In clover

The Alph has been on leave so we have been having some fun outings. On a walk at Fish Hoek we encountered a swirl of spaniels on the beach, all closely related it seems,

including Logan, Thomas the Cool's father, who is a lot more obedient than Thomas. (But not as cool.)

We went one cool and blowy day to the Greenbelt,

where I had a paddle in the river with the Alph.

Dougal helping with the housework.

We went back to Groot Constantia vineyards to chase baboons one hot and sultry Sunday,

and searched in vain amongst the vines, the oaks, and the enchanted castle, but not one baboon could we find. (Although we did hear the faintest of baboon barks in the distance.)

Then we saw the reason why. A huge electric fence has been put up to keep them out of Groot Contstantia, but it also cuts off the best part of the walk through the fynbos and forest,

so we had to find our way down through the vines,

which was hot and slippery. The Food Lady found some flowers including this little bellflower - possibly Wahlenbergia obovata.

Eventually we found some water where the natural stream trickled under the ugly fence and over some concrete.

But then we found a bigger pool where I could have a proper swim. It was rather dilapidated and the water was just Scotty depth. And just a little bit smelly too - just how we like it.

Luckily it said nothing about dogs not being allowed to swim!

We scouted for squirrels on the lawns - and bayed for baboons - but nothing!

So a quick roll in the clover - luckily missing the bees - and it was home to see our human brothers.

Sophisticated in Sea Point

We were pretty much abandoned over Christmas but on Boxing Day we had a houseful of guests and fun. This is my own rug I rather fancy.

And Dawn enjoyed the volleyball. But Dougal lay low.

The next day we went for a walk at Mouille Point with Luna. Here she is in front of the lighthouse.

Her humans also came - Gordon and David - as did the Alph. It was a really cool walk.

And here is me in Luna's really cool apartment in Sea Point. With Gordon. Looking every inch the sophisticate.

Even Dougal looked good in there.

Checking the rooftops of Sea Point for cats. It was really lovely meeting Luna and we hope she will come down here often.

A hot Christmas hike

 Last Sunday David and Gordon came for the day with Luna, their ladylike Belgian Shepherd. They arrived in a car with antlers. The idea was that they would come on a walkie with us.

With Phil (who is visiting from the Big Smoke), we all set off from the Silvermine Dam carpark

where we met up with Sue, Kerryn (also down from Johannesburg), her parents Harry and Sue and their dog Georgie. It was rather hot as we started the long climb up to the Crags and along to the path up to Elephants Eye Cave.

Surprisingly there were quite a few colourful flowers in the hot fynbos: watsonias - including Watsonia borbonica, named for the "Ile de Bourbon" (now Réunion) as it was mistakenly thought to originate from there,

tubes of lipstick -the Red Crassula (Crassula coccinea) about to burst open,

splendid orange hanging lanterns of Mountain Dahlia (Liparia splendens),

white Cape Snow (Syncarpha vestita) looking for all the world like cupcakes with red icing according to Harry,

and Sewejaartjies (Edmondia sesamoides) - with yellow icing.

We stopped for a water break under some pines -with a fair amount of hilarity.

Dougal being a flowerdog. (Next thing he will be demanding tickets for the AfrikaBurn event!)

Then onwards we pressed. David amongst the flowers.

Our destination: Elephants Eye Cave.

Nearly there: Sue and the Alph, me and Doog. The heat was fierce.

But Luna looked as cool as a cucumber.

 Photo opportunities in the cave: Gordon snapping Harry, Sue and Kerryn.

Me waiting to snap some crumbs ...

Christmas tea in the cave. Phil, the Alph, Sue, Kerryn, David, Harry, Gordon and Sue. (Dogs were passed out in the shade).

Kerryn being cracked up by Gordon. Luna seems to have heard it all before.

Tea and photos over, we stepped out into the furnace once again, but I just couldn't go any further. Help. Someone save me.

 My hero! Thanks Gordon.

Still a long way down ...

More colourful watsonias - this one is the Table Mountain Watsonia (Watsonia tabularis) that only occurs on Table Mountain and nowhere else in the world.

Some of us were most grateful to flop into the water on the way back,

while others still wanted to play fetch the stick. Where does Georgie get her energy!

Dainty Drimia filifolia flowers.

Dougal's turn for a lift. At the Carpark we said goodbye to some of the party who had to go and buy gammons or attend Christenings, and the rest of us went for a swim in the dam.

I tried to take a short cut, but the Alph discovered me sneaking off and chased me up the road.

It was just wonderful to JUMP into the silky cool water.