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I cannot believe that it has been almost three years since I wrote my trip report, "A stolen weekend and a one night stand". Well it was almost a trip report... the one night stand bit remained silent.

It is time for the silence to end... it is time to open up and be honest about my one night stand.

The reason for my trip, so many years ago, was to take my youngest off to Grahamstown.

She was filled with excitement at the prospect of starting a new chapter in her life. We spent our first two/last two nights at Addo before leaving her to start a new life and adventure...





My daughter is very organised.. she uses tent pegs.



We loved Addo and after saying "good bye" I looked ahead to the "one night stand".

My stolen weekend day was spent getting my daughter registered at Rhodes. It was a shock to see how many elderly parents were waiting with young, eager students to register. It was only when I heard my name called by one of these old people that I realized that these were my contemporaries.

Nothing like a Sunday nap to pass the time.



My daughter's new home.



I left my daughter to settle in, start meeting her res mates and I returned to Addo.

I really enjoyed the softness of Addo. It was different.

I left my daughter to settle into her new environment and returned to Addo for my last night.

It was disconcerting to think of her all on her own in a strange and new place.

I liked Addo, it was different. It seemed very respectful of little things.






and honored the big things.






I kept thinking of the last to leave the safety, or relative safety of home. How was she feeling? Was she fitting in? Was she making friends?




I hoped and that she would never have to run in fear.

Waiting patiently for a page turn.

For the rhodents out there. This was a picture taken from my daughter's first room.



I should also have taken a picture of the rat and parrot. One look at it and I knew that there would be a lot of animal studies going on there.

I made up my mind to return to Addo one day when I had more time. My short stay and limited experience would be like going to Skuks and saying that you had seen Kruger.

I was in a fairly melancholic mood thinking of the impermanence of all things. No matter how much we try to pretend to be big and strong, (taken on the way to Addo)



we always have to face our vulnerability in the end.



Above all, Addo for me was about elephants, beautiful, strong, powerful



but also sensitive, loyal and caring.



I could not help but thinking of the destructive power of humankind and how we had nearly exterminated these most delightful and spiritual of creatures. Like the dolphins they seen to symbolize something so deep and creative.

I found the camp very friendly and well service. My only moment was when I realised that they did not have a Kruger system of heated gas urns. I had to learn to like luke warm coffee in a great hurry.



Even the birds seemed domesticated in the camp. This was from our neighbor's left overs that had been smartly pushed to the ground.



It seemed to me that Addo was filled with surprises around every corner. Although I know it is an illusion, the environment seemed less harsh. I loved the warties everywhere.



This one seemed to be piously saying, "let us pray"

I enjoyed some of different sightings, animals not found in Kruger.





but all good things must come to an end.

The shadows were getting longer and I needed to return to camp. It seemed fitting to leave the famous Harpoor water hole/dam with an ellie slowly ambling away. I thought of the original Harpoor, a bad tempered soul who probably formed the gene pool of most of the current generation.

He never lost his distrust and hatred of mankind and who can blame him? Like Kruger, Addo is a miracle of regeneration.



So this was it, time to move on. I was not used to the Cape's late sunset and for a while wondered if my I had it all wrong. But the sun was setting and it was with a heavy heart that I returned to camp.

I took a very slow drive back to the camp.



It was important to get at least one Addo sunset. What is life without a sunset?



Oh dear, this is when I realised that I had at some point had a MM moment.

Possibly here



or here?



I must have inadvertently knocked one of those mystery buttons on my camera and it was not taking one photo at a time.. it was taking a sequence. My memory card was full and wouldn't listen to me

I spent the next while deleting pictures... lots and lots of pictures... for every button press, 5 pictures had been taken.

Oh dear MM what a clot.

Finally, it was finished.

I took a picture of the full moon and went to bed.

I woke up early the next morning. My plan was to return via Grahamstown to my last stop, Mount Zebra National Park.

I was keen to see how my daughter had settled in and then camp over for a night in unexplored territory before continuing home.

I was up early, packed my bags and tent and decided to take a quick drive before leaving for brunch with Sarabi.

My first sighting was a kudu:



only.... when I pressed my camera button.... all that came out was














































I couldn't believe it

Was my camera broken?

I looked carefully.. it took a few moments to realise what had happened. After deleting all the extra pictures...I had forgotten to switch my camera off.

My battery was dead, as dead as anything can be... and to top it all, I did not have my charger with me.



Remember, this was taking my girl daughter to her first year away from home. After loading the car



camera battery chargers was the last thing on my mind.

I felt my heart sink. I was on my way to a place renowned for its beauty... and I would not have a working camera.

How could I have been so blind?

Philip ah yes, another moment in the life of a mouse.

Grantmissy at least this time I remembered my toothbrush.

Barryels I left to a wonderful full moon.

Melph

this one's for you

Philip what about a bigger version? It even comes with a collar.

I have to rely on my 3G to connect. This is about the forth posting attempt I hope that I finish this report before it finishes me.

After a quick brunch at the local Spur, I said my "good byes" and left for Mount Zebra.

I had no expectations of Mount Zebra. When I booked for the night, it was just about breaking my journey in a place not yet explored.

I cannot describe my first impression of Mount Zebra after driving through the gate, other than to say I understood the meaning of soul country. There was something that resonated with a depth and groundedness that went beyond words. There was a silence, but it was not the silence of empty sound, it was the silence of soul, the voice of the mystics.. eternal, ageless.



I could understand that a place such as this could give birth to the creative soul of Olive Schriener. Her book, "The story of an African Farm" would have been inspired by this landscape. Her creativity would have drunk in the essence of the earth.



I have posted a couple of pictures of my most recent trip.

This did not help my melancholic mood at not having a camera.

Grantmissy, I have been inspired to find out more about Olive Schriener.. a tragic figure and a woman well before her times.

Hi there Normana pleased to see you back

Barryels, I am waiting for your Mount Zebra trip report

Melph, you know whare your next visit must be.. after the Germans have stolen you away there is a meal waiting for you though

Now back to my one night stand..

the plan was

to stop over and camp... leave at midday.. and get to my next destination in good light.

The booking in procedure was impeccable. I do think that this must be one of the friendiest parks at any level. After another trip, my opinion has not changed.

It was shortly after this that things took a remarkable turn. I started a learning curve of note.

I fierce wind had started to blow. Remember, this is MM and her tent. Her tent is not known as "Trusted Beauty".

MM's tent at Punda on a day that was not windy.



Trusted Beauty in action with MM's camera and charged batteries.



MM's camping lessons:

Lesson one:

Windbreaks matter

When driving into a camp and there is a very notable wind beak.. it is not a decoration. It was not planted, erected... placed right there to improve the scenery. It has a purpose.

Choosing a spot on the perimeter.. because it is pretty, is not the wisest action to take.

Lesson two:

Never trust the wind



more lessons on the way