What a better way to start a new year than in the Kruger.  We left Jhb Jan 2nd and headed for Hazyview.  We treated ourselves to a night at Rissington Inn where the owner, Chris Harvie, not only upgraded our room but gave us a copy of his book where he undertook a similar adventure to ours but for a shorter time.  It has been great reading about his views on where we have been and getting his take on things to come.

We decided to try camps in the South and hope that they were not too busy.  Initially we stayed at Lower Sabie where we were pleased to see many different rhino sightings.  After a few photos, we urged them to hide in the bushes.  Can you believe the poachers were out on Jan 1st…..  Disgusting.  By Jan 8th, there were already 3 Kruger rhinos poached and not a single poacher was shot.  Even more disgusting.  We saw a great sign, which we wholeheartedy agree with – Save a Rhino – Shoot a Poacher.

Lower Sabie was packed and driving around was like being in a convoy, any sighting was like Sandton in the rush hour.  Luckily we moved to Satara where things were starting to quieten down.    We thought our luck was in when we spotted a cheetah one morning, little did we know that we would be even luckier a few days later.  We were fortunate to see a cheetah with four fair sized cubs sitting at the side of the road.  We then spent an hour watching them play and chase each other.  Within a few seconds they changed to hunting mode and took down a Steenbok. As they played with their food, we alternated between cheering for the cheetahs and praying that the poor little bok would escape.   Alas, his days were over when mum intervened and put him out of his misery.  During this time, a few metres away, a Kori Bustard was roaming around, not a care in the world.

Excited by all the fun we had in the Kruger so far, we were not yet ready to leave and decided to book into Maroela Camp (near Orpen).  What a cool camp.  Similar to Tsendze, in that this is a satellite camp (but with electricity) with no passing traffic. We settled in next to what should be the Timbavati River but which resembled a sandpit with no water in sight.  On our first night, we were amused to find a hyena in the storm water drain a few metres from our site.  As soon as he could smell firelighters, out he popped and paraded the fence hoping for scraps.  Now, anyone who knows Andrew, knows that he does not share food.  Not even with his wife.  This, I am reliably informed is a Sagittarian trait, shared by Jenny and Graeme.

We were boiling to death for days and thought we had scored when the rain came.  Yeah, shouted everyone in the camp.   Not so many yeahs when it didn’t stop for days.  Going on game drives was pointless, as all the animals were sheltering for dear life.   So instead of getting up at 4am, we had a lay in until 6am and made a nice cooked breakfast.  As it turned out this was another piece of luck.  As we were about to eat, a bushbuck came flying passed with something hot on its heels.  This something turned out to be a Wild Dog.  Soon there were 25 dogs, sitting or strutting around the place.  These photos were taken by Andrew, up a ladder, trying not to touch the electric fence.

Anyway, all too soon we had to leave the Kruger and head for Nelspruit to restock.

The last time we were in Nelspruit it rained solidly for 5 days, this time we were optimistic when we arrived to find it warm and sunny.  However, true to form, the rain came down in sheets the minute we set up camp.  And so it continued until we left a few days later.

So what do you do in Nelspruit in the rain??   Go to Movies…….   Skyfall was awesome and Daniel Craig yet again did a great job.  We did have a conversation with the ticket agent that left us feeling very old.

Ticket Agent – It’s a great movie.  I’ve seen all the Bond movies so far.

Us – We are impressed that you look so young and have seen all the movies.  Do you think Daniel Craig is better than Sean Connery?

TA – Who’s Sean Connery?  There has only been 3 bond movies.

Us – There has been more than 20 movies and several Bonds – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan

TA – Get out of here.  Really??  Serious??

Us – Yup !!!! Serious !!!!

Ah, reminds us of the time when Candice said that a song was a cover version of one a few years ago.  When in fact it was a cover of a cover from many years ago……

Moving on to the Jack Reacher movie.  For all those Lee Childs fans who could not believe that Tom Cruise was cast as Jack Reacher, do not be put off.  The movie is excellent and Old Tom does the part well.  We only hope there is a follow up movie.

After this, a comedy was in order.  Parental Guidance with Bette Midler and Billy Crystal is hysterical but you can wait for the DVD.

Anyway, having restocked and run out of good movies to watch we left Nelspruit.  The intention was to head for Sodwana but one look at the weather forecast had us heading for Ballito instead.

By now some of you must be thinking that the Mopani Worm Delight was our last meal, but no, we are alive and kicking and back in the bush.  After Tsendze we had a few days in Klaserie where we interrupted the honeymoon of Mr and Mrs Ras. They kindly met us (and paid) for pancakes at Harry’s in Graskop.  It was so nice to finally meet Yvette and to tease Wicus once again.

We then went back to Johannesburg where Steed and Humble were put to rights, ready for the off.  It had been our intention to see more people than we did, accomplish more tasks than we did and generally rest more than we did but alas we had a distraction or should we say a couple of distractions.

For those of you who have not met our distractions (nephews), Andrew and James, we have added a few photos.

At 11 months old, they are both full of nonsense and have you doing all sorts of daft things just to get their appreciation.  I really never thought I would see the day Andrew (senior) crawled across the kitchen floor, popping up next to the boys to say boo.   I think he was quite embarrassed when he realised what he was doing – and completely sober !!!!!

Anyway, despite the boys, we were less enamoured by Johannesburg and was soon itching to be on our way.  The boys turn one at the end of Jan and combined with their christening we have decided to mess around in SA for the month of Jan and head back for those few days before deciding which route to take next.  So Kruger park here we come.

Seasons Greetings to everyone and apologies if we didn’t get a chance to say Hi.  xx