Living My Dream Day 246 (Satara Day 3)
A nice good evening to you all again..I think that today I should call this blog the one of “hundreds and thousands”, you know like the little things you sprinkle on your birthday cake..and a few odd cherries inbetween!
I thank you all again for the comments and obviously for reading the blog. Quickie, I have had some great sightings on the road between S100 and Gudzani dam before, cant really recall the numbers now, and sitting in darkness here too scared to switch on the light! I also thank Nedret for sorting out the problem with the pics so quickly..really appreciate you taking your holiday time to help me out here! Those who did not see the pics last night, I uploaded them to yesterday!
I will get on quickly with this blog as Im sitting outside and eventually got going with the pics…..you will see later on what happened!
I woke up at 5am and it was still very overcast..once again did not set my alarm as its Sunday, day visitors, ppl still on holiday etc….I rather wait, enjoy the view from the fence and then leave when Im ready. While sipping my tea I decided to check the blog..and can you believe Nedret had sorted out the prob with the pics! So, I started uplaoding and inserting the pics into the blog of yesterday. I only left camp at 7am!
I know that ppl told me that the Orpen to Satara road is “hot” at the moment, but as I will be spending 2 weeks at Maroela after Satara and wont have many roads to travel, I decided to take the tar road up towards Olifants, then turn off on the Timbavati road pass Roodewal and the hide! I love the area around Satara as you have so many open plains and the animal sightings are very clear and you can see far off into the distance. At the gate a few Buffs, Zebra and Blue Wildebeest..then I stopped for these 2 Elephants in the distance.
The plains around here are almost “littered” with White Storks and dont forget the Zebra and Blue Wildebeest…really so nice to see hundreds of them just having a good time…
Not much further on apart from a few Kori Bustards in the bush and far away…I stopped at Ngotso Dam and was very sad to see it empty! Not a drop of water! Took the road to Timbavati and stopped at Piet Grobelaar dam..its almost overflowing! Really nice to see water is around for the animals.
A quick stop at Ratelpan hide and I got these Spur Winged Geese…
Also the Quelas are around and you see thousands of them just landing and taking off….
I actually wanted to stop at Timbavati Picnic spot to see how wheelchair friendly it was…but forgot! Got back on the S40 to return to camp. Not long after and not many sightings of “special” things this lion popped out of the grass!
She then got up to walk away..and next to her another head popped up….3 females it seemed all by themselves..Im sure some males were around, but I did not see them!
I returned to camp at 1pm…quickly sorted out my wildcard renewal and then back to camp…played a bit of scrabble with Fathima and it was time to lie down and read my book…
I have not had vegs for a few days and only have butternut, potatoes and onion left over, so I took out some chops and tonight making a “pampoen bredie” pumpkin (well butternut stew) its basically lamb, onions and pumpkin) have not eaten it yet, but will do so soon.
I did not go for a pm drive…started the fire as I knew it would take a while to cook my food, but started the fire with the bad wood…at least I still had half a bag of charcoal…then Boesman and SO came around..Im parked on the same spot they were at in August! Nice seeing you again, and glad you had good sightings…then as the fire was hot I had more visitors Diane and Bruce who reads and comments also came around…Dianne, so glad I could bring a bit of sunshine and hope into your life after the strokes….glad you read the blog and hopefully I will bring you all more great sightings and make someones day as I go along! They left and I just started the pot when Glen came around with is daughter, so sorry I mistook you for someone else….still nice to have met you all.
My food eventually got onto the fire..and then the Bugs arrived…Millions of little beatles that tormented us all here at camp..they were in my hair, my eyes, my ears and I had to shut down the computer before they carried that away! My neighbours Russel, who reads the blog…and wife had the same prob…at first I thougth it was raining, but soon found out we had a serious problem tonight! At least I made food in a pot and they could not get in as long as it was closed…not sure how many got in while I checked it and added my butternut!
Now I had a nice call from Engel and have to call an end to this blog….still need to eat…and the bugs are still flying around…will have a nice meal inside the caravan…and hopefull will get rid of the bugs on me!
Until tomorrow
Sleep tite
Martie
PS…Engel ..luv u too!!!! Only about 87 days till I see you again!!!
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January 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Good Evening Martie,
So glad the goggas did not carry you away! Lovely pics of the lions and the zebras, also love all bird pics. Hope you got to enjoy your meal and did not have bugs in it.
Lekker slaap and happy sightings tomorrow.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Hi Martie
I forgot to mention, we saw a Honey Badger in camp (Satara) last night 19H35. He was crossing the road by bungalow 37. I know they were on your list at some time. If they still are I am sure he is around every night. Maybe a late night walk and you could find him.
Cheers. Glen, Debbie & girls.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Hi Martie, not a bad day in paradise, lovely pics once again, certainly was a mixed day and it all adds to the excitement of being in kruger, never know what is around the corner. Hope you have another one tomorrow. Regards Chrissie.
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Hi Martie
Glad the bugs didn’t carry you away!! Still enjoying the blog and pictures very much. Thank you for a nice holiday in the Kruger through your blogs. Am in Kruger with my sister-in-law, Roxie and daughter Lizelle during the March/April Holidays, can’t wait!!
Last year me, Vallie and Christa went for our annual weekend to Tambotie Tent Camp (close to Maroela) and was stopped and warned about the leopard in Camp. The whole night everybody had to stay in the tents and drove to the toilets. The next morning they told us that they shot the leopard. Very sad but understood they had to.
Good night and have a nice drive with nice sightings tomorrow.
PS It seems to me your Engel is also ” die sout van die aarde!!” just like mine.
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
hello to the bush…hello Martie!
I’m so addicted to your news! Instead of watching TV or reading more about L. Salander, i prefere getting all your news! I love your personal comments f.e. about the snakes..! we have to love all creatures in KNP, but this did not help me, when i had a snake close to my feet at Shingwedzi Camp. As we both know the rules, no screaming allowed! I have survived, and we have booked our next stay at KNP in September.
i hope, your nice meal was not overspiced by little beatles!?
Thank you and keep on living your dream..87 days are still like a century in KNP ( for the Extra Krugers living in Switzerland)
Have e wonderful time!!!
Madeleine (
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Hi Engel. I really liked the Zebra and Wildebeest photo. Also, the first Lion pic … She has a most comical expression on her face. Dont worry about the Goggas in your stew… Its all protein.. Enjoy the crunchy bits. Im off to Tehran tomorrow Luv you XXX
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Martie
Thought I would try to be first but looks like the people can’t wait for your Blog. We have been in that part of the park June last year – bring back old memories.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:14 am
Hi Martie
Love the zebra pic
Hope the bugs don’t stay around for too long
Lorraine…Canberra
January 4th, 2010 at 1:26 am
hi martie,
hope you continue to have many great sightings.
all the best for 2010 stu & toni
1st reply for a few days been busy happy new year to you and all the blog readers.pleased you managed to get a good site at satara
January 4th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Hi Mg – Kruger is looking so green! Now that you are in Satara the familiar names (to me) are all popping up again. Have a great week.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:06 am
Hi Martie
I love the lion photo – its almost as if she is saying “hello – what are you doing here?”
Have an awesome day.
January 4th, 2010 at 8:39 am
hi Martie!!
First of all happy new year to you and your family!! Hope that 2010 will be a great year for you!!
I am back at work
after spending a great holiday in Kruger! Had to catch up on the blog as we struggled to get internet connection in kruger! I must say, it still seems that you have lady luck on your side with all the sightings!! 
i wanted to kick myself when we where at Skuza the 20th (the night of the big storm) as I almost walked into you at the bathroom and only realized it to late and when looking out you had already vanished into the night!
I really wanted to meet you but unfortunately it was not to be!
Also Roger @ Tsendze told me that we missed you there as you were there the day just before we arrived.
I hope that you enjoy the rest of your dream and maybe if all goes well we will be in Kruger again before you leave!
Keep up the amazing pics and blog!!
Regards
Ilse
January 4th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Great pics as always. Thanks for sending the pic of Pieter.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Just love the expression on the lions face. Wish they just “popped up” like that when we visit Kruger.
Do you know why the waterhole, where the webcam at Satara is situated, is so dry?
January 4th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Dear Martie, Love the picture of the single lion – looks very adorable and cuddly!
January 4th, 2010 at 11:12 am
hallo Martie
Wat ‘n voorreg het jy om vir ‘n jaar in die Kruger te “toer”. Het gisteraand oor jou gelees in een of ander tydskrif en moes net vanoggend gaan kyk wat jy skryf. Ons was laasjaar daar toe Alexander (die olifant) dood is daar by die Maroela kamp en het gesien toe sy een tand die oggend deur die wildbewaarders verwyder is. Het ook fotos daarvan geneem. Ons is van Kimberley en gaan feitlik elke jaar (verskillende tye). Ons is weer geboek vanaf die 9de Mei 2010 en kan ek nie meer wag nie!! Geniet jou tyd!!
January 4th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Great pics as always.
I see waterhole at Satara webcam is empty. Any chance that in between your busy day you could mention it to whoever looks after it at Satara?
Still pea green with envy at what you are doing.
Have fun
Debbie
January 4th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Hi Martie
You are in the right place at the right time for those of us addicted to the Webcam – The Satara WH is empty and we cannot find out any info.
Could you ask what is happening there – PLEASE
If you can’t – it does not matter.. Thanks
January 4th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Hi Martie
Went on the webcam, I see you are having some rain. you should try pegs again the ground will be much softer. Enjoy your camping and the Kruger.
regards
Thea
January 4th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Liewe Martie
Hoe gelukkig is jy net nie ek het ook van jou droom in die Vrouekeur gelees en was gehoek om uit te vind wat jy als beleef het. Dit klink ongelooflik, ek sal wat wil gee om selfs net vir ‘n maand in die Kruger te kan wees, het as jong meisie saam vriendin en ha ouers een vakansie Kruger besoek…. ek is vreeslik lief vir die natuur. Ek kan my net indink hoe jy dit moet geniet…. die stilte, die natuurskoon, elke sonsopkoms en ondergang, die geluide wat jy hoor…. Dit moet absoluut fantasties wees, en al die mense met wie jy al vriende gemaak het en wat jou hulp aanbied. Het jy nou al gedink dat jy jou droom sou beleef en so baie vriende en kennisse ontmoet….. Ek dink jy is een van die mees bevoorregste mense.
As ek mag vra jy het gepraat van jou boek wat jy lees deur Tony Parks…. oor Poaching, sal ek dit by enige boekwinkel kan kry… en kan jy dalk nog sulke boeke voorstel miskien van ‘n skrywer wat ook sy droom beleef het en ‘n boek geskryf het. Ek sal dit so baie waardeer.
Ek hoop jou oorblywende tyd in die Kruger is meer as wat jy gedink het dit sal wees, mag jy nog ongelooflike sightings beleef.
Jy weet jy se elke aand dankie aan ons lesers vir ons comments op jou blog….maar ek wil graag vir jou dankie se dat jy jou droom met almal van ons deel.
Jou foto’s is baie mooi en laat my voel asof ek ook daar was.
Nogmaals baie dankie Martie….sal beslis op jou blog volg
Ramona
January 4th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Hallo Martie. I have read your article in “Vrouekeur”. It was a very good one! Thanks for sharing your life with us. We have met you in Skukuza! Now it was wonderful to learn something more about this person whose “blog” we cannot wait to read. Your photo’s and the way you describe events – it feels as if we are with you! Thanks for that. It is wonderful to see how wet and how green it is. We were there in October when it was very very very dry!
January 4th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
YOU HAVE TO PUBLISH A BOOK WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH YOUR DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PPPPPLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEE
January 4th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Hey Martie, I agree with Monika, it would be great to read your adventure again and with some of your pictures too …..may be someone out there can help you pull it together and publish it? Even with small donation towards the poaching in KNP – you would sell loads and for such a good cause and of course so many more people could enjoy what you have given us. Thank you again, Sue and Ellie MK, England
January 4th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Hello again, I have spent the whole day catching up on all the blogs that I missed since 18th December. What exciting times you had with Megan and Carmen, all the Cheetahs, the Leopard kill and the many Lions. Where were all those animals when I rode down those roads with you ? It is great that the girls hadn such amazing sights when they were with you, it must have made your time together extra special and you must have loved having them with you for Christmas. I did send Carmen a message for her birthday and hope that her cell number has not changed. Also – I missed the comments regarding VVSG’s birthday – many happy returns Neels, and may you and Mari have a happy and successful 2010. I am going to split my comment tonight, just incase my service provider decides to wipe it off like last night. to be continued…….xxx
January 4th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Hi Martie
Lovely lion and zebra photos. Kruger is so lush!
Hope the goggas are not so plentiful tonight!
January 4th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
First half not cancelled so I will continue. While catching up on the blogs that I missed, I notice that since Stephen’s census after day 227 quite a few new readers have commented but unfortunately have not your mentioned their whereabouts. Perhaps they will do so at a later stage. Now that you have a little less than three months to complete your “dream time” and are re-tracing your journey to the North, I wish you many exciting sights, more splendid photographs, and friendly encounters with fellow travellers. You have proved that you could do what you set out to do -to manage alone in KNP, as one with nature and to share your experiences with us on the blog. I know that it has’nt all been a bed of roses, you have had to overcome quite a few snags and disappointments along the way and had to deal with some unpleasant criticism on occasion, but you have persevered and I salute you ! You have on numerous occasions gone out of your way to answer readers queries about the facilities in the camps and the condition of the veld, the rivers and waterholes. On the plus side, you have made so many very good friends who have often given you a hand when necessary and the hundreds of people from all over the world who are interested in what you are doing and give you so much support on the blog. I will end off with a request – Eat regularly and try to get enough sleep ! ! ! xxx
January 4th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Hi Martie,
Glad you are nicely settled at Satara. It is one of my favourites because there are always animals around the camp, and in the vicinity. My late husband used to call it “Sahara” because it is so dry and dusty in the camp ground. But it is one of the best camping grounds if you manage to get a place next to the fence – you can actually watch the game sitting in your tent. There are also many roads that can be explored all around, and as there are open spaces more animals can be seen. The birding in the camp is also good. I am still enjoying your blog every day – keep it up, and enjoy the last few months. Your pics are beautiful as normal.
Jean.