Relatief swaar (sement)

Small town Afrikaans social media never fails to deliver. This morning’s gem was this:

Yes, that’s a free cement baboon looking for a new home. But you’ve got to come and collect it yourself. It’s relatively heavy (cement). Contact me [not me] on Whatsapp if you are interested.

And who wouldn’t be interested in a (relatively heavy) free cement baboon?

What’s not to like?

Well, it’s this:

That does look relatively heavy. But I supposed that it is (cement).

But the existence of this relatively heavy (cement) baboon definitely suggests that there is at least one cement baboon mould somewhere out there. And that in turn suggests that there may be other cement baboons out there as well. Maybe even troops of them.

But… why?

Of course, the other why is why anyone would want this, but the group quickly became a thrashing feeding frenzy of locals desiring a free cement baboon. Despite the relatively heavy weight.

I’ve been here 20 years and I’m still regularly astounded by this place.

Slip one in

Between a horse show with the rich and infamous this morning, and a Matric Dance this evening, I’m a bit pushed for time.

I can’t share any Matric Dance photos because it hasn’t happened yet and I can’t really share any horse show photos because I don’t have permission from the horses the riders, so let’s quickly look for a Quota Plover.

Ah, here we go.

This one is your stock standard White-Fronted Plover (Charadrius marginatus), taken on the beach near Suiderstrand back in June. Just look at that Winter light.

And that’s going to have to be your lot for today. Tomorrow: a lie-in and a braai.
Probably in that order.

Pretty fly for a… fly.

A long run on the beach and a bit of tidying up the garden way down south cleared up my head after last night’s football and rugger drama – and that bottle of Saronsberg Shiraz.

Now showered, suited and booted – well, t-shirted, shortsed and flopsed – I spotted this guy in the kitchen window and decided to shoot him.

Not easy to get to with a sink in the way, a dirty window from last night’s wind and rain, and some iffy dark background to avoid. It’s not going to win any awards, but, meh – it’s an ok shot for ID purposes.

And I’m fairly sure that this is a Cape Needlenose Fly (Philoliche rostrata). Fine on a kitchen window, not so great on the back of your leg on the beach. Indeed, we’ve had to abandon trips and walks locally on a few occasions when there are a few of these guys around. Very painful bite. Would not recommend.

We’re back to just 6000 miles from civilisation… later today. Hold thumbs for very limited traffic, please.

BTG

Britain’s Talent Got.

No. Bar-Tailed Godwit – a nice spot at the lagoon in Agulhas yesterday.

Unedited (aside from the crop) pic, because we’ve been busy walking, cleaning, gardening and generally doing a quick spring clean on the cottage ahead of the upcoming summer season, where I’m hoping for a lot more trips down here.

That is going to be problematic as far as journeys are concerned, though. The washed away roads from the recent floods are pushing all the traffic onto smaller (and sometimes also damaged) routes, which simply aren’t going to be able to handle it in holiday season. It was already iffy yesterday.

It will be horrible. But it will be worth it.

Just bring snacks and patience.

Just in case

Heading down to Agulhas, Apparently connection has been sketchy down there due to flood damage so I’m popping this one up just in case.

(but you can probably expect more later)