Kokstad Christmas – Part 1

2017-12-25 | puppy1952

Those of you who follow my blog regularly know that we are currently visiting our clan in Kokstad. We started our Christmas celebrations early. On Wednesday The Bakers came over for a pre-Christmas dinner. We wore the silly hats and pulled the surprise pack crackers and shared the corny jokes that popped out too. It really got us all into the Christmas spirit

Nicoline, Shan and Scott

Simon and Robyn

Al, Si, Shan, Scott, Me, Earl, Lauren

Al, Nicoline, Shan, Scott, Si, Robyn, Sean, Me, Lauren

We have had unseasonably cold weather this December so when we saw that the sun would be shining on Thursday we headed off to a dam in the mountains so the ‘boys’ could do some fishing. What a lovey cottage we had on The Du Plessis farm in the Swartberg.

It was Allan’s birthday on Friday. He and Simon were out fishing very early on on their return we presented the gifts and had a slap-up breakfast to celebrate his special day.

My Rural Family

Scrumptious Birthday Breakfast

Al is such a great dad and his kids expressed this so well in the cards they made.

Al, Earl and Simon fished and caught a total of nine bass. They kept two which The Earl cooked for lunch when we were back home.

Because of the iffy weather we have not done much outdoorsy stuff but on Sunday at the rude hour of 6:30 am my son-in-law and granddaughter knocked on the door – Hey Gran – do you want to come for a walk.

I thought it would be a gentle stroll along gravel paths suitable for a 65 year old grandmother.

Like this

But no – they took me on a bundu bashing ramble across farmlands, over barbed wire fences, through long, possibly snake-infested grass while dodging thorny thistles, low overhanging branches and rabbit holes.

Do you see the reed buck and the dog? – No? That’s how long the grass was!

Cody smelt a reed buck – but it was too clever for him and kept dead still – all we could see were it’s horns sticking up from the long grass.

We bent over to get through the trees

And climbed through many tricky fences

The plan was to cross the river over a bridge and then take the shortcut back to their farm but somehow the it seemed not to be there and so we headed back through the long grass observing many pretty buck and birds before reaching home two hours after we started out!

It was all worth the effort for the pretty scenes we saw

Lovely river – no bridge

Considering that Shan and Al both have much longer legs than I, I think I did okay to keep up with them – Yes my limbs felt like jelly at the end of it but it was great fun. I think I might join them again.

Today we celebrated Christmas with The Bakers and tomorrow we’re having the Macs over – More about that next time.

Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge 19 December 2017

2017-12-19 | puppy1952

This week’s Fun Photo Challenge from Cee calls for photos that begin with R and have at least six letters. Here is my contribution.

Rhinoceros

Rabbit

Railway Engine – Strahan – Tasmania

Railway Station – Strahan – Tasmania

Rainbow Lorrikeet

Share Your World 18 December 2017

2017-12-18 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this week’s Share your world by Cee

If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?

Having someone in twice weekly to help with housework is a privilege I enjoy. We also have someone in to help with garden work but that’s more on an ad hoc basis. A full time chef would be great – oh wait – I have one – He’s my husband!

Chicken cooked by my own personal chef

If you were to move and your home came fully furnished with everything you ever wanted, list at least three things from your old house you wish to retain?

If my new house had everything I ever wanted there would be no need to take anything from my current home. I love where I live now but it is simply furnished and functional. We have downsized from what we had before retirement. My treasures are things like books, diaries, photo albums and electronic devices. Those I would take with me.

What calms you down?

Going for a walk works. Doing a sudoku or a crossword puzzle also relaxes me.

What inspired you or what did you appreciate this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

Right now we’re staying with our rural kids and I am appreciating the country lifestyle. We’re in a gloriously beautiful part of KwaZulu Natal. At this time of the year everything is green and lush. The people are friendly and the pace of life is as peaceful as the surrounding.

A walk in the orchard with the dog tagging along

mud will wash

Warm Hospitality in Kokstad

2017-12-17 | puppy1952

It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere and in KZN you would expect the weather to be super hot! But there has been lingering snow in the Drakensberg and Kokstad was gripped in some winter-like weather for over a week. Thankfully it’s warming up now and yesterday, instead of complaining about the cold, we complained about the heat!

One thing we’re not complaining about is the warm hospitality of the Kokstad friends and family. I don’t know what it is about this place but everybody is incredibly friendly. Perhaps it’s the beautiful environment in which they live and their relaxed lifestyle that causes them to be warm-hearted and kind. Most of the people we know here live on farms or small holdings and they are surrounded by beautiful mountains, streams, trees and have amazing gardens. Some might say that small places are friendlier but that’s not always true. Some small places are very cliquey and it may take years to be made to feel welcome there. Here in East Griqualand, we have found, you’re made to feel one of the family immediately.

So while the weather has been chilly we’ve been visiting. Thanks to the Clarkes for a lovely morning of catching up on their amazing four-month adventure off-roading through Africa with their two boys. The pancakes for tea were scrumptious, thanks Bryan.

The Flemmings had us over for dinner which was delicious. And sitting before their roaring fire was wonderful. Rose, your roast dinner was to die for.

Rose whipping up a Master Meal

Anti-clockwise from front – Neil, Rose, Lauren, Shannon, Allan, Simon, The Earl

Of course we have been catching up with the extended Stone/Mackenzie family too. We reminisced about spending so many Christmases together when we were still raising our own kids. They’re all grown now with kids of their own and what a great bunch those kids are.

Just a few of the extended family who popped in for tea

Barbara and Andrew’s cottage on The Farm

An outhouse used as an office and guest flat

Our kids went off for a golfing weekend to Pennington this weekend so we were left to our own devices. On Friday we had lunch with Barbs and Andrew and yesterday another of our clan arrived from Bloemfontein so we went to The Farm to greet them and have family braai.

Soon after the Bothas arrived, The Earl invited the kids to go to the dam to fish. I knew the Mackenzie boys would not hesitate. Rebecca, however, is a girlie girl and I expected her to decline. How wrong I was. “I’ve got my fishing rod,” she said. “Are you sure?” said Mom. “I don’t think we packed it.” “Of course, Dad did!” she insisted and went off to fetch it.

So off the merry little band went. How delighted we all were when they returned with two fat bass – both caught by 8 year-old girlie girl Rebecca!

Becca with her Bass

While the fisherfolk were off adventuring the rest of us enjoyed Barbara’s shady garden.

Caleb decided that the fishpond would be a good place to cool off.

The Earl cooked the bass as a starter before the braai. The kids insisted that they would not be eating fish – but all of them did! Becca only had a tiny bit but got a bit of scale so that put her off! The others were back for seconds.

Becca trying some fish

Little Emma loved her sisters fish

Seth said no way was he eating Bass – but here he is enjoying it!

The Earl had some willing helpers with the braai. Aiden and Seth helped chop wood. Henk has some braaing skills of his own and saved the day when the wood wouldn’t burn. The food was delicious and the bonding even better. And what a perfect evening it was after all the cold weather we’ve been having.

Getting the braai going

The essential Boerwors

Henk grilling the steak and chops

Black and White Challenge – Alone

2017-12-15 | puppy1952

This week’s Black and White Challenge is Abandoned or Alone. Here are three takes on this theme.

Black-backed Jackal on his own mission

A lone Kelp Gull at the harbour

A self-sufficient stray cat

Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge Letter Q

2017-12-13 | puppy1952

This week’s Fun Photo Challenge from Cee requires a photo that contains the letter Q.

Here is my contribution.

Ground Squirrels

Quail-finch

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Kruger to Kokstad

2017-12-08 | puppy1952

It poured on our last night in The Kruger National Park and it was still raining lightly when we woke up this morning. So packing up was a bit of a mission but we got it done quickly and were on our way by 6:30 am. Other than impala we saw little else on our way out at Malelane Gate.

It rained most of the way to White River too. The rain is much needed so we did not complain! Lauren’s ex principal, Nick who now lives in White River arranged for us to leave our caravan at his friend Dawie’s house. It was a mission reversing it up the curved driveway and almost impossible to get it under the car port. But Dawie called on reinforcements from his school to push it the short distance the Everest couldn’t manage. We are most grateful that we didn’t have to tow it back to Kokstad only to bring it back again in a few weeks time. Thanks so much Nick and Dawie.

After having a quick breakfast in town we were on the road again at 9:!5 am. We encountered a lot of traffic on some of the roads which caused a bit of angst and stress but then things improved and The Earl got into the trip and didn’t want to stop for anything other than fuel. We got to Howick at 5:00 pm and I suggested we spend the night there as the next part of the road would be hectic with potholes. But The Earl refused – he wanted to make it all the way to Kokstad and was not tired.

Uh oh – we should have followed my instincts. The road was dreadful. Not only was it hectically misty we also had to play dodge the pothole and watch out for the livestock appearing like ghosts on the road. There were a few near misses but finally we made it to Underberg by 6:15. No way was I going to let The Earl drive on in the dark. I didn’t have to ask twice! We were both stressed out and exhausted.

Thank you Sani Window for taking us in at short notice. After a quick freshen up we headed to The Grind for Pizzas which were excellent.

I needed that glass of wine!

We had a really good night’s rest and enjoyed an excellent breakfast at this most beautiful B&B.

Wonderful View

Scrumptious Breakfast

Simon was the only one home when we arrived at the farm. It was the last day of school for the teachers and Shannon had gone in with Lauren to help finish off.

The weather was lovely this morning but this afternoon it clouded over and Lauren said she thought there’d be a storm and was looking forward to lots of rain. Well – she got her wish in a big way. She’d just left to take Audrey (her housekeeper) home for the weekend and I’d just crossed the lawn to our little flat in the garden when the heavens opened. It sounded like rocks were hitting the tin roof but it was hail! It went on for half an hour.

Hail on the lawn – the car seemed unscathed.

We seldom get hail in The Cape so this was an exciting event for us. Lauren didn’t understand why I was worried about her out in this dangerous weather!

Kruger National Park – Day 27

2017-12-06 | puppy1952

6 December 2017 – Last full day in Kruger

It rained in the night and it was still overcast and cool when we woke up and temperatures only reached the mid twenties today. As it was our last day in the park we decided to make the most of it and took a long drive stopping first at Crocodile Bridge camp for brunch and Afsaal for afternoon coffee. We left at 6:00 am and only got back to Berg en Dal at 4:00 pm

It was an amazing last day and our sightings were really special.

First to greet us early this morning was Mr Waterbuck

The first of the many rhino we came across today

Giraffe are the most elegant of creatures and even when they’re having a confrontation it looks more like a ballet than a boxing match. It’s called necking when they fight but it all looks so gentelmanly

They don’t look aggressive at all

Getting ready to knock each other’s necks

Elephant spectators look on in amusement

We took a loop to be closer to the river and suddenly The Earl noticed this fellow fly into a tree. It took a while for me to see him and when I did I was delighted as it’s the first for this trip and one of the less common kingfishers.

Grey-headed Kingfisher

He gave The Earl a fright

A rhino road block

Mom and baby giraffe

The wind got into this Martial Eagle’s feathers

After breakfast at Crocodile Bridge we spotted some impala, wildebeest and warthogs just outside the camp. The warthogs had piglets.

Too much cuteness here!

Sweeeet!

Adorable

Pretty Piggies

The Earl started moving on – “Wait,” I said, “I’m enjoying the piglets – don’t go yet!” “We have to find the lions and leopards.” he said. “No!” I complained. “Let’s enjoy what we’ve got!” But he wouldn’t listen and I was miffed!

But not for long – had we stayed as I’d have liked we would have missed this!

Lioness on the move

We spotted her coming across an open field. The Earl reversed and turned into another road where she came right toward us and then passed our vehicle.

She was heading somewhere with purpose

She paused when she saw some wildebeest

She dropped down in the long glass – unseen by the wildebeest – Spot the ears

No way could she hunt those wildies on her own. We stayed with her for a while but then it was time to move on. What a great sighting.

while later on our drive we came across some more royalty – this time there were four – one blocking the road and the others lying asleep in the veld.

The King blocking his Highway

Then flopping down to sleep regardless of the two cars wanting to pass by

But in the end he got up and moved and joined his friends.

We thought we might get all five of the Biggies today but we dipped on leopard. Not that we can complain as we have had so many lovely experiences with leopard on other days and who can sniff at two lovely lion sightings in one day!

Other interesting sightings before we finally gave up for the day.

P1120492

White-crested Helmet-shrike

Don’t wander off too far, young one.

Toward the end of our drive the skies started to darken and it was raining when we arrived at camp. We debated about what to do about dinner but it cleared sufficiently to enable us to go with Plan A and braai. I stir fried some veggies to go with it. It is still raining now so it will be a wet pack-up tomorrow!

Kruger National Park – Day 26

2017-12-06 | puppy1952

5 December 2017 – Berg en Dal

We are nicely settled here at Berg en Dal at the south end of The Kruger National Park. Our campsite is right next to the fence and when we arrived yesterday we saw a herd of elephant close by. Also in front of our site is a tall tree where two yellow-billed kites have built a nest. It is well hidden but we have seen Mom and Dad in the open a few times – but in poor light. Hopefully better photos will be possible soon.

The whole of Berg en Dal rest camp is in pristine condition. The paths are swept and there facilities are kept sparkling clean. In all the other camps we have found there are issues with maintenance. If Berg en Dal can get it right – then so can the others!

The one problem we are having here is with the monkeys. Oh my – they are so cheeky! The problem probably began because tourists insisted on feeding them and now thy take the easy way out and try to steal from the campers. Our neighbours had a whole loaf of bread taken from under their noses and our butter very nearly went Awol but The Earl managed to frighten the culprit and she dropped it. A bit of dusting off later and it’s now safely secured in a plastic container in the locked fridge.

This baby was right outside our caravan – I yelled at him and he ran to Mom

“That nasty old lady yelled at me, Mom” he said. “How could you?!” she looked at me in disgust.

We were out by six this morning and were back for breakfast by ten. At first we did not see much but then things improved. Once again today there were more of the biggies and unusual smallies.

Lovely to see a red-breasted swallow

Gardenia Hide is usually stunning but there was very little there today. We were also disappointed to find that the path to the hide had been neglected, there were poles missing from the fence and there was an overflowing bin at the gate as well as litter on the path. Not good enough Sanparks!

African Wattled Lapwing

Tree-frog nest built over water so that when the eggs hatch the tadpoles will fall in. They fend for themselves from birth.

A well camouflaged Water Thick-knee

Kudu, tortoise and buffalo were next on our list. We also saw a few herds of elephant but they were hiding in the trees. Four rhino were also some distance off. P1120459

And finally a leopard turned up this morning – not the best sighting ever but good to see him on a rock. He was fast asleep and didn’t stir for anyone!

P1120467

After the leopard we continued to see some lovely sightings – elephants, kudu, tortoise and buffalo until we returned to camp. We rested until 3 o’clock and then went out for our afternoon drive.

First we encountered a herd of elephants. The babies were adorable

A ground hornbill crossed our path

A wainterhole we visited proved to be absolutely stunning. We found a rhino having a wonderful, wallowing time and when the elephants came down they gave him a wide berth. I wonder what it was that made them nervous of a rhino – his lovely long horn perhaps?

Blissfully wallowing in the cool water

Elephant giving a wide berth

Eventually the elephants left with a great deal of trumpeting. They chased the poor impala from the scene. We stayed to watch the rhinoceros complete his beauty treatment. He had a few itches to scratch and amused us with the solution to his problems!

Emerging after a lovely muddy bath

Oooh what a lovely scratch

Well, nobody’s going to do it for me, you know!

Finally he trundled off to his midden quite a way off but which we could still see. He sprayed liberally into the midden and then wandered off.

We continued on our way too and enjoyed these other creatures along the way

A common duiker peeked at us

A hyena on a mission

A red-breasted swallow

And another rhino having a mud bath somewhere else!

It was another perfect evening and we braaied chicken kebabs for dinner.

Only one more full day left in Kruger – how time flies.

Kruger National Park – Day 25

2017-12-04 | puppy1952

4 December 2017 – A Day of Biggies

Today we were packed and ready to set off to our last camp Berg en Dal by quarter to seven. As usual when we’re towing the caravan we stuck to the tar road for the 67km drive. Strangely today we did not see all the usual residents. Our sightings were unusual and interesting and the ‘biggies’ popped up a few times

One of our favourite birds of prey is the Bateleur. We often see him flying and quite regularly in a tree. But this morning he was on the ground.

He was looking for something

So hopped up on a log

Next a female bushbuck came along to say hi.

We arrived at Afsaal picnic site just before the Jeep Jockeys and their clients. In fact we were the only people there for a few minutes. I ordered the ‘Toastie” without the toast without expecting to pay less. However when we got the bill we found they’d charged us for only the items I ordered – egg, bacon and tomato. That is fantastic!

The Jeep Jockey Clients come with their snack packs and usually only order coffee. They’re not supposed to sit at the restaurant tables but they do. When it’s quiet it doesn’t matter. I expect that in busy times they’re asked to use the picnic tables. Nine jeep-loads arrived at the same time!

Elephants held us up before we arrived at Berg en Dal

This baby decided to have a little roll

They were very close – this is taken through the windscreen

Elephant mum, babies and bums

After we settled in at a lovely site next to the fence at Berg en Dal I suddenly felt quite sleepy and had a long nap – unusual for me – it’s usually The Earl who naps. He only lay down for a short time and we were up and gone on our afternoon drive at 2 pm.

We saw plenty of impala but only one zebra and no giraffe. Within half an hour of leaving camp we’d seen four of the Big Five!

First two male elephant at some distance that I didn’t even bother to photograph, then a single buffalo. Suddenly I spotted them and yelled – stop – lion. The Earl nearly jumped out of his skin. There right next to us was a beautiful male lion

He was resting in the shade

I’m sure I saw two, I said. Oh wait – there she is – lying down low.

Lioness wondering why we’re staring at her

Then the male got up

And then dropped down again

It’s oh so hot and I’m oh so tired

We were the only car there and we stayed until they lay flat and went to sleep. Nobody else came along and when we returned later they were gone.

I am not mentioning the route we took as I’m writing about the rhino we saw. We had three sightings

Earl spotted the first – a rock appeared to have twitching ears and turned into one then two rhino. Later we found three adults and a baby and then another four later on our journey.

Buffalo love the water. This lot are no exception

Special birds of the trip were first

Pygmy Kingfisher

Next we saw a hornbill with a bug in his bill – but he’d already given it to his holed up wife before we could get a photograph

We watched this chap at the nest hole feeding his wife

Third was a lovely lilac breasted roller with a bug in his mouth

I have a delicious morsel here

A treeful of black birds with red bill attracted out attention

Red-billed Buffalo-weaver

And finally a coqui francolin crossed in front of us – We weren’t quick enough for a good portrait

P1120406

We’d hoped that we would get all five of the Biggies in an afternoon – but we dipped on the leopard – Perhaps tomorrow!

Yesterday the temperature reached over 40 degrees C. Today we were grateful to have it 10 degrees cooler. We braaied chops and sausage and did gem squash in tin foil. Another delicious supper in Africa.

Kruger National Park – Day 24

2017-12-03 | puppy1952

3 December 2017

We bade farewell to Pat and Tony this morning and they made their way through the park for a few hours before leaving for Witbank where they are spending the night.

The Earl and I decided to have a rest day and do a few things in camp. Isn’t it great that each rest camp has a laundry with coin operated washing machines and dryers? Just two five rand coins; and half an hour later my bed linen was washed and ready for the dryer. In went the next two coins. I pressed the start button – nothing! Oh no! Had it been clothes I could have made a plan to hang it out but Kingsize bed linen – Noooooo. So I rang the duty manager and within minutes two charming young technicians arrived to sort out my problem. “It took my money but it won’t work,” I said sadly.

‘We’re here to help,” they said scratching their heads. Then one unlocked the machine with a key, did something miraculous and hey presto the dryer started! “What did you do?” I asked. “‘Magic,” he replied.

I then put a load of clothing on while the linen dried and when that was done the clothes were ready for the dryer. By 9:30 I’d done the laundry, cleaned the caravan, watched some birds and had a swim.

Green-winged pytilia – otherwise known as a melba finch

The Earl and I then went to the restaurant for breakfast. By this time the temperature was rising but it was cool relaxing on the deck under the trees. The birding was good too,

The white-fronted bee-eaters were very active

The marsh sandpiper was as busy as ever

After sorting out banking and email on his laptop The Earl had a nap and then we did a two hour drive next to the river to Nkulu Picnic Site and back. The trip there was very quiet with little to see except impala. On the way back though, the animals seemed to have woken from their naps,

I rather like this scene of elephant, fish eagle and water buck sharing the facilities

He’s not called a water buffalo for nothing

This is the way to travel

Why are these people staring, Mum?

I really need a manacure – no time with all this childcare

Two beautiful male Nyala greeted us

This elephant was right next to my window

Aren’t I a handsome chap!

It was too hot to cook tonight so we went to the Cattle Baron Take-Away and got chicken wraps and I made a Greek salad. A perfect ending to a very hot day!

Kruger National Park – Day 23

2017-12-02 | puppy1952

2 December 2017 –

We haven’t seen cats for a few days and were feeling a little restless about it as it’s Tony and Pat’s last full day in The Park. It would be nice to get one last sighting of a predator for them.

I suggested we drive to Tshokwane for breakfast because lions and leopard had been seen in that area. Everybody agreed.

Before we left camp we found this chap foraging on the neighboring campsite.

White-throated Robin-Chat

We drove the scenic route along the river and took all the loops we could.

Frisky male impala were butting heads and interlocking horns – it seemed more play than serious rivalry

A hippo still out grazing before going back into the water for the day

The Earl aways gets a fright when these giants suddenly appear and cross in front of him

These gentle waterbuck said a cheery good morning

There was a lull in sightings when all of a sudden we jerked to attention. Something was crossing the road ahead of us. Leopard, cheetah – No LION! We all got an eyeful of her and then she was gone. Maybe some more would follow and cross over too. We waited a few minutes but nobody came. Just a little ahead we saw a stationary car. As we approached I saw them – lion lying under a tree. A farewell gift for our friends,

P1120360

The other car left and we had them to ourselves for a while. Suddenly another lion appeared and then two of them got up together to change position and flop down again

What an awesome sighting. But wait – there’s more. We drove on a little further and spotted two more lionesses lying on a log. There was a lot of foliage blocking them so we didn’t get photos but enjoyed seeing them get up and stretch before settling back down again.

We were thrilled at this sighting which was just before we got to our breakfast stop. At Tshokwane we were amused when this pied barbet settled on a plate and himself to scraps! I’ve never seen a barbet do that before.

On our return we concentrated on bird watching and enjoyed seeing a common duiker, giraffe and zebra. As we approached the lion spot a car stopped us and said there were male lions up ahead. Our females had left but these boys had settled in close by to where they had been. The one remained asleep but the other gave us a bit of entertainment.

Why did you wake me up?

Oh how tiresome – yawn, yawn!

Don’t you know a lion needs 20 hours of sleep per day?

Oh well – while I’m up i might as well have a scratch

When we came to the place where we expected to find a leopard on the rocks, we got a klipspringer instead!

We decided to take a long midday break as it was really hot again today. We swam in the pool a few times and only went to Lake Panic later in the afternoon for an hour. I would be quite happy to spend an entire day in this hide as even on a slow day interesting things happen. You have to sit very quietly in a hide and at first you might think there is nothing there but when you really look you start to see things. It took a while for us to notice that a Jacana at the far end of the pond had four chicks that must have been just out of their eggs. Father Jacana looks after the kids while Mom goes off to find another mate and another nest in which to lay her eggs.

Father Jacana wtching his young

Squacco Heron fishing

Pied Kingfisher with is prey

We heard the Water Thick-knees before we them

Once again it was a perfect evening and just as we were enjoying Magnum Ice-creams for dessert I heard a rustle at the paper packet that we use for a bin. I yelled and it ran away. I suspected it was a honey badger but I caught sight of something smaller. African wild cat perhaps? The cheeky creature came back again and Pat said – shine your torch on it which I did and saw it was a bushbaby!. At that moment Pat and Tony’s daughter was Skyping from New Zealand. Chaos ensued as we raced to see if we could find the intruder. We found him behind the caravan on the branch of a tree. He wasn’t at all concerned and just stared at us from his safe vantage point. Tony was able to show his daughter, Maria, the naughty creature.

Sorry Bushbaby – We’re not the type of campers who hand out leftovers! Go find your own food!

Sadly tonight is the last one in the park for P&T as tomorrow they will make their way back home. We still have a few more days before heading back to Kokstad.