COVID and nature notes 2022 (6)

[anna_wing]

I was away in Singapore for medical check-ups, now that it is mostly open. No quarantine needed for COVID-vaccinated people, and no masks needed outdoors except in crowded situations. They're still obligatory indoors and on the excellent public transport, which I took a lot of, since it was school holidays, and rental cars were not to be had, so I was grateful for that. Most people on the street still wore masks anyway, which I also appreciated in a crowded city. My knees complained rather, since I swim for cardio normally, and they weren't used to so much exertion. But the hotel had a tub, so I stocked up on bath bombs and soaked in hot water, as the closest I will be able to get to the onsen experience for a while...a new wave of COVID variants is apparently expected in a month or two, drat it.

I returned to find that the bananas are looking good (the plant flowered quite unexpectedly this year), and that one dragonfruit plant of the three has its first two fruits developing nicely. The eldest citron tree is doing very well this year too: eight fruits, none as big as the first year's monsters, but bigger than the disappointing lemon-sized things of the last couple of years. Presumably it needed the rest, and I expect the augmented compost regime helped too. Since we have candied peel coming out our ears, I have directed Housekeeper to try covering them in melted dark chocolate. A Singaporean friend took me to a nursery, and I bought a couple of dozen packets of fancy vegetable seed for the office gardeners to try growing. Black cherry tomatoes and purple sweet peppers, and red basil!

Alas, the birds who built their nest in the citron tree (not wise, it was completely out in the open) had their hatchling killed by crows.

Comments

[shirebound]

It sounds like there will be a nice fruit harvest soon! Chocolate-covered candy peel sounds delicious.

You taught me a new word this morning: onsen

[anna_wing]

It absolutely is, and shouldn't be too difficult to make. I hope that you will have the chance to encounter an actual onsen, they're absolutely lovely, especially after a long day's walking. I was very happy to see that WalkJapan, my favourite tour company, has so far survived the pandemic, and is doing its onsen walking tours. Hopefully Japan will open by autumn, which is my favourite time of year there (autumn leaves, nice cool weather, persimmons and chestnut wagashi...)

[flemmings]

Chocolate covered candy peel is a delight. The upscale chocolatiers at the end of the street sell it for heart-stopping prices.

And your own dragon fruit! Also sold for heat-stopping prices hereabouts.

[anna_wing]

It is my favourite way to eat chocolate. Selfridges in London used to sell fabulous dried fruit dipped in chocolate - cherries, apricots, pears, ginger...all delicious. Dragonfruit is a local product here, so it actually sweet.