We "won" a Fizzer each but had a good laugh and ain't that what life's all about!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Villa Spa - Apr 2012 - Scavenger Hunt
We decided to enter into the Scavenger Hunt for the benefit of Zac. He ended up watching TV while we scavenged! Mad half hour. Guys had to cross dress!
We "won" a Fizzer each but had a good laugh and ain't that what life's all about!
We "won" a Fizzer each but had a good laugh and ain't that what life's all about!
Villa Spa, Illovo - April 2012
Ah, bliss - little ones are happily entertained and making friends with the next generation of Villa Spa'ins. Domi & Jay are hooked and so new friendships form. Weather good. Luis caught a Wave Runner. Lots of fun had by all!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Morgan's Bay (Yellowwood Camping) - update 5/4/12 now at Villa Spa
Had no signal since last post. Tried to put a brave front on the quaint/rustic amenities but Domi and Jay not happy - don't blame them - it's their first long trip in a caravan and Yellowwood just doesn't make the grade. Took a call on 4/4 to edge up the coast to Villa Spa (Illovo) - tried and trusted. Took us 11 hours to do the 600km journey what with lengthy stop 'n goes, etc. Also, Jay's car giving trouble and losing power to the extent of sometimes cutting out altogether (in the most inopportune places, I might add!!!!). Had it's funny moments with us overtaking slower traffic at good times only for them to retake us when we had to stop. They must have thought we were barmy! Arrived at 22:30 - but today life is good and sooo glad we took the call yesterday!
Did manage to get some lovely shots of the elusive Trumpeter though.
Did manage to get some lovely shots of the elusive Trumpeter though.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Morgan's Bay, EC - April 2012 en route.
Stopped over at Reyneke's Caravan Park, Bloemfontein on way down. Own 'blute and really caters for overnight stop 'n go. Lot of rain on way down but became very sporadic and light once we were in park.
Set off for Morgan's Bay at around 9 for an approx 600km journey ahead. Estimated we'd arrive at around 3/4ish. Yeah, right! Major roadworks and delays on terrible roads (?); rain accompanying us the whole journey; gps taking us on a "tar road" which turned out to be a dirt road which we could not navigate with our caravans. "Road" washed away, deep sluices, wow - quite exciting. After about 3km we couldn't go further so had to unhitch vans in order to turn around.
If we'd stayed on the main tar road for another 13 kms, the road to Morgan's Bay is a beautiful tar road - a highway by comparison!
Upshot of our little adventure is that we arrived at camp in the dark (& wet)! Mother Nature was kind to us, yet again! The rain let up and, although ground was somewhat mushy & muddy, we were able to set up.
Camp surroundings are beautiful with loads of birdlife. Once it all dries out, it'll be brilliant. 'Blutes are quaint!!!!
Sun is trying to peep through.
Set off for Morgan's Bay at around 9 for an approx 600km journey ahead. Estimated we'd arrive at around 3/4ish. Yeah, right! Major roadworks and delays on terrible roads (?); rain accompanying us the whole journey; gps taking us on a "tar road" which turned out to be a dirt road which we could not navigate with our caravans. "Road" washed away, deep sluices, wow - quite exciting. After about 3km we couldn't go further so had to unhitch vans in order to turn around.
Upshot of our little adventure is that we arrived at camp in the dark (& wet)! Mother Nature was kind to us, yet again! The rain let up and, although ground was somewhat mushy & muddy, we were able to set up.
Camp surroundings are beautiful with loads of birdlife. Once it all dries out, it'll be brilliant. 'Blutes are quaint!!!!
Sun is trying to peep through.
KNP JAN/FEB 2012 - LETABA 1/2 & 2/2
Stopped off on the Shingwedzi causeway (Shingwedzi's response to Lake Panic) prior to departing for Letaba. Did not disappoint.
Afterwards, a very dry, uneventful 100 plus kms to Letaba traversing through my pet peeve: lassitude inducing mopani!!!
Only highlight was a herd of elephant browsing peacefully until a tour bus came along and scared them off!
The flood damage is very evident around Letaba, particularly around the Engelhard dam route. It is closed off but we cheated and accessed by going in close to Olifants camp. Much careful navigating of partially destroyed causeways and doubling back on numerous occasions later, we reached "Fish Eagle Tree" - took us 4 hours to get to a point roughly 5kms away from camp (as the crow flies).
Our reward ........
Some of the causeways could not be navigated, photo's don't really do it justice:
Wire caged rubble used as bolsters flung aside like kiddies building blocks:
Afterwards, a very dry, uneventful 100 plus kms to Letaba traversing through my pet peeve: lassitude inducing mopani!!!
Only highlight was a herd of elephant browsing peacefully until a tour bus came along and scared them off!
The flood damage is very evident around Letaba, particularly around the Engelhard dam route. It is closed off but we cheated and accessed by going in close to Olifants camp. Much careful navigating of partially destroyed causeways and doubling back on numerous occasions later, we reached "Fish Eagle Tree" - took us 4 hours to get to a point roughly 5kms away from camp (as the crow flies).
Our reward ........
Some of the causeways could not be navigated, photo's don't really do it justice:
Wire caged rubble used as bolsters flung aside like kiddies building blocks:
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
KNP JAN/FEB 2012 - SHINGWEDZI 31/12/12
Arrived late morning, had a lovely hamburger then set off to the causeway which did not disappoint.
Southern Ground Hornbill (not so grounded).
Went out on a long afternoon drive (needed to pick up the benefit of the car aircon - very hot!). Followed the Shingwedzi river. Plenty of waterbirds
Southern Ground Hornbill (not so grounded).
Went out on a long afternoon drive (needed to pick up the benefit of the car aircon - very hot!). Followed the Shingwedzi river. Plenty of waterbirds
Monday, January 30, 2012
KNP JAN/FEB 2012 - PUNDA MARIA 27/1 to 30/1/12
Decided to come in The Rad due to recent floods KNP has experienced; although the floods seem to be predominantly south. 4 x nights at Punda Maria. (27/1 to 30/1).
Couple of firsts but most not with photo opportunities, sadly:
Lemon Breasted Canary
Baby Spring hare (leveret?)
Elephant Shrew
Jacobin Cuckoo - black morph (normally coastal).
Plenty elephant and buffalo around us. The waterhole at the camp has been dredged and huge herds of Ellie and buff converge to drink.
Black morph Jacobin Cuckoo
Touch, pause, engage.
Tree squirrels: Squidge, Squeeza and Squizita.
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Yellow Billed Kite
Just got into bed last night when I looked out the window. Crawling across the top of the fence was a Bush Baby (Greater). Could only watch and wish I was outside with my camera.
Left for Shingwedzi really early and spotted the elusive Crested Guinea Fowl on the Dzunzini loop.
En route to Shingwedzi had some nice sightings:
Juvenile African Harrier Hawk or, the preferred (for me), old name, Gymnogene.
Yellow Billed Ox Pecker (Pecky Oxer) relatively common in the North but not often seen further south.
Couple of firsts but most not with photo opportunities, sadly:
Lemon Breasted Canary
Baby Spring hare (leveret?)
Elephant Shrew
Jacobin Cuckoo - black morph (normally coastal).
Plenty elephant and buffalo around us. The waterhole at the camp has been dredged and huge herds of Ellie and buff converge to drink.
Black morph Jacobin Cuckoo
Touch, pause, engage.
Tree squirrels: Squidge, Squeeza and Squizita.
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Just got into bed last night when I looked out the window. Crawling across the top of the fence was a Bush Baby (Greater). Could only watch and wish I was outside with my camera.
Left for Shingwedzi really early and spotted the elusive Crested Guinea Fowl on the Dzunzini loop.
En route to Shingwedzi had some nice sightings:
Juvenile African Harrier Hawk or, the preferred (for me), old name, Gymnogene.
Yellow Billed Ox Pecker (Pecky Oxer) relatively common in the North but not often seen further south.
Brown headed parrot
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