The coast...

After a few days in the desert we headed to the coast at Swakopmund. It was still cold, and very foggy, so felt just like the west coast of Ireland!

We found this apparent grave on a walk along the beach at Swakopmund. No idea who it was (if anyone), but we decided it was probably a fisherman who had caught such a large fish that when he got it out of the sea it flopped on him and squished him. Almost certainly.

Someone had been very busy making about 20 of these, so we chose the one we liked best...

Conor reading stories to a very appreciative audience (and even more appreciative busy parents)...

What you looking at?

On the dunes at Swakopmund. This is the problem with the desert coast. One minute you need your jumper, jeans and your boots and the next minute you need a T-shirt, shorts and no shoes...

Yes. He is yelling "Maaaaaaaammyy!!!!"

Renate being windswept and interesting in a nice photo taken by Natasha.

Natasha taking it easy.

The thing to do here is sandboarding. First you need a board...

...then you sit on it and slide down... The making of faces is optional.

...you can go faster if you have a bit of extra weight... Apparently it helps if you both make faces.

Biting the bottom lip is popular...

Cillian has worked out how to do it without getting sand in your eyes...

...but you can go a bit too fast...

...it might be easier just to run down.

About 60km north of Swakopmund is a huge colony of Cape Fur Seals (80,000 - 100,000 animals). It's a bit smelly....

...but they are cute...

Even when they are yelling at one another

They come in all sizes...

...They are really very cute...except for the smell...