This will be the last post before I return to the UK, which I am convulsed with excitement over and am now counting the hours, and already starting to fret that I have not enough time to see everyone & do everything and that I want & need and to!
I am mortified to have picked up my first, and veritable “mother of a cold”, since our arrival in September, and so am squeezing oranges for England and consuming resulting juice, in order to top up my Vit C levels, and shed the virus before my flight on Monday. Somehow sneezing, coughing and plugging runny noses with Kleenex does not sit comfortably in this extreme heat.

Lenie is out of hospital
To our great relief, Lenie was released from UP`s Medi clinic on Saturday morning,[28.02] she returned to the farm to recuperate for a few days, She was very tired and still not 100% but she is back with us again!
She flew onto Jo berg on Wednesday to meet her traveling companion Fee, they will have a quiet few days in Sun City before departing to Amsterdam on Saturday. It was a very sad departure, as we had become used to her being with us for an unexpectedly long time, the last few days when she was feeling so much better, were very happy and filled with fun. Both Bossy and I wish her a safe return to Amsterdam.

The arrival of Regina
On Monday, Regina arrived at the farm, she has come to “road test” us, and see if she wants a job here, looking after the household chores in both quiet times and busy times, and the dogs when we are away.
She speaks English very well [hurrah!] and has recently moved back here having spent 9 years with a family in Cape Town, who have now returned to Europe.
Wow…my house is sparkling from top to toe..she is also very kind, especially to the dogs…who both now greet her like a long lost friend every morning when she arrives. She works very hard all day and irons like a demon. Taking control of all the hastily decanted linen and clothing from our packing cases and insisting it is laundered again , ironed and packed into the ,now, squeaky tidy cupboards in my “scullery”. One of the reasons that I am so happy to depart now, is knowing that she will be here during the week days to keep an eye on the dogs. And keep Bossy in order!

Talking of the dogs, Bongo has really started to flex his muscles with Bee now, she has been very patient with him, putting up with his nipping and screeching at her…That is…..until this morning….She is partial to a relaxed saunter around the garden after breakfast and then a gentle slumber in the cool of the lounge…this is when Bongo wants to party, usually I walk outside with him and encourage him to blow off steam.But this morning I felt so unwell, I shnooked with Bee on the sofa with a cup of steaming coffee. Bongo was of course disappointed and jealous and kept throwing himself at Bee, like a stroppy teenager [I stupidly just sat semi comatose, and watched this unfolding in front of me]. Finally Bee snapped…quite literally…just like a snake…it all happened in a fraction of a second and Bongo was suddenly careering around the room screaming in pain and spraying splatters of blood over every surface. Bee sat looking utterly unmoved,licking her lips! When I caught up with him, I managed to locate the area of damage; a large tooth sized chunk has been completely removed from the base of his ear…as ears do [Finn you will know this]..it bled profusely, and is now covered in an overly large white plaster. Bongo is giving Bee a very wide berth now and sticking to me like glue. As I sat down to write this blog, it made me titter to think of Binky in the garden outside us, punching his little claw in the air, to hear that Bongo was being administered some justice.
I cant be cross with Bee, who has behaved like a saint with naughty boy, I am sure that his ear will heal, but think he will be left with a missing snippet for ever!.

Lake Grappa
Marrika and Gerrit [remember them!] have their first big ski event at the lake this weekend, we popped over on Friday night, and were thrilled to see flocks of rather cool ski ers,settling on the grass by the waters edge, to watch the sun go down in its usual spectacular manner.
Those who had finished their events, were preparing to party, whilst those who had yet to compete, were consuming vast amounts of protein in the dining room. The atmosphere was buzzing with expectation and excitement.
Both Bossy and I, were thrilled for G & M, after the huge risk that they took, blowing a hole in the mountain and having the courage of their convections to pursue their dream of setting up a ski school in the desert!!!!!!!.....with very little local support. Interestingly, there were a number of local resteraunteurs and hoteliers & a few guest house owners there last night, who, being bereft of any business themselves at the moment, have, at last, decided to embrace G&M`s idea. It finally occurs to them, that this place really poses no threat and will be good for their businesses as well. How G& M, manage to keep the welcoming smiles on their faces for some of these folk, who took great delight in ridiculing them from the moment they began blasting a year ago…I really don’t know. I suppose one only has to see their occupancy rates and income brought in from the use of the lake, and club house, to see why they are smiling.

Tough times in the Northern Cape
On this note, the harvest of grapes has been extremely poor this year. As a result of early frosts, crop volume across all three areas of Table grapes/Raisin production and wine making is down at least 30%. With a reduced volume and higher inset costs, the farmers have been praying for great sales and had almost refused to listen to news from abroad concerning the credit crunch and financial crisis the world is facing.
Now they cannot ignore the situation, with poor uptake of their reduced stock, from overseas buyers and brokers, many face a dismal year. Breaking even if they are fortunate and there will be some that simply wont make it!. So faces are long and pockets are empty here .It has always been a hard life for the folk of the North, from the moment their ancestors trekked up here from the Cape in the 1800`s, in order to avoid British edicts. Hardship has been an unwelcome but familiar companion. They seem stoical and find comfort in their close community, supporting those less fortunate than themselves, and bracing themselves for a hard year ahead.

Shortly after our arrival, we were told of a luxury game lodge being opened in Augrabies [the place with the waterfall ,the diamonds and game park!], just 10 kilometers up the road from us. The couple who have a major share in this new venture, also own the only decent local restaurant in the area, and small guest house style hotel just outside of Kak called.”Vergelegen”

In November, they explained that this venture was specifically aimed at the “adventure”tourist, who insists on a luxury environment. This lodge was not going to open its restaurant to the public, which was to be exclusively for its up market guests!

Since its opening in November its occupancy has been patchy. They have now opened their restaurant to all, great for us!, as they serve delicious food and have a very eclectic list of wines http://www.dundilodge.co.za. Have a look it will show you exactly what the Northern Cape [and our area specifically] can offer to those who insist on a bit of luxury.

It’s a stunning place, carefully thought through and beautifully decorated……but its opening colliding horribly with the economic climate. Very selfishly,I`m keeping my fingers crossed that they survive, as it’s a cool place to go and eat. We took Lenie there the last night she was with us and we had a wonderful “last supper”.

Digging for Kalahari Gold
Talking of good food, to my great surprise and delight, I have discovered that the area around us, is known for its truffles! They are ,of course very illusive and difficult to find. Only the wild jackles that inhabit the land here, have the snout for them. Apart from these creatures [that the local farmers hate with a venom and kill on site] the only other expertise on “!nabas”,is apparently the hereditary wisdom of the last remaining bushmen..
I had no idea that there were other forms of truffles apart from the European type,
Kalahari truffles, are distantly related to French black truffles, but they are not as aromatic. Their local name is !nabas {the exclamation mark denotes a click in bushman language.}They resemble smallish potatoes with a meaty texture. They are pungent, with an earthy taste similar to those of the European truffle. The desert truffle,
differs from its distant Tuber relative of southern Europe by favoring arid soil, and is found in arid and semi-arid areas of the world including the Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula, North and Southern Africa and Namibia.
Referred to as manna from the heavens by the Prophet Mohammed, the desert truffle can be found growing in the Kalahari Desert in the eastern section of the country and the Northern Cape.
Called both omatumbula in the north and the Nama name of !nabas in the east, the,Kalahari truffle, is smooth like a potato and can be eaten raw as well as cooked in a variety of ways
Apparently, when conditions are favorable, usually once every four years, following the rains in April, small cracks appear in the surface of the sandy orange soil around here, and by gently excavating around these cracks, one will find a truffle,or several if you are fortunate.
My imagination is now running wild…could I train Bongo and Bee…could I train myself as a truffle hound. My immediate concern lies in the fact that very many nasty creatures bury themselves in the sand and leave little cracks on the surface through which to breath...,so my ardour for Kalahari gold is diminished slightly…But I have found the telephone number of an “expert” in !nabas,and when I return from UK, plan to make contact in order that I can find out more about this delicacy.

I have also made contact with UNISA,about continuing my degree out here, and am currently awaiting a call from someone who can make a decision concerning how I apply, as my residency status has not yet been sorted [after 6 months we are ALL still awaiting our “temporary residency status” to be rubber stamped.] .

Little`s “Fat Sac” has arrived, so when he returns in April he will be able to lounge in it to his hearts content. He sounds very much happier than he has done for a long time now.
Congratulations to Jessie who has a firm job offer [subject to passing finals] from Chichester to work her F1 year, in surgical trauma, cardiac and gastro.
Happy move to Tommy,…hope it all works out Darlin!
And to Finn..now kown as Finn Van Gough, I hope that the ear is hanging on by its fingernails and even if you cant wash your hair….. DON’T FORGET TO WASH THE SOCK!!!!!!!!!!!

Kisses to all
DawnXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX