Wild Adventure Chapter 4 Cheetahs and Lions

2016-04-23 | puppy1952

“It can’t be time to get up yet,” complained Lord Grum-Peigh “It’s still dark!”

“It will be light soon and we need to get out before the Twee Rivieren Mob arrive – come on get up – here’s your coffee.” Her Ladyship packed the picnic basket and filled the flask while her grumbly husband reluctantly readied himself for departure.

The sunrise was just a stunning as last night’s sunset and they were on the road atn6:30 am on the dot. The campers from the other five sites were rushing off too. The Frend-Leighs always keen to be first at the waterhole to ensure good photographs were up ahead. As the Grum-Peighs followed slowly behind a fellow camper passed and waved to them to stop. “Your left front tyre looks a little soft,” he said.

And so they had to turn around and return to camp to check it out. The Earl who fusses about the small stuff was remarkably calm about this major disaster. He set straight to work. Getting the tyre off proved no easy task. The thingy that is used to loosen the bolts was faulty but the Earl made a plan and within 45 minutes the job was done.

Now when one travels in the extreme conditions of the Kgalagadi one would be foolish not to have a working spare so the Grum-Peighs decided to abandon their original plans and make their way to Twee Rivieren where there was a workshop to have the spare tyre repaired. And although it was a Sunday it was open.

After enjoying a cooked breakfast at the restaurant they took the long Mata Mata and Dune roads to get back to Rooiputs. “Hopefully we will see game on this route,” declare the Lord.

Lady Grum-Peigh had an acute attack of FOMO (fear of missing out). “I bet the Leighs have found yesterday’s lions on a kill and that the cheetahs are mating or giving birth or something equally exciting.”she whined.
“No way,”comforted the Earl “we’re going to see good stuff.”

And he was right. “Look what we have here,”he said excitedly.

Tawny Eagle

A little later they found a male lion right next to the road

Then a little far off under a shady tree lay a cheetah with its kill. It was not worth taking a photograph though.

The Grum-Peighs are more interested in the birdlife and tend to stop too long to observe the winged creatures that others choose to ignore.

One of their favourites is the Namaqua Dove

Of course they also saw all the regular chaps. Gemsbok (Oryx) are very common in the park.

Meanwhile the Leighs had been wandering what happened to their friends. Had they missed them at a sighting? Had they carried on to the planned breakfast stop? But no they couldn’t find them anywhere. “They’re either behind or in front of us,” said Mr Frend-Leigh – don’t worry we’ll catch up with each other eventually.”

So when they finally did see each other back at camp they were shocked to hear that there had been a mishap. “We would have come back to help!” they declared.

“Then you would also have missed the excitement,” said Lady G-P

“Ha – we only got sleeping cats – nothing too thrilling!”

The two men got to work fixing the faulty thingy while the girls caught up with washing and then they all had a nap before going out for the afternoon drive.

It was 5 o’clock and still hot and they hoped to get the sleeping lions waking up. There was a little action but they were still pretty sleepy.

Then a police car stopped next to the G-Ps “Good afternoon, sir. How are you this afternoon?”

Lady G-P thought they were going to ask for their permit and started reaching for it. But no – “Ma’m about 3km further on, you will find a cheetah. He is on his own and has been there since 1 pm this afternoon.”

“Thank you so much officer. We will check it out!”

Just before they reached the 3km mark, Lady Peigh yelled, “I see him.”

It was overcast and a storm was threatening so the light was dim and if she hadn’t been looking intently she would probably have missed him. Then suddenly he disappeared. “Has he gone over the ridge?”

“No – there he is!” said Lord Peigh. “He’s lying down – how well he camouflages!”

They stayed with him until a car approached and then pointed him out to the occupant. It took quite a while before he could find him.

Back at the lion sighting very little was happening. Mr Leigh pointed out a striped kingfisher in a tree opposite and then they decided to make their way back before it got too late.

The Leighs pointed out the Vereaux’s Eagle-Owl and that was the last sighting of their day.

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A Wild Adventure – Chapter 1 Off to the Kgalagadi

2016-04-21 | puppy1952

A wild adventure with Lord and Lady Grum-Peigh and Mr and Mrs Frend-Leigh is based on a true story. Names have been changed to poorly disguise the true identities of the guilty.

Chapter 1-

“When are the children coming to stay,” asked the First Earl of Struisbaai of his wife after a particularly busy few months of organising building plans and other business matters.

“In just over a fortnight,”said Lady Grum -Peigh.

“Well I feel like getting away somewhere,”said the Lord – “Try and book something.”

So she tried but nothing seemed to work out quite right. Addo was booked up and the only camping available at Kgalagadi was at Twee Rivieren. So she tentatively suggested – “We did have a loose arrangement to join the Frend-Leighs at Kgalagadi if we got the chance – If we leave straight away we could fit in 10 days or so and share their campsites. The only problem is we can’t contact them as there are no internet or cell coms where they are at present.”

“Good idea,” said The Lord ” If they can’t have us we’ll just spend a few days at Twee Rivieren then come home.” And two days later the caravan was packed and sorted for a long trip to the semi-desert. The first night was spent at Molopo Lodge and then the next day (3 March) they were able to enter the park by 8:00 am. They booked two nights at Twee Rivieren where they set up camp and then set off to find their friends.

Luckily Lady Grump-Leigh had their itinerary. They would be making their way from Mata Mata to Rooiputs that day. The latter is just 30 km from Twee Rivieren and so getting there would not take long. “I predict that they will be there around 11ish,” said her Ladyship who knew that Mr Frend-Leigh would make no unnecessary stops along the way. And sure enough they were just about to pin a note to a tree on their allotted campsite when along they came.

“We thought you wouldn’t come!” cried Mrs Frend-Leigh in surprise.

“Sorry we didn’t let you know but we decided at the last minute that we could fit and few days in! We’ll stay at Twee for two nights then come and join you here.”

Rooiputs is rustic, unfenced camp the Botswana side of the park and booking in had to take place at Twee Rivieren. Lady Grum-Peigh duly went to book in but the official on teh Botswana side said they would have to get Mrs Frend-Leigh to check them in personally so it was just as well that they’d booked two nights at Twee Rivieren.

The Grum-Peighs were delighted to be back in the wild and spent the rest of the day enjoying the park.

Wattled Starlings at Samevloeing

The beautiful Namaqua dove eyeing them from a thorny tree

It’s called the Green Kalahari for although there’s little rain when it comes the grass grows and the flowers bloom – Here is a Red Hartebeest enjoying the bounty

The Grum-Peighs were pleased to see large herds of healthy Springbok. Fodder for the lions! It was hot and they wisely found a shady spot to escape the burning sun

Why when there are plenty of waterholes do the creatures drink from puddles in the road? It must contains salts that they crave. Those white specks are butterflies!

The Grum-Peighs found them all over the park in huge numbers

So delicate and pretty

A southern black korhaan had a lot to say!

Share your world Week 8 2016

2016-02-23 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World Week 8

What household chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Cleaning windows. I don’t mind any other household chores but somehow the cleaning of windows is too much for me – I just can’t get them clean. So I never clean them – instead I employ somebody else to do it. It’s well worth the money.

What was the last URL that you bookmarked?

It was about making a Banting Toasted sandwich – but I haven’t tried it yet! Low Carb toasted sandwich

Close your eyes. Listen to your body. What part of your body is seeking attention? What is it telling you?

My stomach is telling me that I am hungry. I’ve been busy doing household chores, made the salad and am now ready for some flash fried tuna. (Hubby is going to make it!)

Would you rather have a two-bedroom apartment in a big city of your choosing or a mansion in the country side in the state or country where you currently live?

I am happy with the house at the sea-side where I live. My caravan is also an attractive option. The mansion would require too much time doing household chores – imagine all those windows!

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for the stunning weather we’ve been having -lovely sunny days but not too hot and we’ve even had a shower or two of much needed rain. I’m making the most of the sunny days and usually have a morning and afternoon swim in the sea. Whatever the coming week has to offer I am sure I’m going to love it.

Struisbaai and Share Your World Week 4

2016-01-26 | puppy1952

It seems a while since I’ve posted anything about Struisbaai so I thought I’d write something today and combine it with Share Your World Questions.

1. What one thing are you really glad you did yesterday?

I’m going to replace the yesterday with today!

This morning we got up later than usual. I have always been an early riser and thought during retirement that I would continue to be up with the sparrows – but not so – Sometimes I only get up after 8 o’clock! Usually, I do a bit of gym then run to the beach and have a swim before breakfast. Today we skipped the gym part, drove to the beach and had a delicious swim just after 9 o’clock before returning to an ‘Early Breakfast’ of giant black mushrooms and fried banana, tomato, bacon and eggs. “To die for doll!”

After breakfast, we walked to the harbour to see what the boats had brought in. I will never grow tired of Struisbaai Harbour! It must be the most picturesque and interesting little harbour in the Western Cape. Or maybe I’m just biased.

Commercial Fishermen rowing back from their moored boat

I’m sorry I didn’t take photos of the huge yellowtail being off loaded from one of the ski-boats but believe me there were some beautiful fish. I concentrated on the commercial fishermen gutting on the slipway and throwing the guts to the stingrays and gulls.

I am glad we did this today as afterwards we sat at Pelican’s Cafe and had a cup of coffee and met a couple from Cape Town and had a great chat with them. I overheard them talking about birds which is what started the conversation!

2. Are you generally focused on today or tomorrow?

Definitely I am focussed on today although I do make plans for tomorrow. But especially in my retired state, I let things happen on a daily basis! So far I’m having a fabulous day!

3. Would you want to have a guardian angel/mentor? What would they tell you right now?

I am convinced that my guardian angel works overtime on me! Why else would my life be so good and full of good things happening in it. I think she would tell me to take every opportunity that comes my way and to enjoy every minute of my life.

4. Would you rather live in a cave house or a dome house made out of glass?

I would definitely choose a cave. One of my fondest memories is staying in cave accommodation in Kagga Kamma – a private game reserve in the Cedarberg Mountains. Originally this area was home to the San people who lived in caves. Caves have cleverly been recreated using artificial rock to blend in with the surrounding mountainside. They are so cosy and it was great fun staying there.

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Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

On the mountainside of Fish Hoek which is near to where I lived in Cape Town, there were horrific fires which threatened the homes of my sister, aunt, sister-in-law and many friends. I am grateful that none of them lost their homes in spite of being evacuated or nearly evacuated (some refused to leave in order to fight the fires themselves). I am grateful to the amazing firefighters and helicopter pilots who worked so bravely to beat the fiery monster.

Next week I am looking forward to entertaining friends and fishermen who are coming up for an angling competition. It will be great to have a houseful again.

The good the bad and the beautiful in South Africa

2015-12-31 | puppy1952

My first year of retirement has been great and I’ve loved every moment of my new life. To find myself at this age in good health and in the most beautiful part of the world is a privilege. Some might disagree with the latter statement because of the precarious situation in which my country finds itself but although South Africa is fraught with problems I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Many of my friends and some of my family have left her shores to ‘better’ their lives and to ensure their children have better opportunities. They’re sick of the crime, the unemployment, the falling rand and the destruction of the infrastructure. They complain about the drop in the standard of education, poor health service and a corrupt government. All these are valid reasons to Pack for Perth or some other neat place where there won’t be too much of a culture shock. But many choose to stay right here and struggle on.

Recently one of our most politically correct radio talk show hosts declared that for the first time ever he’d begun to lose hope for our country. His usual positive attitude to working together for a brighter future dimmed horribly. And it was all to do with the many damaging things our president has done and a despondent belief that he still would not be voted out. There is so much to make one despair and oh I wish that there was more building up and less destruction of our new democracy. I wish that Corruption would end and Integrity would reign. The signs are there that the country is heading straight down the drain – going the way of Zimbabwe and that there is nothing we can do to stop it. I am not a particularly political animal. I tend to go with the flow and look on the bright side but I do fear for our future. I’m glad that I’m on the wrong side of youth and know that by the time the country has reached self-destruction I will be on my way to the grave. But what about my grandchildren?

Education statistics in South Africa

Well hasn’t every generation worried about the next? But it is now up to that next generation to make a difference. Is rushing off to seek new horizons the answer – for the individual, maybe. But for the future of this amazing country – no! We need the next generation to make a difference. We need them to vote out the corrupt politicians and get the good ones in. We need them to become entrepreneurs and create the jobs. The brain-drain is real and if they all trek off to other countries will it really be all that much better? I am so relieved to hear about young people returning even when they’ve done well overseas. And why? I hear them saying – they still have faith that things will improve in South Africa. They do want to be here to make a difference. They’re prepared to give it a go and deal with the problems. Education, they tell me, is not so amazing in Australia, England, America and Canada. All these countries have their problems – so they’re prepared to face their indigenous ones rather than battle against the devil the do not know. Welcome back, I say to them. And I understand the deeper reasons why they return.

It’s not only because they miss their families – it’s South Africa itself that they miss. It’s the very fabric of the people, the different cultures

Rainbow Nation

the vibrancy, the weather and the wildness.

They miss The Springboks and The Proteas, the accent, the braaivleis, the boerewors and the biltong.

They miss the sunsets

and the beaches,

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the mountains

and the bushveld

The rhythms of Africa beat strongly in their hearts.

And when they return and see Table Mountain there is a deep stirring in their emotions and they know they are home where they belong!

Table Mountain

I don’t believe all our expats should return – many have made good overseas and are perfectly happy. They love to come home on holiday and that’s enough. I wish them luck and prosperity and know they will always hold us all in their hearts as we hold them in ours.

And I will continue to adapt as the country changes be it for better or worse. I will continue to enjoy what the country has to offer and make the most of the South African Lifestyle.

006 Imagine Comfort Van at Twee Rivieren 2015-03-27 02-41-09 PM 3069x2304

A running tale dedicated to Chantal

2015-12-18 | puppy1952

My friend Chantal and I, started running together about 25 years ago. It was her idea. She wanted to get fit and thin after having a baby. “No way, Chants,” I said. “I’ll do aerobics, circuit training, modern dance – anything – but run – never!” But my younger friend has strange powers of persuasion and I ended up going along with the plan. We followed the Run/Walk for Life programme – and it worked. Within three months we were running 5km with ease. And we loved it! Over the years we have been eratic in when and how we ran – sometimes together and sometimes alone because of our changing schedules. I hurt my back 7 years ago and this and a dicky tummy made me stop running and turn to other forms of exercise. But Chantal has kept it up faithfully forever. She’s just relocated to Australia and her running route, now among the jetty beauties of Sydney, is on to envy indeed.

But Chantal – you’ll be proud to hear – I’m back on the run – Yes – I know I said this last year too – but when the summer ended so did the running on Struisbaai Beach. But now that Summer is here again and the Beach is calling I’ve decided to resist no longer. I started on Wednesday – Fish Hoek being my beach of choice. Not as glamorous as your neck of the woods where the beach goers are young, fit and gorgeous, and the beaches just too amazing to describe – but it suits me fine to be among peers many of whom I recognise from years of residing in “The Valley!”

Now just in case you think I’m back to my normal stride – don’t be fooled – I jog along at an elderly pace with my grandsons in tow – streaking ahead and doing double the distance there and back, there and back to check on the old girl. Josh is like Bolt and Jay only attempts to be in order to prevent his younger brother from making him look bad. Josh’s pace is too fast for him and he is doubled over with exhaustion in his attempt to keep up. This puts him into deep depression but at least it’s a motivator to get him up in the morning! We’re there just after 7.

This morning Grandpa came along too as he had to pick up staff from the station. The boys thought he’d join us on the run – but that wasn’t going to happen – nor did he venture into the icy sea. However, he was good enough to take some photies.

We have a family of Egyptian Geese who trust the Fish Hoek humans enough to swim amongst them. Usually Egyptian geese prefer fresh water but not so in The Western Cape – there are several seaside places they frequent.

It didn’t bother them at all that I was so close

A seafaring family of geese

The Lads braving the cool waters – note the shark boat taking out the net

I wish you were here to run with me again, Chanti – miss you my friend!

Wild Fears

2015-12-09 | puppy1952

We make our way stealthily through the inky darkness. There is no light other than the dim beam from our torch. I am not used to the bush and every rustle conjures up visions of wild animals lying in wait to pounce on me. My husband enjoys my discomfiture and teases continuously telling me that jackals have their lairs just metres from our rondawel.

I giggle nervously half believing him. It has been storming but now the night is still and fresh. I open the door and a wild creature leaps out knocking me off my feet. I gasp and shriek. The creature is on top of me pinning me to the ground. I feel his hot breath on my cheek and brace myself for its vicious fangs to tear into my flesh. But instead, I am suddenly covered with wet licks from the farmer’s German Shepherd. During the storm he’d jumped in through the window and settled down for a nap, which we have now interrupted! Hubby is beside himself with laughter while I am hopping mad!

Exhausted now we settle down for the night. But wait what’s that I see. “My gosh, Darling, there’s a snake in the thatch!”

“Relax,” assures my hero – I’ll get him out. He gets up and ties a hook – gaff style – to his rod, but too late the snake suspecting danger slithers into the thatch and disappears.

“He has to sleep,” – Hubby says – “we’ll deal with it in the morning.”

Exhausted by my hectic day I finally drop into a troubled sleep. Suddenly I am woken with a feeling of foreboding. I sense my husband stiff and in a cold sweat beside me.

“What?” I say –

“SHHH,” he says, “Don’t move! Something hit my wrist – It’s lying next to us.”

Move? – I’m rigid with fear – not a muscle will obey me. He whips the cover off and shines the torch beside us and there, black and terrifying and curled up fast asleep – is an enormous Songololo!

NaBloPoMo 25 – The story of the Proud Hoopoe

2015-11-25 | puppy1952

NaBloPoMo

Our holiday to the Eastern Cape has come to an end and sadly we bade farewell to our wonderful friends, Jim and Maureen this morning and made our way back to Struisbaai. Thanks J&M for being such amazing friends and sharing your beautiful home with us. Thanks too for the tour guiding around the area. Earl loved seeing all the boats and the birding was great too! We are so privileged to have you in our lives and we look forward to meeting up again soon.

Of course after a stay away there is the unpacking and sorting out to do back home. I am pleased to say that the caravan is cleaned and sorted and the washing is almost done!

My blog post today will be a story about a bird from our holiday.

Hoops the Hoopoe is an impressively handsome bird but even his stunning good looks don’t always get him the attention he craves from Hettie his girlfriend. He needs to find something else to impress her. Not even the Addo Park tourists are looking at him this morning because his friends Elroy and Eliza the baby elephants are making them giggle as they enjoy a lovely messy mud bath at Marion Baree waterhole. Suddenly he spies a fat, juicy worm popping its head up from its dingy hole and instinctively he nabs it with his beak. Now where is Hettie? He calls – Hoop-hoop, hoop-hoop as loudly as he can without opening his beak. Hettie does not appear but all the tourists in their cars are enthralled and he struts about proudly hoop-hooping away and even displaying his handsome crest. But where of where is Hettie – she needs to see this – I want to invite her to lunch! Then suddenly out of nowhere comes a flash of black and a cheeky Fiscal grabs the worm from the puffed up hoopoe. Poor Hoops – he’s lost the girl and the worm!

#NaBloPoMo 24 – St Francis Bay

2015-11-24 | puppy1952

NaBloPoMo

The weather in Jeffrey’s Bay is stunning. We sat on the deck to have our morning tea and there was no need for a jersey. After a delicious breakfast of fruit salad, muesli and yogurt we set off for to explore St Francis Bay which is not far from J-Bay.

St Francis Bay was first sighted in 1575 by the Portuguese seafarers who named it after the patron saint of sailors. It is a tranquil village with meandering waterways, picturesque thatched houses, abundant birdlife and miles of golden beaches.

We drove past a game farm and saw quite a few species through the electric fence and also did some birding wherever we found ourselves.

Grey Heron

At lunch time we went to a restaurant with a wonderful view of St Francis Harour but unfortunately the food did not match it. Jim had fried hake which left him feeling that he needed something to take the taste away later in the afternoon! The rest of us settled for prawn and salmon salad which was less than mediocre. To make it more interesting they could have added some avocado pear and perhaps mango. The “prawns” were tiny, deep-fried, crumbed shrimps, the taste of which indicated that they were fried in oil that was not too fresh. A rule we usually follow is not to go into a restaurant where there are no diners or where there are people sitting without food in front of them – It’s a clear indication that the food and service are bad! Such a pity because the venue was great.

St Francis Harbour

We visited an interesting shell shop at St Francis Harbour

One of the highlights of our birding today was finding a Kitlitz Plover with a chick. When Mommy saw us she sent her chick into hiding and then scurried away from the spot and drew attention to herself. We sat quietly in the car waiting and then moved a little way off to fool her that we were no longer interested in her baby. It worked and the little one appeared and we were able to get a picture or two.

Mother Kittlitz’s Plover

Don’t even think of coming near my chick!

At last the baby appeared

Kittlitz’s plovers mate for life. Their nest is a scrape in bare, dry ground, sometimes raised on mound in coarse sand or dried mud, mostly < 100 m from water. The female lays between 1 and 3 eggs but usually 2 and both male and female sit on the eggs. Today we saw only one parent and one chick.

Nearby we found another avian couple having a bath together.

White-fronted plovers enjoying a bath in a puddle

White-fronted plover

At tea-time Maureen said she had a craving for chocolate cake so we headed to a lovely bakery and sat down to coffee and the most delicious chocolate cake – well the others did – I virtuously stuck to Rooibos tea and a banting crunchie! It made up for the inferior lunch!

Coffee and Cake to end our outing

#NaBloPoMo 23 – Addo to Jeffrey’s Ba

2015-11-23 | puppy1952

NaBloPoMo

We couldn’t resist going for one last game drive before packing up this morning. I’d heard lions roaring in the night and though we just might be able to find them but that was not to be. We did, though, find two jackals at Ghwarrie Pan and I managed to persuade one to pose.

On our return Early made breakfast and then we packed up and made our way to Jeffrey’s Bay. It’s lovely to be here catching up with our friends Maureen and Jim. Maureen cooked us a delicious Roast Leg of Lamb for dinner tonight and we enjoyed the company of their friend, Errol too.

Yesterday I took some videos of the elephants and I am including them here

#NaBloPoMo 22 -Birthday Surprises

2015-11-22 | puppy1952

NaBloPoMo

How the weather can change so rapidly is a mystery to me. It was pouring at bedtime last night and I thought it would go on for a week! But this morning dawned bright and sunny with not a cloud to be see. It was, however, still a tad chilly but it warmed up to short and t-shirt temperature by midday.

We did not dash out at dawn but were on safari before 7 am.

Speckled mousebird catching the early morning rays

This common waxbill teased me by flitting from tree to tree while I tried to snap his portrait. After much begging he finally obliged. Can you see that – oh all right then – expression on his face?

This red-necked spurfowl is far friendlier and quite likes the attention of the paparazzi

We had a pleasant drive and then returned to have breakfast at Cattle Baron at 10 before setting off again.

Because it’s my birthday I was treated to breakfast in a restaurant!

Warthogs have this cute habit of kneeling down to get closer to their food.

The elephants were having fun today. At Hapoor we watched herd after herd come down to drink and play in the mud. The babies always amuse me.

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Later in the day at another waterhole, we found a small family group having a muddy bath. The two youngsters were rolling on top of each other and I could almost hear them singing – mud – glorious mud. If eared that the smaller ellie wouldn’t be able to make it out of the mire but his elders used their trunks to help him out. It was fascinating to watch.

This is fun – really, truly it is!

Do I have to get out?

Okay, I’m coming

Don’t forget my brother!

I took a video of the adults helping the baby out and will post it when I’ve worked out how.

We were looking at some creature when I suddenly became aware of a hoep hoep sound behind me. I knew that sound and turned to look and sure enough there was an African Hoopoe right beside the road. He was strutting about proudly showing off his catch – a lovely juicy worm

He kept strutting about and calling and I wondered if he was going to give it to his mate but she was nowhere to be seen.

Look what I’ve got – Aren’t I clever!

And don’t you love my gorgeous crest – I’m such a handsome boy!

Well no other hoopoe made an appearance and for several minutes he continued showing off his catch. Then all of a sudden a Common Fiscal appeared from nowhere and snatched it from his beak. Not so smart anymore Mr Hoopoe – that will teach you to be such a show-off!

Another fine bird make my day – malachite sunbird

And a glossy starling too

Buffalo are the lions favourite food and these we saw near Zuurkop lookout. We heard roaring but no sign of the predators looking for lunch.

Our drive produced many of our favourite creatures including zebra, red hartebeest, kudu,jackal and meerkat. It was four o’clock and we were making our way back to camp on the hapoor loop when up ahead we saw four cars stopped on the road. “What can you see?” asked Earl. “Lion” I said, “in the shade on the side of the road.” “No way,” he said. But soon we were able to get closer and there he was – a single male lion – definitely there to wish me Happy Birthday. He was like a great big pussy cat washing his face and paws!

We invited our German neighbours, Ruth and Klaus to join us for a braai this evening. What a lovely way to end our stay in Addo Elephant Park.

And as I write this post I can hear the lions roaring not too far away!

#NaBloPoMo 21 – A Wet Day in Addo

2015-11-21 | puppy1952

NaBloPoMo

Who would believe that we would have rain in Addo Elephant Park in November! It was so hot on our arrival day but now it is cold and wet! But this has not dampened our enjoyment of being in the bush. We are not diehards but we certainly make a plan to make things more comfortable. Thank Goodness I thought to pack some warm clothes.

It rained throughout last night and was still raining this morning so we stayed in bed a little later – no point rushing out in the cool of the day as the whole day would be cool! It let up enough to make a hearty breakfast and while Earl was preparing he had a demanding visitor.

This cheeky fork-tailed drongo asked to share our breakfast

It seems that butter is a delicacy enjoyed both by the drongo and the weavers. Before Earl could stop the drongo he’d taken off with the butter from the egg pan!

After rescuing our breakfast from the birds we sat down to eat and then set off to explore. It rained on and off the entire day!

Mr Kudu was the first to greet us

We saw elephants frequently and I will just show a few of the special ones here

King of the road was this bull leisurely strolling towards us and not given a damn about the cars. This is taken through the windscreen

Don’t worry he was really friendly

He could have put his trunk right through the window but he was more interested in eating his lunch

He uses his trunk with such skill

Of course the warthogs have the run of the park and we saw plenty of them.

We also got up close and personal with red hartebeest and zebra.

The babies are adorable

In spite of the rain the plains were full of game

The zebra were in playful mood

And quite affectionate toward each other

The birding was most rewarding – they did not seem to mind the rain.

The steppe buzzards posed beautifully

On all kinds of perches

Glossy starlings made many appearances

Two beautiful spotted thick-knees

An orange throated longclaw posed like a model

Of course he is a handsome chap!

A red-necked spurfowl showed off her chicks

The hyperactive stonechat was hard to get but finally he sat still and obliged me with a half decent photograph

The resident Jackal Buzzard shows he’s just as handsome as the visiting steppe buzzard

We exited the south gate and went to the little village of Colchester just outside the park to do a bit of shopping and had lunch at Taste of Africa – a chicken salad that lacked imagination!

We arrived back at camp at 4 o’clock. We had every intention of doing a braai for supper as the rain had stopped but by 5 it was raining again so we opted for dinner at the restaurant. Our venison hotpot was served with mash, butternut and spinach and was to die for!

Early looking surprised at the excellent food

We’re having trouble with our portable wireless devise so might not be able to do a blog post tomorrow but hopefully I’ll be able to use my phone or Earl’s tablet as a hotspot – depends on how much data is left!

But now I will be going to sleep with the sound of rain on canvas – I do so love my offroad caravan!