Summer is slowly forcing its way into the Valley. The snakes are out, which means walking in the mountains and along the trails is a tad hazardous, which suits my slowly recovering leg that still has a problem over rough terrain. 

Roses are in full bloom and the gardens around town are green after the rains. Leiwater (water from the river channeled through town) seems to have been restored after the system was damaged in the floods, which allows those properties that have access to a weekly quote with which to maintain the gardens.

The coir mats for the staircase have arrived and the first of them installed onto the wooden steps using double-sided Velcro. This keeps them secure while allowing them to be removed for cleaning and any maintenance. Prince more confident having something for his paws to grip and hopefully safer for my clumsiness.

Trip out to Barrydale on a rainy morning for a book launch at the Karoo Art Hotel. A fabulous setting to listen to Marita Van Der Vyver in conversation about her new book ‘Still Breathing’, against a backdrop of carefully curated local and regional artists.

A conundrum. First light, dog walk time. Except the front door latch jammed and nobody able to get to us through the locked downstairs entrance. A Swiss Army knife, and credit card to the rescue. New lock installed with a fair amount of blood and swearing as the new lock mechanism doesn’t line up with the ones already in the door!