Living My Dream Day 202 (CBridge Day 20)
And a very, very wet good evening to all of you again…I really wanted to be in bed already, but my laptop gave me some probs again!!! I will go throught the comments very quickly…
Before I start I must give me my true congratulations to Ron and Pam (Greenwidows friends) on their wedding day tomorrow..I wish you all the best and know that you will have some magic years ahead of you! Enjoy!!!
All those commenting on the views/hits on the blog…I thank you all for taking part in it…as said to Engel before I left….if only 1 person reads the blog…I would be greatfulll..never realized what it meant to you all and Im just so thankfull that I can and will bring Kruger to you for the next 130 odd days!!! Also to alll the new readers and those commenting, thank you for your time in reading as well…
Thanks also to “ihaveacrazymon” Megan for telling ppl on radio 5fm about my dream…really awesome and maybe someone else will come along and read about it…Those asking again….I have Canon 40d with a 100-400 lens, a 450d with a 70-200 and some other lenses…
Jo in Kruger you have to drive to see animals unless you are staying at one of the camps with a hide/lookout or waterhole..I think Shimuwini would be such a camp..you dont even have to leave your bungalow to see something! Its difficult to drive in the rain and I do find less animals when its really pouring down…all hiding somewhere in the bush..Irene I have no idea how old the cub is..but definately still very young. The blog from GW will be about his 18 days (the longest he has ever been in Kruger) with me…something like a trip report from the other side of the car! I really look fwd to hearing what he has to say! Shirley (offcourse I remember the 2 of you! Im told that the Satara webcam shows alot of rain has fallen in the area, Im sure the whole of Kruger is getting this much needed rain. Pannekoek (Pancakes), not one of my favorites, but I have made Vetkoek while in Kruger!
All others reading and commenting…thank you! Now I have lost half of my post already and really struggle with the internet ,….keep on getting a message…”Internet Explorer cannot open this page”! Engel thanks for posting the message about the problem…Saturday morning and its still pouring down…let me try and get back to yesterday!
Woke up very early and when I stepped outside I really needed fins/flippers to get out..everything was soaked and I had water all the way up my ankles! This time the water came from the little uphill behind the caravan and it all run down and stopped on my groundsheet! It was time to make a plan! Luckily I do have a little spade and started digging trenches…first in the front to get the water to run out….then on the side and lastly at the back! I was totally soaked right through and shivering from the cold! Had a shower and it was time to drive! I did not want to go far from cell signal as GW was leaving at 11am and I wanted to talk to him one last time while he was still in S.A…
as always, I pack my coolerbox with beer and ice..and as I bent down to pick up a 6pack…I jumped back and pulled a muscle where I did not know I had one!!! Right ontop of my case of beer….another Scorpion!! Luckily one of the cleaning ladies walked by and came to remove it…took it back to the fence….not sure why they like my caravan so much!!!
I had no choice of where to drive to…the S25, S28, Gomondwane loop was all closed…I only had one choice and that was the tar road up to LSabie! Its really so difficult to drive and look for animals in the rain…not a problem when its only a drizzle…but coming down in buckets you can only look infront of you as its impossible to see out the side! And also with the rain all the millipeds (shongololos) so difficult to avoid them on the road as there are millions of them!!
Standing in the rain I found these Blue Wildebeest…they are ugly in the sunshine and with the rain they are even uglier to look at!
Today I also had to park the car so that I take pics out of the passenger window..had a plastic bag over my cams, but not so easy to use and I cant let it get soaked…then you will have no pics…a little further up the road…a nice sighting of a Rhino..
And yesterday I told you about all the flowers…today was no exception…these ones are all over the place and just so nice to look at!
The rest of the drive up did not give me much more to look at..a few Zebra deep in the bush…some Impalas (no babies) and then about 12km from LSabie I found about 15 cars parked on the side of the road….wow, something to look at….I asked the one man and he told me that there was a dead elephant lying in the bush! I found a nice spot and had to work out my time as clickclick was coming for lunch and I had to be back at 12! This is the first pic..
We all sat there waiting..hoping that some predators or scavengers will come around for this big free meal! After about half an hour I think that every person in each of the cars, including me….almost wet ourselves…as all of a sudden..the “dead” elephant jumped up!!!
Amazing, I have never seen a big Elephant lying down to sleep! Not sure if they all do it or if this one was different! With that I had to make my way back to camp..
On the way I found a big herd of Buffs and this one just looked so miserable…sure he was not in the mood for posing for a pic..
and this turtle that was probably lost…or thought that the tar road was actually the river!
My visitors arrived and she brought a chicken with which I decided to cook on the fire….Got my setup done..as I do when its raining and cooked the chick in foil..made a salad and garlic rolls. Thanks A for taking the pic to show ppl how I cook in thr rain!
They left at about 3pm and the rain came down even more..so, I did not go for an afternoon drive but tried to copy my pics to the external hard drive and played a bit of scrabble with Fathima…had the leftover chic on a sandwich for dinner and as you know…tried to blog…….
Today Im supposed to be packing up as I move to LSabie tomorrow where I will be until the 17th December! As said have MIL (jaycee) visiting and the girls…and cant wait to see them all!
With that the end of today…and in the pouring rain I will drive the tar road up to LSabie and back…let see what Kruger can show us today!
Until tonight
Enjoy your day
Martie
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November 21st, 2009 at 7:36 am
Good Morning!
I’ve been waiting for you to Blog. Thanks for the blog I do enjoy it every day sometimes I can’t wait to go on the net.
Nice pic’s of the Ellie we also one’s saw an Elephant near Letaba that was laying down to sleep. When there’s a will there’s way if you want to braai, like they say “n Boer maak n plan”. The weather forecast said last night it’s still going to rain till Sunday, but the Sun is out in Pretoria. Enjoy your day, I hope it’s going to be fruitfull.
Thea
November 21st, 2009 at 7:44 am
November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 am
Hi Martie, just had a quick “catch up” and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog again. Our weekend in Pretoriuskop was magic with some good sightings. The bush itself is such a joy!! We spent a while at Lake Panic, near Skukusa and found it sheer tranquility. Where did it get that name? Not fitting I tell you!. The bird viewing there was tops. I did enjoy the coller weather, but I agree you don’t see as much in the rain!. Nevertheless it is all still fantastic. So enjoy another good weekend in Kruger. Take Care, Love, Marion
November 21st, 2009 at 7:59 am
Love the story of the dead ellie!! Good luck with packing up and moving in the rain, one of the joys of caravan life. With all the rain the park will really blossom and sprout. Enjoy!!
Billy, Somerset West
November 21st, 2009 at 8:00 am
G’Morning Martie,
Oh dear it can’t be pleasant for you in the rain but you are a goer and you will never give up bringing us your blog and pictures, thanks so much. Last night I wondered if you had been washed down the Crocodile river but glad to find your blog this morning. Thanks for the greetings to my friends - I am sure they will be tickled pink when they read your blog - possibly later today as they are probably frantically preparing for the wedding at 11am!
Once we found an elephant lying in the bush and rushed back to camp to tell the rangers only to get back and the elephant was gone! When I was in Kruger last month I came across 2 elephants lying amongst others, which were standing under trees, enjoying a shady nap! That Rhino looks shiny clean and shame the poor turtle must have been confused. Good to see a picture of you again - thanks to A - another delicious Martie Meal ! I hope the sun comes out soon, it is trying hard here in Rustenburg but a lot of cloud about still and rather chilly for R & P’s wedding.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am
Hi Martie
We just returned from 6 days in Kruger, was looking out for you, but you were no where to be found, … o ja Engel was still with you that explains all, thanks once again for pics, we had an amazing time, saw all but wild dogs, even saw a hyena snapping a new born Impala and almost swallow it in one shot - fool I could kill him for that but that is life! The rain is so welcome because at Satara, Olifants and Letaba it really looks terrible, it is frightning and being farmers we know what it is all about and what can happen if rain stays away. Enjoy your day and the packing up and moving - only a few days to go before the girls come - do you have a Christmas tree ready - Take care
November 21st, 2009 at 8:09 am
Hi Martie
We just returned from 6 days in Kruger, was looking out for you, but you were no where to be found, … o ja Engel was still with you that explains all, thanks once again for pics, we had an amazing time, saw all but wild dogs, even saw a hyena snapping a new born Impala and almost swallow it in one shot - fool I could kill him for that but that is life! The rain is so welcome because at Satara, Olifants and Letaba it really looks terrible, it is frightning and being farmers we know what it is all about and what can happen if rain stays away. Enjoy your day and the packing up and moving - only a few days to go before the girls come - do you have a Christmas tree ready - speak to you soon
November 21st, 2009 at 8:11 am
Hi Marite - Laughed my head off over the “dead” elephant coming to life! You are amazing cooking over a fire in the rain - very resourceful!
The Cape Winter has finally realised it had overstayed its welcome and we now have hot, windy weather. The wind had dropped today - so its just hot! SO has gone fishing! I am taking overseas guests to Cape Point later on.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:22 am
hallo martie
glad you also had rain because we are swimming in pretoria never seen winter in summer first for me. like the ones of the ellies but beter on a photo than to see them in real you know how i feel about then had to many close moments with them.good luck and enjoy every moment.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:14 am
Good morning Martie, thanks for the blog I read GW’s comment on you having a problem with the internet. Like the pic of the “DEAD” elephant. Try to enjoy your packing for your move to L S and have a safe drive. Regards Chrissie.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:28 am
Hi - At long last I can see who you are …. So nice to put a face to this wonderful story. Love reading your daily experiences. Had a good laugh about your ele story! So good to see all the rain, but feel sorry you have to be the sole engineer and repairman in this weather.
Hope its not so mushy at LS. I know you probably have been asked many times before … how does one identify you in the park. What car? I’ll be back in Kruger next month and would love to spot you somewhere and tell all 12 visitors I’m bringing about your expriences. Have another super spotting day today! Cant wait for more pics. (It looks so nice and green now).
November 21st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Hi Martie,
Thanks for bringing us a blog, even under the most trying of conditions.
Ellies do lie down to sleep on occasions but obviously they are a bit more vunerable like that, so guess they do not do it too often.
Good luck with the move to LS
Take care,
Regards
Elsa.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am
Good morning Martie!
hahaha the elephant story just sounds so comical! lol thanks again for the blog! Truly enjoy it!
November 21st, 2009 at 10:41 am
Good morning Martie …
Thanks for bringing us your daily sightings even though driving in the rain is unpleasant! But who knows what one might see.
The Elephant lying down was one of those moments that you don’t see to often. Have a great time at Lower Sabie and I am sure the sightings will be great.
Nice pic of you doing the braaiing in the rain and still a wonderful smile on your face!
Take care and go well
norms
November 21st, 2009 at 10:50 am
Hi Martie, Sorry this is so late, but a very short message to Thank You very much for the memorable evening in Malelane and the wonderful snacks! We are sadly out of the reserve now, trying to do field work - in the pouring rain! Hope you are not missing Engel too much! Thanks again,
Hugh, Rene & Melissa
November 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am
Hi Martie
Had a laugh at the dead ellie
Take care with your move to LS
Lorraine ……Canberra
November 21st, 2009 at 11:57 am
Good morning Martie,
I have come across bull elephants sleeping like yours around Letaba and wondered if it was something occuring in that area only. Subsequently saw one near Tshokwane also fast asleep.
Good luck with your packing and I hope you get a good camp site at LS. The rains are really needed in the park and must be so welcome. Hope the north is also getting good rains.
Mike & Joey
November 21st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Hi Martie
Ellies..asleep or not I stay away from them! Been charged once and that’s enough!! Hope all goes well with your move. I believe the baboons at LS wreak havoc in the camp, so take care.
November 21st, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Hello there, I hope that you have dried out by now. I have been trying all afternoon to download your photos, firstly only got to see the wildebeeste and the Rhino all the others would not appear. Only now did I get to see the “dead” elephant and the tortoise. Hope I get to see you cooking soon. It looks as though we will have to be on the look out for baboons at LS, I will have to get a water pistol. Hoping that you have a good move and find a suitable camping site. Sleep well xxx
November 21st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hi Engel. Wildebeest were definitely in the back of the que when good looks were handed out. The ’sleeping’ Ele also strange sight. Of course the best of all is the rhino. You bring new meaning to the expression ‘come hell or high water I WILL cook on the fire. I’m sure the chicken was great. Enjoy the oxtail tonight. My packing is going very slow but must get a move on. Luv you. xxx
November 21st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Hi Martie, so glad to hear from you again today!!! Another scorpion!! (horrors) and how’s that elephant! came to life from the dead! that’s amazing - never seen that before!!! Take care and a lot more great sightings!! I hope the weather clears up soon!!! Be safe and happy, till your next blog!!! Ciao for now!!
November 24th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Love the rain cooking set
And you had a unique experience with the sleeping ellie
November 26th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Nice pics, I thought the Ellie was sleeping, or resting, so glad it was and not dead. We have seen one lying down in the past on the way to Tshkwane.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Great info I adore many of the articles that have been written, and especially the comments posted! I’ll definately be visiting again!