The Princess and the Elephants Part 2

2015-05-19 | puppy1952

Thursday 14 May 2015 Addo Elephant Park

The princess sleeps with earplugs and covers her eyes with a black mask so as not to let in the early morning light so I was surprised to find her up with the sparrows and ready to go! We were out the gate by 7:05 and as we admired the gorgeous sunrise she said, “I’d better take a photograph so I’ll remember what this looks like because I’m never up to see sunrises!”

A sunrise fit for a princess

She is sitting comfortably in the front seat and has warned me not to take photos of her without make-up – but she somehow manages to get it on between sightings – while we’re watching birds I suspect!

We drive around until 10ish finding the usual suspects – warthogs, a variety of buck, zebra play-fighting the odd elephant and lots of birds the highlight being a bar-throated apalis. Two pale chanting goshawks in a tree are also great and of course the bokmakieries are iconic in Addo.

The beautiful bokmakierie

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Denim’s Bustard

Bar-throated Apalis

Back at the hut we shower, the princess tarts up and Earl and I go to the communal kitchen to make breakfast. The princess has specific requests – no tomato and no kidneys please! Dad presents her with eggs, bacon and banana cooked to perfection. We slum it on scrambled eggs and kidneys – somehow I think we got the better deal!

When Her Highness is ready we set off for another game drive. We hear on the grapevine aka the Addo Face Book page that there were two male lions on the Gorah Loop 2 hours ago so we head there without expecting much. There are a few gathered parked on a bend and we see two lions a little way off but fast asleep. We snap a photo just to say that we’ve seen them then move on to enjoy more exciting things.

The King of the Jungle does not interest our royal passenger in this lazy state

Our drive is fruitful and we have fun watching Princess’s favourite creatures, marvelling at the Kudu and eland, amazed at the number of warhogs abound and are thrilled at how plentiful the game is. We spot one jackal but he is no mood to pose for a portrait.

We’re happy for a photo shoot

Mongoose

Zebra confrontation

An elephant tussle

A bum view

We go past the lions once more – still fast asleep and then go back to camp for lunch. The Cattle Baron has edged into the Sanparks. I hope all goes well and that I won’t have to do battle and change their name to the Battle Caron. The service is good. The Princess and the Earl order beef burgers. I settle for a house salad. The latter is stunning. The princess needs to do Battle with Caron. Her burger is inedible – “If I throw it against the wall it will bounce,” she tells the longsuffering waitress. “Let me try the chicken burger instead, please.” This turns out to be just perfect. The chips, too, are done to perfections. The Earl eats his burger but admits it was rather disgusting. “You should stick to Banting,”I say smugly. My salad is full of greens, tomato, avo, cheese and grated egg. Yum!

After a loo break we set straight off for another game drive. It is now 3:30. We head for Gorah Loop and get there around 4 – the lions have not moved – still dead to the world. We see a tail flick slightly so know they are in fact alive. Off we go in search of the ellies. We find lots and enjoy all the other game and birds too. “We should go to the lion sighting at 5,” I say. “They’ll wake up then.”

“They’ll only wake up if buffalo turn up,” says the Princess knowing that this is their favourite food.

So we continue on our way and enjoy the other things to see in this beautiful park.

We find ourselves back at the lion spot just after 5 – but they’re fast asleep. We switch off the engine and wait to see if anything will happen.

Suddenly the Princess yells – The buffalo are here! And sure enough there is a biggish herd, alert and sniffing the air.

What can they smell

They’re aware but are very short sighted and don’t actually see them. A few separate from the rest and begin grazing in the bushes behind the lions. One of the lions sits up,

The other rolls over and lies on his back.

Just let me sleep!

The grazers suddenly realise the lions are there and return to the herd. They regroup and start walking toward the lions. The boys leap up and start running toward the parked cars. The buffs chase after them and see them off. Wow – what an exciting sighting. See the video on Youtube

We follow the lions for some time and marvel at seeing elephants in the background too.

That was a rude awakening!

The gate closes at six and so the whole fleet of us head back to camp.

After packing up for an early departure tomorrow we decide it is too cold to do a braai so The Princess treats us to dinner at The Cattle Baron – they haven’t misbehaved enough to call them Battle Caron.

The Earl orders ribs – The Princess and I have grilled calamari tubes and share a Greek Salad. Perfect! The Earl is not 100% happy with the ribs – the sauce has a very strong taste that is not to his liking – It’s a half portion but he can’t finish it! We chat to the manager about our concerns and he takes it well and says he will investigate what the chef is doing and suggest some amendments to the way he does burgers and ribs! Everything else is perfect.

Addo Elephant park is fabulous. It is teeming with game, Jack’s picnic site is amazing, the facilities are clean and well-maintained and service is good. Next time we plan to visit one of the other rest camps – perhaps Spekbook tented will be fun. It overlooks a waterhole.

Friday 15 May 2015 Addo Elephant to Struisbaai

We left the park at 7:00 am and made our way to the South Gate. We spotted lots of warthogs but not as much game as when we came in. The elephants were there to bid the princess farewell.

We went to our B&B to collect a pack of beers we’d left in the fridge and the headed to Jeffrey’s Bay where we met Jim and Maureen at In Food Bakery for breakfast. It was so good to see them and hear about their wonderful experiences in Etosha and Kgalagadi. Their friend Joy also joined us a little later.

The breakfasts were delicious. I ordered paoched eggs, spinach and salmon which came with a croissant. Hold the croissant I told the waitress. Would you like Banting bread instead, she offered. Banting bread? Well why not – if it’s awful I just won’t eat it. Well it was delicious! One could eat it without butter or jam as it tasted like a savoury loaf on its own. Yummy – Banting certainly is an easy and satisfying diet to follow.

Don’t ask if I’ve lost weight – I don’t think much – I’ve been eating too much – I’m on holiday after all! But I’ve felt good and not at all hungry. I definitely have not put on any weight and I’m really doing this for health and not reduction reasons. But I am hoping the belly fat will miraculously disappear eventually! Even in my sixties I care! The plan is to be stricter about the orange list and the amount we eat when we settle in Struisbaai in July.

We arrived in Struisbaai at 5, unpacked the essentials and made a braai for supper. We watched TV for a bit and then collapsed into bed.

Saturday 16 May 2015 Homeward Bound

Earl did all the things needed at the house this morning and by 10:30 we were on the road for home. We stopped in Bredasdorp to refuel, pay an account and shop for takkies for Laurie. The latter two were unsuccessful as there was load shedding and the municipality didn’t open on Saturdays!

We dropped the Princess off at her flat at 1:15 and we arrived in Sun Valley at 2:00 pm. Another wonderful trip under the belt!

A Quick Visit to Hluhluwe Day 3 and back to Kokstad

2015-05-08 | puppy1952

Friday 1 May 2015

Today we celebrate Workers’ Day with a public holiday. We thought this would mean less traffic on the roads but that was wishful thinking.

We got up early and then went to have breakfast at the restaurant. While we were waiting for them to open we watched the crested guineafowl pecking about the gardens for food. There were also baboons about and we could hear an angry one barking. I had the camera to my eye when Earl spotted him walk right past me. I wasn’t aware of him at all and fortunately he didn’t try to hurt me

On the way out we found baboon on the road as well as some Nyala.

On the way home through the Durban traffic we stopped off for lunch and to shop for the ingredients I needed for Andrew’s birthday celebration tomorrow. We arrived back at Lauren’s at about 3:30.

I made my dips for the party – tsatsiki and humus but my guacamole did not work out well – it was very bitter. Earl said he would buy more avos tomorrow and I could start again. I don’t think it will be necessary as we really have enough dips for my crudités

Lauren took the kids to the Circus. I was not able to eat supper after eating a breakfast of eggs, bacon and tomato and a chicken salad for lunch. This is Banting! You just don’t get hungry!

Visiting the Kids in Kokstad – Wattle Crane Cottage

2015-04-27 | puppy1952

Monday 27 April – Week 2 in Kokstad

It has been another pleasant week in Rural KwaZulu Natal. What a pleasure it was to suddenly come upon a flock of crowned cranes landing and grazing in a wheat field near Lauren’s place.

Crowned crane landing on a hay bale

We attended Glynis’s birthday tea on Thursday. In the evening we enjoyed a delicious ‘Banting’ dinner at Nicoline’s. Lauren and Allan ‘bant’ most of the time too and they are all looking fabulous. Nicoline lent me her book and said – Just read it this weekend and see what you think.

Tucking into Nicolines delicious HFLC food

The weather was beautiful on Friday. Nicoline dropped her two kids, Scott and Robyn off and lent Lauren and Alan her 4×4 bakkie. With both cars packed to the hilt we set off at about 3:00 pm and arrived at Wattle Crane Cottage an hour later. Shannon and Robyn travelled with us and did an excellent job of taking turns to open and close the gates. They appreciated the sparkles they received in payment for the task.

Wattle Crane Cottage is on the Raw’s farm and is next to a huge dam. The drive up is picturesque as it can only be in the mountains of East Griqualand!

Calves hoping for a treat

Beauty everywhere

As soon as the unpacking was done Allan and Earl went straight to ‘sea’ in the boat. Allan caught two lovely trout.

For supper I cooked my very own version of bobotie as we forgot to pack some of the essential ingredients like sultanas and other dried fruit! So I just threw in a can of tomato and onion and sliced in some fresh bananas. I hoped the custard topping would not clash with the tomato and to my relief everybody enjoyed it. The rice was also forgotten so I served it with mashed sweet potato which went down a treat.

Where there are dams there will be frogs. On Friday night we hardly slept as the glorious amphibian choir entertained us till the early hours of the morning. Allan was up early and took Scott and Simon out on the boat. They returned triumphant each proud catchers of a trout each!

Earl cooked us a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, banana and two cheeses and as I had begun to read the Tim Noakes book I’d already decided that Banting might not be a bad idea so I skipped the toast. Lauren and Allan usually cut out carbohydrates but include them in their diet when on holiday and some weekends. I am embracing the new regime with the fanaticism of a new convert! (Although it goes totally against my previous low fat convictions I am always one to try something new and Tim makes a lot of sense.)

Robyn and Simon with his lovely trout

The girls on the lake

The boys and the boat

After breakfast Earl went fishing on his own, Allan went back to Kokstad to play Golf, the boys fished from the jetty and the girls rowed on the dam in the canoe. Lauren and I cleaned up and then relaxed with our books.

I did go for a long walk before lunch though. How divine to ramble in such gorgeous surrounding your only company being the cows on the mountainside, the beautiful, crickets, bugs and butterflies and the variety of birds that refused to pose for photographs!

Red-collared widowbird in transitional plumage

Ant-eating chat and lizard on a rock

Another beautiful dam on the farm

The results of the fishing were gratifying – Simon caught two from the jetty! Earl got a few nibbles and caught and released one or two.

Allan returned from Golf and then went for a cast with Earl and was triumphant with another catch!

We had a lovely braai in the evening which was very Banting friendly!

On Sunday Allan took the boys fishing – there were more catches – Shannon tucked into bed with us and wouldn’t let her grandfather up. She has become just as much as a tease as he is!

Finally he managed to escape and went off in the boat to get his last catch. The packing up did not take long and after lunch we were on our way down again. Lauren had to ride on Monday and the girls had a music practice to attend so another day was not possible. At lunchtime we went to the neighbours for a braai. Simon got involved with the cooking of the excellent meat.

Shannon got a chance to practise her music as she doesn’t have a piano at home.

Today is Freedom Day in South Africa. We commemorate the first ever democratic voting in South Africa. What a long way we have come since 1994.

Caravanning in The Kgalagadi Twee Rivieren Sunday 29 March 2015

2015-04-21 | puppy1952

There is great resistance to rising early this morning and Earl lies in a little later while I am off to the showers at 5:30. I hear later that Jim felt the same way! As we wait in line for to collect our permits, Maureen says – It’s so overcast today – we probably won’t see very much – not the right conditions. Don’t be so sure, I say, anything can happen – the bush is unpredictable! We go through the gate as dawn is breaking and a brilliant red sky greets us, Earl says – I don’t see the point of these early starts! No self-respecting animal will be at the waterholes and there is so much water lying about they don’t even need to be near the roads! Blah-blah, moan-moan. I smile sweetly and offer to drive which is met with firm no thank you. It is 7 am and what is this up ahead. Jim and another car are stopped and as we approach I call out – Lion – no cheetah! Three are crouched together chewing something in the dirt. The animals tend to lick the dust for its salt content. We cannot make out anything else edible. We watch the three interact and have fun and the scene is on the correct side of the road in the golden light! There is a single gemsbok on the dune watching carefully, fully aware that he could become breakfast. The trio suddenly get up and one by one start walking towards the dune. We follow and hope to see a chase but not today. The gemsbok decides that caution is the better part of valour and gallops off. A little further on we Jim stops. We catch up and see a jackal taking off. But wait there are two more and they’re on a kill! Did they take down this springbok on their own – I think not. It was probably a leopard. The jackals tear at it and one by one as they satiate themselves quickly leave the scene. This is a pretty good start to our day. Let us content ourselves with birding now as there can’t possibly be anything more exciting in store. It is 8:30 and what do we see? More cheetahs – but on the East side of the road – into the sun. There are 5 of them – Mother and four teenager kittens. And they are eating a fresh kill of Gemsbok! How lucky are we! We watch them and photograph them for ages. The cheeky jackals are hovering and trying to get a paw in. But the mother chases them off. The tawny eagles – three of them fly in and try to make a grab but Mom jumps into the air to frighten them off. The little ones scrap and fight for dominance of the kill. Then Mom comes to get her share, disciplining the greedy kids. Every now and then she chases the jackals away. Then all of a sudden all five of them take off across the road with us following and disappear over the hill. We realise that something has frightened them off and return to the scene to find a male lion making a meal of the left overs. Clearly the howling of the jackals have alerted him to the fact that a canteen is open nearby. We watch the lion feast and then walk off. He finds a puddle of water and drinks for a while then walks back and over the dune and disappear. What an amazing sighting. We continue to Melkvlei for breakfast and then retrace our steps to find the kill site awash with vultures and tawny eagles. Wow! Jim and Maureen are ahead of us but we waste time watching baby ostrich and then slowly follow on. At the site of the jackal kill from this morning we find more vultures and take photographs of three different species. At Rooiputs waterhole we find the wildebeest having a Sunday afternoon nap. We try to catch up with Jim but he is way ahead Earl yells – Lynx – and a caracal crosses in front of us with a ground squirrel in his jaws. Omigosh! I am beside myself trying to get a photograph but he darts up the dune and disappear. I’ve lost my opportunity. Let’s wait and see, I say to Earl. He may appear and sure enough he emerges from behind a tree and looks at us – kill hanging from his mouth.

Poor ground squirrel

We keep him in our sights until he settles under a distant tree. The squirrel is behind him and he is panting to regain his breath. We manage few poor photographs and watch to see if he will feast upon his prey – but clearly he is saving it till later.

Tired after the chase

No other car comes by and we need to move on. Around the corner we see “Boshuisie” – grandparents in a campervan with their little grandchild. We stop them and tell them where to find the caracal. Follow us, we say, we will turn around and show you exactly where Two other cars appear and we show them all where to find the caracal. I persuade Earl to turn into the waterhole and we find two birds – a greenshank and double banded plover. Back at camp Jim and Maureen are just tucking into their lunch. We tell them about our special sighting then make chicken sandwiches for our own lunch. We plan to bird in the camp but the rains come and we only manage to get the pearl spotted rain lets up enough for me to cook and for us to eat our meal. Earl and I drive to the ablutions to shower and do our teeth and by the time we return the rain is coming down – much needed in this dry environment.

Caravanning in The Kgalagadi Twee Rivieren Saturday 28 March 2015

2015-04-20 | puppy1952

The rain seems to be holding off and there is no wind at all today. We go out early as usual and take the Mata Mata Road until the Dune Road turnoff and then take that. It is a very successful drive as far as birds are concerned. Once again I will let the photographs tell the story.

An early morning Tawny Eagle

Black Shouldered Kite

Elegant Giraffe striding up the dune bank

Earl has not yet filled up with Diesel so we do not go any further than Melkvlei which is largely flooded but we find a table that is on dry ground and have a late breakfast there. On our return trip we have some interesting sightings. A tortoise and springbok find the road puddles convenient drinking places.

The Springbok eyes the tortois with suspicion

The tortoise decides to make way for the springbok

The thirsty bokkie can now take a drink

Soon after this Earl nearly jumps out of the window when he spots a cobra right in front of the car. We get some good photos of him before he slithers off into the bush toward a secretary bird. They haven’t seen each other but if the sec bird spots the snake he will become lunch!

The secretary is contemplating something – lunch or a bath?

No – the secretary is more interested in his abutions.

Refreshingly cool on a hot day

Tip toe out

And shake the feathers

Back at camp we go to the shop which is better stocked than Mata Mata and Nossob. We get hot pies and ice creams for lunch – what a treat!

We spent the afternoon in camp catching up with chores and diary writing etc. For supper we pooled ingredients and Maureen cooked us a delicious chicken stew.

Caravanning in The Kgalagadi Friday 27 March 2015 Polentswa to Twee Rivieren

2015-04-19 | puppy1952

Friday 27 march 2015 polentswa to twee rivieren

It is a long drive to Twee Rivieren and we are packed up and ready to leave by 6:40. We stop off at Nossob to refuel and find out if the road south has suffered any damage from the storm There is no diesel! Fortunately we have enough to get us there with some to spare!

The sightings are mainly bird. There are the usual gemsbok, springbok and plenty of red hartebeest about but otherwise nothing particularly exciting. The pictures below will tell the story.

Red Hartebeest

We find the campsite very full at TR. Our site is small and we are cheek to jowl with other campers but we all have sufficient shade. We do not have an electrical outlet nearby but we have two long leads and so the men make a plan with a long extension lead.

Once we have unpacked we check in at reception and then drive 5km to the Kgalagadi Safari Lodge where they have a wonderful shop with fresh produce! What a treat to find a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as bread, yogurt and plenty of other things that are unavailable in the park! We are like kids in a candy store as we pick and choose – goodbye canned food!

After our shopping we sit on the deck and enjoy sundowners before returning to camp.

To our surprise and delight we find that the Bush Lapa Caravan next to our site belongs to Daan and Jeanette. We do not realise it is theirs until they return from their game drive. It is their last night in the park and we all braai together – Maureen does the butternut, Jeanette the potato salad and I make a Greek Salad. We have a delightful evening around Jeanette and Daan’s table and a firm friendship is forged. Hopefully we will catch up with them in Wellington sometime in the future.

Caravanning in the Kgalagadi – Polentswa Wednesday 25 March 2015

2015-04-17 | puppy1952

We wake to the sound of roaring lions this morning. I look out to see Jim shining his torch into the bush while standing guard at the long drop. I think the lions are just behind the tree but Earl assures me that they are far away.
We go south all the way to Nossob 60 km away. There is still a lot of water on the road and we see very little game.

At Polentswa we have been very frugal with our water supplies and showering has been limited to 30 second splash downs. So as soon as we get to Nossob we go the the ablutions for a shower. Joy of joy we find that the geyser system has been repaired and we have loads of hot water.
We then go to refuel and shop. I go ahead while he is at the filling station. When he comes in, he says – where is our envelope of cash? On our way here I’d checked how much there was and put it back in the cubby hole. It’s not there he says. Men! They look with boy eyes. I go and check, search and search – no envelope! It must have been stolen. But the wallet, iPad, cell phones, cameras are all untouched. I begin to doubt myself. Did I drop the envelope out of the car? I return to the ablution block and search around the area where we were parked. I report the loss to reception. The attendant asks me Where did you last have the cash? You must check your car thoroughly. But after all 4 do us search nothing turns up. Maureen pays for our purchases then we search again. I am sure I put the envelope on top of the handbook which sits on a bracket in the cubby hole. Maureen feels down the back of the cubby and declares that she can feel something, eRl tries too and agrees with her but is it the envelope? There is no way of grabbing it or reaching it I any way so we go to the picnic site, enjoy our brekkie and decide to take the cubby apart when we get back to camp. Our men have tools for the job.

001 Day Visitor Area - Nossob 2015-03-25 09-55-14 AM 4608x3456

Picnic Breakfast at Nossob Visitors’ Area

Our return it is heartening to see lots of game. The rainfall has brought them back. But no cats again today.

003 Red Hartebeest with Gnu 2015-03-25 12-52-21 PM 3069x2304

We often see just one wildebeest with a herd of another species

003 Red Hartebeest 2015-03-25 12-51-35 PM 4608x3456

Lovely herd of red hartebeest with young

Water everywhere

002 Red Hartebeest drinking from a road puddly 2015-03-25 12-20-51 PM 4608x3456

Just wait while I finish my drink, please

We return to camp and as Maureen is about to step into her caravan she spots something curled up next to her fridge. She leaps away nimbly and yells – snake!

004 Puff Adder 2015-03-25 01-23-52 PM 3456x4608

Lazy, fat puff adder – luckily fast asleep

I grab my camera, Earl runs with a tent pole yelling Don’t worry I’ll catch it. Jim also bravely approaches the spot while M and I scream don’t let it bite you. We don’t have snake bite kits. The macho men approach and Earl hooks him onto the pole and flings him away and onto the ground. The snake refuses to scurry off so he lifts him again and throws him under a tree where it curls up and goes back to sleep. My hero!

After the excitement dies down Maureen washes last nights supper dishes and I dry. Then Earl and Jim get going worth torque keys and screw drivers. There is much grunting and groaning and struggling, but the task is not as easy as they hoped. Maureen calls Jim for lunch but Earl refuses to give up. I fear that the effort is for naught and my fears are confirmed when he manages to get his hand behind the cubby and says there is nothing here. But he struggles on and although he doesn’t get the cubby hole free he manages to free it a little more. I can see it he yells and Jim brings a pair of pliers. He grips the envelope and to my delight R3500 is returned to my grateful hands. For the second time today my hubby is my hero.

He then cooks us bacon and egg sandwiches and we sit and relax while watching lightening and listening g to thunder. The storm is some miles away but within minutes a bright flash of lightening and deafening clap of thunder warn us and E says we had better get to the caravan now. He and Maureen pack the chairs under her shelter and I run and put everything that’s out away and shut up our kitchen. Just as we shut the door the rain comes pelting down and an enormous wind violently rocks the caravan. After 5 minutes it gets worse and rips the tent poles out of the ground and the tarpaulin rips free from the Velcro. Earl rushes out to rescue what he can. Jim’s solar panels are whipped up by the wind and a Earl chases after them too. Jim rushes out to help. Our tent poles are be bent and the hooks scattered around the campsite. It’s all over in 20 minutes and then the mopping up begins. Not too much damage but we decide to do without the extra side tarpaulin for now. Earl is my hero yet again.
The rain clears and there is calm once again.

Our hero enjoying a well deserved drink after all the drama of the day!

In the evening we have a braai. As we turn in for the night we hear Maureen scream – it’s back and it hissed at me. Earl calls out – Just hang on – I’m coming – He tries to get his head torch on but the strap comes loose – it’s seems like hours but is only seconds before I help him get it together again – he rushes forth with braai tongs in hand and he and Jim march off like Vikings into the night to make sure the snake does not return.

Struisbaai with three Generations – Exploring the Agulhas Coast Rock Pools

2014-12-20 | puppy1952

Earl was up at an indecent hour and went off to fish on Abrie’s boat. Lauren, Shannon, the boys and I were out of the house by 7:30 as we were to meet Professor Gavin Marneveldt for a rock pool excursion. His talk yesterday had peaked our interest and we were looking forward to exploring the rock pools with more informed eyes. It was overcast and cool and there was a splash of rain as we drove to Stinkbaai, just next to the Agulahs Camp Site. It was a good day to have something different to do. While we waited we explored on our own, watched the competitors in the Cape Agulhas Classic ride past and observed a family of francolin.

The Cape Agulhas Classic riders were also up bright and early

Crabs having a feast on a fish head in one of the rock pools

Southern Most Fracolin on an early morning walk

Southern Most Cape Francolin on an early morning walk

There was an excellent turn-out to the rockpool excursion – just a pity more didn’t pitch up to Professor Marneveldt’s lecture yesterday – reason being, I think, because there were quite a few young children. This morning they all had an amazing time.

We started at the Littorina zone on the upper shore. This region is named after the small snails that inhabit this zone. Littorina spp. has the ability to survive the severe conditions of heat stress and water loss of the upper shore.

Because of the overcast conditions the periwinkles were out in their hundreds instead of hiding beneath the rocks

We worked our way to the other zones, upper balanoid, lower balanoid and cochlear and found all kinds of interesting creatures and plants in the pools. Ninety nine percent of life on earth is in the sea.

Brain seaweed

This limpet has a huge appetite and lives on micro organisms and algaes that live on the rocks

sea sponge in cochlear zone

The kids were thrilled to find an octopus

Marine Explorers of Stinkbaai

View toward Agulhas lighthouse

Chiton found in high tide zone

sea urchin found in cochlear zone

Brittlestar on Shannon’s hand

sea cucumber

After spending a few hours enjoying the rock pools we decided to pop into Potpourri for breakfast. Grandpa’s fishing excursion ended early without much fish being caught.

Checking the menu at Potpourri

Rock pooling is hungry work so a healthy breakfast went down well

When we got home the three boys went to the beach, Lauren, Lisa and I got stuck into cleaning house while Allan trimmed the tree – what a transformation!

After the chores we were all ready for the beach. The wind had blown away the clouds and the waves were superb for boogy board and body surfing.

The tourists have arrived and the beach is more crowded than a week ago!

Warming up for a swim

Bat and Ball with Simon and Jay

Si has a good eye for the ball

Catching a wave

Go Josh!

What a stunning day it turned out to be. Tomorrow is our last day and we are all feeling a little low – “why are we letting the house out?” is the lament from the young ones.

Well kids, Cape Town is cool too you know. And now that Granny and Grandpa are pensioners every cent counts. We have had a brilliant 10 days and there is always next year!

Watch this space for further reports on our family holiday! The new title will be “Kokstad Kids in Cape Town”

Struisbaai Gathering of Three Generations Day 6

2014-12-16 | puppy1952

Abrie suggested a cure for my hand – sleep with an “Asyn Lap” and when you wake up all the bruising and swelling will have disappeared. Well I thought it was worth a try so Earl bound me up in a crepe bandage and poured brown vinegar over it and finally my hand was taped into a plastic bag. But in the middle of the night I woke up with an excruciating itch under the bandage which I ripped off to scratch. My hand looked pickled and I washed off the vinegar and went straight back to sleep! Admittedly the swelling has reduced and there is no bruising but it is not completely better yet!

Here are some pictures that Joshua took last night.

Laurie

Simon learning the art of tablet photography from an expert

Simon learning the art of phone photography from an expert

The Gang

Fooling around

Cuzzies

Shan and Annie

Chilled

This morning early Grandpa and I gathered the grandkids and headed to the beach. There was much moaning about the ridiculously early hour but they forced themselves and were glad of it later! As far as I am concerned the best time to be on the beach is early in the morning before it gets too hot or too windy.

Looking out to perfection on from the boardwalk

Miles of soft sand

A jellyfish being devoured by sea snails

Into the cool, blue sea

Chilly at first

The kids stayed in for ages

Simon

Walking back

Fishing boat returning

We returned at quarter to ten for a lovely breakfast and then chilled till later when the kids returned to the beach. Jay and Shan are a bit too sunburned for my liking! Earl did some chores around the house, I chilled doing very little for most of the days and Allan cooked an awesome curry for dinner. Laurie and Annie left for Cape Town just after 6 but they will join us at home next Monday – the house will be bursting at the seams till the New Year! What a pleasure to have everyone together – family bonding at its best.

Struisbaai Gathering of Three Generations – Day 3

2014-12-13 | puppy1952

Yes – Today dawned bright and still, heralding good fishing conditions. Earl, Lauren, Jay, Josh and Simon were on the sea by 7 o’clock and were lucky enough to spot dolphins and flying fish! I could be persuaded to board a boat to see that! The fishing was not too shabby either. Grandpa got a lovely red roman and the others were happy to get a few silver fish. The bad news – they were all sea-sick except for Jay and Gramps! But they did not suffer long and were back on land by 9:30.

Red Roman

Some of the silver fish

Jay, Simon, Lauren and Josh (looking a bit green about the gills)

After the fishing excursion the wind got up but the kids went off to the beach and spent some time there. Lolz, Annie and I went down for a while but were soon blown back home.

For lunch we enjoyed Earlie’s fabulous fried fish and later in the day the kids headed back to the beach for a swim.

Master Chef of Struisbaai

Finger food

We had a little mishap with a little sugarbird today. It flew against a closed window and stunned itself. Jay picked it up with a dish towel and rubbed it a bit. It just lay in a stupor but slowly started to flick its wings and eventually flew onto some washing hanging on the line. Eventually it felt strong enough to take shelter at the top of the milkwood tree. I do hope its headache is over soon! We must put those lovely stickers I received as a gift onto those windows soon.

Concussed female sugarbird

Let me rest a while

What just happened?

A malachite sunbird in transitional plumage looks on

Struisbaai – A week with three generations – Day 1 and 2

2014-12-12 | puppy1952

Thursday 11 December 2014

Today began a new chapter of my life – RETIREMENT! Well I have had a chequered on and off career of teaching but with Earl’s retirement I know that the time has now come for me to call an end to my career too. I bade farewell to my principal and colleagues just after 9 0’clock yesterday morning no regrets as the last three and half years have been very happy and I’ve left on a high note!

It was just an hour or so later than Earl and I along with our two teenaged grandsons hit the road to our holiday house in Struisbaai.

The Kokstad Clan – Daughter Lauren and Son-in-law Allan travelled up with the kids Shan 12 and Simon 10 overnighted in Graaff Reinet and arrived an hour after us at 3:30 this afternoon.

Simon, Earl, Josh, Jay, Shannon

Proud Grandfather with his brood of grandchildren

Josh and Simon play fighting

UNO – A favourite of our youngsters

Friday 12 December 2014

This morning we were horrified to wake to rain and wind. Not a fishing day! But this did not dampen our spirits and it wasn’t long before it cleared up. A trip to the local supermarket produced freshly baked break and croissants which accompanied Grandpa’s famous Earlie Brekkie.

Bonding over an “Earlie” Breakfast

The adults went off to the Wine Boutique in Agulhas while the kids went to explore the rock pools. Earl and I also popped into Potpourri a favourite gift/coffee shop that I love to browse in. Grandpa spotted a poster that he just had to have. Most appropriate don’t you think?

Excursion to the Rock Pools

My favourite granddaughter – (I’m your only granddaughter, Granny!)

Gathering the family together is far from peaceful. It is full of noise, attention seeking, teasing, laughter, bantering, chatter and fun, fun, fun.

Our older grandsons are amazing with their younger cousins. Jay 17 and Josh 16, always relate well to them and make sure they have a good time. They include them in the board games, take them off to the beach without the adults and make sure everyone does their fair share of the chores!

Our other two daughters had to work till lunch time today so only joined us at 3:30 this afternoon. Laurie brought her friend, Annie, visiting from London along too. So we now have a household of 11!

Laurie and Annie

Lisa and Earl – Allan braaing in the background

Annie, Shannon, Laurie

Simon, Shan and Jay

Playing Clue

Good old S.A. Braai

Image

Sani Valley Lodge Day 1 and 2

We were woken at some unearthly hour with steaming cups of coffee and instructions that there was lots to do so we’d better get up. Really – we’re on holiday! But wait today was the day we were to go to the most beautiful trout lodge in the country – Sani Valley at the foot of the Drakensberg.
So with the kids in the back, a shopping list for supplies and instructions to meet the parents at The Lemon Tree at 12:30 sharp we set off for Underberg at quarter to 10. The drive from Kokstad to said destination is utterly stunning and we were blessed with the most glorious weather. Let the photos do the talking!

Cape Town has a beauty of its own but when we don’t feel that we are truly in African until we cross the border of the Western Cape and the further north we go the more African it becomes.
Underberg has the true African feel about it. We stopped her to make our obligatory visit to NUD’s Sports Shop to stock up with fishing tackle. Simon also scored a new fishing rod and a soccer ball. Shan we’ll make it up to you soon!

Next we did the grocery shopping at the local Spar before meeting the parents at the appointed time. The Lemon Tree has a patio section under a tree where we sat to enjoy our lunch – Spinach and Feta pancake for me, Eggs Benedict for Allan, Smoked Trout for Earl, Mega Hamburger for Lauren and toasted sandwiches for the kids.

The last stretch to the lodge is quick but we took it slowly so as to get a coupe of bird photies. The parents went ahead and checked us in.

As soon as we arrived Earl had to get down to see his boat and throw in a line.

As fete would have it our friends from Australia landed up being booked at Sani on the same dates as ours! They arrived at 4 after a long drive from Hogsback. We arranged for them to have a braai with us and a fabulous time was had by all as the weather was perfect.

This morning I was in a deep doze when the sound of voices woke me. It was before 7 a.m. but Nicoline and Sean had made an early start from Kokstad and were ready to rouse Allan and Earl to go fishing!
While they were out on the lake with the Simon and Scott (in stages) Nicoline, Lauren and I took a walk. We found Eric and Wendy at the Boathouse having a luxuriously catered breakfast. The day was brilliant again. In fact my early rising enabled me to get a good sunrise shot.

What a view for breakfast

Looking toward the Boathouse

We continued our walk and I took photos of Sunset where they are staying. It has a view over a smaller dam that joins onto the larger one.

Here are some photos of the guys on the water.

Our lodge – Rainbow

Lauren and Nicoline greeted a friendly cow.

When the guys were back from fishing we enjoyed an Early Breakfast and then more fishing, chilling and chatting. The Bakers then took their leave at lunchtime and it now looks like we may get a thunderstorm. On the other hand it could clear and the sun might shine again soon. That’s all for now as I have managed to get online at reception – no wifi or MTN coms in the lodges!