27 January 2014

Hot dogs on St James Peak

 Waiting ...
Eventually we got going - meeting Thea and Pauline and Alice and Maddie at the bottom of Pecks. (The Alph was cycling again and Sue is having a whole-day birthday party.) Maddie had never met Laddie before, and just ignored him, even though he was getting all the attention.
It was quite hot and we were grateful for all the water that is still flowing in the little stream that runs down Pecks Valley.
We saw a pale Brown-bearded Sugarbush (Protea speciosa)
and some Green Sticky Heath (Erica urna-viridis) - a Peninsula endemic - with what looks like spider webs caught on the flowers.
Tea at last - near a King Protea (Protea cynaroides) growing in the rocks - a welcome break for a shady scottie nap.
But no naps for the PEST during tea. "Wait for me!" He likes to be near the Food Lady, unlike me. I don't care who I am near. And where are the two black dogs?
Emerging from the shade. Being dignified.
We carried on through the hot fynbos with the mountains across False Bay seeming to float in the sky. A few Watsonia tabularis (another Peninsula endemic) flowers poking up through the bushes.
White horses being whipped up on False Bay. A very welcome breeze! Cape Point in the very distance,
and to the left, the sun blazing down on Sunrise Beach and Zeekoevlei.
Shooting the breeze. (And checking for baboons.)
Thea and Pauline on St James Peak.  
A very hot Red Crassula (Crassula coccinea).
Maddie checking out the path far below. (And looking for lizards or dassies.)
Me checking the path we walked up - you can see it snaking its way up Pecks Valley. Quite a slog for a little hot Scot.
Another Peninsula endemic the Golden Spiderhead (Serruria villosa) flowering profusely.
Still such a long way to go!
Rose Slangbos (Metalsia rosea) is a rare plant that only occurs on the Cape Peninsula - on south-facing peaks on Table Mountain Sandstone. There were quite a few flowering here today - in fact, the Food Lady has never seen so many.
Down we went, and it was sooo hot
I had to keep stopping to let the wind cool my face.
But soon we were back at the cars and having a drink.
A Ridgeback wearing a hoodie barked at us from below
while his parents drank wine in the shade next to their vineyard and waved at us.
We were then deserted while the Alph and the Food Lady went to visit Honey and Sue to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sue who is celebrating her 60th birthday! Wow. Congratulations on reaching such a milestone Sue. Wish I could have been there but we are planning a celebration at Daisy later on in the year in which we hope to participate.
They had a great time at the party - especially as there were lots of Sunday walkers there too - including Sophie-from-France who arrived with some delicious French cheese and saucisson. Then it was home for long, long sleeps. We were all quite exhausted (except maybe the PEST who keeps going on and on till we are all thoroughly annoyed with him.)

20 January 2014

Piping hot!


This Sunday the Alph decided to start his Argus Cycle Tour Training so he didn't join us for our walk, but Pauline, Sue and Honey did - and also our human brother Phil. We decided to do a gentle stroll, through some beautiful Australian flowering gums (which the Food Lady loves even though she knows they shouldn't be here),
and along the Pipe Track.
Sue, Honey and Pauline. It was lovely and shady and cool to start with,
 (Phil looking cool near a dead, burned gum tree)
with a Southeaster wind blowing over the top of Table Mountain.
So many paths to choose! I was confused. We went up a bit,
and I was a bit depressed to read this as it was getting hot and I am really out of condition.
But luckily the Lad found a tea spot not far along,
and we stopped for a welcome cuppa and some Sue biscuits and Pauline dates. Me in the shade, the Lad, Phil, Honey, Sue and Pauline with Lion's Head in the distance.
Laddie tried to make friends with Honey, but she wasn't having any of his rather pushy overtures.
Instead of turning back as planned, the Food Lady said we should carry on as it was so pleasant, so we continued along the Pipe Track to this stone pumphouse which is over a hundred years old.
Phil couldn't resist climbing up onto it.
Then we turned round and started the long trudge back. At least I had my friend Honey for company (although sometimes I don't think she really likes me all that much but she doesn't say nasty things to me anymore so we are getting there).
A little Hibiscus aethiopicus growing in the hot stony path.
Some welcome shade as we came round the corner.
We passed the alien gums again,
and I thought I saw some movement among the flowers ... but maybe the heat was getting to me.
And eventually my kind human brother carried me back to the car
where we had a welcome drink out of our new fold-out drinking bowl from Maggie May and Kirby.
The PEST insisted on climbing over the back of the car - luckily the Alph wasn't there to shout at him to go back into the dog box!
But WHAT is this back at Phil and Kerryn's house?
A teeny tiny little lad called Harvey. He is a Botson Terrier and belongs to Phil and Kerryn - having arrived yesterday from PE in an aeroplane.
Lord preserve me! Not another pest. I'm outta here.
Laddie appropriated Harvey's mat and ate his rawhide chew.
There are lots of bottles of Bruichladdig in this house that refer to the PEST.
The boys had a nice game with Kerryn - the PEST looking like a great big rhino next to teeny weeny Harvey - who is quite feisty even though he looks like a deep thinking pup.
Phil and Kerryn had prepared a healthy, Tim Noakes approved lunch with chickens,
and cauli-mash and salad. Followed by fresh fruit salad and full cream yoghurt. Yummm.
Then some of the boys fell asleep,
It had been quite a hot and exciting day ...