deanbean

Gxara River Nongxwauses pool, an infamous area of Xhosa history The Gates Some uninterested spectators above The Gates climb Al ong way back to the sea Kei Mouth from the dunes above the wreck of the Jacaranda KwaGcaleka Point, near Wavecrest The Kobonqaba River The Kobonqaba River mouth

Had a great trundle into the Transkei. Met and chatted to many locals, including a few chaps transporting firewood with a sled, anda rasta fisherman. Wheels don't work on the local tracks. Never took pics though because I forgot my camera, and I wasn't about to pull out my phone.

Those kittens have taken over my bed Ha ha, it's cold and a dog needs her bed

She has hey, become a real little lady, loves riding her bike still though, and ballet, and horses[emoji33] ....

Yup they are, with dangerously sharp beaks, just wish they would use them. Still pullets, about 30wks old.

I'm going away for the long weekend. Fudge will come with, but the rest will have to stay. I'll have to ask my neighbours son to pop in occasionally.Feel bad about it, but the cats and Max can't come with us. On a sadder note, that bloody JR took out 2 of my chickens over the weekend. She now knows that she must keep away from them

Had a bit of a climbing ride yesterday, It's been a long time since I rode this route, and I realised why, there was a little bit of climbing involved, 1500m in 38km, but it meant that I took a lot of photos. The start of the climb Then I took a wrong turn, which resulted in more climbing Lots of Tree ferns up this climb At the top, you can see the sea 100km away on a clear day Mount Thomas Gubu Dam, with Mount Kempf in the background Mount Ailsa Gubu dam in the forests Leopard Falls, on the forest drive

I don't know where the stupid cat is. She took off this evening when I closed all the windows. One's been left open for her

If it 3deg here, it's snowing at the Hogs and Penhoek

Cold days in front of the fire 3deg outside

Polly (my 9year old daughter) got hold of me last night with that thing, until she got told that it was bedtime

Just under the blind, on the skylight window, you can see her tail curled up there and a couple of white patches

First time I've been able to get all the pets in a photo, even Pixie on the window. From the left, Maxie, Pixie the cat on the window, Fudge and Phoebe amd Tigs, the kittens on the chair. All enjoying the heat from the Aga Edit, I see the kittens have attacked my chair seat [emoji16]

My bike took me to the bottom of Henderson this weekend, well almost, down at the bottom it's so steep that even the baboons use walking sticks. I passed Fanie, while he was buggering around with his chain, but then he passed me again, because the ride was 5km too far for my out of condition ass. Henderson 60km is one of the most scenic routes in the Eastern Cape, and there's even more that the riders in the race don't see, because it's too steep for a circular ride. Some racing snakes that came flying past me The last crossing over the Thomas River BTW I decided to use Rouxies "helping riders in distress" guidelines, and only stopped twice, once to offer help to Fanie, and once to offer help to a racing snake, the honey man Andrew, he had all the necessary tools, but his inflator was buggered, so he qualified, two other riders that passed me grinding their gears up the hills had to do their own thing, some time you have to learn to treat your gears with a bit of finesse.

Pixie, my oldest daughters old cat. She doesn't like the babies, so stays in the shed, mostly. She was bullied terribly by a rescue tom we had for a while. We had to return him, was very sad

3 of the 5 furbabies enjoying the blanket. The other two prefer to be outside

New arrival Phoebe trying out Fudges bed. It's nice and warm next to the Aga. Lucky dog

Hilarious, a recipe for cauli-based pizza with SuzelleDIY....... and Tim Noakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKmUqV7abgw

Had a cool ride checking that the route for next weekends Henderson Race was clear, we started at The Underchurch house Then rode down the valley on the gravel road to Openside, then up into the mountain then higher into the mountain We saw a big group of Mountain Reedbuck in the thorn trees over the valley Then we rode along the contour track and down to the Thomas river and back onto the gravel road some good looking yellow pools down there Then into the Irongate Safari's farm for a quick loop

Kosi bay, now there's a spot I used to enjoy. We had use of one of the houses at the mouth, and used to go there often. During my.national service, one idiot leut ran down the beach, beyond the bprder markers, he was lucky he wasn't shot by Frelimo.There are reefs in the mouth, it was fun snorkling there.

I miss the days living near the Pongola. Fishing for tigers, dodging hippos, crocs and mambas.

Poor Jackies, such thin coats, they really suffer in winter. Mine has an AGA to sleep next to, but still has to be wrapped in her blankie

Fudge very happy with her new bed. Her old one was shredded by a friends Border Collie pup.

Phoebe and Tigs, the kittens being inspected by Fudge.

We also have long gravel roads here, and a more comfy thicker wheeled roadbike would be fun. I've often thought of putting dropbars and skinny tyres on my Ragley. It would make it a more versatile machine, a true gravel grinder.