Walks on the beach

My brother and I had to travel to the Southern Cape for a family matter. Not the greatest of circumstances but it gave us some time together which we haven’t really had for the longest time. Last time we spent 3 - 4 days together, on our own, was 30 years ago when we went to Londolozi. It is wonderful to have the time to spend with a sibling who is also your best friend.

We had early morning walks on the beach, collected shells, saw dolphins, had good lunches and tasty braais for dinner at our brother’s house.

This was in June. I should have made some notes on my thoughts and feelings then. Now, all these months later, and with so much that has happened since I cannot connect to the sentiment of the trip.

However, see below the awesome pics.

Johannesburg Zoo Trot

I can't remember if I have ever been at the Johannesburg Zoo as an adult. Anyway, they had a Zoo Trot on Sunday, starting at 7:00. I went, really just to get in before the Sunday crowd arrives and it gets too hot. I wanted to do the 5 km route but don't know where it ended so it seems I completed the 10 km route. No harm done. I walked it all though. Everyone else ran the course. 

I found I couldn't look at the monkey and ape cages, and the elephants looked very sad. But not everyone can afford to go to the bush, or overseas to visit the exotic animals so how else to our children the wild animals but in a zoo. TV doesn't quite shape up. It doesn't give you the true scale and size in relation to yourself. I don't mind the flamingoes, or the pelicans, they're in the open, but I do mind the vultures being caged. The vulture spreads his wings as if delivering the Sunday service, then the aviary must be his church. I don't like the small spaces for the snakes, or that the lion can't run down its own supper. The buck all seem to have good spaces. They have their young with them, an indication of a good environment, I hope. I like that all the plants and trees in the cages are real and not artificial (at the Pretoria Zoo it is often artificial). So I got some exercise and had a good morning.

One on the ground and another in the sky

I was taking a photo through the trees and only saw afterwards that there was a Cape Robin on the ground, keeping to the path. On the other pic, I was trying to find the Green Parrot in the tree, it had been calling all morning, when the movement above caught my eye.

Building with sticks and twigs

Birds have started building a nest outside our bedroom window. While you lie there reading a book you hear their clear, crisp call as they arrive home, and in the morning they wake you up as they welcome the day. (I used a layout I found on Pinterest as reference to create the image below.)

This and that continued

Metalwork - love the colours. Fairylights - magical evenings in the garden. Breakfast - Bacon, leek, cheese quiche. Rain and shine - it rained with the sun out, followed by thunder and clouds. Yarn bomb - my dogs yarn bombing my garden. Prank - they filled Chris' office with balloons for his birthday. Happy birthday Chris ;-) Winter warmers - made 3 pairs of fingerless gloves. It's been cold!

Red Bishop

Bird watching

On the ground

Against a blue sky

On the edge of Klipvoor Dam

A short walk in the park

We wanted to do a walk around the dam but the cold wind made it impossible to enjoy.
So it was a short walk and then home to a fire and and a glass of wine.

Walk in the park

Spent the whole long weekend reading then yesterday afternoon went for a short walk in the park. The air was fresh and crisp, and the sun was slowly sliding down.

Just a moment for myself

Coming home to roost

Went for a walk in the park after work.

Birdspotting, at home

Building season open!

Plenty of fish in the sea

I almost forgot about the feeding frenzy at Cape Point.

Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope

We should have gone earlier, there was so much to do and see. Didn't go to the top at any point, no man, yes man, pity. Next time I'll be there at opening time, and wear the right shoes.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Tshwane