"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Monday, 21 November 2011

Hot as...?

Wow - talk about extremes.


When we arrived on the farm on Friday it was a warm, but comfortable 27 - 28oC (82 - 83oF).


RMan got started on fitting the new belt to the mower, whilst I started on de-rocking and forking / raking through a new area in the shade cloth veggie patch.  Englishman knew of, and offered the assistance of a local labourer he uses, which, after all the effort of the first bed, I gratefully, and willingly, accepted.  But he was only due to work on Saturday.


Why didn't we do more while we could...!
Dashboard temperature gauge
displaying (driving) external temperature
Saturday was absolutely unbearable!  We had to go to a ratepayers meeting (which lasted from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.) - and sitting in a smallish room with a corrugated tin roof, together with about 20 - 25 other people, the heat became stifling.
Pool thermometer hanging by
a window in the farm house
Driving home after the meeting, the car's external temperature display gave us a reading of 35oC (95oF).  Opening the door and stepping into the house the (pool) thermometer showed a very comfortable 24oC (75oF) - a clear indication that the double glazing, vaulted ceiling and the new ceiling panels are all doing their job. How can double glazing in new builds / renovations not be required by law in this country?  Yes, it is about 50% more expensive, but the power saving from not having to use heaters / air conditioners, should surely be the driving force behind such a law.  Given the sad state of our power supply, and the predicted sad state of same, I am at a loss.  And as for corrugated tin roofs - when on earth are they going to completely ban those heat traps?
Car dashboard thermometer driving home last night
Then finally, driving home at 10.30 p.m. last night, as we approached Cape Town on the N2, we drove through a heavy rain storm.  There the temperature was even more comfortable.  A measly 13oC  (55oF)


This range is almost like hopping on a plane in the southern hemisphere during a heatwave and arriving in Europe 12 hours later to their autumn / winter temps!


Heat makes me wilt - the cooler weather immediately rejuvenates me.


Thank goodness RMan is making eco-friendly provisions to ease the discomfort on the farm... (sorry, you'll have to wait until later in the week for info on that :)  )
Posted by Dani at 14:29:00
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14 comments:

  1. Mr. H.21 November 2011 at 15:17

    Wow, talk about extreme swings in temperature. What month is the hottest for you?

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  2. Jane @ Hard Work Homestead21 November 2011 at 16:31

    Wow that is hot. Your pumpkins are not going to be happy about that.

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  3. johnnyb21 November 2011 at 17:00

    A crisp 10 degrees F here this morning. We need to split the difference.

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  4. Dani21 November 2011 at 17:04

    Mr H - February and March are our best months in Cape Town. Hotter than h*ll and very little wind :)

    Jane - I specifically checked my pumpkin plants and they have masses of flowers - even a female one - on each plant! They are certainly 10 times bigger than my town ones, and very healthy living. Here in town - no, they didn't like the 33oC heat of Saturday... Go figure!?

    John - Deal!

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  5. Tami21 November 2011 at 18:04

    Gosh, I hope things calm down. If the oven stays on you'll have a tough summer, much like the one we had here in the States. I'm so curious to see how your potted pumpkins turn out!

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  6. johnnyb21 November 2011 at 20:31

    What are your coldest months and what temps?

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  7. Linda21 November 2011 at 21:51

    You are so right about the roofing. We built before we learnt about all this stuff, so our roof is corrugated iron and our house becomes unbearable in summer. We just try and suffer through it but a couple of years ago we had a run of 40degree plus days, many in the mid 40's, and the house was uninhabitable! I have planted trees near the house and hope when they grow, the house will be cooler. Congratulations on your cool home. A job well done!

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  8. Unknown21 November 2011 at 22:44

    I'd die in that heat - anything over 30 makes me dizzy! Do most of your crops need to be covered to protect them from the sun?

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  9. Diana Studer21 November 2011 at 23:27

    We have a metal roof, but we planned a green house. It is insulated, with whirly-birds to draw out the heat. Just one small window on the afternoon sun side. Deep eaves for summer shade. A deep verandah at the living-room. Everyone who comes into the house in summer says how cool it is!

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  10. Frogdancer22 November 2011 at 02:36

    Just thought I'd pop in to saythat I've ordered a solar oven. Very excited!

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  11. MsBelinda22 November 2011 at 09:37

    Indeed those are big temperature swings.

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  12. Dani22 November 2011 at 11:36

    Tami - Yes, I read about your temperatures. Hopefully ours wont be as drastic for as long. I will post about my potted pumpkins :)

    John - Coldest are June / July / August - ranging from -6 to -7oC upcountry and here in Cape Town we hit about 3 - 4oC

    Linda - Thanks :) One of our farming neighbours has a green tin roof - it's hotter then hell in his upstairs room!

    Tanya - Yup - I can't take major heat also - must be my English birth / roots :)

    Elephant's Eye - Clever girl - whirly birds and the small window must certainly help :)

    Frogdancer - Very, very cool - congratulations. Now your cooking fun begins :)

    MsBelinda - Pretty hectic - I was surprised too!

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  13. Jody22 November 2011 at 20:44

    That sounds very hot, and very different than our weather here. Our garden could use a few more weeks of less than freezing temps. Maybe you can send a few of your extra degrees to PA!

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  14. Dani23 November 2011 at 07:16

    Jody - Reckon a temperature swop is just what is needed LOL

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Thank you for taking the time to comment - it makes my day and removes the "loneliness' of sitting at my screen blogging supposedly to myself ;) I try and reply as quickly as possible so please forgive me if sometimes my response is delayed.

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