Colour returns

Back to the hills - what a relief! As always, it took us forever to get started , by the time HH had been to the bank and trekked round dozens of chemists to buy his meds. In the end, after stopping at the supermarket, we arrived at tea time, so lunch turned into boiled eggs and toast and not much 

By the shops, we parked under a wall covered with yellow alamanda blooms, but I couldn't resist the little bush at its feet, Manacã da Serra, a native Atlantic Rainforest species with a wonderful, strong perfume. There's a much better photo of it here (not mine), although it only gives information about the Carpenter bee, and not the plant.

A tremendous chorus from the dogs on our arrival, but we ignored it till we'd unpacked the car and had our meagre tea. They have been fighting while we were away and have had to be separated, so the caretaker advised me against walking them together. However, I took the chance and followed the usual procedure - getting halfway down the drive in the car before HH and the caretaker set them free to race after me. Once we got beyond the houses and imminent risk of meeting enemy dogs, I parked up and we walked on up the hill. I gained yet another bloody wound on my arm (extra photo) when Kayla jumped up to greet me but there was no fighting and the two dogs seemed happy to be in each other's company. Dookie is very thin, and Kayla is moulting - very inelegant, it looks as f she has dreadlocks (another extra photo). 

HH managed to stay awake enough to work on the computer, but I couldn't stay awake after making dinner, let alone switch on the laptop, so I'm back-blipping yet again. But it feels good to be back.