Dearest, After the welcome and long awaited 25mm precipitation last week, the sun appeared in full splendour on Saturday morning and yours truly immediately surrendered to the craving and made plans to go a wandering… We packed a few rations and went south towards the Spoeg River. As we rambled, the veldt turned from a blue grey green to bright green with dots and dashes of vivid yellow as soon as the temperature reached 18 degrees Celsius. Given that we were driving with the sun behind us, we could see this entire manifestation as it transpired. When we reached the spot where the Spoeg River cross the road en route to Swartfontein, it was flowing in full force and we were unable to go across. We did eventually reach the mouth by way of an obscure track where we found that the river had by then not yet broken through to the sea but, nonetheless, what a wonderful sight to behold! Yesterday and today we woke up to the dreaded warm and stifling easterly wind with temperatures in the mid thirties. Not so good but not yet too bad. All over the prospects are still good for a slightly early start with the peak mid to end August. Nature however is fickle and unpredictable, so I shall keep you informed as best I can over the next month or two. As for any response from the field reporters - nada, niks, nothing!

Regards from Hondeklip Bay,

Daisy

www.hondeklip.co.za

Telephone 027 692 3041