Dear Coco

Wana Farm is just about as close to dog heaven that you could get! On Saturday morning we all went for a walk around the farm and down to the Umgeni River that runs past Wana. This is Tiki,

and this is the cutest little Snoop Dog.

The path along the river - just made for dogs.

Tombi fishing.

The Alph with Gillie in the garden. We think this is the Mountain Aloe (Aloe marlothii).

Wana's house in a lovely green garden.

Then, as Gillie wasn't feeling too well and Tammy (who was home from St Anne's on half term) had to learn for exams, the Alph and Wyndham and I left them for the afternoon, and drove into town. We popped in at Peels Honey shop on the way and bought some creamed honey for Benson because he says it helps keep his upper respiratory tract nice and clear.

Then we visited the Royal Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg which was really an excuse for the Alph and Wyndham to play with tractors!

It was dark by the time we got out of there, and there were lots of flashing lights in the shape of cows outside the showgrounds. Very festive indeed.

The next day, Sunday, the Alph and Wyndham went for a hectic mountain bike ride

while Tammy and Gillie, the dogs and I went for a walk around the farm again. Such a beautiful spot!

Then we moved the pig pen,

and I kept an eye on the pigs (who like to go exploring next door) while they had the most wonderful time exploring, trying out the duck's bath,

inspecting the various interesting bags outside the shed,

making friends with the chickens

and enjoying a shower from Tammy.

The Muscovy Ducks kept their distance.

And the Airedales, Tombi and Gambit, were banned from coming anywhere near them.

The farm cat, Fatso, didn't want to have anything to do with anyone.

After all the cycling and working, we went for a walk to inspect the Wana herd - lovely, placid Jersey cows -

and met Lucy, the Transkei black pig, who loves to have her tummy tickled.

This is Alice who works in the dairy where the best cream, milk, yogurt and cottage cheese in the world is made.

All too soon it was time to go again, so we said farewell to Wana and the Robartes and, laden with cream, yoghurt, cottage cheese, an enormous pumpkin, two Masai blankets from Kenya, some Wana honey and some Wana pork chops and sausages, we set off for Ithala.

I will write you another letter when we get there, Coco. Sleep well and see you soon. The Alf sends his love and hopes that you and Laddie aren't driving the neighbours too crazy with your barking.

love from The Food Lady

Dear Coco

On Friday we left our posh timeshare chalet (you can see the Alph packing up) and set off for Sani Pass.

Taking a breather before starting the main part of the pass.

It was the most perfect day, and the Travellers Joy (Clematis brachiata) was climbing over everything.

At the top of the pass there was some serious road working going on and it was quite hairy having to squeeze past these massive machines on the narrowest and steepest of roads.

Nearly there ...

Made it! Well done the Alph!

Looking back down to where we had come from.

We went through the border control, and headed off to the Sani Pass Lodge for an early lunch

and found ourselves in the highest pub in Africa! Fancy that.

We just had to celebrate with a Lesotho beer,

and a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich - with chips (don't tell Tim Noakes).

In the lodge was a notice board with interesting things about the area, including the Mokhotlong Lesotho animal Pound that looks after pack donkeys and ponies and dogs and urgently needs funding.

Suitably sustained, we went for a short walk along the edge of the pass, and came across lots of these funny little rodents - you two would have been doing your nuts! They are Sloggett's Ice Rats or Lesotho Vleirats (Otomys sloggetti subsp. basuticus).

We also saw this beautiful Drakensberg Rockjumper,

some interesting ericas - like this Foxtail Heath (Erica alopecurus),

and these little rose-like succulents.

Time to buy some souvenirs - grit your teeth Alph! -

from this lovely, welcoming lady who was tending the shop,

then our passports were stamped out - they didn't seem to notice that I was a time traveller having entered three days earlier in the future -

and we took a deep breath, and started the hair-raising descent.

There was ice on the side walls, even though it was a sunny day.

The Alph's happiness was complete when he came across a Toyota Landcruiser in trouble, but luckily another red Land Rover was already offering help, so our help was not needed.

Once safely down, we had tea and scones at Pucketty Farm tea garden,

and arrived at Wana Farm in time to feed the pigs.

It is now time for joining the dinner party at Wana, so good night Coco - and send lots of love to Leticia and the Lad.

love from the FL xx