Years ago Dobeeboo posed for a photo with Hong Kong’s official “Wild Pig Hunting Team” outside Mrs Chan’s shop in Pak Kok. Hunting is banned in Hong Kong and only government authorized groups are allowed to go after wild boar. These teams are comprised mostly of retired police officers and after a day out on Lamma Island had no trophy to show for their efforts. One man boasted of “six kills” and probably that was over a 20 year span.

Since the day I took this photo we have had dozens of wild boar encounters all over the island. Sometimes they are congregated around garbage bins however the most frightening moments are in the dark of night when suddenly loud and close snarling noises coming from the bushes at the side of the path make your heart jump out your chest. Last night, I faced off with one gargantuan animal the size of an adult bicycle less than 5m away. We both carefully assessed each other and did the sensible thing by walking slowly away from each other.

Dobeeboo celebrated her 14th birthday last week. She has a few more grey hairs and some stiffness in her old joints but is still very keen and happy

Lamma Island is dotted with seldom used Chinese style pagodas like the one we are taking shelter in now. Mostly they are on top of hills or spoiling a scenic spot and more than a few people here deplore them as a gaudy examples of the govt wasting money. But if you happen to be lucky enough to pass one just  as the sky darkens, growls and opens up above you then you will thank the gods for the shelter. Dobeeboo is not one to complain either. She is more than happy to lie down and enjoy a good refreshing downpour.

Lamma Island's trails are securely guarded by legions of arachnoid monsters called Golden Orbs. As soon as the warm rays of Spring arrive these giants get busy spinning webs everywhere a good breeze will blow fresh meat into their incredibly big, strong and sticky webs.  Together Dobeeboo and I have bashed through innumerable sticky nets on our daily walks often taking these on face first!

And I cant forget the obligatory Dobeeboo shot!

Nothing beats a cold beer and a stormy sunset. Typhoon and rain on the way...

it's not Nessy or Ogopogo...  but the Dobeeboo

Nothing beats snuggling a sleeping dog. D loves to jump up on the sofa and fall asleep in my arms.

A hot dog has to cool down near the top of Project X on Lamma Island. Today the water was gone but D took a break anyway... Oh, that's Mfana, her toy boy!