Top of the World?

Dune riding on the farm Misgunst near Vleesbaai in the Western Cape is one of many favorite 4x4 activities ...

The size and height of these dunes are evident from the image and provide hours of fun for holiday makers and locals. It gives an illusion of on top of the world ...

As men will always be boys, this opportunity was once again utilised and tested to its limit. Unfortunately there were only four other vehicles dune riding at this spot, so the competition was not very strong ....

Lazing on the warm sand in the mid day sun, my sister Carien and daughter Sune soaked up the mid day heat.

At different places, two snakes were spotted: one, tiny, and of unknown species, but the other was a full grown puff adder. Best left alone as it is highly venomous.

On approaching the farm around a bend in the road, a beautiful brown owl with prey in its beak took flight before proper focus could be established. A pity.

Despite being a lovely outing, the drought of the region was very much in evidence, and we were told by the owner of the farm that the last rain fell during November 2008 ...
Considering the high summer temperatures of the past season, without proper rain there is little fodder to put away for the coming winter, now fast approaching.

Today is 32 degrees with a very high humidity factor, and with temperatures like this, it feels as if winter is still very far away ... but it can literally change within a few hours ...