Kenton-on-Sea

Humans are weird. Whenever we’re in Kenton, they always insist on trudging through shrubs and trekking over hot dunes to get to Shelly Beach (a so called 'hush-hush' location).

I’m pretty sure visitors are spilling the beans; we always bump into fellow seekers of the secret spot (smooth and hairy). 

On a busy day it kinda feels like an amphitheater. Brother Bart usually has the ‘audience’ chuckling as he rides wave after wave. 

Yes, he is brave; but I’m the smart one.

During our visit we stayed over at Woodlands Cottages, close to the banks of the Bushmans River. As we arrived at this pet-friendly place, we were welcomed by a friendly pet named Jacob. Jacob followed us around everywhere, including to the river. 

I’m not surprised though…#squadgoals

One of the main attractions at Woodlands seems to be their outdoor bathrooms. Here we have Bart, staring at his human while bathing. 

Yes, he’s a bit of a creep.

The Adventure

Place: Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

- Us: Surfing (or, getting rolled by) the waves; swimming in the river; playing with Jacob (the backpacker’s dog); staring at humans while bathing.

- Humans: Swimming in the ocean; laughing at Bart surfing; drinking G&T’s next to the river; and taking a long bath in the outdoor tub (while Bart stares at you creepily).

Bathurst

As the humans drove through Bathurst - our furry heads peeking out windows - something big, yellow and prickly caught my eye. 

The world’s largest, artificial pineapple (aka: The Big Pineapple).

A rather odd record, don’t you think? But then again…I hold the top score for “peeing on the world’s largest pineapple”. Who am I to judge?

If you are driving through on a Sunday, bark persistently until the humans stop at the Farmer’s Market. Rory and Carol Mason-Jones (and their four-legged friend, Gidget) own a stall where fresh, crispy dog biscuits are sold.

While Rory was giving me a taster, Carol said something about being retired, moving to Bathurst and making doggie treats. I can’t really remember; Rory had my full attention.

If your owners aren’t too fond of canine cookies, you can lead them to Pickwick’s Oven for a delicious thin base, wood-fired pizza. 

I don’t actually know if they are delicious; our humans are rather selfish. But judging by all the happy customers (with and without fur), we will be returning soon.

The Adventure

Place: Bathurst, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

- Me: Running towards, barking at and weeing on The Big Pineapple; meeting dogs at the Farmer’s Market; eating doggie treats; begging for pizza.

- Humans: Visiting The Big Pineapple; shopping at the Farmer’s Market; eating pizza and drinking beer at Pickwick’s Oven.

Bretton Beach, Port Alfred

Just look at that view! Not too shabby for a shaggy man like me (and him; the big, red bearded one).

Bretton Beach Crest offers these affordable, cosy cottages all along Bretton Beach in Port Alfred. And the best part: the owners allow small to medium dogs out of season. I'm secretly waiting for summer to end....

Some of the cottages are even closer to the beach, but the humans like to make it difficult to sneak off to the water. 

When they're feeling less selfish, they take us for swims and walks along the rugged shoreline. But instead of joining us in the nippy waves, they simply fling sticks into rock pools.

From the photos it may seem like Bart was winning, but I tend to give the little guy a head start (him being my little bro and all). 

I'm just nice like that.  

The Adventure

Place: Bretton Beach, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

- Me: Sneaking off to the beach; fetching sticks in the ocean; letting Bart win at said stick-fetching; bringing all the beach's sand back to the cottage.  

- Humans: Looking for the dogs; throwing sticks; sweeping beach sand out of the cottage; reading, braaiing and drinking sundowners on the stoep.

Woody Cape

Nestled between Alexandria and Addo's coast, lies an Eastern Cape backpacking gem. 

Not because it's a short drive from Grahamstown. Not because it's   reasonably priced (human concerns, of course). All because, they allow 
and welcome my kind. 

Apparently this is uncommon...but, who wouldn't want me in their house?

I also heard the humans rave about how relaxed the owners are. 
Apparently this is common about backpacking; hence all the more love.

Technically, dogs aren't allowed on the beach; that is Addo Park's property. 

The private accommodation is very private and rustic; which means my muddy paw prints didn't aggravate the humans too much.

Our visit was during the winter, but for the summer time there is a swimming pool, a volleyball net, an outdoor bar and a stage.

There is also loads of camping space if you're in the mood to rough it;
beneath me, of course.

The Adventure

Place: Woody Cape Lodge and Backpackers, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

- Me: Barking at horses, cows or monkeys, chilling at the bar while the humans drink (rude, right?) and sneaking onto the beach.

- Humans: Swimming, playing pool, hiking, canoeing, horse riding, volley ball, chilling at the bar and keeping the dogs off the beach.

Hogsback part 2

Roughly a year after our first Hogsback trip, the humans finally decided to return to the quirky town in the Amatola Mountains.

A year. It took them a whole year to realise how much I desperately need to look at pine trees, smell pine trees and pee on pine trees. Lazy if you ask me.

On a higher note, I now own a lot of pine trees; and this time we didn't just stay in the cabin and drink red wine. Well, at least not only that.

We did The Bluff Scenic Walk at The Edge Mountain Retreat, which is situated at - wait for it - the edge of the mountain. 

As always, the tiny human's voice screeched to ultrasonic levels as I approached the cliff. This also happened on the hike to the top of Kettlespout falls.

We explored gravel roads to Cathcart and, on the way, I barked at some sheep in Happy Valley. This made me happy.

There isn't much in Cathcart, but if you are into antiques, you might want to stop at The Art Bus. My humans are rather thrifty; they even bought me second-hand.

At the end of the day, we all huddled around a venison stew simmering on the wood stove; aromas of smoke, meat and red wine filling the cabin.

I had dog pellets for dinner.   

The Adventure

Place: Hogsback, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

- Me: Claiming pine trees, running, swimming, barking at sheep, guarding the     Starways cabin (from chickens and Samango monkeys) and begging for           venison stew. 

- Humans: Hiking, cycling, drinking red wine, chasing away Samango monkeys   and cooking the stew.

Battery Creek

This is me running off into the distance. I’m chasing after a 

troop of baboons.

All I remember is high pitched yelling (tiny human), 
heavy panting (big human) and one massive hiding.

This is me an hour earlier; it was a happier time.

 

We went for a small hike to Battery Creek Falls, 
just outside misty Kaapschehoop in Mpumalanga.

It’s doggy-breath-takingly beautiful, but be warned. 
Besides the baboons, there are also wild horses roaming 
free.  

Just another reason to get into trouble. Silly humans. 

The Adventure

Place: Battery Creek, Kaapschehoop, Mpumalanga

Map: Link

Activities

Me: Running through plantations, peeing on pine trees, 

chewing pine-cones, swimming, chasing baboons 
(followed by a hiding), chasing wild horses (also possibly 
followed by a hiding).   

Humans: Hiking, swimming, avoiding baboons and 
horses.

Southwell

The humans are always complaining about the price of petrol, so they are trying to be more inventive with our adventures. 

That’s the nice way of saying they’re being cheap. 

Instead of driving 60km “all the way” to the coast, we went looking for a picnic spot on the Southwell road. About 3km on the gravel road, which leads to Port Alfred, we found a place where the Kowie river flows over a weir (some barrier thing).

It’s perfect. 

Deep enough to cool down; shallow enough to stick by the humans’ side. They say it’s annoying if I can’t join them in deep water; maybe it’s the anxious barking? Who knows.

We saw some baboons and, as usual, the small human freaked out even before I could think of chasing them.  

A little bit further on the same road we found an abandoned church. It’s beautiful and I weed on it.

Now it's mine.

The Adventure 

Place: Southwell road, Eastern Cape

Map: Link 

Activities:

• Me: Swimming, looking cute while running, eyeing the baboons and fetching sticks (because apparently I break toys)

• Humans: Picnicking, reading and cooling down in the river.