Living My Dream Day 199 & 200!!! (CBridge Day 17 & 18)
Hello Again! Its definately not a good evening and Im sure you can understand how I feel tonight! I will start by getting back to the comments as I usually do…if you have asked something previously that Ive missed, please forgive me, Im not ignoring you!
First of all I once again thank you all for reading and commenting..you know that without all of your reading and comments this blog would not be as successful as it is…and I thank you again! All those who have commented on the pics, thanks…its so nice to hear that you are enjoying them, but remember that for the last 17days it was the driving/parking skills of GW that made it possible to bring you such awesome sightings!
Reinette, SO stands for Significant Other (it could be your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend etc….), hope I’ve now relieved you of your curiosity as you are definately not stupid!!! Duffy, how many leopards seen and photographed…I think im almost on 70 now..not all great shots…but still a good figure for leopards!! Hope to get as many Cheetah as that! Linda you will see more Impala lambs in tonights blog…as that is almost all I have to show! Dawn, GW is not going to Cape Town, although Im sure he wished he was…no fishing on this trip!! It will have to wait for April next year! Diane and Bruce, Im so sorry you took ill while in Kruger..Hope you OK now and Im sorry we missed you! Hope you can come back soon to experience it all again! Lindap, I was trying to tell GW that Kruger is the same as fishing, one day you catch it all and the next day nothing…..he did not “bite” on that one..so I think its another big fish lost!! Ndloti, so many Woodland Kingfishers around..its almost like the only sound you hear driving on the S25! Glad GW could hear them before he left! Yes, Im planning a walk…but it will have to wait for a while as the weather is changing…not sure when it would be better…rain or extreme hot temps!! Michele, so sorry we missed you, I hope you still in the area. Im parked just behind tent no. 8 in the camping area. Not sure where you are staying, maybe see you on the road tomorrow! Hey Tilu, nice to see a comment from you…you miss me?? maybe not as much as I miss your Cuppucino!! Also the Forum members I met in the last 2 or 3 days and I forgot to mention…Suefish and fam, Cees and SO and Dave Heard…nice to meet you all!!!
Back to yesterday, as you know we had to drive to Afsaal to meet clickclick to get the software for my cams to put on the new laptop…it was really a very miserable day…rain and the wind was howling…I was freezing on the back seat as I drive with the windows open….Engel was trying to tell me that its my bad circulation from smoking!!! Have you ever heard such a thing??? Anyway…he has commented before about the few birds of prey we have been seeing..and this was the day to see a lot..unfortunately all in the wrong light and far off the road, but we saw them!! The usual animals of Zebra, Kudu, Giraffe, and the Impalas…it seemed like so many babies were dropped overnight…but they are just so scared..the minute you stop they just run off!
I managed to get these 2…
and this one standing with its mother!
We arrived at Afsaal and got the CD’s from clickclick, thanks again for your help..I really appreciate it. We did not stay long, got a take away sandwich and was on our way back to camp as we had a lot to do….copy the disks, download and copy all my programs from the old to the new laptop…and I had to copy all the pics I took over the last 2 weeks or so for Engel…..on the way back the rain came down in torrents again….we did find Rhino’s far off in the bush…a big herd of Buffs…and this tortoise that was in such a hurry to cross the road.
I think we returned to camp just before 2pm, but as it was so cold decided to curl up in bed and have a snooze! That was really nice and I really enjoyed it!!! Back infront of the computers at 4pm and the task infront of us was just too big…I think that when I left Doha, I brought whatever I thought I would need with me…but have forgotten to bring the boxes and papers with serial numbers of cetain items…so, we could not load my Roberts Birds, my PDA, and other things…I also struggled with my Cybertracker program…and that is when I said to Engel to rather take the new laptop back to Doha…Mine is old, so full of dust and dirt sitting out here blogging in rain, sunshine, wind and storms….think its best that the new one stays clean until I get back home!
We eventually finished loading the pics for at about 6pm..and then I made a nice fire and we just sat outside and enjoyed our last night together….a nice thick steak with potato and onions in foil and a feast we had! Got to back and I once again enjoyed having him in bed…its just so different and something I really miss all the time!!
Today:
When it was time to fetch GW from the airport on the 1st Nov…I was showered and ready and in the car by 7am…for a flight that arrived 6hrs later….this morning was very different…I could not get going…actually did not want to wake up and know its the last morning for quite some time! We had some tea, coffee etc and just sat here, think not much was said as we knew it would be very difficult this am…..last night we were told by the man next door to us that the old bridge was open for traffic….so, we did not have to rush, although we still had a bit to do in Malelane before going to the airport…
We eventually left at 8:30 driving over the old bridge..(As I mentioned before, they started with the process of lifting it, so lots of cracks and holes) but its holding up…water gushing over in some places and I prayed that the water will subside by the time I got back….at least its usable and cuts a lot of time driving to town or the airport!
Stopped at Malelane and thanks again to Engel for loading the slug with 10 cases of beer….think it was necessary as he drank most of my beer himself!!! (only joking Engel!!!), and then it was time to leave for the airport…you know as Redlomo said in his comment…Living abroad, one always looks forward for a really long time to see your loved ones, and then once it arrives it passes way too quickly! And as the last day comes nearer and nearer, you wish you can just put a break on time and kuier a little longer….
How true those words are!!!! We had a quick meal at the airport and it was time!!! Oh My, I did not want it to be!!!! Paid for the parking and they have a sign up to say that you only have 12 minutes from the time you pay until you must leave…..then as I said my last goodbye a face popped up…it was Tony Park and SO…so glad you got to meet GW…and he told me he had his latest book with him to give to me…a good distraction, but Im sure I was not a pretty sight and I thank you for distracting both GW and me for a while! Got the book and I looked back…no GW in sight….man all I wanted to do was go back for another hug!!!! Knew it was better not to and drove away!!!! Engel, I already miss you so much and so much wished you were still here!!!
I had to stop at Malelane again to get some more wood and that was it, I was on my way back! Got to the caravan, opened the door and the smell of GW’s deodarant hit me right in the face!!! Blue Stratos…I did not want to go inside..I did not want to be here….and decided to have a few beers outside with the door and windows open…played scrabble with Fathima to distract me and then I had no choice but to organize the inside of the van to get it back to a one person place!!!
As I came outside I had another visitor (no, not a hairy or scary one…as GW told me to be aware of the creepy crawlies at night…and that is why Im sitting with both my legs ontop of the chair tonight), but Gaztaz from Australia who reads the blog! Thank you so much for coming around…sorry I was a bit teary, and I hope you found the Cheetahs on the S28!
And with that I started the blog and I hope that tomorrow is a bright sunny day as Im driving to Nkuhlu to meet clickclick and to bring you some more great pics!
Until tomorrow
Sleep tite
Martie
Like
November 18th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Hi,
My first time to cooment. Have been reeding everyday since day 1.
Great work.
Keep it up!!
Rudie
Morgenzon, Mpumalanga
November 18th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
And here i sits and crying with you! It’s so sorry his gone! Beautiful
photo’s of the babies!
November 18th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Ek kan nie wag om in die aand na die blog te kyk na jul nuwe foto’s. Hou my seblief nog lank besig.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Hi Martie,
Cheer up Martie, only 133 days till you see GW again. I’m feeling sad for you tonight, but time will fly as you bring us your blog and super pics. Lovely baby impalas. Raining nicely in E L as it has been in Kruger. Hope the East Cape is getting some inland as the drought is bad. Hope you have good sightings again tomorrow. God bless and goodnight from Delene.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Hi Martie
Beautiful baby impalas. We share your sadness and hope tomorrow will be brighter.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Hi M
We thought phoning you tonight would be a good idea to give a bit of emotional support. It was truly great hearing your voice. We read the blog only after the call and it was great to be there for you in difficult times. Be strong. We pray for GW ’s safe return on Friday.
Sleep well and may you have a great day tomorrow.
Love
DAS
November 18th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Hi Martie, thanx for the blog tonight, I reckon you had to do something to keep your mind off GW leaving. The baby impalas are just too cute. Hope you have a good day tomorrow and that the weather warms up it is very cold here and going to be all week. Sleep well. Regards Chrissie.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Hi my dear…. Don’t be sad, think of the good times…. and ……
Tonight… wrap the milkyway of joy around your heart.
Let the moon paint a smile on your face,
catch a star for good luck & have beautiful dreams ! ….
…..Love this poem…..
lol JenE @ Cullinan
November 18th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Wishing you lots of brilliant sightings, great weather and a ‘quiet’ heart
November 18th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Hi Martie
Lovely to see the impala lambs, and of course the much needed rain in Kruger. It’s winter again here in Gauteng and I believe there in Kruger as well. And tonight, I’m sure you feel as miserable as it is outside in the cold and rain. You are in everybody’s thoughts tonight and we all believe that the sun will shine again. Be strong and keep it up, girl. Time is flying, so enjoy every moment.
Lekker slaap
Pumba
November 18th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Hi Martie,
I have been thinking of you today and now struggling to read your blog through the tears in my own eyes. I can imagine how you are feeling but cheer up, before you realise it April will be here and you will be reunited with your beloved Engel. In the meantime you have the visit of your daughters to look forward to. Thanks for the gorgeous Impala baby pics tonight, they are so cute. I hope that tomorrow is a better day for you. Keep up your excellent work in Kruger. Kind regards. P.S. it is cold here in Rustenburg too.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
HI Martie,
feeling for you tonight, can just imagine how lonely it must feel, but remember, this is your dream and before you know it, it will all be over, so enjoy your final time in Kruger.
Sure the bush is going to cheer you up tomorrow with some wonderful sightings.
Take care,
Regards
Elsa
November 18th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hi Martie
I know what it feels like………..I have close friends and Fam that stay in dubai. We see them once a year for a month then it is till next year again and that is bad. I take my hat off for you been on your own for all this time………9 nights then im coming!!!!!!!!!!
There is a saying “you dont know what have untill it is gone……”
Brakkie &fam
November 18th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hi martie, Cheer up and enjoy another beer, Sure you will feel a little better tomorrow. Hope you have some special sightings to lift your spirits. Safe trip home for Engel. Take care Bev
November 19th, 2009 at 12:35 am
So glad you have had a lovely visit with your Engel. Please pass on all our thanks for his contribution to your marvellous blog and when you’re feeling low and lonely tonight, look up and think he’s looking at the same sky!
Gemma
November 19th, 2009 at 1:20 am
hi martie,hope your ok was dreading your blog tonight new you would be
should cheer you tomorrow meeting up with click click.our thoughts are with you all the best stu & toni
November 19th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Oh Martie, I feel for you and was crying myself reading your blog tonight. Loved JenE’s poem - what a lovely thought to hold on to while you are apart from GW. Hope tomorrow brings you better weather, a lighter heart and some lovely sightings.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Hi Martie,
Boy, what a way to start my morning! So many of us can relate to your story, and I think there’ll be more than one tear shed with you! But as Green Window said, you have a visit by your daughters to look forward to! It’s in a month isn’t it? If all goes well, I will be in KNP with my family one month from today. It makes me sad (and excited) to think about how close it is, but that it will also be over way too quickly! That’s life; if we didn’t get sad, we would never realize how important some things are.
The impala lambs are gorgeous. Please ask a few of the moms to hold off a little bit, as I’d love to see some newborn baby lambs too! (You can put that in the same memo you’re sending to the cats to be in full attendance as well.)
Have a great day, Martie. (Remember, you are living your dream, and no matter what, that’s fantastic!)
George (@Hong Kong)
November 19th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Martie,
You gotto say Goodbye to Hello again - savour the moment.
Cheers,
Ingwe1 (Sydney, Aus)
November 19th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Hi Martie,
Chin up, cheer up & cherish the memories, absence makes the heart grow fonder & time flies when yr having fun!! do you realise how blesed you are to be experiencing KNP over a rainy season; God’s revitalising teardrops - you have the privelidge of seeing the earth’s greatful responce with all the new life, fauna & flora, it brings forth - food & water for the nourishing of all that you have come to Krgr to see.
A number of my comments have gone waisted due to incessant server disconnects once I press the “submit comment” command (even the “like” prompt won’t respond this am). Right now I’m experiencing a situation where re-connect attempts are just ignored; all the signals are positive, but no-go-jo! It’s really pouring outside & wonder if a relay station has been sogged and is out of order? Having another try @ re-establishing. Had to reboot my cellphone (use it as my modem) to get re-established, so let me try saving this blog before the connection is lost again!
God bless and plenty of successful sightings & visits by friendly visitors to tide you over this difficult period. Above the dark clouds of life, the sun is still shining!!!
ALAN
November 19th, 2009 at 6:54 am
November 19th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Hi Martie - all these clichès I know, but parting is such sweet sorrow - you know how quickly time flies, before you know it - woops, you’re out of there! Hope you have a great day today with excellent sightings - and go and have a buff pastie and a beer with wacktazz @ Nkuhlu - that should help lift the spirits! Go well - Carolynn in PE
November 19th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Good Morning Martie,
Take care and thank you once again for the Blog…thank you for the Tortoise…please can you find any “praymantius”?
Best Regards,
Pambere
November 19th, 2009 at 7:58 am
It is all ways sad to say good bye to soemone you love and you know you gonna miss.
All of us a sad with you and will try too keep you company till the next vissit of GW.
NOW back to work and bring us nice pics, “net n grappie hoor”
November 19th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Thanks Martie for the little lambs - they are just too beautiful!!!! I got all teary-eyed when I read about GW’s departure and the smell of the Blue Stratos in the caravan - thank goodness for e-mails and blogs that you can still “talk” to him. We are all thinking of you and know that some special sightings must be coming your way to cheer you up. Have an awesome day!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Thanks Martie for the little lambs - they are just too beautiful!!!! I got all teary-eyed when I read about GW’s departure and the smell of the Blue Stratos in the caravan - thank goodness for e-mails and blogs that you can still “talk” to him. We are all thinking of you and know that some special sightings must be coming your way to cheer you up. Have an awesome day!
Linda, Pretoria
November 19th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Sterkte !!!!!
Before you know it, April will be around the corner, and it will be time to say goodbye to Kruger
so that you can reunite with GW 
Thank you so much for compromising your time with GW to keep the blog alive, us “blogaholics” really appreciate it.
Good Luck for the days left and may you have lots of wonderful sightings and meet more stunning people
November 19th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hi Martie
Good -byes are really not nice and so upsetting to hear you upset, but I suppose thats life and I am sure before you know it you will be seeing GW again!
Thanks for the blog and pictures. Love those Impala lambs, they are just beautiful.
We will be leaving tomorrow to go through to the Kruger and really cannot wait to meet you. Will try and find you probably late Sunday afternoon.
We have checked the weather forecast and it looks like it is going to be hot from Saturday, thank goodness! I much prefer the heat to the cold.
Have a great day!
Cheers
Jenette
November 19th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hi Martie -
Thanks fro the baba pics!
You almost had me in
Luckily you are now starting with the first day to counting down to see your Engel again.
Enjoy the rain as the sun will some again to warm you right up!
Have a great day M
L
November 19th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Hi Martie
Tony Park to the rescue at the airport
The long haul is behind you, and now you are sliding towards 01-04-10
You shared some great sightings with GW, and it will be hard to get back to your routine for 1
Thinking of you from OZ
Lorraine…Canberra
November 19th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Thanx for amazing pics think about how excited you will be when you see GW again Keep up the great photos
Best Regards
Lynn
November 19th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Hi Martie,
I really feel for you, and hope that your spirits lift in the days to come! After all these rains you must take extra care of yourself against malaria. God Bless!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hallo Martie
Nice pic’s of the little lamb’s. I must say I always enjoy the pic’s, I first scroll down the see what you (we) saw today.
It’s always sad to say goodbay, but it is not for ever. It’s only a couple of day because time realy fly’s. Have a fab day chat tonight. Yes becarefull for not getting Malaria. Prevention is beter than cure, it’s not nice to get sick from malaria.
regards Thea
November 19th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hi Martie, I know how you feel, but as they say “this too will pass”!! Go have a lovely day with plenty of good sightings!!! and be happy!! think of all the good times!!!!! Thanks for the pics of the baby impalas!!! Hope you see many more cheetahs!!!! Until tonight!!!! Don’t worry, be happy!!!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
OK - now focus please - what haven’t we seen yet
(just kidding). Don’t know what I’m gonna do after 01042010
We’ve all been so spoilt with your dedication to the blog. You deserve 
and more!!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Your comment is awaiting moderation. - What does that mean? Have I done something wrong?? -
November 19th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Hi martie
havent commented in along time because our enternet was down. But nice pics of the impala lamb.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Hi Martie
As I sit here and your blog I sympathies both for you and with you. I know exactly how you feel as I to have been in your shoes and am every week. But you know what is great about it is that it makes us appreciate our SO’s so so so much more and makes us cherish the time that we have with them and not take it for granted. Be strong and I hope that you have an amazing day today.
Kind regards
November 19th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Martie, GW will have you for the rest of his life! (poor buggar!- just joking!) We only have your for 133 days more! Then we are going to miss YOU! So know that you are still loved and we are not even thinking of the day you are leaving!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Hello again, not nice saying goodbye but the animals you see will make you smile again. I am only packing summer clothes so I hope that the cold spell you are having is over by the end of the month. I have got my anti-malaria medication and have to start taking it on Monday. Got a phone call from Stephen in Pretoria asking me to get more of his after shave to pass on to you. You must not use it up trying to remind you of him !!. Hope you have a good,happy day tomorrow. xxx
November 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
We are in LS in the pouring rain. Tomorrow we leave for PKop so we won’t get to meet. I am sorry about that. We are coming back to kruger in April, but I see you will be gone. When I get home I will read your blog every day again.
Stay dry!
michele
November 19th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Only logged on recently, thought Engel was your fridge for first week ! (ie didnt like long trips in hot car !)
November 19th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Ruthp@jhb : we have noticed that when we use too many smiley emoticons the comment normally goes into “awaiting moderation mode” no, u have not done anything wrong. Just use fewer emoticons or use none at all.
Martie i know u had another great day today!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Thinking of you.
Freezing our behinds off in Pretoria.
Apparently due to be 2 degrees colder tomorrow….
Been raining all day.
Hope you are soon back in good spirits - being without your SO does suck slightly!
But you will soon be back into your “single & independent mode” again.
Keep on keeping on.
And special wishes to you and to Engel as he travels back home.
God bless.
HC
November 19th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Hi Martie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you both tonight. We trust that GW will have a safe journey back to Qatar.
Tomorrow is going to be a great day for you Martie, sightings wise, to help soften the blow of GW’s leaving.
Sleep well
Chip and Joey
November 19th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Halo Martie quite sad to say goodbye but remember that every second that passes is one closer to the next meeting! Hope you had a lovely day today and will check back again later to read tonight’s post!
Have a wonderful evening!
Strongs
and greetings PL & N