Last night is a bit chilly but it makes a change from the extreme heat.  We must remember, though, to pack an extra blanket next time. The weather can change so suddenly in the desert.

We are a tad later than usual and once again the showers are cold!   Yet, in the laundry the water is piping hot!   There is obviously a maintenance problem that is being ignored.

Packing up this morning goes a lot more smoothly than at Mata Mata.  Earl decides to use a screw driver to help get the roof to lock down.  There is no threat of divorce or murder! It is an uneventful trip to Polentswa except for a kori bustard walking on the road ahead of Jim’s car.

Polentswa is on the Botswana side of KTP and is an unfenced camp.  There are only three campsites quite separate from each other with private en-camp long-drops!   There is no water and no electricity.  Thus we have to bring enough water, food and fuel for 7 days!  We each find a shady tree and begin setting up. Although the morning started at 12 degrees C it is now very hot.   We manage to set up with little frustration and no fights!   Earl and I are ready first as we do not travel as elaborately as Jim and Maureen!   Earl decides to cook breakfast and scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato and banana are ready by 12 noon.

My own personal chef

We sit under the A frame which at this time is the coolest part of the campsite.

Shady and cool under the A Frame

Tiny, blue butterflies were flitting about and weren’t to shy to settle on a finger

Our closest neighbours are some confiding birds and half a dozen mice!

Striped Mouse

Chestnut-vented Titbabbler

At 4:30 we take a drive to Polentswa waterhole which is just a km from camp.   We see jackal drinking. A red hartebeest comes down is seems nervous of the doves which swarm to and from the drinking hole. At last he sums up the courage and goes down on his knees to get a drink.   Nothing else happens so we return to camp and have braaied steaks for supper.

Getting closer to the water