KNP Nov’8 Continued
3 & 4 November
Our Monday was spent with much anticipation at camp. We worked most of the early morning while it was still cool and by mid-afternoon, our bodies became wilted by a 42 degree temperature. We visited the pool again and watched the birds as they gratefully drank from the little puddles of water we made as we splashed. By now I had given up on my health conscious status and consumed beer shandies like a hardened rugby watcher. When I remarked on this, partner pointed out that hardened rugby watchers don’t drink shandies, especially not diluted with 60% Sprite. (Hmmm, I felt how my hips were growing in my bathing costume and raked my kikoi ever closer…)
Cooled down, we decided to visit the information center at Nossob’s reception where we spent almost two hours, reading up on the predators and their impact on the eco system. The displays of photographs together with information sheets on each of the animals renewed my respect for what I had come to witness in the Kgalagadi. I often wonder whether we realize how complex the conservation task is and under what difficult circumstances people work to preserve sanctuaries of life…
Monday evening came and found us in the bird hide where we watched wildebeest quench their thirst after a long trek down the dusty Nossob river. We eagerly watched the gate for any sign of something bigger than a Hummer, but hunger finally had us heading back to camp. We fell asleep to the sound of Black-backed Jackals calling in stereo.
Tuesday broke gloriously in the east. We scampered out of the tent, hopeful that somewhere during the night, the truck from Twee Rivieren had arrived with the much coveted part for our vehicle. The technician – Albert – said that it would take at the most two hours to repair, which meant that we could leave at about 10:00 with enough time to Matopi. (Yes, you guessed correctly – we were on our way to Mabuasehube again!).
Partner returned with a long face. The part was not picked up in Upington and we had to wait another day. Our planned trip to the
Botswana side was hanging in the scale and we were starting to feel anxious. Our work at Nossob was done according to our schedule and another day in camp…was starting to drive us crazy. So I decided to do what most crazy women do when they have jitters. I did a load of washing by hand…! I repacked and organized our supply and equipment crates and in the process, threw out a couple of crafty glossy starlings and ground squirrels who decided to “help” me. The picture of complete and utter African domestic bliss…
By late afternoon we had a splash in the pool and returned to freshly baked roosterkoek (a bread which is slowly baked over coals – these are freshly made on order by the women of Nossob). Roosterkoek dripping with butter and a beer shandie in hand, I leaned back in my camping chair and sighed, thinking that perhaps Mama Africa delayed us to prepare something spectacular…
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