Share your world Week 21

2016-05-26 | puppy1952

I have been neglecting my blogging for the past fortnight but I have an excuse! There is a lot happening in my life right now. Now that I’m retired I tend to go with the flow and don’t stick to a routine but just let things happen as they crop up. This is fine some of the time but it does mean that I forget things that I am supposed to be doing – like I forgot a dinner date with a very dear friend – that is inexcusable – So sorry, Chantal!

We have a wonderful life here at the southern tip of Africa but because we are planning a trip to Italy we had to go to Cape Town to sort out our Schengen Visas. I went ahead of Hubby and excavated the junk from our family home in Sun Valley. Thanks to Romilla for taking a lot of it for the charity for which she works! Hubby joined me on Monday and on Wednesday we went to Capago to do the Visa thing. Because we are are doing renovations to our Struisbaai home he was itching to get back so after packing the Land Rover to the hilt we hit the road for home at 11 am this morning. I had caught up with friends while there and last night we met up with folk we will be travelling to Kruger with in October – such a stunning evening.

And now I must get back to the Blog – I will start with answering Cee’s lovely questions on Share your World.

What is your favorite go to beverage? Water, coffee, tea, coke, soda (non-alcoholic)

Yes – I am a coffee addict – but I don’t overdo the coffee thing otherwise I would never sleep! I love my coffee – it has to be hot, strong and black – strong – but not too bitter because I don’t take sugar 0r milk to disguise the taste – so you see a good barrister is important here. I judge a restaurant by the quality of its coffee – not its food!

Having said all this I also enjoy a good cup of rooibos tea. Recently I have tried a Rooibos Chai – delicious. My Indian friend, Romilla says I mush have it with milk – but I don’t do milk so I take it black = but I am thinking of trying it with milk.

I avoid fizzy drinks but Coke I use medicinally if I or my family have upset stomachs- but it must be the original recipe made with sugar – not corn syrup. Believe me this is not psychological – it really works.

– Can you change a car tire?

Absolutely not! – That’s why I married a man with a plan. A very handy man he is and he is able to get me out of a thousand different scrapes. I like to think that I am a Feminist but I’m not -I like a hero to come around and rescue me from my plight – if my man with a plan is not about I’ll call someone else!

Are you a listener or talker?

I like to think that I am both! I love to listen to people with something to say! I can listen to Romilla for hours – she has such wonderful stories of a culture different to my own and i find this fascinating. I do listen to people’s problems but then I like to fix them. Not a good idea -a sounding board is all they need – a sympathetic ear and somebody who cares – not somebody who thinks she has all the answers to the world’s problems.

I talk a lot and hope that the listener is interested!

Would you rather have no internet or no cell phone?

I wouldn’t choose to be without either but if I have to choose the cell phone would go – I often don’t even know where mine is! My generation I believe are digital aliens while the younger generation are digital citizens.

I am enormously grateful for the internet and couldn’t imagine life without it. What on earth did we do before it became an essential in our lives. I love modern technology – the aps and the readily available information most of which is free! Right now I am grateful for Duolingo which is teaching me Italian.

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

There is just so much that I am grateful for – Meeting up with old friends last week made me so happy and delighted that I still have them in my life. I am also so grateful that I have my health and the energy to excavate the junk from my family home. I am grateful for stunning kids and grandkids. I am grateful for the funds to travel to distant lands and for still having a sound enough mind to enjoy learning a new language.

I am looking forward to rearranging things in my home in Struisbaai! Our renovations are nearly complete – I have brought things from Cape Town to help redecorate in Struisbaai and it’s going to be fun sorting everything out.

Share your world Week 19

2016-05-13 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s questions this week

You win a pet monkey but this isn’t just any old monkey. It can do one trick for you whenever you want from getting a pop out of the fridge to washing your hair. What would be the trick?

Well keeping pet monkeys goes very much against the grain for a wild-life lover like me but if this were like a Genie kind of monkey and in a parallel universe then I would go for a one who could pander to my every personal need. I have always thought having a lady’s maid would be great – someone to style my hair, do my make-up, manicure my nails and give me a massage after my exercise routine – yes that would be a great monkey to have.

What caring thing are you going to do for yourself today?

I am going to take a walk on my own and stop off at my new favourite coffee shop for some real coffee. While there I will just chill, read a magazine or check Facebook on my phone!

What color do you feel most comfortable wearing?

My favourite colour is red. Most of my basics are black, stone and white but I like to cheer these up with some red or other bright colours even if it’s just a scarf.

Complete this sentence: When I travel I love to….

Explore the places the locals frequent. In Paris I loved the pavement cafes serving croissants and excellent coffee for breakfast. I’m going to Italy in August and I’m looking forward to avoiding the tourist traps and exploring the little villages, eating where the locals eat and getting to know the people as we will be spending a month in the same place. We don’t often travel across the ocean but do a lot in our own country and then it’s usually into the bush with an off-road caravan. Italy will be something completely different!

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

I really have so much to be grateful for – a husband who makes exciting snap decisions to travel overseas in spite of the fact that we’ve already travelled locally so much this year. I am so lucky that he still has an adventurous and hasn’t slumped into old age, content to sit in his rocking chair and stare at the sea. I am also grateful for the alterations that are taking place in our home. Next week I am looking forward to going to Cape Town to catch up with friends and family, to pack up the junk in our ex-home and to organise our Shengen Visas. I am also looking forward to going to Theatre on the Bay to see a play which I haven’t done in ages.

Winter Weather in Struisbaai

2016-05-07 | puppy1952

There is bitterly cold south-easterly wind blowing here at the tip of Africa. I don’t want to say that Winter has arrived with a vengeance because it could change again just as suddenly. But if this is an indication of what is to come then I’d better start taking out the thicker jerseys! We have had a few cold snaps but this morning was the first time that I snuggled down deeper under the duvet and resisted leaving the warmth of my bed. When I did emerge, I put on jeans and polo neck and settled down for some couch potato pursuits before finally taking a drive to see what the sea looked like.

I saw some impressive photographs of stormy seas on the Cape Peninsular on Face Book and although we have rough seas here, it did not seem as dramatic as there.

The harbour boats bobbing on the choppy sea

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The cormorant and oyster catchers didn’t seem to mind the weather

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What a treat to see a common whimbrel on a stony beach near Agulhas

Agulhas Lighthouse

I ventured out of the car to walk a little way and it was a fight against the strong wind but it sure blew the cobwebs away. It also worked up a huge craving for a cup of good strong coffee! Our favourite coffee shop, Potpourri, is closed for renovations so we tried a little place in Struisbaai that we’d been meaning to go to for some time. It’s called The Shipwreck Cafe. Wow – what a find! We threw caution to the howling wind and ordered chocolate cake. It was the best I’ve ever had in my life – rich, moist and chocolatey.

The Best Chocolate Cake ever and wonderful cappuccino and black coffees

Earl gobbled his down in two minutes but it was a really large slice and so rich that I could only manage a quarter of mine. I took the rest home in a doggy bag!

I am extremely fussy about coffee – it has to be hot, strong and black but not too bitter- If it’s not just right there’s no milk and sugar to disguise the taste! Hats off to The Shipwreck Cafe – the coffee was beyond my expectations and absolutely perfect. If ever you’re in our neck of the woods – don’t miss this secret treasure – find the Shipwreck – it will be well worth it. We will certainly being going there again – I have to try their breakfast.

It doesn’t have a sea view but the decor is interesting

Tomorrow, Sunday 8 May, is Mother’s Day in South Africa – So Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. May your little ones thrill you with their home-made cards and thoughtful deeds. Those are the things we treasure more than expensive gifts.

Beach

2016-05-05 | puppy1952

I don’t usually participate in WordPress’s daily prompt challenge but today’s word BEACH made me want to try it.

Is there anybody who doesn’t love a beach. Have you ever heard anybody say – I don’t like the sea? I once met a young man in Zambia who’d never seen the ocean. He asked me to describe it to him. I told him about the tides, the beach and the waves and the sport of surfing.
“What is surfing ?” he asked. He was my bird guide and we were in a canoe on the Zambezi River. I was not sure how I could explain it. “You’d love it,” I said. “You know the thrill you get from riding the rapids? It’s that kind of feeling, I think but different as you stand on the board and ride the waves.” He laughed because he just couldn’t picture it.

I grew up on a beach and the sun, the sand and the sea is part of who I am. In my very early years I lived right opposite Fish Hoek Beach. As children we could just walk across a road and a level crossing and the beach was our playground. In those days children had so much more freedom than the kids of today. No adults accompanied us and once we were there we were sure to meet up with other unsupervised youngsters. We lived a car-ride away from the beach when I was raising my own kids but it was close enough to go after school and we did so regularly – the beach had everything a child desired – a play park, sand and water and dozens of other kids to play with. And for Mom – wow – you’d always meet other moms down there and we’d all chat and watch the kids enjoy themselves. I wonder how moms without beaches cope – a beach is a calming place – a grouchy kids becomes all smile the minute her toes touch the sand.

Fish Hoek Beach

The beach was also part of my teenage days. It was the place to play beach games and meet your friends and what courtship would be the same without a romantic walk along a moonlit beach.

And now I still love the beach – I’m near to another one now – Struisbaai at the tip of Africa – and it’s the longest one in South Africa. It would take a day to walk the entire length of it. And the sea is warm and there’s the prettiest fishing harbour that buzzes with activity. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t take a walk along the beach winter or summer. Summer of course is the best when the sea is warm and swimming is pleasant.

Struisbaai Beach

Struisbaai Harbour

I love the wild, the mountains, the bush and the desert but I need the beach – it is part of my being.

Share your World Week 18

2016-05-03 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World questions this week.

Who was your best friend in elementary school?

My only friend in Grade 2 was my cousin, Philip, and then I met the most amazing little girl, Jennifer. I was shy and insecure and she was friendly and confident. She included me in all the games and made sure the other girls accepted me. Having such a good friend made me feel more comfortable at school and I changed from an under-achiever to one who coped quite well. We were inseparable for the next four years and then her father was transferred to another city. Over the years we kept up a correspondence and saw each others for the odd holiday. Since then we have lived in the same city for only a brief time. Yet we are still best friends. She lives in England and I live in South Africa but our friendship has survived for 50 years.

What things could people do for you on a really bad day that would really help you?

Take me out for cup of strong black coffee and a chat!

If you could make a 15 second speech to the entire world, what would you say?

Choose your attitude, choose to be happy, choose to deal with problems in a positive way. Work hard, play hard, accept challenges and embrace every opportunity that comes your way and remember that “Life’s not about the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.” Cherish those moments!

Would you rather be an amazing dancer or an amazing singer?

I’m bad at both but it doesn’t stop me singing at the top of my voice much to the distress of my children. I also enjoy dancing with my husband. I guess if I had to choose it would be an amazing singer.

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 that I was able to have a very good friend and my daughter here for the Workers’ Day Weekend. The weather was stunning and we had a great time catching up and enjoying each other’s company.

If all goes well I will have a man building new cupboards in my house this week. I’m really looking forward to that.

Wild Adventure Chapter 14 Last Day

2016-05-02 | puppy1952

16 March

It rained in the night and it was still dripping when the Grum-Peighs woke up at 5:30 am. Fortunately it stopped enough for them to pack up in relative comfort.

They bade farewell to the Leighs and were ready to exit Mata Mata by 6:30. They took a slow drive to Twee Rivieren not expecting too much in the way of sightings as after rain the game don’t need to come to the water holes.

However, they were in luck. They found their Port Shepstone neighbors stopped and staring into the bush. “There’s a lioness on a kill,” they told the G-Ps. And sure enough there she was under a tree chewing away. To her right Lady G-P spotted another one – obviously she’d had her fill. A few jackal were waiting on the sideline too.

After watching for a while they pushed on and saw all the usuals including giraffes

and then her Ladyship noticed something small running across the veld.

A dassie!

Another unusual sighting for KTP

A lone warthog!

All too soon they arrived at Twee Rivieren, pumped the types back to their normal pressure and then went to Kgalagadi Lodge for breakfast.

Feeling fortified with fresh energy they sadly let the Kgalagadi behind and made their way to Oranjerus, a lovely, shady, grassy campsite next to the Orange River where they spent the night.

A red bishop seen from the restaurant at Oranjerus

They dined at the restaurant with a fellow camper and so ended their wonderful Wild Adventure.

Wild Adventure Chapter 13

2016-05-01 | puppy1952

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15 March

Lady Grum-Peigh was first in the queue with the Frend-Leighs close behind. She raced out of the office, permit in hand and jumped into the Land Rover. “We’ve beaten our friends!” said the Earl excitedly. “We’ll be the first to see the lions!”

“Slow down,”said her Ladyship. “You’ll miss the good stuff on the way!” He ignored her and gleefully overtook the campers from Kalahari Tented Camp who’d got out first.

Then suddenly a wild cat appeared and crossed the road in front of them. The Earl screeched the breaks and yelled instructions to his poor wife but she still missed the photo! The kitty toddled off into the veld. The Earl turned the vehicle and said, “Keep the camera on him.” Tufts of grass kept hiding him preventing good shots. The Earl was furious. “Why didn’t you get him – he was right there!”

“Did you get any?” asked Lady G-P calmly.

“No!”
“Well, he was on your side of the car!”
“But I was driving!”
“I’m tired of you yelling at me I’m getting out right here!”

“Well don’t let the hyena get you,” said the Earl and there right next to her door she spotted him and they both burst out laughing.

Come out and play, Lady G-P – I won’t eat you.

Look at my innocent eyes

Oh well – I guess I’ll have to find somebody else

Other cars including the Frend-Leighs were now ahead of them so the Earl slowed down and enjoyed the birdlife.

A secretary bird marching determinedly through the veldt

There were no lions or cheetahs at the waterholes but they saw tawnies on the kill.

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They made breakfast at Kamqua picnic site and then made their way back. There was a sleeping lion near Dalkeith but otherwise no big cats.

But the other creatures seen were fun.

Rock Kestrel

Pin-tailed Whydah

Brown Snake Eagle

Common Buzzard

A Journey of Giraffe

Wildebeest competing with Butterflies for a drinking rights

Back at camp they had a salad for lunch, the Earl had a nap, Lady G-P did some chores and Mrs Leigh prepped lamb stew for dinner. She and Mr Leigh went out again later in the afternoon but the G-Ps stayed to pack up as, sadly, it was our last night in the park.

Wild Adventure Chapter 12 Mata Mata Day 2

2016-04-30 | puppy1952

14 March 2016

Mata Mata Camp offered way more luxury than the unfenced rustic Rooiputs. Showering in the morning was now possible and Lady Peigh and Mrs Leigh were first up and finished at the ablution block before the other campers awoke. Now they had to check out of camp and the gate attendant did not open the office till 6:30 on the dot!

Mr and Mrs Frend-Leigh was first out the gate and indicated to the Grum-Peighs that they were following lion tracks. They followed them to 14th Waterhole but the cats were not there. A return to Dalkeith produced no luck either.

Clearly the lions had killed the previous night as they found a tawny eagle eating their leftovers. It then flew up into a tree to join its friend and they got some photos.

It was also good to see giraffe about. The leopard was nowhere to be found.

Back at camp the Earl cooked breakfast.

In the afternoon they all went out again. Nothing much was seen but a common buzzard was nice to see.

Other birds gave them pleasure too.

Red-headed finch

White-faced scops owl

Wattled Starling

Lilac-breasted Roller

So after a rather slow day they returned to camp and enjoyed a meal together before retiring for the night.

Wild Adventure Chapter 11 Off to Mata Mata

2016-04-29 | puppy1952

13 March 2016

By 6:30 the Frend-Leighs and Grum-Peighs are packed up and ready to leave Rooiputs. Although it had stormed in the night it kindly let up for them to pack up without getting wet.

The Frend-Leighs left first as they wanted to get a good site at Mata Mata. Their large-lensed cameras were packed so they wouldn’t be stopping for anything but the most exciting sightings.

The Grum-Peighs were thus able to follow at a more leisurely pace. There was a lot of water lying around and they found bokkies drinking at the puddles. They took the dune road and found a total of 16 korhaans.

Then there was a lovely sighing Mom and Dad Jackal with their pup.

It was great to see giraffe on the Mata Mata road and there was plenty of game around.

“Why are there cars parked up ahead,” called Lady G-P. They looked into the bush but couldn’t see anything. The Lord G-P said – “Look – there in the tree – leopard!

Wow – what a great sighting. They were about to move on when suddenly he stood up on the branch.

I don’t think I like this spot anymore

Let me find a more comfortable perch

There’s a cosy hollow here – this is where I’m staying for the rest of the day

At 10:30 they arrived at Mata Mata and set up camp. The Frend-Leighs had found a lovely shady site.

At 4:30 the Grum-Peighs were ready for another drive but the Leighs decided not to go out. It was a long way to the waterholes but the drive was rewarding.

They enjoyed the little steenbok that were about and one chose to pose beautifully.

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The highlight of the afternoon was seeing a lanner at Dalkeith – he had caught a sparrow and was devouring it on the ground.

At 14^th waterhole they were delighted to find an African harrier-hawk.

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They found the leopard in the tree again but he had moved and was difficult to see. However, they managed to point him out to two other cars who were most grateful as they had not yet seen leopard.

In the evening the Earl found some good steaks at the new improved Mata Mata shop and that is what they had on the braai for supper.

Wild Adventure Chapter 10 Last day at Rooiputs

2016-04-28 | puppy1952

101

12 March

“What will today, hold in store for us, I wonder?” said Lady Grum-Peigh as they climbed into the Land Rover for their morning drive. “It’s our last day at Rooiputs and boy, I’m going to miss it!”
They headed straight to Kij Kij arriving around 7 ish. “Oh look there!” called the Earl. “Two male lions!” That was a wonderful surprise. They were lying a little way off from the waterhole, one on each side of the road.

One of the big boys

Suddenly Mr Frend-Leigh started his Pathfinder and raced toward them. “It’s a brown hyena,” said the Earl excitedly. And they weaved through the parked cars to get a better view. But the poor creature was spooked by seeing the lions and instead of going for his morning drink he headed away and up a dune.

Oh no! What are those two doing here. I’m off!

Then the lions were up and making their way to the waterhole as if to say – hey – nobody drinks from here but us!

After the lions had had a good long drink they moved off into the shade and settled down for a long morning nap. The G-Ps and Leighs went on towards Melkvlei.

“What’s moving over there – oh great – Bat-eared fox!”

Posing for his portrait at last

One of the foxes stopped and stared straight at them. “At last you’re posing for me, you elusive creature,” said Lady G-P who had seen a few but not managed to get any decent photographs.

There was a lot of game about and they saw many kori bustards and jackals. “That eagle looks different,” called the Earl

“It’s a tawny,” said Lady Peigh “The blond version!”

At Melkvlei Lord Peigh cooked a delicious Banting Breakfast but the Leighs continued on a bit further preferring to have muesli in the car a little later. They also had a lot of packing up to do so would return to the lions and then head home.

After breakfast the Grum-Peighs took a slow drive and enjoyed all the usual game and birds. Then about 1 km from Rooiputs the Earl said, “Look at those gemsbok. They’re standing stock still – there must be a predator somewhere close.” They scanned the dunes with their binoculars – Nada. Then her ladyship dropped her eye to a lower level and nearly fell out of the window – “They’re right there,” she whispered “under the tree.”

“What? where?” whined his Lordship.

“They’re so well camouflaged – three cheetahs – in the shade just where the gemsbok are standing.”

A very wary gemsbok keeps a close eye on the cheetahs

One lifts her head to see what all the fuss is about

His lordship finally finds them and is amazed at how well they could hide.

At about 5 that afternoon they returned to the spot with the Frend-Leighs. They were on the move and then they flopped down under a tree. They stayed with them hoping they would get up to go to the waterhole but they had to leave at quarter to 7 to get in before dark.

Thinking about getting up

I could do with a drink

I love you dear cheetah

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They returned to camp and Mrs Frend-Leigh took out the leftover chili con cairn and they shared the meal with Jan. Everything was packed up as far as possible for departure to Mata Mata the next morning and then they turned in for the night.

Wild Adventure Chapter 9 – Where is that Leopard?

2016-04-27 | puppy1952

This morning’s game drive found Lord and Lady Grum-Peigh back at Kij Kij in search of the lioness and her cubs. They found them in the company of two adult lions. One of them was a young male. They must have been drinking at Kij Kij but by the time they arrived there they were on the Rooiputs side of the WH. They played for a bit and then made their way over the ridge – the opposite way to the previous day.

There was nothing much to see other than kori bustards and other birds further on toward Melkvlei. Then the Earl and Her Ladyship turned around and went to Twee Rivieren to refuel. On the way they had lovely sightings of the smaller things. They saw two yellow mongooses hunting and one caught a mouse! There were also two slender mongoose and the two species didn’t seem to want to share territory.

“What’s that jackal up to,” said Lady G-P He was howling and looking quite agitated. “There must be a cheetah or a lion about – that’s how they behave when they want to get at the left overs from a kill” The jackal was staring into a tree but in spite of a thorough search Lord and Lady G-P couldn’t see anything so they continued on their way.

At Twee Rivieren they filled up then went to the restaurant where they took advantage of the internet access and caught up with emails and messages. The shop had no fresh produce they nipped off to Kgalagadi lodge and bought some cauliflower and broccoli, pattipans, cucumber, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.

The Frend-Leighs decided to pop there too and they met up with them on their way back to TR. The Leighs reported that there was a leopard in a tree between Leeudril and Rooiputs. That’s what the jackal must have been agitating about.

On their return trip to Rooipust they found the site of the leopard but were told by Jan (a young man from the Cheque Republic who was camping on their site) that they’d just missed her in the tree. She’s jumped down and was definitely in the undergrowth under the tree but she was impossible to see. They waited half an hour but it was very hot so they left her in peace with a promise of coming back later.

At Rooiputs waterhole there were 4 Secretary birds.

The late afternoon found them back searching for the leopard. En route they were amused by the meerkats.

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There were a number of cars looking into the tree but nobody could see anything. The Earl wanted to move on but Her Ladyship persuaded him to be patient. Finally they were rewarded when all of a sudden the leopard emerged from his hiding place and began moving.

His nap was over and he was off on a mission

What a beauty

I wonder if I’ll find a snack anywhere here?

Nothing much happening – think I’ll sit here for a while

After walking off along the dunes the leopard flopped down for a rest then got up again and disappeared over the dunes.

“Another wonderful ending to a great day,” said Lady G-P

Wild Adventure Chapter 8 – A Day Trip to

2016-04-26 | puppy1952

Today the Frend-Leighs needed to go to Twee Rivieren to refuel and stock up with supplies. Lord and Lady Grum-Peigh would not be camping at Nossob this trip so they decided to do a day trip there instead – or try to get as far as they could on the Nossob road before turning back.

Once again it was a beautiful sunny day and they set off in high spirits. There was little to see at first and then just as they approached Kij Kij waterhole the Earl called out “There’s a jackal running toward that Jeep-Jockey.

“No way,”said Her Ladyship – “Jackals run away from people not toward them!” And she was right. As they got closer they realised that it was a lion cub. In fact there were 2 with their mother. They watched them for a long time playing, climbing the tree and having fun. Eventually they made their way over the ridge but not before Mom gave a good few roars.

Let’s climb this tree!

Mom, Look at me!

A little beauty

Time to wash your face

Come on kids, let’s go!

While everyone was enjoying the lions, Lady G-P glanced down the road and caught sight of a male lion crossing the roading about a kilometer from where they were. She alerted the Earl and they raced off and found him settling down under a shady tree. “He must be the father of the cubs.” said Lady G-P.

His Majesty keeping his distance from the rowdy kids

The Frend-Leighs had followed to this point but it was now time to part company and go their separate ways for the day.

It was a delightful trip. The landscape was green and dotted with plenty of game.

Just before Kransbrak waterhole the Earl pointed out a lanner in a tree. They looked up and tried to get a photograph but it flew away very quickly.

“Omigosh,” said His Lordship “Look what’s sitting under the tree!” Lady G-P got the fright of her life when right next to her door sat an enormous Daddy Lion!

After a few nervous giggles they continued their drive and were then delighted to find a black-chested snake-eagle.

Another cute bird was the lesser grey shrike

By the time they reached the Dikbaardsbos Picnic site they were hungry and ready for Brunch.

The Earl whipping up one of his legendary bush brunches.

They’d come a long way, it was getting hotter and hotter and they decided that they should turn back to Rooiputs but before they did, they went on another 11km to find a cheetah that other tourists told them would still be there.

He was fast asleep and not in the mood for company

They enjoyed watching the game on the return trip all of whom were crowding under the shady trees or drinking at the waterholes.

Back at Kij Kij they found the sleepy lion.

The Frend-Leighs were already back at Rooiputs and reported that they had seen a cheetah at Rooiputs waterhole. At 5 pm when it was starting to cool down they went out for a short drive, checked in on the Kij Kij lions and then came back to Rooiputs Waterhole – and there he was enjoying an evening drink.