We have a rather romantic idea of spring.
Blossoms.
Birdsong.
Longer days.
Open windows.
The first proper braai of the season.
Spring, meanwhile, is standing outside saying:
“That’s adorable.”
Because spring has other ideas.
Especially on the Highveld.
Along with the warmer days come thunderstorms, lightning, wind, hail, swimming pools, road trips and
all sorts of things that have spent winter quietly waiting for their moment.
So, instead of another “Spring has sprung” message, we thought we’d ask:
If Spring could talk, what would it tell us?
Probably something like this…
“Before you admire my first thunderstorm, clean your gutters.”
Nobody admires a gutter.
There are no Instagram accounts dedicated to beautiful downpipes.
But after months of dry weather, leaves and debris have had plenty of time to settle in.
Then that first serious thunderstorm arrives.
Suddenly the humble gutter becomes one of the most important pieces of engineering attached to your house.
Give it some love before the clouds arrive.
“While you’re admiring my blossoms… look up.”
That tree in the garden may be looking magnificent again.
But what about the branch that didn’t survive winter?
Strong winds have a wonderful ability to identify weak branches for us.
Unfortunately, they occasionally deposit them on cars and roofs afterwards.
A quick look around now could save an interesting conversation later.
“About that first braai…”
We South Africans don’t need much encouragement here.
One mildly warm Saturday afternoon and suddenly the tongs appear.
Before declaring braai season officially open, check the gas bottle, connections and equipment.
Should you be making a proper braai, perhaps don’t appoint the family member who believes the
solution to every braai problem is “Gooi meer Blitz!” as Chief Fire Officer.
Every family has one.
“Your spare tyre misses you… and no, not the one around your waist.”
Spring means weekends away, road trips and adventures.
Which makes now a surprisingly good time to check the tyres, wipers, oil, coolant and that lonely spare
wheel hiding under the boot.
Discovering your spare tyre has been flat since 2023 is considerably less amusing on the side of the N3.
“Winter may have left you a few presents.”
Take ten minutes and walk around your property.
Just look.
A cracked wall.
A loose roof tile.
A damaged fence.
A leaking tap.
Something that has shifted, rusted, loosened or stopped working.
Most big problems are considerably cheaper while they’re still small problems.
And perhaps that’s Spring’s real message.
Good risk management isn’t about worrying about everything that could possibly go wrong.
What a miserable way to live.
It’s about noticing.
Preparing.
Fixing the little things.
Making sure we’re still properly prepared for the lives we’re actually living.
And then getting on with enjoying them.
So, when that first glorious sunny day arrives…
Open the windows.
Get outside.
Light the braai.
Smell the flowers.
Enjoy the sunshine.
Spring is coming.
Just clean the gutters first.
Until next time, stay safe, stay prepared and enjoy the new season.
