Arrived in Cape Town

Dear friends in Spain walking with dogs,

I have to admit it was quite a shock for me to meet my ex-spouse Eva in the airport. When we split 4 years ago she was still participating in tennis competitions. Now she is constantly in pain and walking slowly with the help of two crutches. Next month she will be in hospital for a total hip replacement operation.
But she is still a strong spirit and her aching hip did not prevent her from organizing so many workshops all over this very big country that her Academy for Tissue Salts and Facial Analysis called Atifa has now tens of thousands of customers being helped by over 200 consultants.
We are living in "Little Chelsa" in a suburb of a Cape Town that is called Wynberg.
Just to give you an idea of the atmosphere in Little Chelsea I have transcribed the text of two signs I saw attached to trees.
The first one says:"Beware! Geese with babies crossing."
The second one is even better:"Apartments to let. Squirrels only."
Last Sunday we went to Surfers Corner in Muizenberg in order to have a look at the big waves of the Ocean. For the first time in my life I saw the red flag flying on the beach, meaning that there was a shark alarm.
And now for some doggy news.
I walk the dogs (Cava and Lupa for the friends who have known them before 2006) in what is the green belt of Diep (= deep) River. In some parts of it I have the impression of walking in one big botanical garden with all sorts of flowers and huge trees that are unknown to me.
The biggest difference with dog walking in the Val del Pop is that here all dogs are running of leash and that everyone says hello to everyone. Obviously these hundreds of walking dog carers are less afraid than many clients I have met in Spain. What I read in these South African faces and in the body language of these walkers is a lot of assertive energy and a no-nonsense spirit.
O yes, I have seen my first large pack of baboons when we were walking at the foot of the Constantiaberg. I called the dogs, put them on a leash and walked away as fast as I could. The rangers on the estate are better equipped than I was with sticks and plastic bottles in order to chase them away.
Well, now you know what to do if you meet a pack of baboons in Orba.

A hug from Bruno