The Ride

As a youngster, I just loved the idea of learning to ride a horse but circumstances determined that it was never to be. The only time I have ever ridden a horse was as a treat on my honeymoon when freshly acquired hubby paid for a riding lesson at a school near Sedgefield. 

Recently, there has been a television series here which has captured our interest and imagination. Two chaps, brothers-in-law, have undertaken some seriously tough rides across country, replicating historical rides of South Africa and of Mongolia. 

All horse lovers and adventurers at heart should peek at this  blog post and this site. 

I cannot wait for the next series to be shown in October. And that is really saying something because I hardly ever watch television, for lack of interesting  and fresh content.

Otter Spotter

We often see the tracks of the Cape Clawless Otter on our beach. The only sight we have of the otters themselves is when they are hanging back in the waves, waiting for walkers and dogs to leave so that they can dash in from the sea, scamper across the beach and dive into some hidden spot which they call home.

Just around the corner from our village is a river which runs through a much more heavily populated township. The pollution of the Bokramspruit River has an impact on this elusive creature.  The river starts at the top of town, at the foot of the mountain and flows down through town in canals which are polluted with all manner of unspeakables. It then flows under the Main Road and through on to  Kommetjie village and finally, into the sea. The otters are affected by eating crabs which ate worms which ate a bit of polluted muck. Another cause of death to otters in the area is that of speeding cars hitting them in the poor light of early morning or evening.

Its a shame I cannot persuade Mad Dog and Englishman to take the camera with them on their regular coastal walks. The cellphone is not a great tool. Nevertheless, you can see what they spotted this week.