Honey comes walkies

Today was a very exciting day as it was Honey's first walk. She has come to live with and look after Sue - although this photo is of Honey with Kate from Canada who also joined us on the walk with Greg from Canada, and Richard and Josie. 

We set off from the Brooklands ghost town,

through excitingly enticing tortoise-filled veld,

to the Kleinplaas Dam - still quite full as you can see from the marker. We both had a dip in the water but Honey refused to leave Sue's side, and Josie said too many other dogs had polluted the water and she would rather not thanks very much.

After that refreshing swim, we walked across the dam wall which was abuzz with activity - dogs, joggers and hikers.

The path was very sandy, and full of flowers

like this Aristea africana

and this Roella triflora

It started to get quite hot so we made use of any little shade we found

while the Food Lady did some phlower photography. These are Prismatocarpus fruticosus.

Me and Josie.

Then it was tea - er champagne - time. Kate had bought a bottle to celebrate new year and Greg being here, and so had the Alph,

so there was lots to go round and the six humans polished off two bottles remarkably fast.

Anyone for more? No thanks. We prefer Cape mountain water.

Richard, Josie, Greg (almost hidden in the shade of the Leucospermum), Sue, Kate and the Alph.

Now now Alph! We still need to find our way home.

Even Honey lightened up somewhat. I don't think she likes us though. She called us some names that I can't repeat on the blog and told me where to go and put myself in no uncertain terms. But as it's her first walk and this is all new to her, we forgave her.

On the way back, everything was beautiful to the Food Lady - especially the dried flower heads of one of her favourite plants - Bergtee (Syncarpha gnaphaloides).

The next dam came into view just as I thought I was going to expire from the heat.

Luckily none of us were authorized, so we all went through the gate

and Dougal and I had another very welcome dip in the glorious, cool, rooibos tea-coloured water.

Sue had a foot-dip and even Honey eventually had a dainty drink but not a swim thanks.

The glamorous Kate.

A perfect Rain Spider egg case but no spider to eat. (Dougal and I have both been known to swallow spiders.)

Looking back at the Lewis Gay Dam wall - with two lone swimmers sitting on the top.

A short hike up the road ...

and we were back at the Brooklands car park where we were met by this polite fox terrier.