I've been living on my own for the past two months; Eveline's mother who lives in France, was taken ill so Eveline went over to look after her. She intended to be away for a month, but one month stretched into two and (with any luck, oops!) may even extend to three. I've LOVED being completely alone with only my dogs for company; I keep discovering how much I've changed and adapted to life in the bush, and it thrills me to know that I can take care of myself and deal with baboon spiders - BIG MOTHERS - red romans - don't ask - and lots of things that go bump in the night. I went to the loo one night, well it was early morning actually, about 3am and as I sat on the loo, I saw out of the corner of my eye a movement in the bath. The bath is next to the loo, - it being a very small bathroom - and the distance between bath and loo is about ten inches. I turned my head and as I did so the head of a snake appeared over the side; I could see that it was long and quite thin, but quite what make it was I couldn't say. I knew it wasn't a spitting cobra from the shape of the head, but although unsure of it's provenance, I knew it could probably finish me off quite easily. We looked at each other, I remained perfectly still and, curiously enough, completely unafraid. I was also unable to move as I was mid pooh at the time. I lowered my gaze as I believe snakes, like monkeys find direct eye contact threatening. We continued to hold our positions, both of us completely motionless, and at the same time, I finished my contribution to Nature, and Stanley snake looked for an exit via the plug hole, which of course was far too small to accommodate an escape. So I decided to make mine! I moved noiselessly to the door - without first flushing - left and closed it quietly behind me. When I returned some hours later in order to flush, there was no sign of Stanley and we had both survived our encounter unscathed. I believe he got in through the open window; so I now make sure it's closed at night!

My plans to go to Cape Town have obviously had to be put on hold; one of us has to be here in order to look after the dogs. I've also been having some heavy dental work done and can't go anywhere until that's over, which I understand will be quite soon, thank fuck. And the weather has been horrendously hot for weeks now with temperatures in the early 40's which, trust me is EXTREMELY hot. The humidity which accompanies it makes it unbearable, and vampire like, it sucks all energy, leaving me drained and completely unable to function. I lie naked on my bed grateful for the small relief provided by the fan which whirls constantly above my head. The dogs lie gasping next to me and that's about all I can achieve in a day. Everyone is suffering; praying for rain and the relief it brings.

I've also acquired another dog, bringing the total now to SIX! This is starting to get completely out of hand, and I think that without realising it, I've started a dog sanctuary. I arrived home from Tzaneen earlier in the week, and saw, to my complete surprise a strange dog lying next to the fence in the garden. Strange in so far as I had never seen him before. He was in a terrible state, nothing but skin and bone, alive with fleas and covered in ticks. Ticks are disgusting and the only things I kill, and I kill them with great glee. They kill animals and humans and having had tick bite fever myself I give them very short shrift. They are tiny until they attach themselves to an animal when they swell to the size of small grapes as they gorge themselves on blood. Fred - as I've called him - looked as though he was covered in caulifowers, huge clusters of engorged disgustingness occupying his ears, clumps of them all over his neck, along his back and on his tail. He was very weak and I didn't think he would pull through. I pulled all the ticks off him, then de-ticked him with a medication made specially for the purpose, fed and watered him and hoped for the best. He's very young, around a year old I should imagine, and definitely part labrador. His coat is a deep chocolate brown, his eyes the colour of tawny marmalade, and he will be a beautiful dog as he gains health and strength. He disappeared a day after his arrival, and I thought that he had probably not made it, and had died somewhere in the surrounding bush. Then he re-appeared two days ago. I continued to give him food and water and already he is stronger, his coat is free of ticks, and the wounds he has from life in the bush are healing. So far, so good. The problem of course, is the other dogs. The girls, Candy, Snooze and Lux are cautious of him but ok. The boys, Tosca and Rusty are another matter. Tosca, the Pomeranian and tiny to boot is so cool and in possession of a very caring nature. He is willingly to accept Fred, but Rusty is not a happy bunny. Rusty is very possessive of me, and has no intention of forfeiting his position as leader of the pack to this upstart newcomer. So there's been quite a lot of snarling, baring of teeth and indeed the occasional fisticuffs as they sort out the pecking order. Fred, having successfully got his feet under the table has absolutely no intention of going anywhere, has managed to infiltrate himself into the house, and lies at my feet at this moment. Fred is one side of my chair and Rusty is on the other. Tosca is some distance from Fred and Snooze has parked herself behind Rusty and all are blissfully asleep. Long may it continue!!! xxx