A last minute dash to see orchids

Although our walk was officially cancelled due to rain, the Food Lady was so keen to go and search for orchids that we decided to risk it at the last minute and set out with Alice and Maddie and Micky - who came straight from the dermatology conference with the Alph - and Bob Marley, her gorgeous and wonderful Ridgeback. We parked at the ruined village of Brooklands,

and within minutes we were falling over these brilliant golden orchids called Satyrium coriifolium,

and Maddie was having a lovely swim in the pans that had filled up after all the rain. I had a wade and a tummy cool too.

Lad too.

Harvey was still with us - here he is with Bob Marley and just LOOK at how deep the Kleinplaas Dam marker is. (To compare, click here and it will take you to all our previous posts of walks to the dam.)

There were lots of things for the Phoodlady to photograph (is there ever not?). These are Orange-throat Yellowwort (Sebaea exacoides) flowers,

some daisies - possibly Othonna bulbosa,

and lots of Small Mountain Dahlia (Liparia parva) flowers. These are "Vulnerable" according to the Redlist of SA Plants and only occur on the Cape Peninsula and nowhere else.

Micky found a beautiful stand of orchids coming up and here is Alice doing some bottomizing with Maddie,

as is Micky while Laddie and Bob Marley make friends.

They were all super-excited to find some flowers of the rather rare orchid, Disa rufescens which only flowers after a fire. The Food Lady has never seen one before and was very happy that Micky found them for her!

Also growing in some burned bits near the edges of the dam were lots of pink Disa obliqua flowers that we saw last week in Silvermine but this time there were some rather rare white ones too.

Family shot by Micky. Harvey was trying to keep warm by snuggling into the Food Lady's fleecy because it was mighty chilly. Us Scots were in our element as you can see. Tails up!

We managed to tear Alice, Micky and the Food Lady away from the orchids, and we carried on along the path to the Lewis Gay Dam,

past some colourful Tree Pagoda (Mimetes fimbrifolius) bushes,

and some rustling restios - the Cushion Restio (Elegia stipularis).

We got to the Lewis Gay Dam but there were no takers for a swim and we were all keen to get home as it was way after our supper.

We had to take Harvey home as Phil and Kerryn were coming back from their travels. We were quite sad to say goodbye to the little fella - and his bed. Phil sent us this pic of him and Kerryn - I think he was quite tired after the walk. Until next time then Harv.

Three in one

On Saturday the Food Lady went orchid hunting with Micky and Bob Marley. Bob Marley happens to be a ridgeback who we have never met, but he is apparently very good looking and well behaved - unlike us. Well, good looking we are ...

They saw lots of lovely orchids - too many to include here - but I thought a selection of four would suffice. There were bog-dwelling Vlei Disas (Disa racemosa),

and Disa tenuifolia flowers looking like little dancers,

a frilly Shield Orchid (Ceratandra atrata)

and some cliff-dwelling Disa glandulosa plants just starting to flower.

On Steenberg Peak. The Food Lady had lots of fun - with no wandering Scotties to distract her. 

Then later on that day we went for a lovely walk with Honey and Pippin and their humans in Cecilia Forest. Just look at all those blonde dogs! It was quite hot - not really my best weather.

The next day we joined the Sunday Scottie Walk on Dolphin Beach, Milnerton. It was a lovely warm day with a gentle cooling breeze. This is us saying hello to Maggie-May's mother, Junette.

And here is Lad trying to keep up with his sister, Maggie May

while I said hello to all the other Scotties as they arrived down the boardwalk. I am the one with the stylish red bandanna.

The front runners - Junette etc.

Me putting my best foot forward,

and being joined by another crazy wheaten youngster called Rascal. 

While Laddie (blue bandanna) and Maggie-May cavorted,

I tried to worm some treats out of one of my favourite humans, Estea.

Wally tried to get something from the Alph, but I told him that he was barking up the wrong tree.

A group photo taken by the Food Lady,

and more treats.

Then we all plodded home, including my friend Mac.

Time for a quick cup of tea and a last paddle. An utterly perfect day at the beach. Thanks to Estea and her helpers for organising it! At the end of each walk, donations to a pet shelter are collected. This month it was for Fallen Angels dog shelter.