Hi guys and gals!

[Squirrel]

Been eyeing the forum out for a while and today took the plunge and joined!

Weather here lovely and warm - looks as though the old hosepipe is going to have to come out as I am on sandy soil and everything is wilting after only a few days of sunshine.

Am attempting to follow Geoff Hamilton's 'Ornamental Kitchen Garden' and reduce some of my lawn (find it difficult to mow these days - the old legs give up so quickly!) I find it quite theraputic sitting and weeding! Most of the seedlings I have put into the garden were sown in pots as I felt that they would have a better chance to get on.

Like Vicki I am not p.c., but do have a very warped sense of humour and find things here in the UK very strange having been brought up in sunny Africa - don't get me wrong, love it over here, but do miss the sand, sun and BIG waves! Oh also Biltong, 'wors - well the south african's will know what I am on about. Willing to educate you Brits if you're interested!!!

[Birdie Wife]

Hello Squirrel and welcome! I joined a couple of months ago and now I'm addicted! It's a good bunch of Grapes here, as you've probably worked out already if you've been checking the Vine for a wee while.

I for one am interested in being educated about Biltong! Meg, veg, drink? Can you make it? Maybe you should run a competition so that people could try and guess first, could be interesting?

[cotton54321]

Hi Squirrel

Great to have another newbie on the forum. It is such a great resource for all those silly questions you may have or be able to answer!
Look forward to your posts!

Mel

[Squirrel]

Thanks for the welcome!

With regard to Biltong - great idea to have a competition! Guess what it might be, but what are we going to do for a prize? Needless to say rules are going to have to exclude South African's and anyone who has lived there!

Any one any tips for growing spinach? Sowed seed two and a half weeks ago and while all the peas, courgettes, sweetcorn, cabbage etc is up not a shoot to be seen! Can it be too hot for them to germinate or is the seed to fresh? Have heard that old seed germinates better!

Kath

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Squirrel and welcome to the grapevine. I will take first prize. Biltong is dried meat which I am pretty sure you can buy in this country. Am I right that it is dried to preserve it and also so it can be eaten on long journeys?

[nick the grief]

Hi Squirrel, Welcome to the Vine.

A fellow admirer of the late great Geoff Hamilton eh, I was at Barnsdale the other week it was soooo peaceful it was untrue. I sort of used the cottage garden to do mine but it's in need aof a good seeing too really, so I might re do all the beds with drought lovers just incase we get the global warming.

[sewer rat]

Squirrel
Haven't a clue about biltong, or your spinach query - never tried to grow it myself - but just wanted to say hi and welcome - but watch out cos the lunatics are taking over the asylum.

[Sunbeam]

Hi there Squirrel

Glad you have joined the fun - I'm pretty new to this & to growing my own - but I'm getting there slowly, but surely- with a little help from my friends!!!! Biltong is similar to beef jerky isn't it?? Do I win a prize too - anything chocolatey is good!!!!!!

[Alice]

Hi squirrel, don't know what your problem is with the spinach. I always grow it - love it in curries with lamb etc. This years crop well up. give it a few more days and if nothing happens resow. Good luck and welcome.

[Shortie]

LJ, I think you're right.... I seem to remember being told by my Brit mate who was married to an SA lass that it was came about form when SA was divided and peops moved to the mountains and needed to store their meat for a long time until they setlled etc.. (Trying to gently skirt around the politics part here as I don't want to start something! ). If I remember right it's quite salty and something of delicacy? I think you can buy it here, sure I've seen it in a local farm shop here that is (strangely enough) frequented by SA bods

[bramble]

Hi, Just wanted to say welcom to all you newbies. It was'nt that long ago since i joined and i got a great welcome on board from everybody. I just know you will love this site, everybody is so helpful and no politics involved as happens on some other sites i could mention.

[Squirrel]

Yes guys and gals - you are right! Biltong is made from salted and spiced raw meat which is air dried. Some say an aquired taste! My kids teethed on the stuff and consequently love it! Glad to say there are some butchers who know how to make it as well as our more traditional beef sausage - also very spicy, smells lovely when cooking on the braai, bbq to you! Sorry no prizes but the warmth of your welcome is in my heart. Will that do?!!!