswana is looking.
‘til next time.
Stuart
Erythrina humeana, (Dwarf Coral Tree) in flower at Liedjiesbos. This is one of three low-growing Erythrinas that one doesn’t see often enough in gardens. E zeyheri (Ploughbreaker) and E acanthocarpa (Tambuki Thorn) also call this garden home.