Huffing and puffing at Daisy

Over the long weekend we went to Daisy. I wasn't feeling very well. In fact I haven't been feeling at all well lately. I just don't seem to have very much breath left in me and feel like I have been climbing Table Mountain all the time. But after we arrived, I felt a bit better. They have put up a fence so that we cant go foraging in the veld which made Laddie feel most indignant.

We went for a walk after unpacking and having a cup of tea - we were all feeling shell-shocked after the slow slow traffic all the way here. But it was Freedom Day after all so everyone was out and about.

So it was lovely to sink into the cool cool water of the southern tip of Africa.

There were lots of fishermen,

which meant lots of dead pajama sharks for me to scavenge. I may be feeling breathless but I still feel hungry.

Back home for supper and a relax,

and sundowners on the deck.

Quite a view!  

More walks in the morning,

and I managed to get quite a long way (although I was carried some of the way - its very far after all) along the beach.

Oh good, my favourite swimming beach.

Complete with shade - especially for little old me. It was a really really hot day.

The crazy boys just loved it too,

and Harvey was intrigued by the hermit crabs and silvery, slivery fish.

The Food Lady is reading a book on ants and took a photo of these ants eating some bits of dead pajama shark (thrown there by the unkind fishermen) to put on ispot.

Then afterwards it was back on the deck for some R&R with a view.

Harvey joined me.

We had a braai under the half moon - and you can just see a half Coco too.

We met some of the locals - a Boston Terrier called Flat Screen, with protective parents. I mean is he protecting me from Flat Screen or vice versa?

Then we found a Scottie in one of the houses too - but we couldn't find out her name. We had plenty of other things to say to each other - not all of them polite.

On Sunday it was the Food Lady's birthday and Ernest, father of Milly and Billy the black ladradorables, came to spend the day. We decided to show him our favourite swimming beach,

It wasn't a very hot day, so we didn't really feel like swimming,

but lots of running for the idiots,

and a shady spot for me to watch all the fun and games and try and catch my breath.

Soon it was time to pack up and leave again. Goodbye Daisy Cottage.

Goodbye Suiderstrand.

And heloooo traffic all the way home.

Luckily they managed to make it to Paul's 60th that night. Under the table at Honey and Pippin.

Catch up

Just a quick catch-up of the last fortnight. We have had a busy time. Harvey came to stay once or twice which we love. He and Lad play with the shoo-shoo toy, one chews and the other wants it, then they swap roles (usually a momentary lapse in concentration on the part of the "owner") and one chews while the other wants it.

They also steal the blankets sometimes to do a tug-o-war.

We have had lots of lovely cool walks in the Constantia greenbelt,

mostly with Margie, Rupert and Paddy.

One day Harvey disgraced himself and chased these horses. Luckily no one was maimed or fell off but the Food Lady was embarrassed.

Harvey looking out for Hadedas in the garden.

Me looking out for the neighbour's cat in Fish Hoek where we walk most Fridays.

Harvey extending the paw of friendship to the spaniels of Fish Hoek.

Simon went to Japan with So Yhoung and sent us lots of lovely photos. The Food Lady asked him to send pics of gardens,

which he did. This is the White Egret Castle in Kobe.

A lovely mossy bank,

and a wintry blossom tree.

Oh no - what is this! I would also be shouting my head off if a cat sat on me.

Simon and So Yhoung sampling sake - or maybe tea.

When in Japan, do as the Japanese do: Simon in a Japanese guesthouses.

And in Fukuoka they found a dog accessory store. Not sure if I would like to carry my own back pack, but if it was filled with treats, I might manage it.

This is the statue in the Peace Park in Nagasaki where the atomic bomb landed.

Mount Aso in Beppu in Kyushu, 

and beautiful but snary volcanic landscapes in Kyushu.

And all the while Simon and So Yhoung were being tourists in Japan (this is the Yufuin no Mori train),  

the Alph was working hard to paint the inside of Daisy cottage in Agulhas,

while the Food Lady took photos of ants,

and birds. These Cape Spurfowl would NEVER have ventured so close to the house if us Scotties had been on duty! We just love to chase them over the hill and into the blue yonder - shrieking and screaming as we go.

But we were left at home so that we wouldn't distract the Food Lady from her gardening and cleaning chores. Huh!

They came home again, and immediately went out to say hello to Lucy-the-vet and her mom and dad, Joan and Alan. Sue was also there. But we are getting used to being left behind.

They also left us behind to say goodbye to Lydia who was going back to New Zealand. Helen was there too and she promises to start the Saturday walks again when the weather cools down.

So there you have it. Now where is my supper oh Food Lady!