Corner View - Winter

Winter here in Salalah is a bit like spring in most other parts of the world. It is pleasantly warm and sunny, wih daytime highs of around 26°C and nighttime lows of 19°C. In fact, it's an ideal time for planting seeds. My New Year's resolution was to make a herb garden, and it's now well under way. Seeds only take a few days to germinate here, and I'm now beginning to transplant some of the seedlings to the earth. They include coriander, basil, parsley, thyme, dill, chives, celery, lemon grass and chili peppers. Most of the plants should be ready to pick some time in March or April, when the temperatures will be up in the 30°s, and it will be getting a little too hot for planting seedlings.

Whilst I was out in the garden I heard the plaintive cries of a two-week old kitten, which had been left on our roof by its mother. We really had to get him down, as he sounded quite distressed. He's got one wonky ear, but he's cleaned up quite well and is happily taking baby formula from an ear dropper. His name is Fred. Our other cat, Sid, who I also found abandoned, is a little bit jealous of him though. Every time he sees the kitten, he walks off in a huff, and only deigns to come home again when he's hungry.