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.

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.

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.  

Kasouga

Beach toys, lagoon games, warm sand and ALL. THAT. WATER.  

The humans decided that the best way to spend a lazy Sunday is at Kasouga. Finally, they get it right!

It was a bit breezy, but we found a sheltered spot behind a small dune, right next to the lagoon. The lagoon’s water, filled up by the Kasouga river, is always a bit warmer than the ocean. 

The humans brought those beach tennis rackets and a spongy ball (also known as a chew toy).   

They tried really hard to keep me away from the fun. They soon realised it’s useless; it turned into a game of hit-and-fetch. 

After all the excitement - and resembling a wet mop - we drove to Port Alfred to have our picnic on the grassy banks of the Kowie.

Apparently, humans don’t like sand in their food. Silly humans. 

The Adventure 

Place: Kasouga, Eastern Cape

Map: Link

Activities:

• Me: Swimming in the lagoon, playing fetch, howling at other dogs, rolling in the sand.

• Humans: Swimming, tanning, lounging, playing beach games.

Rainy St Francis

This is going to be a short post. The weather was lousy.

The entire weekend we were in St Francis Bay it was raining cats and dogs. 

For the group of humans, this wasn’t all that bad. They stayed inside, drank loads of alcohol and played an endless amount of games; everything but fetch.

They played Uno, Charades, General Knowledge and Blind man’s bluff.  Their favourite game was something called Werewolf (also known as Mafia). 

In a nutshell: the storyteller moderates the game and chooses who will be the werewolf. The werewolf kills a member of the village each round and the villagers need to figure out who the werewolf is.

It seems like fun, but there’s a giant hole in the plot: the only one with a muzzle, four paws and fur wasn’t asked to play. 

Needless to say, I was bored. We will have to go back soon.

The Adventure  

Place: St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape

Map:Link

Activities:

• Me: Playing in the rain, sleeping, waiting to be the werewolf.

• Humans: Drinking, playing board games, going to the Penguin Rescue & Rehabilitation, visiting the lighthouse and checking where The Endless Summer was filmed. 

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.   

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.