Hogsback part 1

Hogsback: quaint, quirky, slightly crazy.  

Apparently the humans named this village after a

nearby peak which resembles a hog’s back. 

I don’t see it (like I said; crazy).

It is beautiful here and there is so much to do. 

You can cycle, hike and splash under waterfalls.

My humans did none of these.

Instead of keeping me entertained, they sat around 

a fireplace at Starways Art Centre, went to Butterfly
Bistro for pizza and partied at Away with the Fairies 

(leaving me to guard the cabin and car).

They did however take me to a labyrinth at The Edge.  

It was the strangest sight: the humans would stick to a 

narrow cement path and stroll around quietly.

I, on the other hand, ignored the path and broke the 

silence with my glorious voice. 

The Adventure

Place: Hogsback, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

- Me:  Running, barking at monkeys, swimming, 

  chilling by the fireplace.

- Humans: Hiking, cycling, swimming, 

  chatting to eccentric locals, looking at artsy stuff,

  making the fire.

Port Alfred with lil' Cas

This is my mate, Casper. He is a Weimaraner.

Due to their yellow eyes and grey coats, this breed’s nickname is “the grey ghost”. Hence the name: the friendly ghost.

Unlike Cas, my breed remains a mystery. I’ve heard people say that I look like a beardy and that I have some terrier in me (apparently due to my “annoying” habit of chasing small animals).

However, on the beach it doesn’t matter what breed you are. According to humans, we all act equally stupid from the excitement and awe of sand and water. 

But so do they...

My one human dresses up as a seal and rides the waves on a foamy chew-toy. 

The other walks around taking photos of things I generally like to pee on.

Casper yelps, follows me everywhere and constantly gnaws on everything; including my coat. 

I, on the other hand, like to bark persistently, run senselessly and fetch objects from the waves.

I am the best.

The Adventure 

Place: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities:

• Me:  Swimming, running, barking, digging holes, fetching objects.

• Humans: Swimming, body boarding, surfing, fishing, photography, throwing objects.

The Grahamstown blaze

Hot dang, this was a wild day!

It started around 10:00 on a Thursday morning, 17 July to be exact. 

The humans went to inspect some smoke wafting from PJOlivier High School, which is close to our house.

I was pleased that they invited me along. Any outing is good, even when it leads to a scorching blaze.

Although it seemed under control, the fire was making its way to the koppie behind our house (I like the word koppie).

I have never seen the humans in such a frenzy.  It was like a hysterical game of throw and fetch; but with buckets. And water.

They tried really hard to keep me inside the house, but I was too quick for them. Instead of staying out of the way, I resolved to insistent barking and pointless running.

It was fun. 

The Adventure 

Place: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.

Map:link

Activities:

• Me:  Running, barking, being in the way.

• Humans: Freaking out, shouting, fire fighting.  

Ballots Bay

I have to agree with the humans: walking, hiking or driving via a steep, bumpy and muddy road is ‘woolly’ worth a spectacular view (see what I did there?)

Going too close to the edge scares them, so they insist on wearing a red leash at all times. 

I think it is part of my duty to keep them safe. I’m a noble like that.

The beautiful Ballots bay lies between Vic and Herold’s on the Garden Route coastline. If I stick my head out of the car window at George, the wind wisps through my fur for about 15 minutes. 

This view point is situated on private property which will be developed for scientific research; into caves and spiritual retreats.

I left there feeling like Zen Dog

The Adventure 

Place: Ballots Bay, Garden Route, Western Cape.

Map: Link

Activities:

• Me:  Walking, enjoying the view, running (when the leash is removed).

• Humans: Hiking, enjoying the view, picnicking, braaiing, worrying about safety.  

The old George dam

I love hiking! 

There is an infinite amount of dirt, un-whiffed smells around every turn and tons of tiny critters to chase. 

My one human always freaks out if I dart off after other animals. I’m not quite sure why. Maybe it's because I’m fast and she’s slow and that makes her jealous. Who knows?

We decided to hike from George to an old dam close to the George Peak in the Outeniqua Mountains. 

This dam used to supply water to the town years ago. I guess the humans found some other way to fill up my drinking bowl. 

The hike is about 8km from residential areas like Heatherlands and Glen Barrie.

I like these suburbs. They are filled with my fellow dogkind; I can sing the song of my people.

The dam itself is fairly eerie and the water is dark brown like that Cola drink. Apparently this is due to its high tannin content filtered from the surrounding plants.

I like plants. 

The adventure

Place: George Dam, Outeniqua Mountains, Western Cape

Map: Link 

Activities:

• Me: Running, chasing guinea fowl, barking at monkeys, rolling in mud and swimming.

• Humans: Hiking, picnicking, swimming and washing mud off me.  

Where it all started: Jameson Dam

This is where all this travelling business started; 

short trips to nearby dams in and around Grahamstown.

As you can see, I had a different haircut here.  

The place where I met my humans (the SPCA , or 

something like that) decided to shave off all my dreads 

and rid me of my manhood – two snips in one day.

Needless to say, I was a bit shy and I felt ‘dread’fully 

exposed. 

To cheer me up, the humans escorted me to 

Jameson Dam.

I have to admit, it was fun. I ran around like mad man, 

hence the silly photograph. The humans love taking 

unflattering photos of me. 

That’s why - for no reason - 

I like to bark in the early hours, while they are sleeping.

The adventure

Place: Jameson Dam, Eastern Cape

Map: Link

     Activities:   

     - Me: I like to swim, chase sticks and generally 
       just run around.
     - Humans: They like to braai and fish here. 
       They are boring.