3 January 2018

How lovely it was to sleep in our caravan again last night.   There is something very special about falling asleep to the sound of laughing hyena!

Simon and Shannon reported to having had an excellent night in the tent but were a bit freaked out about having to rise at the rude hour of 5:30 am!  We had not yet bought milk so they refused coffee but munched on a rusk and we were off on a game drive just after 6.   All sleepiness was gone when Grandpa started spotting the first birds.  Oh no – this was not good enough – the competition was on and Simon was the hero when he got us a booted eagle!

We did the Majulu loop which was not as productive as it usually is probably due to the overcast conditions.  However, we were pleased with what we did see.

Our breakfast stop was Afsaal and our favourite waitress Mpumbe hugged us tightly when she saw we were back.. The grandkids got hugs too and she was just as indulgent to their needs as she always is to ours.

It was a long day out today as we misjudged how long it would take to return along the crocodile river route.  But we had some lovely sightings and as it was our first full day it went down well with the kids.  From now on we will be sure to make the trips shorter!

Booted Eagle we think

The kids love the baby animals

Thrills us every time – Lilac breasted roller

Okay – so enough already – you only get points for the first one seen each day!  Golden breasted bunting

There are a few white storks about

Simon found the Martial in the same tree as yesterday!

Shannon asked if we would see a chameleon.  Simon said he remembered seeing one on our visit six years ago.  “Remember, Gran.  It was crossing the road very slowly and a lady got out of her car to move it out the way.  And Grandpa told her it was a silly thing to do!”

No, I didn’t remember and I know we haven’t seen chameleons in the park since then.  But not half an hour later, what should cross over the road, very slowly in front of us but – yes – a chameleon!

The Ground Hornbill is a fascinating bird and today we got a whole family of them.  What made the sighting extra fun was that they were carrying frogs home for breakfast.

Bee-eater, yelled Shan – and there she was in all her beauty.

European Bee-eater

Wood Sandpiper

Female Knob-billed Duck – Male has a knob on bill

White-faced Duck

Lovely to find a male water buck who posed handsomely

And a hippo came out of the water to graze

A wattled lapwing showing off his wattles

Hooray that this chap is still with us – long may he and his species survive

And finally my personal favourite – the saddle-billed stork

We were pretty whacked after our long day out.  Grandpa cooked us a delicious chicken dish for supper and then it was off to bed.

2 January 2018

“It’s almost six years since you visited Kruger National Park with us, Shannon and Simon. Do you remember it!”  we asked our grandchildren a few months ago.

“Oh yes! They replied.  It was with Jay and Joshua and we had fun!”  said Shan.

“I was only seven,” said Si “But I remember everything.”

“Would you like to go again?”  we suggested.  “Yes please!”  came the enthusiastic reply.  “I think I’m old enough to enjoy it even more!”  said Si and I wondered how much he really did remember.  Quite a lot,it turned out as he repeated stories during our current trip that even I had forgotten.  And yes – the last trip with all four of them was amazing.  The older boys kept their younger cousins entertained in the car and it was one of the best trips Grandpa and I had ever had. It was a short trip as they were so young and perhaps that was why it was so successful.

Our new adventure began yesterday when we packed Simon now 13 into the car at 6:00 am and went to collect his sister, now almost 16 from Underberg where she had spent New Year’s Eve with friends.  The drive from Kokstad to Underberg at the foot of the Drakensberg is one of the prettiest in the country.   Shan was sleepy-eyed after seeing the New Year in but raring to go when we got there just after seven.  What a stunning place she’d had the privilege of staying at.

Beautiful view on the Kokstad to Underberg route

Dam on the property where Shannon stayed

We were blessed with stunning weather and as it was New Year’s Day there were very few trucks on the road.   Some of the potholes had been repaired and the toll roads were in pristine condition.   The entire route through KZN and Mpumalanga is stunning and if it weren’t for the stretches where we had to play Dodge the Pothole it would be perfect.  Now that the kids are older we had very few complaints about how long it was all taking. We did consider their needs for food food and drink though and stopped for meals and snacks along the way.   Our breakfast stop at The Midlands Kitchen was great – highly recommend this stop for those travelling this way.

We were doing so well that we decided that instead of stopping at five at Middelburg we’d change our route and go on to Nelspruit.  It would mean an extra hour of driving but then we’d have very little time in the car the next day.  I quickly searched Bookings.Com for accommodation, found something suitable and cancelled the Travel Lodge in Middelburg.

Because it was done in a hurry we didn’t really know what we were getting. I asked for two adult and two teenagers and got a family room with a double bed and a double bunk.  The bathroom was only semi-private – no door – and there was an open plan kitchenette.  It was clean and only cost R500 for the four of us.  Shan looked a bit traumatized that she might have to have her grandfather snoring right next to her ear but I said we’d make up for the cheap accommodation by spending the savings on a meal out.  What would they like?  Pizza, burgers or sushi.  Sushi won hands down and we went to John Dory’s at a mall 6km away.  And yes it was good!   Si wanted to know how to use chop sticks so I showed him and he got it right straight away. Grandpa said he could just use his fingers like he did but Shan insisted he be a gentleman and use his utensils!  So grandpa too learned a new skill last night!

This is so easy!

It was very hot last night.  There was no aircon in our Budget accommodation and it took a while for us all to fall asleep.   Then at 4:00 am we all woke with a start when the most horrendous thunder storm woke us from our troubled slumbers.   I’m sure the house was struck twice by lightning.    It went on for about an hour.  I went back to sleep at 5 and woke again at 7. Simon accused grandpa of snoring.  “I did not!”  Declared Grumpy. ” “Yes you did” – Said Si and played a recording he’d made on Grumpy’s own phone!

Breakfast was a grand affair at the local Wimpy.   Last night at John Dory’s Si had been given a Kiddie’s Menu – He’d complained and declared he was now 13 and no longer ordered Baby Stuff.  But this morning he didn’t murmur about  ordering from the junior menu as he would get a free toy!  And he wanted it!  So he ordered a Baby Cino and mini ribs!    Quite adequate that was too!

Oh that in between age!

It was raining when we left but eased off when we got to White River.  First we had tea with the Maartens.  Nick had arranged for us to leave our caravan with a friend of his after our trip in November.  After tea he came with us to fetch it.  It was a bit tricky maneuvering the caravan out of the driveway but we made it.  It missed the carport pole by a hair’s breadth.

Then we were off to Malelane Gate.  It poured almost all the way there.   But as luck would have it by the time we’d checked in at Malelane Gate and Berg en Dal Rest Camp, it stopped to allow us to set up camp.   The kids were amazing and after helping us with the caravan had their tent up and mattresses pumped in a jiffy.

All set up and ready for three nights in Berg en Dal

It was four o’clock when we were done and ready to go for an afternoon drive.  We got take aways from the restaurant and then set off.

We’ve worked out a point system – first one to spot certain game get points depending on how rare said animal is.  Simon is with his keen eagle eyes was soon in the lead. Grandpa is determined to beat him tomorrow.

Today was just a short drive but we got elephant and rhino as well as giraffe, bush buck, impala and zebra.   Lots of birds of course but the highlight was the Martial Eagle.

Our lovely martial eagle

A favourite of us all

Ugly to some but we love the adorable warthog

European Roller

Struggling to escape extinction

We had a braai for supper and then Grandpa and Simon hit the hay while Shan and I stayed up a little longer but followed them pretty soon after!

More of our adventures to follow!