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This past week has been chaotic! Slept at the old army base near Skukuza on Friday night before the marathon, and heard hyenas and lions during the night. I was in my little nylon tent, but inside a secure fence.

The marathon duty passed with no sight of animals....but some strange sights going past me at times!!!!! Came back via Croc Bridge so I could collect post, and found lots of folk protruding at various sightings......all advised to get back inside their cars immediately!

Sunday afternoon I went back to Skukuza to the HR park home on Lion Street in the staff village.....and it lived up to its name! Lions woke me early in the morning roaring very close to the fence, and later in the evening too I heard them. Hyenas were about and ellies too.

The shooting practice did not go as well as I hoped because it was so dry and dusty and my contact lenses were very uncomfortable and making my vision blurry a lot of the time. But the day of the assessment was better. I decided to just relax, and see what happened......and in the end, if I had not lost concentration and messed up one exercise I would have had the best scores on the day and sailed through my advanced level on the first go each time! As it was I did renew my Intermediate proficiency. And had the satisfaction of no bruises or shoulder stiffness after the 3 days of shooting heavy calibres - so I know I have got it right at last and will get through soon.

Now the busy weekend of gate duties.....with little or no help at the gate either. Several difficult folk, but most appreciative of what we are doing to try and smooth things.

And somehow in the middle of it all I found a replacement caravan too! Mine is showing the effects of constant use for over 3 years, especially the tent, and the one I have found should offer a little more space too. Next week I will get my car serviced and then drive through to the big city to get it. Then the fun of transferring things over and setting up all over again......

A logistical nightmare, I should think, EJ. Thanks for the update, it's much appreciated as always.
I'm glad the shooting went well

It will be a logistical nightmare indeed.....but I think I will sort it out by setting up my big tent, moving things into that, and then moving the old caravan before finally putting the new one in place and moving everything into it.

A couple of days and you should be ship-shape. Then, a pleasure to experience your new home!

have a lot of "fun"
but a new home

Gate was quiet, so back home enjoying a hot drink before going off to church.

Maybe I should auction off my old caravan.....it can tell some stories!!!!

Hi EJ. So pleased you' re back online. Shooting went well I see and you will soon pass the advanced they way you are going. I am so pleased you have found a replacement home and wish we could be there to help you with the move. As it is we are sitting in a cold and very blustery E L and you are there in paradise! Hope the move goes well and looking forward to more news from your permanent fix. God bless.

@DeleneD - pity about that luxury caravan.....it sounded so nice, and would have been great.....but I have an old Musketeer to collect now. Not so spacious, but still seems good - MM checked it out for me.

I also wish I could come up and help you, but your plan to put your stuff in the tent sounds like an excellent plan. Safe travelling to fetch the new caravan.

Just back home after being invited out to dinner! I was doing a camp check (found we had a BnD camper here!) and while I was showing someone routes on the sightings board another camper invited me to join them for a spag bog meal. It was cooked on the braai! Ellies about near the fence (even taking branches from trees in camp!) and hyena whooping now at the fence too.

How lovely, EJ! Pardon, but what is a "spag bog" meal?

Actually, it's very appetising OWN..... are you telling me you've never had a good dollop of spag bog?

Well done on the shooting EJ, fantastic news. As too is the 'new' caravan; I'm sure you will enjoy having a little more space. Good luck with the move.

Did a special drive last night.....and my nightmare scenario! I had 6 excited youngsters for a birthday treat - 4 boys and 2 girls and just 2 adults with them. The excitement was at fever pitch, the noise incredible..... But they did turn out to be good spotters, and already had a fair bush knowledge so were interested in what I told them. They asked questions and told me long involved stories (not all true of course - like the one about an impala jumping over 4 land rovers at once!).

One of the first sightings was a herd of ellies - and in the background 'one giving another a piggy-back' Took my cue from the adults and said little......We had several more ellie groups and once I had to move off because the noise was too much.....but that was enough to make them better after that. Lots of rhinos, large spotted genet, several civets (2 very good sightings indeed), duikers, waterbuck, giraffes, impalas and scrub hares, and a spotted eagle owl. The group were very pleased and really enjoyed themselves - the vehicle was full of dropped crisps, popcorn, etc afterwards though.

Today in Nelspruit getting the car serviced. Waiting now for the needs spares to be fitted and then all should be well for a quick bit of shopping and then home. I have already done my shopping on paper and so know where I am going and what I want so it should be quick.

Then tomorrow through to Krugersdorp for the night and picking up the caravan on Thursday.....