Tag Archives: nature

Camping Etiquette: Essential Tips for a Harmonious Experience

Introduction from Helen
Camping—what’s not to love? It’s the ultimate escape from the frantic pace of modern life.
But let’s be honest—while most campers are delightful, there’s always the odd one who is thoughtless and does not consider his/her fellow man. That’s where a gentle nudge toward camping etiquette comes in handy. Not rules, exactly—more like friendly reminders that keep the peace and preserve the magic. Perhaps these reminders should appear in brochures, blogs and signs in ablution blogs and reception areas.
Cathy, our guest blogger, has penned a brilliant guide to the unwritten rules of the wild. Her tips are thoughtful, practical, and worth considering.

(Images are AI generated)

Camping Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules of the Wild
There’s a quiet code among campers—an unspoken agreement that we’re all here to enjoy nature, not to intrude on each other’s peace. Whether you’re tucked into a remote corner of the bush or sharing space at a bustling national park, a little courtesy keeps the experience magical for everyone.
These were rules taught to me by my parents—simple, thoughtful guidelines for camping that I’ve lived by through all my years in the bush. They shaped how I move through wild spaces: with care, respect, and a touch of old-school courtesy. But lately I’ve found myself wondering—are these still relevant? Or have we moved on from these quiet codes of conduct?

Respect the Soundscape
Nature has its own rhythm—wind through the trees, the distant call of a nightjar, the soft crackle of a fire. It’s a symphony that doesn’t need a bass boost. Keep conversations gentle, music low, and save the dramatic retelling of your cousin’s wedding for daylight hours. Quiet hours aren’t just campground rules—they’re a kindness to the early risers, the light sleepers, and the wildlife who didn’t sign up for your playlist.

Stay in Your Lane (and Out of Theirs)
It might seem harmless to cut across someone’s campsite to reach the ablution block or a friend’s site, but it’s a bit like walking through their living room. Campsites are personal spaces, even if they’re just a patch of grass and a folding chair. Stick to paths, respect boundaries, and if you’re unsure—circle wide. A friendly wave from a distance is always better than a surprise appearance next to someone’s kettle.

Teach your kids to respect the space of others

Leave No Trace (and No Toast Crumbs)
The principle is simple: take out what you bring in or dispose of it in the proper place. That includes food scraps, packaging, and the dirty water from your in-van shower. Wildlife doesn’t need our leftovers, and fellow campers shouldn’t have to pick up or clean up after you. Use bins, if provided, or pack your waste out. Bonus points for picking up a stray wrapper that isn’t yours—karma in the wild is real.

Share the Space
Campsites aren’t private kingdoms. Be mindful of how your setup affects others—don’t sprawl across paths, block scenic views, or monopolize communal areas like picnic tables or fire pits. If your tent looks like it’s auditioning for a glamping magazine, make sure it’s not encroaching on someone else’s peace. A bit of spatial awareness and a friendly hello go a long way in building a respectful camping community.

Nighttime Courtesy: Torch Use and Awareness
Walking at night around the camp demands a little extra mindfulness. A torch isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. It prevents you from tripping over roots or stepping on something far less forgiving, like a snake or a scorpion. But how you use it matters.
It’s too easy to blind other campers with torches that are waved around. The trick is to keep the light low, pointed at the ground, lighting your path without disturbing others. Headlamps are handy, but they require extra mindfulness—tilt them down and resist the urge to look directly at people while chatting.

Fire with Care
There’s something primal about gathering around a fire—but it’s also a responsibility. Use designated braai areas, keep flames manageable, and never leave a fire unattended. When the embers die down, make sure they’re truly out. Our Tearful Bokkie may be fictional, but the risk isn’t.

Make sure campfires are properly extinguished

Hygiene Happens
Washing dishes at the tap, brushing teeth next to the water tank, leaving a shower stall swamped, or rinsing muddy boots and ground-sheets in the shower block? Maybe not. Use proper facilities, biodegradable soap, and keep shared spaces clean for the next person. If you don’t want to step in it barefoot, don’t leave it behind. And yes, that includes toothpaste blobs, hair in the shower drain, and rogue spaghetti strands.
Camping is about connection—with nature, with others, and with ourselves. A little etiquette ensures the experience stays wild in all the right ways.

Use the correct facility and leave it spotless for the next camper

Share Your World 6 October 2025 – Changing Seasons and Traditions

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Here are my answers to this week’s SYW from Di

1. The clocks go back at the end of October here in the UK. Does your country do the same?
Here in South Africa, our clocks stay put all year round. We do not spring ahead in Spring or fall behind in Autumn (Fall)
I live in Struisbaai in The Western Cape, which sits farther south—closer to the 35°S latitude—which means it experiences more pronounced seasonal shifts in daylight when the sun rises earlier and sets later in the warmer months. On the Summer Solstice (21 December), we enjoy 14 hours and 32 minutes of daylight, with the sun rising at 05:00 and setting at 19:32. First light tiptoes in around 04:30, and full darkness settles by 20:30.
In contrast, the Winter Solstice (21 June) brings a more modest 9 hours and 50 minutes of daylight. The sun rises at 07:46, sets at 17:36, and true darkness arrives by 19:00.
Inland and northern regions like Pretoria or Limpopo are closer to the equator, so their daylight hours stay more consistent year-round.
South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

2. Do you enjoy Halloween?
In Struisbaai, where I live, they haven’t a clue about Halloween. Most of the permanent residents are retirees, and our local shops will not be stocking broomsticks, witches’ hats, or bat-shaped biscuits. Nor will giant pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns decorate the front gardens of our neighbours’ homes.
In the ten years that I’ve lived here, no scary creature has threatened me with trick or treat.
My first inkling that Halloween had crept into South Africa was in the early 2000s when my grandson was just four years old. I’d picked him up from pre-school and he’d solemnly declared:
“Granny—if a monster comes to the door, don’t worry, I will protect you.”
Clearly, something spooky had been discussed at preschool. And sure enough, at 5 PM, a witch knocked. Did my brave protector leap into action? Not quite—he clung to my knees with a terrified look in his eyes.
A year or two later, all fear of monsters disappeared, and he and his brother joined the goblins and fairies who would trawl the neighbourhood in supervised groups, knocking on doors and demanding sugar in exchange for cuteness.

These days, Halloween parties are popping up here and there. But in Struisbaai, it’s still just another day. I do keep a jar of sweeties on standby. The local kid count is rising, and it’s only a matter of time before they realise they’re missing out on a perfectly good excuse to dress up and get free sweets!

3. Dare I ask if you are preparing for Christmas? If you do not celebrate it in your country, do you have any December traditions?
Christmas is all about family for us. Each year, our three daughters, son-in-law, and four grandchildren gather for two blissful weeks at our second-born’s home in Plettenberg Bay. Now that the “kids” are older, we’ve embraced the simplicity of Secret Santa—just one thoughtful gift each, which keeps the pressure low and the laughter high. Our money is better spent on outings, adventures and memory-making experiences.
When it comes to Christmas dinner, it’s a team effort. Everyone pitches in, and I usually take the reins on the Leg of Lamb and Greek Salad—my festive specialties. The day itself? Always fabulous. Full of food, fun, and the kind of togetherness that makes the season truly sparkle.

4. Are you likely to have snow anytime soon?
Not very likely in the Western Cape but snow can fall in the Drakensberg Mountains at any time of the year, though it is less likely in the summer months.

Santa on Struisbaai Beach – Look guys, no snow!

Gratitude

I am certainly grateful that the cold of winter is retreating in favour of Spring sunshine and warmer day, Although, having expressed that, it is blowing a gale and raining here today. No complaints about the rain – it is always welcome.
Our car is in need of a service and repair to the automatic gearbox – it refused to go into reverse the other day. I’m grateful that it did come right but we haven’t driven the car since for fear it will happen again.
I am grateful that we have a car and that it will just take a tweak to get it back to full, reliable working order again. Imagine if it had happened in the bush with an elephant charging toward us!

Reverse Grandpa, Reverse! – shouted the grandkids

Share Your World 22 Sepetmeber 2025 – The Joy of Photography Through the Years

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Here are my SYW answers to this week’s questions from Di

Do you like having your photograph taken?
I used to dislike being photographed, convinced that I wasn’t photogenic. But stepping behind the lens changed everything. I’ve learned how to coax hesitant subjects into engaging with the camera. When you shrink from the moment, the photo reflects that hesitation. But the instant you lean in, and let a little joy shine through, the results can be flattering. These days, I follow my own advice—and I’m pleasantly surprised by what I see.

**Speak** to the camera! (*Grandsons and friends – Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve 2010)*

Did you have a school photograph taken every year?
We had class photos taken every year at the schools I attended but very few are in my photo collection. Either my parents didn’t order them each year, or they have been lost over the years. I have all the school photographs taken of my own kids.

A nursery school photo of my grandson aged 4.

Do you take photographs using a phone or stand alone camera?
My bridge camera—specifically the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS— lives in my handbag, and I use it often. Bridge cameras are a happy medium between point-and-shoots and DSLRs, offering generous zoom and manual controls without the fuss of interchangeable lenses. I occasionally reach for my phone camera too, especially when spontaneity calls.

Latest photo taken with my Canon – My gardener after enlarging and planting a flower bed.

Are you any good at taking photographs?
I wouldn’t call myself a photography expert but I am an obsessive documenter. I record life as I live it both in words and images. The point of taking photographs is to capture the beauty I observe in nature and to record experiences with friends and family.
My photographs are filed in date order, with subject titles. All my favorites are in PowerPoint Presentations. My children and grandchildren know who to come to when they’re looking for a photograph from any past occasion!
Looking back at old photographs gives me great pleasure.

One of my favourite photos of Grandpa with all four grandchildren – December 2014 Struisbaai

Gratitude:
Today’s meme resonates with me.

I’m fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family whose presence brings joy and meaning to my life. I’m deeply grateful for each of them.

Visiting the Stanford Chelsea Flower Show

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On Friday, our guest and friend, Nicoline, took The Earl and me, to the quaint village of Stanford, the proud host a full-scale recreation of South Africa’s Gold Award-winning exhibit from the 2025 Royal Horticultural Society, Chelsea Flower Show, in London. Since the original display couldn’t be transported home, it was lovingly rebuilt for the Stanford “In Bloom Festival”, showcasing the Cape Floral Kingdom.

It was designed by Leon Kluge and Tristan Woudberg, and the exhibit featured over 25,000 stems of fynbos, a canyon of amber water, and a sculptural tribute to South Africa’s cultural heritage.

At the Chelsea Show in London, a sleeping wild fox was spotted curled up among the fynbos. The display’s water, tinted with rooibos tea, famous for its herbal virtues, might have tempted him to take a sip. If so, he might wonder if that is why his coat became so glossy.

Those footprints suggest he might just have been heading to the water for a drink!

There were also botanical artworks from the Grootbos Florilegium on display and one could purchase prints in various sizes. They were absolutely stunning, and the Florilegium was a delight to page through. While I was admiring it a man approached me and said he’d get one of the artists to sign me a copy.
“Thank you, but I’m not buying,” I replied.
“Why not?” he asked, “It’s only R 2000 for the full-sized book and R 800 for the smaller one.”
“Sorry, I’m just too poor,” I smiled.
He laughed. “I feel so sorry for you!”
He was, of course, teasing.
Nicoline has been coveting one, and it was with great effort that she stopped herself from indulging her wish.

The Earl took a photo of this print with his cell phone,

The town was alive with scarecrow-like effigies as part Stanford’s annual ‘In Bloom Spring Festival’. They were displayed in front of shops, in gardens, and in public spaces, each handcrafted by local residents, including schoolchildren, families, businesses, and artists. A prize will be awarded to the best contributors at the end of the festival.

Nicoline shares a moment with one of Stanford’s effigies

The Earl waits patiently as we are delayed by another stunning floral display,

On our journey back to Struisbaai, we made a delightful stop in Gansbaai to visit my friend, Belinda, who is curating a captivating art exhibition. Titled Dancing with the Universe, the show features an array of beautiful works—and I was especially taken with Belinda’s own contribution. It’s truly a piece that speaks to the soul. With her permission, I am publishing the video of the opening function.

Dancing with the Universe by Belinda Batt

As we headed home with a new protea tucked safely in the boot and a radiant yellow clivia gifted to us by Nicoline, our hearts felt just as full as our garden will soon be. The Stanford In Bloom Flower Show was a visual feast which left Nicoline, who is passionate about flowers, uplifted with joy and her enthusiasm certainly affected us profoundly.

Spring Awakening: Exploring South Africa’s West Coast

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After three years away, spring lured us back to South Africa’s West Coast—when the land wears its most dazzling colours and the air hums with renewal. Our journey had both heart and purpose: a long-overdue visit to a dear friend in a Langebaan retirement home, and a financial check-in with our adviser based in Dwarskersbos.

Note: To view the group of photographs, click on the first one to enlarge it. Use the arrows to navigate the slideshow. Press ‘escape’ to return to the blog post. On your phone, swipe to view each photo and tap the ‘x’ to return to the blog post. You may also need to tap the information icon to view the captions.

Before settling into our Airbnb in Langebaan on Day One, we made a beeline for the West Coast National Park. The Postberg section, open only in August and September, was in full bloom.

The bird life flitting among the spring blooms was a true delight which stirred a memory from long ago: an Afrikaans liedjie we once sang at school.
Al die veld is vrolik
Al die voeltjies sing
Al die kriekies kriek daar buit
Elke springkaans spring.

Loosely translated – The whole veld is cheerful, the birds sing, the crickets call outside, and each grasshopper hops.

The Cape Francolins certainly enjoyed the fields of flowers

The only mammals we found were these beautiful Cape Mountain Zebra.

Though primarily scavengers, yellow-billed kites also hunt small vertebrates and insects. Flower-rich fields attract pollinators and other insects, which in turn draw insectivorous birds like kites. We were thrilled to witness this in Postberg.

We also explored the other section of the West Coast National Park and the highlight was finding the Grey-Winged Francolin.

The ostrich family was also fascinating to watch. Those babies must be a lot of work!

Day Two led us to Velddrif for a financial meeting, followed by an impromptu river cruise on the Berg River. With no booking in hand, we simply Googled “boat cruises,” followed the directions, and hoped for the best. Luck was on our side. We spotted Nico’s sign, dialed the number, and he cheerfully invited us to join a group departing at 12:30. It was 12:10—we made it just in time.

The Earl, ever at peace on the water, was in his element. The cruise was pure magic. The vessel—a humble West Coast Chuckie—was far from fancy, but with only six of us aboard, it offered the perfect vantage for soaking in the scenery and spotting birds. The river mirrored the sky, and the bird life was a quiet joy.

As we were driving back to Langebaan we passed a wetland and stopped to observes some teal with their babies. A few stilts were wading in the ponds too,

Day Three
After packing up for departure from our accommodation, we enjoyed a lovely lunch with our dear friend Hanny, in Langebaan, then drove back to Cape Town, grateful for the springtime beauty, the meaningful connections, and the chance to revisit familiar places with fresh eyes. The West Coast gifted us not only wildflowers and birds, but moments of reflection and renewal.

Bird Watching at Strandfontein: A Hidden Gem

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The Earl and I are ex-Capetonians, now happily settled in the slow-paced seaside village of Struisbaai, perched at the southern tip of Africa. Every so often, we return to the Mother City to reconnect with family, catch up with friends, and check in with our trusted medical specialists.

This time, we set off on Sunday 17 August for a two-week visit—and I was unusually well-prepared! I drew up an itinerary, carefully slotting in medical appointments alongside dates with loved ones. Hopefully, no one important was left off the list!

On Sunday, 31 August, we had plans for afternoon tea with my aunt, but the morning was wide open. “Let’s go to our favourite bird watching spot,” I suggested to the Earl, and he readily agreed.

The Strandfontein Birding Area may be part of a wastewater treatment site, but it’s also a shimmering gem within the False Bay Nature Reserve. This reserve includes Rondevlei, Zeekoevlei, Pelican Park, Slangetjiebos, and the Zandwolf Coastal Strip. Strandfontein itself is a RAMSAR-designated wetland and one of the Western Cape’s premier birding destinations. Its wagon-wheel layout of ponds draws flamingos, pelicans, and a dazzling array of other water birds.

I’ve blogged about this special place before and have taken school groups there on several occasions. It never fails to delight.

With spring just a breath away, the weather graciously played its part—sunny, warm, and with just a gentle breeze. The ponds lay still, while wildflowers burst into bloom across the park. We were especially enchanted by the arum lilies, though the white daisies and the vibrant yellows, pinks, and purples scattered throughout stole our hearts just as easily.

There’s ongoing work to revamp the area and enhance both water quality and habitat diversity. The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with conservation groups, is regrading the settling pans to better accommodate a range of bird species. Reedbed management is also being improved to support breeding birds.

While these upgrades promise long-term benefits, I think that machinery noise and fluctuating water levels seem to have caused many birds to move elsewhere, and with fewer nesting and feeding areas available, the usual avian bustle was noticeably subdued. It’s also a touch early for the migrant waders. There were none in evidence on this day.

Normally, I can count on flamingos, pelicans, and purple swamphens to show up for me and when bringing guests, I usually promise that they will see them! Luckily, it was just us—so no risk of being exposed as a pretender! We did catch sight of flamingos in flight, though they must have settled at a pond we’d already passed. Their elegant fly-over was the only trace they left behind.

We may have missed a few familiar faces, but the drive was delightful, and the birds that graced the ponds were simply gorgeous. Some of the ponds, like the ones pictured below had teams of birds while there was little to be seen on others,

Gulls against a stunning backdrop of spring flowers

I don’t remember seeing the Cape Canary in this park, but I might have. This one certainly was enjoying the daisies and the arum lilies. The little Levaillant’s cisticola was also good enough to pose but getting that clear shot was not easy with the reeds in he background wanting to take the focus away.

True to form, the Yellow-billed Ducks graced several ponds, ever camera-ready and utterly unfazed by our lens-loving admiration.

We spotted flocks of Cape Shovellers in the distance and managed to get a couple a little closer for the lens. Cape Teal and red-billed teal were about but we only managed to photograph the Cape. Some Fulvous duck were hiding and we almost missed them. They are not as common as the other ducks.

Avocets and stilts made an appearance and seemed to be enjoying the calm ponds. We also found a few blacksmith lapwings but there were not as many as usual.

The herons were having a good time too.

Coots had not left the area and there were a number of faithful moorhen too,

Surprisingly there weren’t many Egyptian Geese. I always think they improve the scenery. There were also a few Spurwings around,

The egrets and ibises were quite entertaining

Even with fewer birds than usual, the reserve offered its own quiet charm—a reminder that nature doesn’t always need to dazzle to restore. We left with full hearts, grateful for the stillness, the spring blooms, and the joy of simply being.

Share Your World 28 April – Exploring Seasons in the Southern Hemisphere

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Here are my answers to this week’s SYW from Di

What season are you in where you live, and what time is it?
Down here in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re basking in the golden glow of Autumn. In the Western Cape, South Africa, it’s affectionately known as the Secret Season—a time when the weather seems to strike a perfect balance. No scorching heat, no icy chills, the winds take a well-earned break, and the rains aren’t quite ready to make an entrance.
Unlike some parts of the world, daylight saving doesn’t exist in the South African Standard Time (SAST) zone. With our clocks fixed two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), I find myself happily typing away as the clock strikes 16:00—right in the heart of a secret-season afternoon!

Autumn Sunset after a balmy day in Struisbaai yesterday.

What is your favourite season of the year?
Autumn/Fall/Secret Season is my favourite time of year. See above.

Autumn is my favourite season (AI generated)

Can you ski or ice skate?
Back in 1993, Verbier welcomed me to the snowy slopes of the Alps. Skiing was fun and we had a good instructor but I was not exactly the most graceful lady on skis. I was the one careening out of control down the slopes. It’s a small miracle I emerged without a collection of casts and crutches!
Ice skating, on the other hand, was a breeze. Having spent my childhood zooming around on roller skates, gliding across the ice felt like second nature—though thankfully with fewer driveway tumbles!

January 1993 – Our patient instructor, Me, The Earl on the slopes of the Alps in Verbier, Switzerland.

When was the last time you built a snowman?
I’ve never had the pleasure of building a snowman—South Africa’s general shortage of snowflakes is the reason for this! My grandchildren, on the other hand, got lucky. Kokstad, where they grew up, occasionally served up some snowfall as a rare treat. I visited Kokstad a few times during winter but never when the snow decided to bless the kids with a day or two off from school!

My granddaughter with her little snowman – Kokstad 2004

Gratitude

As a snow-starved South African, in my youth I imagined snow to be nothing but fun! Now that I am older and wiser, I am ever so grateful to be blessed to live in a warmer climate where the hazards of extreme weather are things I only read about! I can’t imagine having to get a kid into layers of clothing or a snowsuit before leaving the house. My grandsons would head off to school barefoot all year round. Their winter wardrobe was refreshingly simple: a fleece and tracksuit pants were all they needed to tackle the chilly mornings!

Share Your World Monday 18 November 2024

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Thank you Di for these lovely questions

1. What brings you the most comfort:
food, friends, a good movie, pets, a walk on the beach/in the park, or something else
When I enter a game reserve, I breathe more deeply and feel almost euphoric. I also enjoy a lovely long walk on the beach.

Me in the Kruger National Park – Don’t worry – I was with a guide – and this was allowed!

2. Most of us love our food. Is there something you like but know you shouldn’t have it?
I follow a healthy diet but I don’t believe there is any food that you ‘shouldn’t’ eat. The odd treat now and then is good for you! My guilty pleasure – croissants – any style! I have recently been introduced to the almond variety and oh my word they are delicious! This morning I was determined to have a ‘proper’ breakfast as if I eat too much ‘junk’ food I am in danger of getting diverticulitis which is not pleasant. But we went to “OppieStoep” in Bredasdorp after doing our shopping, and they had a special – Bacon, Avocado, and Feta on a fresh croissant! I could not resist!

3. Do you prefer a garden of flowers or growing vegetables, or do you not have a garden?
I possess a wild garden! I’m not adept at gardening; my plants either perish or burgeon into a jungle. Most of my plants are indigenous but I also try to cultivate vegetables which is difficult because of the amount of time I spend away from home!

4. Would you like to be rich, I mean REALLY rich?
Of course, I would like to be really rich. I consider myself privileged but not rich but as my brother says, “I would rather be rich and miserable than poor and miserable.”
My opinion on wealth is not a popular one. Without the rich, the economy would collapse. Wealthy people are entrepreneurial, have great ideas, create amazing things, and take risks. They also create jobs and provide opportunities for people to follow their career choices. While they spend extravagantly they are paying other people for those extravagances. When eating in fancy restaurants they are providing opportunities for chefs to create fabulous dishes. They reside in mansions designed by architects and built by artisans who value the work. Consider the funds they donate to charity, even if it serves as a tax avoidance strategy—it’s preferable to aid those in need than to enrich greedy politicians.

Remember, when a rich man fails and loses his millions those in his employ lose heavily too. With great privilege comes great responsibility.

Gratitude:
Last week, I posted a photo of the elusive Klaas’s Cuckoo, a bird I frequently hear in my garden but rarely see clearly enough to photograph. Throughout my time in Struisbaai, I had never encountered a similar bird, the Diederik’s Cuckoo. To my delight, I heard its loud call in my garden a few days ago and, despite the quality of my photos, I succeeded in capturing it on two separate occasions. I am immensely thankful for the birds that grace my garden!

Gecko Road Trip October 2024 – Day 1 Struisbaai to Oudtschoorn

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Note: When viewing the groups of photographs click on first one to enlarge. Use arrows to see slide show. Press escape to return to the blog post. If you are on your phone you just need to swipe to see each photo and click on the x to return to the blog post. You might also need to click on the info icon to see the captions.

Monday 14 October 2024

For those reading my blog for the first time, let me explain the title of this post. The Gecko Caravan is a rare species. There are just over two hundred of them in Southern Africa and most of us are on a WhatsApp group where we share news. tips about camping and adaptations to our vans, etc. Each Gecko is numbered according to when it was manufactured so if you see a Gecko Off-road Caravan with the number 81, you will know it was the 81st one built. That just happens to be the number of the one we are the proud owners of. Our travelling companions are Alec and Cathy who own Gecko 109. They live in Napier, 50 km from Struisbaai. If you don’t already know, Struisbaai is a small fishing village near Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa.

We met our friends at the silo towers, Bredasdorp at 09:00 and set off for the first leg of our journey. We will spend one night at Kleinplaas Campsite, Oudtschoorn, then four nights at Karoo National Park, two nights at Camdeboo, and finally four nights at Mountain Zebra National Park.

The weather today was cool and overcast and we had a few splashes of rain too. It might have been overly optimistic to dress in jeans and a short-sleeved T-shirt but my fleece gave me enough warmth while in the car!

Our journey graced us with stunning vistas. Route 62 boasts breathtaking landscapes, grand mountains, and imposing cliffs that stand over pristine streams. The delightful natural flora is a sight to cherish.

Following our traverse of the Tradouw Pass, we stopped for breakfast at The Country Pumpkin in Barrydale. We highly recommend this restaurant not only for its ambiance and quaint decor but for the excellent food served. You can also purchase delicious confectionery, home-bottled preserves, and souvenirs from their shop.

We arrived at our first overnight stop, Kleinplaas Campsite in Oudtshoorn at 13:00. The sites are spacious, grassed, and shady. The ablutions are well-maintained, clean, and neat.

After setting up we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. The birds were active and I managed to get a few photographs.

We ordered pizzas from Debonair’s which were delivered to the campsite and then turned in early as it was a tad chlly sitting outdoors this evening.

Tomorrow we head for Karoo National Park. Watch this space.

The Bird that scared me!

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Everyone who follows my blog knows that I love birds. I spend much of my free time watching them in my garden and in the wild. What I do not have, is a pet bird, unless you count the Cape Wagtail that cheekily enters my house and screams for cheese or the sugarbirds that do not fly away when we fill the sugarwater feeder.

The trusting sugarbirds know they’re safe with The Earl

There is a scary movie called “The Birds”. I have never watched it and probably never will as I cannot imagine birds being scary! But yesterday – a bird did scare me!

I set out for a walk at about 4 o’clock, taking my Ocean View Drive route. I hadn’t walked for two days so was looking forward to a good workout. All of a sudden I heard a high-pitched shriek and I felt a fluttering on my shoulder.

“What the heck – a crow is attacking me!”

But of course that was just paranoia. As I cringed and swatted at my shoulder I saw that it was not a large black-winged attacker but a small, beautiful red and green parakeet-type bird. I was wearing a necklace of Venetian blue glass beads and she was very interested in these and the chain of my red cell phone bag. Clearly, she liked my bling.

At the moment the bird landed on me a car screeched to a halt and after the few seconds it took to realise what had happened I glanced at her awestruck face. “I saw it in the tree,” she said, “And then it just flew at you. I thought it must be your pet!”

“Not mine,” I replied. “Any idea who it could belong to?”

No, she did not. And the birdie did not want to leave my shoulder, arm, head or back. He just clung on and chattered in my ear. I had to take my earbuds out (I’d been listening to a podcast!) Ocean View Drive is a long one so knocking on doors as just not an option and I didn’t want to walk back home in case the bird flew off and got lost far from home. Instead, I took a selfie and rang Earl to fetch me so we could look after the lovely avian until the rightful parents could be found. Earl couldn’t believe it so luckily I had the selfie to prove my predicament. While I waited I posted on Facebook’s Luv 4 Pets and Struisbaai Fun but of course, these posts would only go live after the admins had approved them.

The Earl soon picked me up and dropped me at home while he went to buy seed in case we were to be the custodians for a while before the rightful parents were found.

After Earl left it struck me that our neighbourhood WhatsApp group, Meerkat, would probably be the most likely to respond so I posted the selfie with the caption, “Anybody know this bird? He dropped in on me while I was walking on Ocean View Drive!”

Within minutes Bettie replied. “Dit lyk soos Pollie. Die Zeemans het so ‘n voel wat vry in die huis rondvlieg.” (It looks like Polly – The Zeemans have such a bird and he flies freely around their house)

I know the Zeemans from the boat club and had Adel’s number, so I quickly rang her. “Ek het ‘n voêl hier by my. Is dit joune?” (I have a bird with me. Could it be yours?)

She told me that her two African Greys were in their cages. Could I describe the bird? So I sent her the photo and got a voice note back. “Dis Pollie. Ek het nie geweet dat sy weg was. (It’s Polly – I didn’t know she was missing!)

I sent the address and she and her son arrived just as Earl returned from the supermarket with the seed. Pollie greeted her people with much screeching and kissing. They got into the car but just as they were about to drive away, Pollie flew out of the open window and perched on the overhead wire! And she would not return to either of them. The neighbour’s cat was very interested, so I picked her up and told her to behave. Pollie then flew into another garden and high up into a tree which Adel’s son attempted to climb. Eventually, she came down to a lower bush and with much coaxing and encouragement the young man managed to get Pollie to willingly hop onto his hand and then his shoulder and they got her into the car.

I did some googling to see what kind of bird Pollie is and the closest I can come up with is a Jandaya Parakeet which originated in the northeast of Brazil where it is quite common in the wild. Pollie is a well-cared-for pet and would not survive if released to care for herself.

Adventuring into Retirement

Making the most of The South African LIfestyle

Tag Archives: nature

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The Bird that scared me!

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