my views

Deer Park is situated just below Tafelberg Road, on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. The selling point for this trail is that it offers all the spectacular views of Table Mountain, Devils Peak, Lions Head and the Cape Town CBD without any intense climbs.  It is great for dogs of all abilities, even puppies, as you can moderate your walk by doing a shorter loop.  Click here for a quick 360 degree view from the Deer Park trail. In winter, this trail is a wonderland with lots of flowing streams and pools – any water baby’s dream. Deer Park is part of the Table Mountain National Park and one of the richest fynbos-dense areas and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site.  Walking along the trails towards Devils Peak, you’ll see lots of Cape Sugarbushes, colouring the landscape you'll find lots bright pink and mellow yellow Proteas. These flowers attract the Cape Sugarbird and other bird varieties, who will serenade you as you pass by. It is also a birdwatcher’s ...

Life lessons we can all benefit from Hot off the press, ‘An Ode to My Mother-in-law, Winnie Serobe… a mentorship of love and honour’ written by Gloria Serobe launched on National Women’s Day (9 August 2023) in South Africa. This auspicious date also marks the 10th anniversary of Winnie Serobe’s passing. Gloria’s book reflects on her relationship with her mother-in-law, the lessons Mama Winnie imparted to her and how the application of these lessons has improved the lives of so many people that Mama Winnie has touched. Gloria credits a big part of her success to Mama Winnie’s networks that she exposed her to very early on in her career. And the lessons and learnings around caring for the community, lifting as your rise, the true meaning of living a life of service and asking the question, “Is what I’m doing good for all South Africans?”, is some of the things we can all apply in our daily lives.  In the book, Gloria reflects on her journey with the Serobe family, and they are nothin...

Sneaking in extra veggies and micro-nutrients Finding treats that are healthy, don’t break the calorie bank, are packed with nutrients and delicious too, sounds like a tall order. But it is within reach… This enrichment stuffing recipe was created with fussy eaters in mind, where you are able to sneak more veg and fruit into their diet and contains some great ingredients for dogs with allergies.   It is really simple to make and because you are freezing it, it can keep for a long time. Although I make a batch at least once a week. And I’m sure you will be too, because your dogs will love it. Ingredients 1kg pumpkin (can be substituted with butternut or sweet potato)  2 tablespoons of coconut oil (Coconut oil is good for a shiny coat, for allergies and itchy skin, boosts their immune, improves cognitive function and treats arthritis and ligament issues, according to Rover.com ). 4 tablespoons of peanut butter (a dog-friendly variety, preferably one that has no added sa...

A dog-friendly trail with the most spectacular views “There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them." - Jo Walton Sunset from Kloof Corner One of my favourite, short and sweet hikes to do is Kloof Corner. You shouldn’t underestimate the distance of the hike, which is only one kilometre from the start of the trail to the beacon, because it is quite a workout and will get your heart racing.  The plus side is that it is dog-friendly and has the most scenic views of Lions Head, the Camps Bay beach strip, the 12 Apostles and the city bowl from the viewing point at the beacon.  It is the perfect spot to catch an amazing sunrise or sunset. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and want to do a longer hike, you can continue along the contour path, which has other routes that split off it like India Venster, Union Cave and even Platterklip Gorge.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Im...

If you want a more physically challenging hike for you and your dog, why not try Devil's Peak.  When looking at Table Mountain from the front (or in any iconic pic or illustration) the peak on the left is Devil's Peak before you see the flat tabletop and Lions Head and Signal Hill on the right.  How Devil's Peak got its name Devil's Peak is the Dutch translation of Duivels Kop. The Peak got its name from a legendary folk-tale. According to Ridgway Ramblers , Jan Van Hunks, a retired Dutch pirate who lived in Cape Town, would go to the mountain to smoke his pipe as his wife didn’t allow him to puff at home. One day while enjoying a pipe a stranger challenged him to a smoking duel. For several days they sat on the mountain and smoked and smoked until a huge cloud enveloped both of them and the peak upon which they were sitting. When the smoke cleared both old men were gone and it was realised that the second old man was the devil and in losing the smoking competition, Van...

Also called liquid gold, bone broth has risen in fame because of its nutritional benefits and the fact that it’s relatively cheap to make. It is very versatile and can be used as a base for cooking or soups and even as a health supplement for you and your dog. Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue with vegetables, seasoning and vinegar, the acid breaks down the collagen and connective tissue.  The longer the bone broth cooks, the better. Most recipes recommend cooking for 10 to 12 hours to release the maximum nutritional benefits. You’ll also notice that the texture changes the longer it cooks. It becomes more gelatinous and good broth will set in the jars at room temperature.  What nutrients does bone broth contain? According to Healthline.com the nutrient content of bone broth depends on the ingredients and their quality: The bone itself yields minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Sodium, magnesium, and potassium may also be present. Bone marro...

One of the most scenic, dog-friendly trails on Table Mountain Table Mountain is one of the most iconic landmarks of Cape Town, and arguably, of South Africa, holding the coveted, global ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature’ status since 2011. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. One of the most frequented trails on Table Mountain is The Pipe Track.  According to SANPark’s website , it is called The Pipe Track as the path was originally constructed to service a pipeline running below the Twelve Apostles, to channel water from the top of Table Mountain to Oranjezicht in the late 1900s. You can still see the pipeline at various parts along the trail. The start for the trail is situated just off Kloof Nek, as you turn into Tafelberg Road (use the parking area on your immediate left), cross the road and follow the stairs to the trail’s path. You will see Lions Head on the opposite side of the road, which will be behind you as you continue on the trail and the big building on y...

Constantia is also dubbed the Green Belt because of the lush greenery and an array of trails and walks, many of which are dog friendly. Klaasenbosch is one of the trails on this Green Belt where you walk under a canopy of trees, along the Cecilia Stream where you’ll find the exotic Australian tree ferns on the water’s edge.  The trail has several starting points, but we choose to start on Hohenhort Avenue, just opposite the top section of the Alphen Trail. There is a signboard that marks the start of the trail. Follow the sandy trail as it winds up and stick to the left path along the stream. Look out for the Arum lillies which are currently in bloom and growing in abundance in the area.  You will go up a small incline and descend into an amazing unspoilt, natural garden. This trail is bicycle-free but popular with trail runners, dog walkers and horse riders.   There are plenty of places for your pooch to frolic in the water and cool down all along your walk. There i...

What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles at various depths into specific points on the body to manage pain and disease. It is practised on both humans and animals. Acupuncture for pets is administered by a trained Veterinary Acupuncturist.  There is scientific evidence to show that acupuncture is effective in relieving chronic pain, and pets suffering from conditions such as osteo-arthritis usually respond well to this treatment. It is often used as part of a multi-modal approach to pain management and is administered in conjunction with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, dietary supplementation and other pain medication. Acupuncture is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating the body’s self-healing process and not only treating but also preventing numerous diseases. It also helps the body to produce and release endorphins (the feel-good hormone). Who can benefit from acupuncture? Acupuncture is most commonly used to relieve pain, w...

Estate planning tips to ensure your pets are provided for  Our pets are a very big part of our lives. They keep us active, provide kisses and cuddles and are a source of endless smiles. And while we may not want to think about the ‘what ifs’, planning for your pets’ wellbeing if something should happen to you is crucial. It can make the transition for your pets easier, ensure that they don’t end up in a shelter (or worse) and will provide you with peace of mind that they will be cared for. Estate planning, which is part of a holistic financial plan, is crucial. Also crucial is ensuring that you have an updated Last Will and Testament in place. A Will is a legal document that states your wishes if something should happen to you. It takes your dependants, assets and liabilities into account and ensures that your loved ones are cared for when you are not able to.  “When I do an estate plan, I usually ask clients’ about their assets and liabilities, whether they have kids (minors)...