Along Long Beach

This morning we arranged to walk along Long Beach, Kommetjie, so that we could link up with the Alph after his cycle around the peninsula. We got there a bit early and did a short walk down the milkwood tree-lined road in Kommetjie,

and onto a boardwalk at Skilpadsvlei.

Even though the board next to the boardwalk said dogs were allowed, the Food Lady wouldn't let us off our leads to chase hadedas and other dogs.

She said I was getting deaf and couldn't be trusted to come back. Huh!

So she looked at all the restios and sedges like these Ficinia nodosa plants that Laddie thoughtfully enriched with urea.

On the way back we saw some surfer gels walking down the milkwood road. We thought we wouldn't mind living here. It seems like paradise.

We then met Sue and Honey, Claire from England, and Pauline, and set off on our long walk along Long Beach where there were surfers in the sea, and kids in the surf,

and dogs on the cold cold water's edge. Honey really is not into other dogs like us.

I didn't want to share my new friends' love (and possible treats) with this whippersnapper Yorkie pup.

We walked all the way to the lagoon, past some cormorants and gulls and tremendous views. 

Then it was a long debate as to where to have Sue's birthday tea.

While they were discussing matters, Laddie went for a swim in the lagoon and a roll on the deliciously green and frothy edge. It was a bit far for me as I am definitely feeling my 10 and a half years these days.

On the way to the perfect tea spot we ran into another Scottie called Maisie. Laddie was instantly smitten. I just said to her that if there were any treats going I had first dibs. She was quite understanding and said "Be my guest."

I think Maisie rather liked Honey, even though Honey had to snap her teeth at her a few times.

Maisie's mom made a fuss of us both, and Laddie was quite embarrassingly soppy. I maintained a suitable standoffishness.

Back through the wonderfully stinky kelp. Note that I am on the lead to stop me eating too much. Such indignity.

Suddenly Laddie picked up a scent. What could it be?

Why, it was the Alph, back from his ride and coming to join us for tea and bubbles. We were overjoyed to see him.

Tea on Long Beach, Pauline, Claire, the Alph, Sue and Honey. A slightly belated happy birthday for Sue, 

with bubbles at sea-level - the lowest we have sunk to!

Laddie sporting his lagoon-green mud beads in his face hair.

I don't think this Bulldog is liking what he smells. Yikes, better move on.

Talk to the tail Mr Bulldog!

A sashay to the right,

and I am in step with my silly Lad friend who is always there for me. Life is good.

Heat, smoke and high water

With temperatures set to reach 38 degrees today, we decided on a very early start to our planned walk on the beach from Pauline's new house. Even at this early hour there was thick smoke in the air from a distant fire in the Overberg - and several other fires that were started in Glencairn and near Noordhoek village. The humans think that its arsonists and loons at work to "make the Cape ungovernable", but I leave politics to them ...

We had Harvey with us today and we met Paul and Pauline, and Thea and Tessa at Imhoff, and set off in the smoky air

into the wetlands.

We saw lots of bulrushes (Typha capensis) - which are indigenous to the Peninsula - and nearly lost Harvey in them, but luckily he came back when the Alph roared rather loudly and terrifyingly.

We came across this sign

and thought that they needed one for humans too!

Not very wet here, but water and Chapmans Peak in the smoky distance.

A Bokmakierie called, making us all rather excited - the humans too.

Along a little track we walked, through the reeds,

and down a little stream - perfect for hot little Scots. Can you see the horses and riders looming up in the distance?

Pretty Sea Pumpkin (Arctotheca populifolia) plants on the path, and the wetland sign telling us we were nearly on the beach. Phew, about time. #overheating.

The horses passed us, but couldn't seem to get across the stream - the tide was really high, and the water had flooded the beach, making a huge lake.

Just how were we going to get across the flooded beach to say hello to those dogs?

Tessa and me made a plan. We would just swim across. 

The humans sat on a bench debating which way to go and finally Pauline showed them the way.

The bench had a rather sad plaque on it - dedicated to a surfing dude who had died here in a shark attack.

Birds for Lad and the Harv to chase! But this Oyster Catcher was well out of the way in the cold cold water 

and these terns were just too swift for any dog - even Harvey.

Harvey and Laddie just love Tessa - and they just never stopped chasing and playing and just having fun. Luckily there was quite a stiff sea-breeze and the icy water of the Atlantic helped us all cool down a bit.

The Alph found a tea spot in the shade of the 115-year old boiler of the SS Kakapo shipwreck.

This sand gets everywhere!

The Lad and Tessa keeping watch,

while the rest of us had tea.

Then Laddie grabbed a piece of kelp and the chase was on.

Crazy youngsters!

We explored the wreck,

and what does that squiff mast remind you of. (The clue is in the bottom left of the photo.)

The looooooong walk back.

Eventually the wreck receded into the smoky distance.

Paul found a dead Three-spot Swimming Crab (Ovalipes trimaculatus) with a funny sad face.

We waded back over the flooded stream, enjoying the cool water. Thea and Tessa went further upstream - lucky for Tessa she has longer legs than us.

Back we went up the path lined with everlasting daisies (Helichrysum patulum)

which looked rather pretty the Haggis said. Frankly, I didn't give a damn, especially when I was so hot and bothered.

And now I am seeing ghostly things! What the @#*& is that?

A flippin ghost camel!

Lots of ghostly camels. "Can we go and chase them? Please please please!" Stupid muts.

Now we are crossing the camel's friggin desert. #not amused.

While the Haggis photographed a Grey Heron that Paul spotted in amongst the Sacred Ibises,

I grabbed a delicious snack of fresh horse poo. Yummmm. #mood improvement.

When we got back to Pauline's house we all had to have a hose down to get rid of any traces of poo and the rather boggy water that we had waded in after seeing the camels.

"This is my house and I will hiss you all to death if you take one step over the threshold! Do I make myself clear?"

Sadly we couldn't prove him wrong as the Haggis kept us firmly on leads while they scoffed rusks and cheese and coffee. All in all, despite the heat, we enjoyed our wetland walk - thanks Pauline for organizing it.