It never ceases to amaze me!
We set out on the long drive from Pretoria early on 1st June, arriving at our guesthouse in Beaufort West late afternoon. It was a long but uneventful drive. Yet again the two cats behaved perfectly inside the car. We had time for a quick look around the garden seeing Karoo Robin & tons of White backed Mousebirds.
Home again!
The view from the veranda.
Up before dawn & on our way again, driving the incredibly scenic R62 for quite a bit of the way. We arrived home in Pearly Beach mid-afternoon. It was great to be back once again. The next few days were spent home often I did a sea watch at least once a day. The odd Giant Petrel sp. flew by, but by far the best records were the almost daily occurrence of Roseate Terns flying to & from Dyer Island. Unfortunately they were too far out to get any photos.
Cape Francolin
A common garden bird here.
Cape Sugarbird
Southern Double Collared Sunbird
All the above species are regular visitors to our garden or just across the road in the coastal fynbos.
Coastal walks are wonderful here.
Getting close to the action!
White breasted Cormorant with
Crowned Cormorant.
We did a few walks along the coast & the weather was amazing during this time.
Back in the saddle again!
On 7th June my bicycle was reassembled & I cycled the 23kms from Gansbaii to home. It was a nice cycle, the first time I had been in the saddle for a while & I saw a fine Black Harrier along the way!
Whale Brewing Company.
Have died & gone to heaven!
Finally they have opened! The last time we were here they were just building the place. fancy having our own quality micro brewery in such a small place as Pearly Beach. Delana & I went along for lunch & I tried five of their crafted beers. Three of which I found to be very good indeed. It is great to have such a place to go to here, lovely ambience & good food as well.
Yes!
The outside bar!
The 13th June was a big day as our bar arrived from Pretoria! We spent most of the day getting it erected & set up, & moving the existing bar outside on the veranda.
The Klein River
This is a magnificent area.
A mixture of salt & freshwater. In the foreground is saltmarsh, which is a very rare
habitat in South Africa.
There is still remnants of native forest here,
like this Milkwood Forest.
A great place for a wander around & a spot of birding.
present in the bay.
Cape Clawless Otter spoor.
This individual has a deformed upper mandible.
Yellow Canary on the left, Brimstone Canary on the right.
Southern Double Collared Sunbird
On 17th June had a trip to Stanford & a bit of birding along the Klein River. It was a lovely day out. It is a very historical town with many superb old buildings. The river rapidly gets very wide & forms an estuary at the sea.
Delana going for breakfast!
White breasted Cormorant
This shot gives you a great idea of how different Cormorant species can be!
Cape Cormorant
Commoner in this area in winter than in summer.
Possibly my favourite Cormorant species. They are always around opposite the house.
Karoo Prinia
Common in the coastal fynbos.
Southern Double Collared Sunbird
On 19th June we had a walk along the coast & a late breakfast at the Fynbos Restaurant. The weather was brilliant & there were a few birds on offer.
The next day was Father's Day so we went out for lunch at the new Micro Brewery & very pleasant it was too.
A touch of Last of the Summer Wine here!
Later in the evening!
Unfortunately we had to leave Pearly Beach early the next day for the long drive to Jacobsdal. We spent the night with Riccus & Alfreda & had a lovely time. On 22nd June we completed the trip & arrived back in Pretoria late afternoon. We didn't want to leave our lovely home by the sea but had to because of my visa situation. If the SA Government don't roll my visa over again then I have to leave the country by 30th June. Pearly is too far from a border for us to make it in time as the government always inform you at the last minute.
