The crops are flowering

The maize is tasseling and the cobs are forming; in order for cross pollination of the hybrid varieties to take place some tassels are removed by hand.

Maize tassel (male flower)

Fred removing tassel flower

 

 

The female cob grows silk on which the pollen falls to fertilize the seeds.  The high yielding hybrid varieties produce 2 cobs per plant,

Shopping

We are surrounded by traders, prices are very reasonable and shop fronts colourful and attractive.  There are big supermarkets in the cities, the markets and trading posts line the roads. 

Shop names are descriptive and entertaining.

This is where we buy our beans.

Mr Ndala will find anything from a USB cable to a watch batter (30p)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The older girls wrap themselves in colourful kitenge prints.

 Time Off
Terri has the Horticulture Correspondence College RHS Level 2 resource material which occupied a good proportion of Nicola and Steve's weight allowance.  Many happy hours will be spent learning all matters horticultural.

The first of 2 huge lever arch files.

Roger, Terri's brother, a beekeeper from Aberystwyth tells us his bees are flying and foraging, this is indeed a sign of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
T and I