A Cederberg Lad - and lassie

Last weekend we went to Riversong to collect the fridge for repairs. Are we nearly there? I am getting bored.

We stopped to buy some wine at Breede Kloof and have a comfort stop - and came across these rather silent sheep ...

 Heloooo.

 Some Land Rover bother on Michell's Pass, but the Alf sorted it out smartly.

Arriving at our little cottage in the Cederberg. Yay. Tortoises! Must investigate.

 Off we go! Beware tortoises! Here I come. Tails up.

 Cat's Nails - a weird parasitic plant - a species of Hyobanche.

 And BINGO - some tortoises.

 The Pest was quite excited too - so maybe one day he will grow into a proper Scottie and be my friend but for now he is still a silly whipper snapper who annoys me and cramps my style.

Strolling home with the Alf. I think this is one of my favourtie places in all the world.

A sticky little Moraea inconspicua.

Some quiet reflection on the verandah. (Actually keeping a look out for tortoise and lizard activity!) The Pest is sometimes ok, but I miss Dougal and his mad rodent hunting ...

even though the Pest is taking up where poor old Dougal left off so suddenly and shockingly for all of us.

What was that that dive-bombed me?

A Needled-nosed Tabinid Fly! Hovering just above the Pest and out of reach.

Time for supper.

The next morning - Sunday - we set out again down the road and on some exciting tortoise-filled new paths that have been made for us.

 Across the old fields to the pool - where the Pest fell in and had to be rescued. He didn't seem too bothered,

in fact he was as bouncy as ever.

 We then went to visit Jack (and his humans) only to discover that he has been banished to the West Coast as some Riversong owners found him annoying. We were very sad as we were rather fond of him. But Buddy was still there shouting things at us from the front, and the CATS were there too - taking no nonsense from anyone ...

A purple-tinged Grey-leaf Sugarbush (Protea laurifolia)

and some rocket daisies - Ursinia sericea the Food Lady thinks.

We walked all the way to the Tadpole Pools

passing lots of flowers, like this pretty Sundew (Drosera),

and lots of goggas too like this monkey beetle in a Gousblom (Arctotis acaulis) flower.

There was lots of water everywhere, and the Tadpole Pools were so full that there weren't any good wading-in places for us.

The River Heath (Erica caffra var. caffra) flowering profusely on the edge of the Tadpole Pools,

 and more tortoises!

 A hairy snary beetle in a Chinkerinchee (Ornithogalum).

The puddly road home.

An ant in a Paranomus flower.

Then home to our cottage, tails still up ...

for some more fun and games in the rocks chasing Bloukop Agamas.

Back to my post.

while the Pest hunted ants. Ho hum. Little things amuse little minds I suppose.

Using me as a car pillow. Not for long though. Bloody cheek.

 Home in time for a braai and a sip of our human brother's fancy champagne to say congratulations to him and Kerryn for finding such nice jobs in Cape Town and Paarl, and to Simon for landing a job teaching English in South Korea next year. (Simon just checking the soccer.)

A windy walk with Tammy

Tammy and her mom and dad, and Harry from Wales, spent the weekend with us - all the way from KZN. They came to meet Laddie - but I think they also wanted to see me because they were also staying with the Alf and FL when I was a puppy. We all went for a walk - including Tammy because her dad wouldn't let her stay at home to look after Laddie. We met Alice and Paul - who were happy to see Wyndham and Gilly from the Otter Trail last year, as well as Maddie and Pauline -  and we all set off up the path to the saddle between Chapmans Peak and Noordhoek Peak. It was roaring with wind

and the water was swirling fiercely in Hout Bay.

On the saddle in the teeth of the gale.

It was quite heavy going at this stage - especially when you are a small "misible' little dog!

Tammy and Wyndam with a south-easter cloudy Chapmans Peak.

Alice spotted an interesting Euphorbia - possibly E. genistoides- with the delightful common name of Pisgoed.

There were lots of Muraltia heisteria flowers out,

and this little Erica thimifolia -which has leaves that look just like thyme.

My wonderful, elegant, favourite human, Tammy.

Tea spot under the cliffs - slightly sheltered from the wind which seemed to have quietened down a little bit.

A bottle of bubbly to celebrate the Robartes's visit - with Harry looking on, 

and Maddy keeping watch for dassies and baboons.

All of us - Harry, Gilly, the Alf, Alice, Paul and Pauline.

Looking the other way - Paul, Pauline, Alice in the far background, Gilly, the Alf, Wyndham, Harry and Tammy.

Tammy with Gilly and the Alf and half of Wyndham.

Harry tried a spot of rock climbing ...

and then we set off along the edge of the cliff - tail up!

Felicia daisies in full flower - for Alice and Maddie to walk through.

The Alf decided we needed to take it up to the next level, so at Blackburn Ravine, we climbed up the ladder and almost to the top,

with Paul to point out the route, 

and Pauline bringing up the rear.

Two black dogs with our faces in the wind. (We miss Honey and hope she will be back with us soon.)

Quite a scary, snary path.

Looking back where we had come from.

 There were lots of little Satyrium bracteatum flowers in the rocky seeps.

The Food Lady was talking so much she turned left instead of right at the bottom of the path, and carried on back up mountain - even though I tried to tell her she was going the wrong way by stopping, but she didn't listen. In fact she thought I was tired and picked me up at one stage before she realized that she was leading Pauline and Gilly up the garden path. The others were waiting far below at the car, in the wind and rain as the FL had the keys in her backpack. She apologizes profusely to all who froze!

Some pretty Pelargonium myrrhifolium

and Geelmagriet (Ursinia palaecea maybe?) to brighten up the long trudge back down the road.

The PEST had had a lovely time playing Lego with Carlo - who belonged to some friends who came to see Tammy and her parents the day before - so he didn't really mind being left with Simon, but was happy to see us come home.

All too soon it was time for Tammy to say goodbye and go back to her school in KZN. As usual the PEST couldn't stay still for a second - just look at him trying to stand on his head. I am just so embarrassed.

 The Food Lady took them to the airport - bye bye all. I will miss you lots.

Tammy left us a present - a sign to warn other dogs not to come too near our gate, and a scotty pen for the Food Lady. Come back soon Tammy.