Desert desertion

The humans are back from their desert wanderings in the Richtersveld,

although this doesn't look much like a desert to me. But they said it was too hot and dry for Scotties. Fibbers.

At their first night's camping stop at Aquacade, they were welcomed by a pug called Meisie,

and this handsome fellow welcomed them to the entrance to the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park at Sendelingsdrift.

At least they took some pillows to remind them of me while they were away.

There were lots of weird plants for the Food Lady - like this Halfmens (Pachypodium namaquanum)  next to Sue.

And lots of weird rock formations - this is the Paw of DOG on the left, and the Hand of GOD in the centre.

They were also treated to amazing firefly displays every night at De Hoop Campsite. They are actually beetles (Lampyris).

Sometimes it seems they were a bit confused as to which way to go,

but luckily Sue was there to put them on the right track.

The happy campers: Food Lady, Alph, Ian, Georgia, Sue (blue hat), Dorothy and Peter. They are standing in front of the most-photographed Giant Kokerboom in the park - it used to be called Aloe pillansii, but some nitppicker has changed the name to Aloidendron pillansii. These aloes are red-listed as Endangered due to climate change-related population decline and over-collecting.

While they were away, Clare looked after us and took us on lovely walks. Here we are with Margie and Clare on Rondebosch Common

with my buddies Rupert and Paddington. Thanks Clare!

Back from the isles

Well, they came home from Greece with lots of photos of dogs

and cats

Looks like city life is quite good for dogs,

they even get to go on motor bikes.

This one lives with his buddies in the Parthenon.

And here is an Athenian Scotty called Igor.

Lots of street cats for the dogs to chase.

A Jack Russell that water-skied on Skiathos.

Show off!

A Skopelos poodle.

And while they baked in the sun, we stayed at home with Olivia who spoiled us rotten and allowed us to sleep on her bed in the cold and rainy weather.

Birthdays, Betty's Bay and the BestieBostie.

On Friday evening Clare arrived and fetched the spaniels. All is sooo quiet here. On Saturday morning it was the Food Lady's birthday and we went for a lovely stroll in the Oak Avenue greenbelt.

The Lad looking like a ghost Scottie.

Then, once again, we were left at home while they went gallivanting off to Betty's Bay for some R&R.

Lydia from New Zealand, the Alph, Helen, Paul and Katherine on the bridge at the Harold Porter gardens.

Helen and Lydia waiting for the slow Food Lady to catch up at Kleinmond (sore phoot and phlower photography no doubt causing the delay).

Bird watching at Betty's Bay with Helen and Paul - who also had a birthday.

Ice creams in Kleinmond.

The penguins blew the Food Lady away!

Even dogs are allowed to go and see them.

A snary penguin.

Lucky dassie that we weren't there to chase it into the sea.

A troop of baboons walked right past the house where they stayed. What a fun place!

The Food Lady played with her new bird ap and collected lots of ticks for the Betty's Bay birdlist.

And a new tick for the flower list too. Paul spotted this magnificent endemic erica - the Hangklip Heath (Erica porteri).

Luckily we also had fun because Phil and Kerryn came to stay, with our bestieBostie (seen here cooling off in the fish pond).

We went for some lovely walks in their car.

The wolf pack at Newland Forest.

And met a new friend who came to play for the day - Merka the fawn Frenchie.

When they came back, Phil had made me a fire as it is starting to get a bit chilly here.

Kerryn had left for a business trip, but Phil and Harv stayed for a bit -which was a lovely end for the Food Lady's birthday weekend.

Trailing on a broken foot

We were left at home

while the Food Lady hobbled off to the Kruger Park with the Alph to do a trail. Here are all the trailers who included Nita and Ian, the parents of Benjamin, a handsome Scottie who lives in Johannesburg.

All the able bodied trailers.

The Food Lady found this under the Mugg & Bean cup of coffee they had at Satara camp after the trail finished.

Then they left the trail and did some sightseeing in the Kruger Park. A cat up a tree. So what? I would snap that tail right off if I was there.

They called in at Skukuza camp to visit the famous dog cemetery "Little Heroes Acre".

"Foster mother to 3 lion cubs." Yoh!

And Stevenson Hamilton's dog. We don't really like Stevenson Hamilton as he killed lots and lots of wild dogs but luckily Bles survived for a while!

Lots of funny animals for us to chase IF we had been there

including BABOONS.

Not sure I would like to meet this lot on a dark night.

Then they went to David's farm Umfula Nkosi near Dullstroom for a weekend with the lovely Luna and her family.

Sundowners at Umfula - Gordon and Luna and David's new car at Dullstroom.

and the rest of the gang.

Seems like a good time was had by all. And we had a lovely time with Clare who took us for lots of walks in the Greenbelt.