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Don't really mind which I do......one gives me a meal too, the other gives me a longer drive.....

Quiet drive but good sightings.....Impalas and scrub hares of course, bushbabies, spotted eagle owl, buffalo, ellie, rhinos, hippos, and the lioness I saw last night close to the same place.

Got back to camp and saw gate was open......and then saw an ellie in camp under the marula to the left of the gate (other side from my caravan). Let section ranger know and then drove vehicle round to chase it.......and after a bit of threatening behaviour he left via the gate and I followed to close it. Then I saw the chain had been broken!!!! Managed to lock it anyway, watched by ellie...... Then tried throwing marulas out again to stop him coming back in.....and he tried a couple of threatening charges. Eventually positioned the vehicle with lights on to him and continued throwing out marulas. He left!!!!! I won!!!!!

But I had to give up in the end as the bending and stretching was beginning to make me feel dizzy....it was hot and sticky work too. Hopefully he will not be back. The fence is damaged again near the tree too. Guess the gate chain proved much weaker than the fence! Also let Stephen know.....

you made a good training for.... cricket

you deserve a good night EJ

After all that exercise, you deserve a good nights' sleep EJ, You still have the best job on the planet

You are very brave! I dont know if I could face a charging ellie out of choice

Well done EJ!!

EJ

Only you can do it Ecojunkie!

You have had another lovely drive though! Great sightings and you found the Lioness again!

Will get a new padlock and keys for all tomorrow as I have to go to Nelspruit for an eye appointment (post surgery). The fence has been repaired again, and the chain on the gate - might get a short length of stronger chain too.

Have you many folk in camp at the moment EJ???

Last night 2 camp-sites and 3 bungalows occupied. I did warn the second lot of campers to arrive that they should not camp near the gate or any marula tree!

Good forethought, EJ.

More ellie trouble last night. I tried to listen for them, but did not actually hear them break in because of the fan going in the caravan. Heard staff talking though.....and eventually went out to find they had chased the ellies out twice already and were cross and upset. Called Stiephen and section ranger......and eventually had a bakkie with rangers turn up, but the ellies had gone away by then. They secured the gate with wire, and went. I hoped ellies would understand that they could not get in gate and so should not try the fence route again.......

But a little later it started to rain and we had a thunder storm. Not sure what happened ellie-wise!!!!!

Wet and overcast here this morning......