Living My Dream Day 201 (CBridge Day 19)
Good Evening to all of you again! As you can see, Im still here….did not know why…and had to ask Kruger today to show me something to justify me saying goodbye to Engel again!!! Well, Kruger answered!!! (Not fantastic pics…but still a great sighting!)
First of all I thank you all for the tears shed on our behalf…your comments and reading the blog….BTW, I got some stats today and must once again give you my greatest appreciation for your support….last month…149940 views!! Isnt that great!!! Thanks again!!
Dalene D I certainly hope that inland of East London gets some much needed rain, Im sure that Ann & Boet will be very greatfull as they so much rely on the rain on the farm. Chappie and Danie & Alma Steyn, thanks so much for your calls I really needed it..just a pity that Engel does not have the same support from all of you that I have to see me threw this time! (Engel, just know that I think about you every minute of every day…and hope you OK!) JenE thanks for the lovely poem, Im sure that GW will also keep it in his heart! Edwyn Brakkie, I hope to meet you this time around! Alan, I do realized that Im blessed…in more ways than one!!! Carolynn today we had a boerwors roll at Nkuhlu and obviously with a beer or two…must say the rolls are as good as the Buff pies!!! Pambere, sorry I read your comment too late…I had a praymantuis sitting on my beer can and shooed it away…..should have taken a pic for you….next time I will remember! Louis Dreyer you sound like GW….always reminding me that this is not a holiday…but “work”!!! As you can see Im back at “work” and hope to bring you some more sightings!! JP and others, please dont remind me of the day I will have to say goodbye to Kruger!!! Not sure what that would be like! Jenette, on Sunday I will be at LSabie..hope to find you too and hope its not too hot as you will see me in my worst “state” Lorraine, yes, Tony Park came to the rescue again…and I forgot to mention his new book “Ivory”, which I very much look forward to reading very soon! Lisa Opperman….you say GW a ‘poor buggar” I think you should symphatize with me….I think what I have to put up with such a man!!!! Give me some symphathy!! (Only joking Engel)!!!! Jaycee…think you should at least bring a jacket with you….now dont give away the secrets of the Blue Stratos that went missing!!!
And with that back to reality! As you have now seen I have a very busy period ahead of me…first MIL (Jaycee) is coming to visit from the 30Nov for 10 days or so…cant remember exactly….then the “girls” arrive on the 16th until the 27th December…in the meantime Engel must go home tomorrow and pack up house with Lorrice the “housemaid” and move on Tue/Wed next week….something I should have done, but cant as Im in Kruger!
I did not sleep well last night and was sitting outside just after 4am this morning. Did not feel like driving as the rain still came down in buckets…but, I enjoyed sitting here and sipping my tea….(just incase you wonder…I do have 2 cups of tea when I wake up….then its beer!) I had to meet clickclick at Nkuhlu at 11am and left camp at 6:30. It was really very difficult to see anything as I had to close the windows as the rain was all over the place…a Blue Wildebeest that was so caked with mud was my first sighting…took a pic…but tonight I have so many to show you that it and the beautiful flower I saw must take a back seat!
As the Impala lambs had and are arriving I stop for every herd I see…today….I got to see a very newborn baby..it was in the bush..and I tried to take pics, but no good…the mother was still licking it…jump away a bit and this poor thing could hardly stand on his feet, falling all over the way after her! Really wished she moved into the open for you to see….but not!
I continued up the tar road towards LSabie…and then as I got to the S28 junction a lot of cars parked on the side of the road….I recognised my new neighbours (Engel that is the ppl that set up camp infront of us close to the fence)….I tried to talk to them..but such unfriendly ppl…maybe only the 2nd of this kind Ive met int he camping area in any of the camps…the guy eventually rolled down his window and told me….”Leopard over there in the bush behind the rocks”!~! I really wanted to swear at him for being such a poepol (sorry no translation to English for this kind)….I scanned and scanned and then found a kill in the tree..(surely he did not see that!)…ppl were out of their cars walking up and down and oohed and aahed…what are they on about??? I did speak to the ppl out of their car…and so did many other ppl…one man even wanted to take this guy and his wife/girlfriend by the scruff of their necks and throw them out of Kruger!!! He then came next to me and told me that he was driving to LSabie to report this car…and thank you so much..but, in the next 2hrs I was sitting there no one came to investigate!!!
Then I got a glimpse of a tail…and then…this Leopard came walking down the hill….and walked right passed the spot…well far off…of where I was parked! She went to the tree and started climbing up to the “kill”
She had something to eat and then climbed down the tree again, after cleaning herself a bit…..I have just so many pics that its once again so difficult to choose what to show you..(BTW, please let me know if you have a problem downloading the page with the bigger pics) and then came walking down the sandbank again…
She continued walking up the rocks, sat down and started calling…then I knew and saw what all the oohs and aahs was about…
she had a cub…and it was just so happy to see her coming back that it jumped all over her…
it was just so thrilling to see…only 10am and I opened a beer inbetween taking these pics…
and with lovely reunion the mother made her way down the rocks/hill with the cub in tow…
and this ball of fluff was just so inquisitive…going in all the cracks and holes to investigate!!
and eventually jumping on a rock so I could get a better pic for you..
and with that it was time for me to move…already late for meeting ppl at Nkuhlu I drove at speed limit to get there….had a nice boerwors roll..as said previously and left just before 1 to return to camp….on the way lots of Buffs, a Hyena and Elephant…but I must show you the last pic for today of this Bee Eater (who posed so nicely for a pic)
Got back after 3pm with the rain coming down in buckets…as its still doing now…and had a quick snooze…tonight I did not make a fire, but bought a russian roll and chips from the take away…still as good as ever!!!
I hope you enjoyed the blog tonight…and Engel I hope you have a relaxed flight home tomorrow…really look forward to speaking to you now…and offcourse..the ppl dont know yet…your “blog” that is coming soon!!!
Until tomorrow
Sleep tite
Martie
Like
November 19th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Oh Martie what stunning pics of the leopard and her cub. Wish I could have been there to see it. Also been raining here in Rustenburg and quite chilly. Have a good sleep tonight and may tomorrow be another exciting day for you.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Gosh - I just realised I am first tonight, where are all your other followers - surely they have not gone to bed already. That is where I am heading for now as it is too cold to sit and watch TV - how I miss the sounds of the bush at night, the call of the nightjars and the beetles, etc. What is GW’s blog about - fishing ?!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Hi Leopard queen Martie,
What can we say? Stunning, stunning, stunning! The leopard cub is just so sweet, I wish I could cuddle it like my grand children!
Thanks again for the lovely photos. If it weren’t for you and the blog, we would not be able to see this little cutie and it’s mom.
Good night from a cold and rainy Gauteng
Pumba (Benoni)
November 19th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Hi Leopard lady,
Such beautiful pics of the leopard and her baby. Thanks and looking forward to GW’s blog, but where will he copy his pics from? Regards, Delene.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Martie ……Fantastic sighting of the Leopard and cub. Graet pic’s — well done!!
Loved the Bee Eater as well …
Keep warm and dry - remember Kruger needs the rain — it is still very dry in the Satara and central region.
Fondest regards,
norms
November 19th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Hi M
Good seeing you’re finding your feet again so to speak. We would love to meet Steven as it would make it easier - calling someone you have met and know - linking a face to the voice and not talking to a total stranger. Well who knows maybe we can meet at ORT airport on your way back to Dohar to see you off next year April.
We are having lovely rains up in Jo’burg the entire day and it feels like mid winter! Wearing jerseys in the middle of summer - unreal!!!
Sleep well and warm both of you - you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Greetings
DAS
November 19th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
AHHH!!! SO CUTE! Almost had me in tears! Im sure carmens thoughts were ” I want one” lol.
Goodnight.
Love you lots…
One of your babies.:)
November 19th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Wow!!! Just wonderful pics!!
Thank you soooo much for sharing them!
Gemma
November 19th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Hi Martie, am I getting mixed up with your postings or what! Posted a reply to your ‘days 199 and 200′ just now, thinking I was up to date and then read someones posting on the forum that they had just seen a beautiful leopard cub “on Martie’s blog”. Having seen baby impalas and a tortoise, but not a leopard cub, I went back to your blog and vola!!!!!!!!! What an awesome sighting. I told you that you would have a great sighting today. Well done!
Hope that you sleep better tonight Martie.
Chip
November 19th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Hi Martie,
Your luck ( with spotting animals and taking pix ) is getting better and better and your pix are great.
Enjoy them very much,greetings,Thomas,Vancouver
November 19th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
how i miss kruger,i envy you.but enjoy it.excellent lit/cub pics.nothing soothes/cleanses the body soul like the smell & sounds of the bush.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Hi Martie–That cub is just so adorable and once again we are amazed at your good fortune but fortunately we can share it with you.
Sleep well
November 19th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Hi Martie
Hi Martie
149940 views last month – fantastic! Now you know just how many of us LIVE for your blog! Engel has some catching up to do…we eagerly wait for his blog! Amazing photos of leopard.
Keep warm and dry. Hope you enjoy a good night’s sleep and great sightings tomorrow.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
What a fantastic day to take your mind off missing GW!. It gave SO and me a huge thrill to see that cute little cub. Bee-eater posed beautifully in spite of the weather!
Have visitors from England at the moment - my oldest and best friend and her daughter. Its hot and windy in Cape Town. We went to the beach and my grandchildren and her daughter swam in the freezing sea!
Have a great day tomorrow - can it get any better???
November 19th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hi Martie
Love your pics especially the leopard.
Elaine & I left Kruger last Saturday after two glorious weeks in that part of heaven.
We saw 4 of the 5 but - no logs or lits. We think you must have cornered the market.
Keep up the great blog and pics. They keep Kruger in touch with those of us not fortunate enough to be there.
ATB Alan & Elaine
November 19th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Hi Martie, what a super day you had, leopards are great and the cub is so cute!!! Love the pic of bee-eater the colours are lovely. I certainly hope you get to meet my niece Jenette at LSabie, she is so looking forward to meeting you. Still very cold and wet in jburg. Keep warm and have another good day tomorrow. Regards Chrissie.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Yes, Leopard-Queen is really the perfect name for you Martie!!
How many leopards have you seen now!! Thats really great and thank you so much for sharing that all with us!! I really enjoy reading your blog and watch your pics!!
Have a great day tomorrow!! I am looking forward to your pics!
Karin
November 19th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Hi Engel. It feels strange to reply again after a hiatis of 18 days! Anyway , Your Leopard pics are stunning. Just look at the eyes… Got a 5am wake up for my departure 2moro… Gnite Love you so much!!!!! xxx
Engel. Pretoria/Joburg/DOHA.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
OK Leopard Lady, I am coming as soon as I can to meet you!! who knows we may even go for a drive together!!! (together with Hansa) our mutual friend!!! Thanks Martie for the fabulous pics of the leopard and her cub!!!! they are truly beautiful!!!!! The weather is a little bit crazy, even here in Gauteng, it’s like winter!!!!!
Martie have a good nights sleep and have a wonderful day tomorrow!!!!! Thinking of you always!!!!!! Lots of Love!!!
November 20th, 2009 at 12:10 am
What can I add? That was quite a present that present Kruger gave you today Martie! That bee eater is lovely too - stunning colours.
Hope you are feeling a little bit better today knowing that you have the support of so many people. I am sure we are all thinking of your Engel too and know that without his support, you wouldn’t be able to bring us your blog, so thanks Stephen too.
November 20th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Hi MG - what a sighting! That cub shot is just brilliant. Don’t forget tomorrow - 21 Nov 09 is the Stiffneck 1st birthday - so make sure you make a bird list for the day and clink a glass/can with someone to mark this special day.
Team rusky plan to get up pretty early in the morning to do an hours birding and try to get to a few spots during the day in-between all the other Saturday chores……if the Baas is in a good mood that is
November 20th, 2009 at 1:50 am
hi martie, wow,wow ,wow stunning sighting and great [ics thanks for sharing
and nearly150,000 hits not bad going at all keep up the great work mant thanks stu & toni
November 20th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Hi Martie-
Thanks for bringing that wonderful leopard sighting to us. That little cub pic is a winner!
May your luck continue!
November 20th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Hello Martie! Absolutely great pics of that Leopard and her cub. Especially the last close-up pic of the cub! You just made my day once again. Do you ever realize how much joy you bring to all us readers? Thank you for sharing all your experiences with us. Hope you have a great day once again. So nice to see it’s still raining at Kruger. Enjoy it!
November 20th, 2009 at 6:45 am
What awesome pics!
That must make up for the sadness of saying goodbye to GW! That guy who reported that vehicle should send a pic to one of our local travel magazines, they also have the “poepol” of the month! But not in such words!
I think there is more rain on its way, its just so wonderful to watch the webcams and see the rain in the Kruger. It is freezing cold here in Pretoria today! They say the weather will clear on Sunday, I dont mind, I have the day off! So I will be webcam watching and catching up on emails! Have a fab weekend!
November 20th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Good Morning Martie,
Thank you for the Leopard family…my my Kruger and Nature herself have a special way of showing there appreciation for you and the Blog…once again thank you and dont forget the photos of the “gogos”
Best Regards,
Pambere
Kagiso SA
November 20th, 2009 at 7:13 am
AAaahhhh Man! That leopard cub is just too adorable!! Well done Martie and Thank You for the stunning pictures! Now what an excellent gift from Kruger for compensation of GW leaving!
We will be staying at LSabie as well so should definitely be able to find you. Looks like the forecasts have changed for this weekend and they predict rain!
See you soon!
Cheers
Jenette
November 20th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Hallo Martie
There is nothing left to say. The pic’s are just so good it feels like if I’m there my self. If money was’t the problem I would pack the caravan and drive thoug to Kruger, it’s only 3 hours drive from Pretoria. Lucky for us there is a Martie that keeps us updated on what’s happining in the park. Keep up with the good word from your side please and thank you. You make us feel so at home.
The wheater report say it will cleare up by Saturday.
Regards Thea (PTA)
November 20th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hi martie, WOW…. yes I think the name “The Leopard Queen” is is just perfect for you. How fortunate, wish we were so lucky when we were up there. Fantastic pics. From the webcam this morning it look like it is pouring at Satara, which is great news, they need it badly. Take care. Bev
November 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Hi Martie,
This is my first time to comment, although I followed your “Dream” for some time!! Wonderful Pic’s you are so blessed with your sightings!!!!! The impala babies is also my favourite I will be in the Park from 12 to 18 December at Pretoruiskop can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards and enjoy!!!!
Driaan
November 20th, 2009 at 7:48 am
You must please send me the recipe that you put on the slug that attract all the lt, we are during december there and would like to use it aswel.
Thank You
November 20th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Hi M
Ah that cub pics are just too adorable. I wish i was there to see it with you.
Take Care
Ayesha
November 20th, 2009 at 8:06 am
November 20th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Hi Martie
The leopard pics are superb
Hope you enjoy your weekend
Take care
Lorraine…Canberra
November 20th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hi Martie
Just heard one of your girls “bragging” about you on 5FM. Your family are all so proud of you, as are we all. Thanks, once again, for all the wonderful pics. They just get better and better.
Colleen
November 20th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Hi Martie,
These pictures are AMAZING!!
Please tell me what camera do you have? Canon, what model?
Thanks, Odette
November 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Hi Martie.
Thanks for a lovely blog. My wife and I have been following the daily postings and I am longing to go back to Kruger again. Your pics of the LIT are amazing. My daughter which is very passionate about wild life, and has just completed her fifth year at OP will be visiting Kruger at the end of Nov. and will be meeting some of the Vets at Skukuza. I am green with envy and my daughter is hoping that she will cross paths with you while in Kruger. Keep the photos rolling and enjoy each day in Kruger.
Pete & Jeanine (P.E)
November 20th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Martie, that leopard cub was a special sight. Thanks for sharing with us.
What is the best thing to do in Kruger when it is raining and you still want to see animals? and do you find that there are less animals around when it is raining?
My sister and her SO are in Kruger and will be at Croc Bridge on Sun evening, will you still be there?
November 20th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Hi Martie
Oh wow what amazing pictures. Im so glad that you are still there …or else who else would show us such amazing photos. We here in JHB know how you feel it is raining and really cold here to. But I would rather be in the cold rain there then here. Have a great day.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Hi Martie,
So glad the little cub was there to help you through the day!!!! Amazing pics and we all ooh and aaah when we saw the pics!!!
So and I had just decided to make a quick trip to Kruger next weekend and luckily got reservations at Sable for thursday evening and at Satara for friday and saturday evening. Can’t wait!!!!!!
Enjoy the weekend!!!
Gretha
(from a very, very wet Potgietersrus)
November 20th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Hi Martie
I hope the officials sorted those ……….(what you called them ha ha) out. Well Kruger did deliver as only it can what awesome pics am sure the mommy and baby were sent just to make you feel better and when Megan says she is sure Carmen said “I want one” make me think of my daughter that is exactly what she will say when I show her the pics tonight. We are all so lucky to have you willing to share with us.
Take Care
November 20th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Hi, Martie,
magnificent pictures, THANK YOU!
Greetings from Germany
November 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
wow, what an amazing sighting!
and great pictures. Hopefully one day those people realise that being unfriendly never gets you anywhere
November 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Wow ! What a special sighting and fab pics. How old do you think the cub is? It looks really young - maybe a month or two. So cute! You truly are the “leopard lady”. Enjoy the cooler weather sure it wont last.
Fantastic interest in your blog - nearly 150 000 hits in one month!!!! Safe travelling to GW …. tell us more about his blog???
November 20th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Hi Martie,
The pics are wonderful again ! i cant get enough of them
kind regards,
Barbet
November 20th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Absolutely stunning pictures! You are incredibly fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Awsum pics of the leopards… I like the last 1 best Nice blog.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hi Martie!
must say a stunning sighting and how lucky are you to experience such intimate interactions of the animal world! Stephen is too blog! Cool! 
The leopard pics are just too CUTE to be true!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Halo Tani!
Leopard pics sooooo cute! Sorry that oom Steven had to leave, but enjoy the time with Megan and Carmen.
Lekker aand!
Bekka(OR Tambo)
November 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Mal oor klein luiperdjie! Jaloers op julle.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hi Martie
Gad to see you still enoying everyday, we met in Aug in Skukuza the bushbaby fotots, we always visit the park in August but from now on we will go in November I also want to see all the babies pls keep up the babie fotos. Is it also so cold up there and do you think that Olifants and surrounding area got some rail my friends just came back and told us how dry it is up there. Enjoy your time and now its time for you to make pannekoek and vetkoek. Ore even melkkos. When last have you had any of those.
Lots of goodluck i dont miss one evening of your blog
Albert and Shirley
November 20th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
How blessed you are to get such magnificent photos, your patience is always rewarded with such special shots. Reading the comments about the weather, I have had to re-organise my whole packing strategy and include some cold weather clothes. Wehave had some very welcome rain and the tanks on the farm are all overflowing, but the dams could do with a lot more. Ann is doing very well, walking strongly with the crutches, her hip replacement has been a complete success. Hoping that you continue to have such amazing luck with your sitings - good night and sleep tight xxx
November 20th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Hi again Martie,
Just to warn you they are predicting heavy falls of rain your way Saturday and Sunday - so please be careful. I know you don’t hear the news so I thought to warn you, but you know weather forecasts are a hit and miss affair anyway, so we wish you a nice day with plenty to see. Regards, Delene
November 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hi everybody, Martie has been trying to blog for few hours now but cannot get internet connection. She will try again in the morning. Hope you all understand.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Thanks Grasswidower, the weather is kind of crazy in Gauteng and Mpumulanga!!!! But I must say I miss her comments and pics, she is so interesting and i’m sure just a beautiful person!!! I’m going to make some sort of plan to meet her!!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Hi Queen of LIT…Wow what stunning pics
Just think…not long then you and GW will be together again! Just look how the time flew these few month!!
Hot here in Cape Town
November 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Oh my, I have tears in my eyes and goosebumps, what awesome pics. Just gorgeous and so special