I've realized recently that the only way to approach this blog is to simply take a few minutes frequently to note our happenings.
Today's observation is about what I learned from two dogs. On this evening's walk with Emma at one of our regular haunts she was doing the usual - standing near the cars waiting to meet other dogs and hoping one might befriend her. While this is usually not a successful endeavor for her she does not give up hope - lesson one.
While she was standing around (like a lost f_ _ t, as Michael might say) a car arrived and out of it came a couple and four assorted dogs. I use the term assorted intentionally as they were all mixed breeds and two of them were missing a limb. I noticed this immediately on the mini-dog who looked like a long haired chihuahua cross because she waddled just slightly. Nevertheless, she was swift and capable. The other dog was a sleek short haired yellow mix of perhaps a boxer and something bigger with a white blaze on her head and neck. She sped across the field so quickly and with such agility that you would never know she was missing a limb - she obviously doesn't see herself as missing anything- and had such joy to be running and chasing animals in the field - that was my second dog lesson for the day. We continued to cross paths with this lovely pack of dogs as we walked and I took heart from their joy, particularly of the speedy yellow dog.
So, that's my observation for today - let us see what tomorrow will bring!
Friday, April 23
Monday, January 18
Kruger National Park
Just a quick entry to make note of our fabulous vacation last September taking the trip to Johannesburg (by overnight train) and then driving to Kruger National Park for a 9 day journey driving from the Southern end (Phabeni Gate) to the Northern end (Punda Maria gate) of the park. We took hundreds of photos of which I am only posting a handful cause it takes too long... it was filled with lovely sightings of the animals and birds doing both the things we did expect and some we did not- I did keep notes so perhaps I'll write it up.
Living here has given us such wonderful opportunities to see the country. We enjoyed every minute of this trip - well, except for a few of the sweltering afternoons when, unlike the smart animals, we were driving along the dusty roads and baking in the sun. there is a reason these animals take an afternoon siesta!
don't want to say more - enjoy the photos! and come to South Africa!
Sunday, October 4
Spring Flowers Trip
On September 2nd we headed out on a trip to Kamieskroon and then Nieuwoudtville in the Namamqualand region, up the western coast of South Africa from Cape Town and then a bit inland. To get there one drives through beautiful country side.
Our first stop was to the floral display in Clan William, a town that marks the official beginning of an area known for its Spring flower display. In the main town we visited an old assembly hall which gets fitted out with the season's beauties - sort of like Burlington's spring flower show. From there we continued on to Kamieskroon a further north outreach with its own speciality of flowers. What was striking were the small regions in which only certain plants were found. We needed flower and plant books to identify many of the species.
I’ve shown here a smattering of what we saw and a few photos of the friends with whom we traveled - Jeni and Dudley for the first few days and then a larger group over the weekend. We traveled from Kamieskroon to a farm house at a place called Severfontein which means seven springs. It was a big old house with lots of rooms and we catered for ourselves having yummy meals and great company in addition to the excellent flower viewing.
One of the best people memories was when our friend Moriah showed us the male and female restio plants in the field and explain how one can identify them in the veldt. She has an amazing depth of knowledge about South african plants. Actually many in our group were very knowledgeable so it was wonderful to be touring the veldt with them.
We were also treated to the time and expertise of Tim and Judy's local artist friend Willem - he is a master of detail and showed us some rarely seen blooms- specifically a white sparaxis with purple center (in the middle of the photos.)
Our first stop was to the floral display in Clan William, a town that marks the official beginning of an area known for its Spring flower display. In the main town we visited an old assembly hall which gets fitted out with the season's beauties - sort of like Burlington's spring flower show. From there we continued on to Kamieskroon a further north outreach with its own speciality of flowers. What was striking were the small regions in which only certain plants were found. We needed flower and plant books to identify many of the species.
I’ve shown here a smattering of what we saw and a few photos of the friends with whom we traveled - Jeni and Dudley for the first few days and then a larger group over the weekend. We traveled from Kamieskroon to a farm house at a place called Severfontein which means seven springs. It was a big old house with lots of rooms and we catered for ourselves having yummy meals and great company in addition to the excellent flower viewing.
One of the best people memories was when our friend Moriah showed us the male and female restio plants in the field and explain how one can identify them in the veldt. She has an amazing depth of knowledge about South african plants. Actually many in our group were very knowledgeable so it was wonderful to be touring the veldt with them. 
We were also treated to the time and expertise of Tim and Judy's local artist friend Willem - he is a master of detail and showed us some rarely seen blooms- specifically a white sparaxis with purple center (in the middle of the photos.)
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