Real threat to water security

There are some questions which a gentleman is not permitted to pose to a lady. In our house, querying the cost of water for her garden is one such taboo line of enquiry.

- BRENDAN SEERY

And I say her garden for two reasons. First, she is the one who puts the most effort into it (when we moved in almost 30 years ago, I was much more energetic). Secondly, when discussing it with people she refers to it as hers. I don't mind being a visitor, though...

These days, she tries to stick to the municipal water restrictions by getting up around 5am to water by hand - and is also out after the sun goes down at 6pm.

Joburg by-laws ban watering of garden between those times. Not that most people bother sticking to that regulation, though.