A very dry February.

Virtually the whole of South Africa is experiencing rain and in some places, flooding. All except for the Western Cape.  We are in the grip of the worst drought in thirty years.  The dams have only two months worth of water left and as a consequence, water usage has been severly reduced and reduced again.  Fines for water usage outside of the stipulations are harsh.  Personally I think the implementation of restrictions was too little, too late.  Our household has always been aware that water is precious and recycled where possible.  Now most people are recycling water from every available source.  We are showering in tubs, collecting the warm-up water from showers and washing up, washing machines are watering our thirsty gardens, the rain tank manufacturers are doing great business, but the tanks are standing empty, downpipes have plastic bags attached to them in the hope of catching any scant rainfall.  The soil is dry, the grass is brown, plants have wilted and the birds are thirsty.  I fill a small container in the garden for them with the clean warm-up water which they dip into often.  It angers me when I see people who have no excuse to be ignorant of the crisis, openly watering their lawns.  When there is no water at all, I would like to see what good a green lawn will do?  On another dry note, I decided to make February an alcohol-free month.  Lime and soda being the tipple of choice. People were somewhat taken aback when I refused an alcoholic drink.  South Africa tends to be a nation of drinkers and socialising invariably includes alcohol.  The first week was quite hard because I had been in the habit of pouring a well-iced glass of white wine in the evenings to accompany the sunset watch.  Once week two was over, that need out of habit had dwindled.  Week three I found that I was feeling more energetic and a little holier than thou. . .  I knew I was going to ace the challenge I had set myself.  Now with two days left to go, I am contemplating a life with minimal alcohol, if any at all.  So all in all a very dry February.