Spring is in the air

The storks were spotted and the swallows are flying around.

Every afternoon just before sunset one of the turtle doves is calling out. I wonder whether it has lost its partner because I never see the second one.

This is the time I am getting rid of the last patches of weeds. The sun is usually too hot during the day except for today. It is overcast and it looks like we are going to have lightning and thunder this evening.

3 turtles are living in the garden. The smallest is the dominant male harassing the bigger male when it comes near the back of the garden where a female is crawling around. There might be new turtles this year.

The only one the small male turtle is afraid off is Zakaria. As soon as it spots Zakaria it is running away to the nearest hiding place. If not, it gets picked up and moved around the garden.

We are enjoying the blossoms and the greens coming out.

Most spices are a success. On top of mint, sage, citronella and rosemary, I am now trying for oregano. A few lavender plants have survived, but the thyme which I had since 2 years is dead.

Cumin, black sesame, strawberries and tomatoes from scratch are other experiments this year.

Zakaria loves to help out in the garden and loves to see everything grow. He is also very interested in all the insects and copied from others how to manage those using twigs.

Once in a while the garden is not enough and a visit to Mohamed Khaliel is needed as a distraction. This is in general done by taking a ride on the tractor when Khaliel is taking a tank full of water to his family.