Obviously

Well, as Oudtsshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world, it had to be. We felt a bit foolish taking photos though, as they are all over the place. A bit like taking a photo of a sheep in Cumbria. 

Oudtsshoorn made its name in Victorian times as the provider of Ostrich feathers  for fashion hats, amongst other things. Ostrich farming brought prosperity to the Little Karoo and made farmers wealthy. Many built ostentatious town houses and these still line the main street. We visited one that is part of the museum complex. Now ostriches are mainly farmed for meat. 

It is very, very hot, so we decided outdoor activities were not sensible, in fact any activity at all was soon thought to be foolish. We wandered the museum and then headed for the Wine estate opposite our guest house, where we tasted wine and had a nice lunch. On our return, sitting in the fabulous garden or one of the summer houses (with bars) or making use of the pool, was as exciting as it got this afternoon. 

Additional to yesterday’s blip 

The plant I have now found out, thanks to several blippers, is an Agave, probably Agave Americana, although it goes by many names. Vernon, who looks after us at the Guest House used a name in Afrikaans that means sewing thread. This afternoon he brought a huge leaf from one in the garden and showed me how to draw a thread from it - it was a strong thread which one would be able to sew with (see extra). The things one learns if one asks.