Yes – another trip!  We certainly are enjoying our adventurous retirement. We saw our rural kids in Struisbaai and Cape Town in  December/January. Our last visit to them in Kokstad was a year ago so really another visit was due.  We also had the excuse of our brother-in-law, Andrew’s 80th coming up in May so after less than two weeks at home after our Kgalagadi trip we departed Cape Town yet again.

Our new home is going to be Struisbaai but we haven’t had time to move there yet!  Therefore we decided to stop there for two nights to see that everything was still in order at the house and to check what needed to be done there.   Earl sorted out the garden, I checked the inventory and we decided that a new Convection Oven should be added to the kitchen equipment.

Of course we also checked out the birdlife in the area.

Cape bulbul

Common Waxbill

Common Fiscal

African Pipit

Female Southern Black Korhaan

A visit to the harbour is compulsory and on the Sunday the day was clear and beautiful and the stingrays were having the time of their lives

On Monday 13 April we made our way to Great Brak to visit Diane and Carey.  What a piece of paradise they have found.   Carey was just out of hospital after a back operation but he was up and about and keen to show us everything.  On Tuesday Diane and I took a very steep walk to the river planning to get a ride back with Earl but the pet calf followed us so we had to walk her back!   It was a steep climb but I certainly needed the exercise.

First bird we saw – swee waxbill

Diane’s fishpond is a source of delight to the cat

He fell in trying to get a catch then swam to the edge without suffering too much trauma

Very pretty walk

Even the calf enjoyed it

But, boy was it steep to get back

Although it was only a day and a night with Carey and Diane we had an amazing time and are so impressed with what they have done with their place.   Carey custom builds campervans and has set up an amazing workshop on the plot.  Diane has taken to the country life like she was born to it. Next time we will stay for longer.