Hillsview hikes

We live in Hillsview; a suburb on the outskirts of Gtown.

No houses to the right and nothing behind us but muddy swamps, smelly plants and a tough terrain. It’s heaven (with a view of town).

We have a back gate leading to trails frequently used by other dogs. This is where I take my humans for a run.

When they’re feeling fit, we’ll jog all the way to Grey Dam for a quick swim.   

On lazy days I have to settle for short strolls, flower picking and posing in pink grass.

What can I say; hippies with cameras.

The Adventure

Place: Hillsview and Mountain road, Grahamstown

Map: link

Activities:

• Me:  Playing in mud, drinking gross water, running, posing for a camera

• Humans: Walking, hiking, running, flower picking, conning dogs into modelling.

The journey

The humans have this corny saying:

 “It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey”. 

They take this very seriously.

Sometimes they invite me along for drives to the 

Pick ‘n Pay. That’s it.

Yes, the 5 minutes of fresh air is glorious; 

but let’s not kid ourselves.

They gather new music, buy snacks and play games

in the car; convincing each other that getting there

is just as fun as being there.

Even when they’ve finally reached a destination

 - like the beach -  they will carry on walking, 

in search of a new one.

Silly humans. 

The Adventure 

Place: The open road

Map: Wherever you're going

Activities 

- Me:  Hanging out the window, enjoying the wind 

in my face, barking at cars, maneuvering my way to 

the driver’s seat.

- Humans: Keeping the car on the road, 

listening to music, playing Eye Spy or Car Cricket,

sending me to the back seat.

Grey Dam

Grey Dam; Grahamstown’s local watering hole.

On sunny afternoons (especially weekends and holidays) you will find drinking, braaiing and loud music oozing from “carbars”. 

This usually means there are yummy chicken bones lying around everywhere.  

I never actually get to eat them. The one human always sticks her hand in my mouth and flings them away. 

She’s gross. And a bit mean.

But, I do like it when she invites me along for walks and jogs to this dam. 

I don’t appreciate the photos of me looking like a wet towel though.

That’s why, when we get home, I like to jump on her clean bed and play dead.

The Adventure 

Place: Grey Dam, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.

Map: link

Activities: 

• Me:  Running, barking, swimming, playing fetch, scrounging for bones.
• Humans: Walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, braaiing, picnics, stealing my chicken bones.   

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.  

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.