Back with the Family

2015-05-16 | puppy1952

Friday 8 May at the Farm

On Friday morning we had breakfast with the Macs and little Katelyn and James came to visit Granny and Grandpa. They are adorable. Earl took photographs of them in the garden with the ancient pony, Fatso that our kids used to ride!

Drongos catch the crumbs that Andrew throws in the air for them

A feeding frenzy in Barbara’s garden

Beautiful Black Collared Barbet

I went to Barbara’s hairdresser, Mario, at 11:30 and she gave me an old-fashioned razor cut! I am very pleased with the results. My hair is short and easy to manage.

We then met up with Nicoline and made plans for our departure to her brother’s game farm near Queenstown. We then returned to the farm and chilled for the rest of the day.

In the evening we went to Heather’s for dinner – Wow – what a spread – roast lamb and all the trimmings followed by cheesecake for dessert. My only cheat from Banting for ages but I fooled myself that cheese was banting so it was okay! Loads of sugar but so what!

Saturday 9 May 2015

On Saturday we went to Wacky Winter Weekend at St Patrick’s College. It was lovely. Shannon had a few games of hockey to play and Simon had rugby. We were very proud when he scored a goal. It was a very hot day and we left at about 12ish to go shopping for our next trip. In the afternoon we relaxed at home.

Hot and exhausted after three exhilarating games

He’s got the ball

And Simon scores a tri!

The kids were tired but happy after a successful morning of sport. We went back to the farm and in the evening Earl did seared tuna for dinner.

Sani Valley Fly Fishing and Game Lodge Day 2

2015-05-13 | puppy1952

Tuesday 5 May 2015 Sani Valley Lodge

We were awake at dawn. The sun rises quite early here – and it is beautiful. I look out on the still, mirror of a dam and see a single dabchick with a wake training behind it. Earl is up and off to fish and I don’t go back to sleep. I sort out a few emails and then get up and shower. There is a lot going on outside my window and soon I am clicking away with the camera.

Early Morning view from my deck

I go for a long walk at about 8 – the morning is fresh but I’m comfortable in shorts, t-shirt and a fleece.

I love Autumn

The Mountains are stunning

Stone chat

Female Buff-streaked chat

I return at 9 to find Earl back from fishing and disappointed that he caught nothing but I think he just enjoyed the stunning surroundings.

He goes out again in the afternoon and I go for a walk to the dam just over the hill behind our cottage. There are many animals dotted about the hillside and in the veld. But when I try to get closer they move away. I still manage to get some photographs. This place is just too beautiful. One can never tire of it.

Zebra drinking in front of our lodge

The gorgeous Autumn Colours

Vibrant and beautiful

Blesbok seen on my walk

Eland at a distance

Zebra grazing on our lawn in the evening

Our braai on the deck

Sani Valley Fly-Fishing and Game Lodge Day 1

2015-05-12 | puppy1952

Monday 4 May 2015 Sani Valley Lodge

It was chilly this morning but the sun was shining brightly. I checked the forecast and it looks like we’re going to have sunny weather for our 3 days at Sani Valley Lodge.

We left around 10ish and enjoyed the scenic drive to Underberg. Wow but those mountains are beautiful.

Long crested eagles were on many of the poles along the way.

Showing his crest

Looking for prey

In Underberg we shopped for supplies and fishing tackle. The Spar shop is great but the parking is cramped. The new centre just outside of town has failed miserably. Apparently somebody from Kokstad has now bought it and hopefully people will support the shops there. The story goes that the previous owner did not get the locals on his side and they boycotted him. If this centre takes off, it will be fabulous as there is plenty of easy parking. I think Spar should think about moving in where the previous supermarket was.

The approach to the lodge is always interesting. The views of the dams are stunning and we usually see some bird and animal life.

Pied kingfisher

Common Fiscal

Black-headed heron

Buff-streaked chat

View across to the boathouse

The bottom dams

We met a number of other visitors at reception – all arriving around 1:30 for checking in at 2. Our lodge is Sunset 1 – upstairs to 2 and 3. We have a German couple for neighbours and this is their first visit here and to South Africa. They have done the Western Cape – Cape Town, the wine route and garden route. They are loving their trip.

On arrival at our lodge we found zebra grazing on the lawn – how cool is that! There was also quite a lot of bird activity. The crowned crane were a bit too far for a good photograph. A kingfisher caught a frog and there were Egyptian geese and dabchicks on the dam. A grey heron also lurked in the reeds.

Baby zebra having a rest

The best thing about Sani Valley Lodge is the tranquillity and peace. The surroundings are stunning – the combination of mountains and lake just make this place a little bit of Paradise. It is Autumn now but we have missed the best of it. However, the colours still linger in spite of many of the trees being already almost bare of their leaves. I am so enjoying the richness of the oranges, yellows and reds contrasting with the green of the mountains. In summer it is just green, green and more nauseating green. I think I like the Autumn best!

Earl was out on the lake before I could blink. There are quite a few fishermen here and he worried that he wouldn’t get a boat – but we booked ages ago and Gareth knows how keen a fisherman Earl is – so there was indeed a boat ready for him. He was out for the rest of the afternoon but unfortunately the fish weren’t biting!

View from our lodge

Tomorrow is another day!

Spring Break – Off to Sani Valley Lodge

2012-10-06 | puppy1952

2 October 2012

The kids once again kindly woke us with cups of strong coffee before we got up for a delicious “Early Breakfast” We were due to check in at our next destination at 2 o’clock so there was time to do some chores for Lauren first. Now that summer is on its way she needs the fan in the lounge to work so she and Dad got stuck in to repair it.

Father and Daughter working out the Fan Puzzle

And I did some last minute bonding with my grandchildren

Simon, Granny and Fat Cat

Shannon, Granny and Fat Cat

Simon had a play date at his friend Hayden’s farm. Now he couldn’t just jump on his bike and ride over and nor was walking an option as the distance was quite a few kilometres – but we were able to save Lauren a drive as we were passing the farm on our way to Underberg:-)

Going anywhere in the district is always a pleasant drive and we spotted this buzzard soon after dropping Simon.

Steppe Buzzard

The drive to Underberg is spectacular with the Drankensberg looming up before you, the green, green vegetation and the splashes of dams and lakes everywhere

A typical view in KZN

Giant’s Castle

We did some shopping at the Underberg Mall and then drove on to Sani Valley Lodge which is at the bottom of The Sani Pass which takes one into Lesotho.

Approaching the Entrance

We we welcomed warmly by the gate guard and a beautiful Blesbok.

Greetings from a Blesbok

To us this is the most peaceful and wonderful place to be if you want to relax, enjoy Nature and fish. There are three stunning dams stocked with trout and if you, like us, enjoy birds – you won’t be disappointed.

The Stonechat is seen regularly

The main Dam

The Bottom Dam

Pin Oaks line the drive to reception

Our accommodation, Early Mist 1, is self-catering and like all the other lodges incredibly well equipped. We even had a coffee plunger jug.

Our Lodge Early Mist 1

Dining area and kitchen

Lounge

Bedroom

: View from Bedroom

The highlight was the Jacuzzi

We were surrounded by wildlife, both birds and animals. The zebra could be seen but did not come up to close. Buck came to graze nearby in the evening and there were plenty of water birds to keep us amused while we lay in the Jacuzzi.

Black-headed Heron

Crowned Crane

Earl of course could not wait to get out on the Lake but could only get a boat for an hour. After that he went to try his luck from the bank of the little dam right in front of our lodge, before cooking up a wonderful dinner of chops and chicken wings on the braai.

To be continued ……