BENAFIM, HUDDLED ACROSS THE VALLEY FROM ESPARGAL
Forgive my recent silence. I have been travelling. I flew with Iberia to South Africa to spend a few days with family there, especially my brother, Brendan, who is recovering from heart surgery.
Brendan runs a small family business in the mining town of Witbank. But while he is on the mend, he is staying with his daughter, Micaela, at her townhouse in a gated community in the suburbs of Pretoria.
I lodged a couple of blocks away in the comfortable environs of the Villa Africa hotel, from which Micaela fetched me each morning. Sadly, crime is rife and one doesn't stroll around the area. All properties are surrounded by high walls topped with electric fences.
Micaela's usual companions are Zoe and Sushi. Naturally, they enjoy full family rights.
We met Barbara's brother, Robbie, and Carol for lunch at the vast Menlyn Park shopping mall. Robbie's dark glasses help him cope with an eye infection.
From Pretoria I flew to Cape Town to spend a weekend with Barbara's and my extended families there. The hospitality of her nephew, Chris Jones, and his wife, Jane, comes highly recommended.
My first concern was to catch up with the lives of my several cousins in the Cape Peninsula. So immersed did I become in our conversations that I neglected to take pictures. My apologies! Barbara's extended family later joined us for a curry dinner. Thank you, Jane (right).
Back at the ranch, Jones continued to walk the hounds in the hills twice a day. She had recently returned herself from a family week in South Africa. Unless we have house sitters, it's not feasible for us to travel together - not with 12 demanding animals to care for.
On my return, I felt the effects of three consecutive flights and a train ride.
But a reviving cuppa coffee had me back on my feet - in a manner of speaking.
In my absence the traffic barrier on the bend approaching the Espargal turn-off took a serious battering .
The driver of a large bread delivery van did the damage, writing off his vehicle in the process - fortunately without damaging himself. Bits of lorry are still strewn around.
Just beyond the village someone has cleared a plot, erected a fence and housed several dogs. We have yet to learn who and why!
The summer has been long, hot and dry, leaving much of the country in drought. After weeks of waiting for rain, and a few teasing showers, we saw promising clouds gathering.
On Tuesday relieving rains fell - all of 30mms. As welcome as the downpour was, it barely dampened the Algibre's long-exposed pebble bed. (Below) The water streaming into the tub comes from a spout on the upper patio.
On Wednesday we saw our lawyer regarding Casa Nada. We are not holding our breath. Meanwhile, from the remains of a tree we have created a second bird-feeder. Thus far the birds have ignored it. In fact, doves apart, they're not showing much interest in their regular seed tray either.
Thursday we joined friends for lunch at a country restaurant. The rain has gone away. Blue skies are back.
Just beyond our gates numerous black beetles seem to spend most of their time lying helplessly on their backs, legs kicking feebly in the air. We set several right each time we pass. How have they survived as a species, I wonder, when evolution has treated them so cruelly.
With the arrival of December and a cold front from the north, temperatures have fallen sharply. After dinner the dogs love to gather around the wood-fire in the living room.
And so do we, truth be told. It's dark by six and one or two interesting TV programmes - or a movie - bring welcome entertainment to long evenings. Jones has cast an eye over the blog. She says there are too many dog pictures.
Nay, it's not pictures that are the problem. The problem is too many dogs!
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