Phil Irons in Kirstenbosh ...

Here are two pics of Phil Irons visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Gigi took Phil, his wife Cristina, friend Barbara and Barbara's baby, 'TJ' on a tour of the garden, in the rain, a week after the conference.



Phil hanging on to the limb of a Sneezewood tree (Ptaeroxylon obliquum). Sneezewood is a favourite species for turning. Use of a face-mask when turning this wood is highly recommended as its self explanitory name implies. The wood was used extensively by the early settlers, particularly in the Eastern Cape Province, for building and fencing because of its weather and termite resistance. A couple of years ago, at the Durban AWSA Conference, I successfully bid on a lovely walking stick turned by Collin Merry of Port Elizabeth. He told me later that the stick was turned from a verandah post from one of the old 1820 Settler homes at Salem. I was very pleased to be able to tell him that my maternal ancestors were one of the settler families that settled at Salem in 1820!

This year Phil was the successful bidder on another of Colin's sticks which Colin had specifically turned for him.



Phil with 'TJ' in the conservatory at Kirstenbosch. This was the best place to be in Kirstenbosch as the rain increased steadily during their visit.