6 January 2018

Our day started with a bit of drama.  We were late getting into the car and were just leaving camp when I realised that my binoculars were missing.  They must be in the caravan – we must go back and so we did – but they were nowhere to be seen.  Last night I’d left my handbag on the table outside the caravan.  Nothing had been taken.  How could my binoculars be gone!   I was almost in tears as we set off without them. Then just before exiting through the gate The Earl missed his wallet.  Oh no!  We raced back to the caravan and I dashed in to retrieve it – and YES – My binoculars were hiding there too!   They were under a towel that I hadn’t noticed in my first search!

It was 6:30 and we were headed toward Tshokwane.

Simon – still in the lead with his sightings scores – did not let us down.  He kept on spotting birds and animals for an hour or so and then he began to fade.  What was wrong?  A tummy ache, I fear.  We almost turned back but he insisted that he would be okay. He would just have a sleep in the car.  The only thing that cheered him up was when we came upon a clan of hyenas on a kill. They were not easy to see because of the trees but they were close enough for us to enjoy.

Soon after that we arrived at Tshokwane and Simon ate a Greek Salad and perked up considerably for the rest of the morning.

We returned to camp at about 11:30 and the kids went swimming, Gramps had a nap and I did the laundry.  After lunch and chores were done we all went back to the pool.

Here are the highlights of our morning.

Uh Oh -What’s an eliphant?  when you order breakfast at Tshokwane they give you an animal card and call it’s name when it’s ready.

They also were a tad horrified at it’s habits.   They stab flamingos in their backs then drown them before dismembering and eating them – No way, Gran!

Klipspringers mark their territory with the scent gland below its eyes.   These two are clearly a pair.   They would make sure no other of their species enter their territory.

After cooling off in the pool, tidying the caravan and sorting out the washing we set off for a short afternoon drive.

We found frolicking zebra, plenty of impala, elephants, wildebeest and lots of birds

We were about to turn left when we noticed some stationary cars to the right so decided to check out what they were looking at.  At first we saw nothing and asked the occupants of a car what they’d seen.  They didn’t have binoculars and said there was an animal over there!  Simon spotted it immediately.

After waiting 10 minutes for it to wake up we gave up and headed toward Lake Panic.   Once again we saw some stationary cars.   What can you see?

We’ve visited Lake Panic many times before and it has always been exciting. Today I said to Shan – It’s a bit quiet here today – not much happening.  At the end of an hour she said – So this is what you call quiet!  Well if you don’t know the place ….  No – Lake Panic never disappoints.

Just before entering the gate at Skukuza we spotted The Three Little Pigs trotting up the road.

Because we stopped for them we noticed some lapwings – well camouflaged – and we almost dismissed them for common crowned lapwings.

The weather has been really hot with temperatures getting up to 38 degrees C.  Right now it is 10 pm and I am sitting outdoors without a fleece.  It is bliss.

The past five days have been lovely but by 8 the kids are exhausted and so are we!   Tomorrow we will have a rest day!