Our day out

I'm really looking forward to a day out in nature this weekend at the Cape Horse Trials, which rolls around once a year. We've gone for the past 3 years and really enjoy it. It's held on a local wine farm, although moving venues this year to a farm that also houses a cheetah rehab and release programme - what incredible animals!

Tomorrow we'll be taking off with a picinic lunch to watch the cross-country, showjumping & dressage horsey bits, as well as the dog shows that take place at the same time - agility trials, Jack Russel show etc. Those are really fun! There's always one dog that takes part that looks exactly like a black string mop - all you see of him is hair hanging down to the ground, and every time he jumps a hurdle all the hair flies up, and everyone has a grand laugh at the sight of the flying mop.

I'd love to get one of my three Schipperke dogs involved in agility. The youngest one is a total speed-freak. He takes off on walks up the mountain and goes so fast you can hardly see his legs! His dad is a registered pure-bred gold, and would be good for showing if he hadn't gotten into a fight and ripped a lower eyelid, or lost a tooth or two to big juicy bones. He'll just have to stay a house-pet. My female though would be the perfect therapy dog. If only I had more time and money I'd get into the dog scene.

But we're not competing, so we're just going to enjoy our day out tomorrow, simply relaxing and enjoying both the surrounding nature and man's best friends.