The weather is incredibly hot these days. As the past couple of months weren’t exactly typical, weather-wise, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But I am disappointed at the lack of rain. Maybe windy MARCH will bring some with it and as the saying goes in Libya : مطر مارس دهب خالص or perhaps it’s a translated saying: March rain is pure gold. There were a few days in January and February that were very cold, other than that – warm weather all round. The children are delighted of course because they can spend more time playing, but I desperately want it to rain for my newly planted trees. We’ve planted some carobs and some pines. Ambitious? Perhaps; but there are some pine trees already in the area (don’t go too far with your imagination), so I can hope. The carobs which are indigenous to the Mediterranean hills should be everywhere, yet I haven’t seen one in years! I remember that in my childhood there were two large carob trees near my maternal grandfather’s house, beneath which we would play, their large branches shading us from the relentless midday sun. So I’m determined to have carobs near my own house, hopefully. In fact I wanted to plant ten saplings, but my husband advised me not to dream too much. Well, it is his hometown so maybe he’s right. But for the past three years or so, I’ve been enjoying the thought that this particular area in the Jebel Gharbi (western mountains) , was actually becoming greener, and nothing is going to shake my resolve. Plant more carobs I will. Anyhow I think I’ll give March a chance to prove itself before passing final judgment on this rainless season.
‘Mle’ib’ (( مليعب ))known for its Pine and Eucalyptus trees, is a favourite picnicking or ‘zarda’ grounds. Also a scout camping retreat, it is situated on the road to al-Gal’a ((القلعة)), the highest point in the Jebel Gharbi -approximately 986 metres, if anyone wants to know.
