Piping hot!

This Sunday the Alph decided to start his Argus Cycle Tour Training so he didn't join us for our walk, but Pauline, Sue and Honey did - and also our human brother Phil. We decided to do a gentle stroll, through some beautiful Australian flowering gums (which the Food Lady loves even though she knows they shouldn't be here),

and along the Pipe Track.

Sue, Honey and Pauline. It was lovely and shady and cool to start with,

 (Phil looking cool near a dead, burned gum tree)

with a Southeaster wind blowing over the top of Table Mountain.

So many paths to choose! I was confused. We went up a bit,

and I was a bit depressed to read this as it was getting hot and I am really out of condition.

But luckily the Lad found a tea spot not far along,

and we stopped for a welcome cuppa and some Sue biscuits and Pauline dates. Me in the shade, the Lad, Phil, Honey, Sue and Pauline with Lion's Head in the distance.

Laddie tried to make friends with Honey, but she wasn't having any of his rather pushy overtures.

Instead of turning back as planned, the Food Lady said we should carry on as it was so pleasant, so we continued along the Pipe Track to this stone pumphouse which is over a hundred years old.

Phil couldn't resist climbing up onto it.

Then we turned round and started the long trudge back. At least I had my friend Honey for company (although sometimes I don't think she really likes me all that much but she doesn't say nasty things to me anymore so we are getting there).

A little Hibiscus aethiopicus growing in the hot stony path.

Some welcome shade as we came round the corner.

We passed the alien gums again,

and I thought I saw some movement among the flowers ... but maybe the heat was getting to me.

And eventually my kind human brother carried me back to the car

where we had a welcome drink out of our new fold-out drinking bowl from Maggie May and Kirby.

The PEST insisted on climbing over the back of the car - luckily the Alph wasn't there to shout at him to go back into the dog box!

But WHAT is this back at Phil and Kerryn's house?

A teeny tiny little lad called Harvey. He is a Botson Terrier and belongs to Phil and Kerryn - having arrived yesterday from PE in an aeroplane.

Lord preserve me! Not another pest. I'm outta here.

Laddie appropriated Harvey's mat and ate his rawhide chew.

There are lots of bottles of Bruichladdig in this house that refer to the PEST.

The boys had a nice game with Kerryn - the PEST looking like a great big rhino next to teeny weeny Harvey - who is quite feisty even though he looks like a deep thinking pup.

Phil and Kerryn had prepared a healthy, Tim Noakes approved lunch with chickens,

and cauli-mash and salad. Followed by fresh fruit salad and full cream yoghurt. Yummm.

Then some of the boys fell asleep,

It had been quite a hot and exciting day ...

To the Cederberg with the lads

Last weekend we spent at Cedercot again - with Lydia, Richard and Xander. The boys drove up in this little yellow car that belongs to their grandmother. I think it really enjoyed its big adventure so far away from Rondebosch. So did the Lads - canine and human.  

Richard and Lad testing the water while I get a spot of tortoise hunting in.

The lads at lunchtime. Xander, PEST and Richard. Note the screw driver on the table. Lots of work was done.

Braai time.

 Paddling on the Twee.

Almost full moon, and

time for g & ts.

Richard.

Lamplit dinners.

Fearsome ants that ran at us. They are Bal-byter ants, Camponotus. They apparently don't sting but spray formic acid. We skipped out of their way fast.

A Lynx Spider (Peucetia) in the bath.

Tails up!

 One morning, lots of these little white Kukumakranka flowers appeared. The Food Lady thinks they are Gethyllis verticillata.

And joy of joys! Tortoises! (Of the Angulate type - Chersina angulata).

Xander and Lydia experimenting with some night photography.

 A good time was had by all!

A Wolf Dog named Timber

Dear Coco
I am sorry that we couldn't take you and Laddie on the walk yesterday, but sadly, no dogs were allowed in the overnight camp. But I thought you would like to see this photo of a wolf/dog cross that we met. His name is Timber, a rescue dog who is 3/4 American wolf and 1/4 German Shepherd.

Apparently he comes from some wolves that were imported into the country by the crazy SA Defence Force in the 1980s who wanted to boost the stamina of their dogs for chasing guerillas but they proved rather difficult to train.

Back home soon - and I promise to take you for a walk in the Greenbelt as soon as we get back.

love from The Food Lady

Fat Ladies?

We arrived at Silvermine this cool and spitty morning to the sound of a million cicadas - which turned out to be just this one. (Possibly an Orange-wing Platypleura capensis.) Pauline and Paul, Sue and Honey were there to meet us at Wolfkop carpark. "We are just doing the Fat Lady walk" said the Food Lady. (We have all gained a few rolls of fat round our midriffs over the last few months of feasting and sloth.)

Although it was warm, there was a wind blowing up a cloud over Table Mountain.

Being an otherwise kind of dog, I really wanted to turn left,

 oh, what the hell, I will just have to go with the flow. Besides, I am a bit unfit so any extra mileage is not very appealing at the moment.

Sunny patches of Aristea africana,

fat white grub flowers - Erica mammosa with characteristic dents at the base of the corolla,

and fiery Table Mountain Watsonias (Watsonia tabularis).

Me looking out and the Imbecile Pest looking in - no clue as how to behave.

Watching for stragglers. Long Beach in the background.

Honey and I are making progress in the friendship stakes. Us two black dogs must stick together against the interloping white one.

The Alph and Paul - self-confessed fully paid-up members of the Old Farts Society - discussing the idiocies of the state medical systems in the UK and SA.

Some sunny Yellow Disas (Disa tenuifolia).

Honey found a good tea spot in the shade.

Paul, Pauline, Sue and the Alf.

After tea we were firm friends!

Little orange and yellow peas (Rafnia capensis most likely) back near the cars at the end of a happy walk. We are on our way to becoming super slim ladies!