Wayne's last Days

Monday was up to the usual weekly routine of chill time under the trees before starting the week. Diane and Wayne went into Alberton while I did some office work. They were back late afternoon just in time for Donovan to pop in for a visit with Wayne. Tuesday Wayne started organizing himself ready for his journey home. I cleared his washing for him and he started to pack before him and Donovan went out, saying cheers to various friends and having a braai together. We got a Steers lunch so he could have a good take away for the last time. Diane and I spent the evening in front of the TV and having our Milo before I made and organized some picnic food for our trip to the Lion and Rhino Park. Hubby was at a committee meeting for the car club and only got back after midnight. We had another violent storm which went on for hours during the night – the rain was widespread and many areas of the country were badly affected with flooding.
Wednesday morning we were up fairly early and after organizing the dogs and gardener left for the Game Park arriving late morning as the traffic was still quite hectic. At the gate we got tickets for the Wonder Cave for Wayne and Diane (Hubby and I had been down several times already). Once through the gate we followed the signs for the cave stopping along the way for pics. There was a large male Sable on the side of the kopjie with a female and her baby in the gully at the bottom. The baby was too cute peering up at us with his mom. We saw some springbok and zebra as well before reaching the cave where there were bus loads of people waiting to go down. It was still a half hour before the next tour down the cave so we decided to go through the park and come back later in the hope it would be quieter then. As we drove away we came across a large tortoise on the side of the road munching on the grass growing there. He took no notice of us and carried on with his meal. There were wildebees and buffalo herds grazing to the side of us. They must all be enjoying the lush vegetation after all the rain we have had. Further up we spotted two rhino walking along and Diane got a couple of good pics before they disappeared into the bushes. We reached the wild dog and cheetah enclosures and went inside. We only saw the wild dogs from a distance but were able to get good pics of the cheetahs. Next was the lion enclosure where we arrived in time to wait for the daily feeding time. While waiting we had our picnic and something to drink. The rangers went around the area hooting continuously to let the lions know it’s time to come feed before driving into the feeding area in front of us. Diane glanced behind us and was delighted to see a lioness walking past the car. She was joined by two lions coming down from the other side. The bakkie with the food came past us and dropped the carcass off for them in the middle of the feeding spot. Another group of two lionesses and a lion joined the first group. It was amazing to see them close up like that. They sniffed around the carcass but obviously weren’t too hungry as they all circled around before flopping down around it. We left as we were happy with all the pics we had and went down to the crèche area. On the way we passed a salt lick where a pair of warthog were wallowing in the mud with a group of zebra. In the crèche were white lion cubs and normal lion cubs as well as a tiger and a pair of jaguars. Running around the whole area were squirrels who were very tame. After our wander through we headed back to the cave, passing the salt lick and mud hole again. This time a pair of buffalo were wallowing in the mud. The cave only had a couple of cars parked there and we sat in the shade waiting for the next tour to start. Wayne and Diane thoroughly enjoyed the tour through the caves and of course taking plenty of pics. When the tour was over we left the park as it was now after three. The traffic on the way home wasn’t too bad and we were home about half four. Wayne quickly showered and got ready for the airport. I helped him finish his packing while Diane put his holiday pics on a disc for him to take home. He can’t wait to show all his friends back in Oz his pics. Donovan arrived to fetch Wayne for a final goodbye of the family before going to the airport. After they left we got organized and also left for the airport where we met up at Capellos for drinks and a snack meal. We had a good time and were able to chill together for the last time before Wayne had to go through ready for boarding his flight.

Welcoming 2010

New Years Eve
I was up early to let the brats out and have my morning cuppa. No time to chill outside though. I had my coffee while carrying on with tidying and cleaning. After breakfast Hubby went off to Meyerton to get a new battery for the bakkie as the one in it was flat. Apparently it was too small for what was needed and had gone flat. While he was gone Diane and I finished the cleaning and put all the foodstuff we were taking with ready to pack. We then got ourselves ready. Hubby was back at half eight and installed the new battery. It was now time to load the bakkie and put the perishables in the cooler box with ice blocks. We set out at half nine, first stopping for petrol and then salads and sandwiches from Woollies. By this time it was gone ten and later then we had expected but at least we were on the way. Hubby was driving but once we had left Joburg behind he asked me to take over as his foot was very painful. We were about half way there when he decided to take his sock off as his toe was throbbing terribly. No sooner had he done this when the bakkie was filled with the most dreadful smell. I thought is was something outside but Hubby said it must be his toe which had been bleeding and soaked the dressing. The smell got worse and Hubby insisted I stop on the side of the road so that he could clean his toe and put a fresh dressing on. Once this was done we carried on but the smell was still there for a while – must have been his sock! I was rather worried and told him I would do all the driving so he could rest his foot. We were almost there when we were stopped by police and rerouted through the top end of the Pilanesberg. This must have been due to the workers strike at Sun City. Once we were in the park we had a slow drive around on our way up to Bakubung (the people of the Hippo) where we were staying. We saw plenty of buck and a hippo on the way there. It was about one when we arrived to a welcome from Godfrey and Sandy. We all sat having a drink on the verandah looking across at the park. Our chalet was just a few metres from the fence. A monkey sat watching us as we sat watching him. Sandy and Godfrey left at half three for home. Hubby stayed at the chalet to rest his foot while Diane and I went for a walk along the fence until we found a good spot to sit and take some pics. There was plenty of bird life around. A Loerie landed behind me and started pecking at the grass – must have been ants there. We couldn’t believe how tame it was.When we returned Hubby was still chilling and we joined him to have a glass of wine. We sat with binoculars watching a couple of elephant near the dam wall in front of the camp. At five we decided to go for a drive. The bakkie was the perfect vehicle to use. It was nice and high which meant a better view above the grass level and the dirt roads were easily accessible. We spotted some vehicles stopped down a dirt road and went down to see what was there. To our delight it was a group of 4 white rhino. There were two adults, a junior and an infant. We carried along the track which took us right up high, spotting buck and zebra along the way. At the top was a spot to turn around and go back. The trip back was rather scary as it was a very steep downhill. Hubby gave me a lesson in gearing down instead of foot on the brakes. I was very nervous to stop using the brakes as I was convinced we would go over the side but by the time we got down I was used to it. Hubby was very proud of himself and me for doing it right. Petrol was a bit low now so we returned to the chalet where we chilled with another glass of wine (the glasses were small). Diane and I decided to go for another walk and were pleased to see a group of warthogs – parents and three babies. As soon as they saw us their tails shot up and they disappeared at a rate of knots into the grass. They didn’t return so we wandered around Bakubung before heading back to hubby. Hubby started the braai and braaied the meat when the fire was ready. I put the salads out and we ate about eight sitting outside. It was a perfect evening. The sky was clear, the birds were still singing and all was so peaceful. We sat till nine and then Diane and I went for a walk again. We followed the pathways which had intermittent lights along the sides. Diane suddenly whispered “ I can see something moving on the path ahead” As I strained to look in the half light an owl suddenly swooped across in front of us. We both got a fright and turned to go among the chalets where the lighting was better and found ourselves by the pool. When we tested the water it was so warm and as the place was deserted we decided to have a quick swim. We had a swim around before being joined by two kids with the same idea except they had cossies on. We got out and sat to drip off. The night was so warm we weren’t even chilled. We squelched back to the chalet where Hubby was watching TV. We wrung our clothes out so we wouldn’t wet the floors and then sat having a coffee and biscuits( Tim Tams from Oz). After that Diane and I showered and got ready to go see the New Year in, down at the restaurant. Hubby was determined to rest his foot after the scare on the way down to Pilanesberg so he stayed to watch TV. We arrived at the party and ordered ourselves a spiced gold and coke sitting at a table right next to the dance floor. Everyone was having a good time and we joined in on the dance floor. All too soon it was midnight and Auld Lang Syne rang out loud and clear. Goodness knows what any animals within earshot thought of all the hoo-ha! Once we were back on the dance floor an enthusiastic couple nearly floored Diane when they started swinging themselves around. We partied until one and then thought we better get back as we had an early start planned. It was half one when we got into bed. Hubby woke me at half five but I decided on an extra half hour sleep. Both Diane and I were woken with coffee at six. Hubby made a bacon and eggs breakfast which we ate chilling outside. There were francolins running around in front of the chalet – one even came pecking under the table. A little blue waxbill sat on the fence in front of us. After breakfast Diane and I had a last walk around before packing the car. We went to get petrol at Sun Village after which we returned to the park for another drive around. We stopped at the Mankwe hide which is on the dam. Right in front of the hide a Fish Eagle was sitting in a tree. We also spotted a Giant Kingfisher and a pair of Pied Kingfishers in another tree. In the water was a baby croc and digging a hole in the bank was a small leguan. On our drive around we saw herds of wildebeest, buck and zebras as well as plenty of giraffe and warthog. Unfortunately we missed seeing lion and elephant. We left the park at about one and went on to Sun City. Diane has never been there so we thought it was about time she did. We wandered around the casino and entertainment area before going to Squires Loft for lunch. The meal was absolutely delicious. Hubby and I had sirloin and chips while Diane had a vegetarian platter. Her platter included asparagus, haloumi cheese, spinach pies as well as cheesy mushrooms and baby potatoes. Unfairly and as usual Diane’s plate was twice the size of ours. Sometimes it pays to be a vegan. Of course we had the essential glass of wine with our meal.
We left Sun City at about half four stopping in Rustenberg for cold drinks for the journey back. As we rounded a curve in the road about halfway back Diane and I noticed a little dam, covered in a film of scum, on the side of the road. No sooner had we spotted it when the most terrible smell hit us. I immediately realized that this had been Hubby’s vrot foot on the way down and told him that his foot was stinking again. He got a fright and was already to stop and see to it when we laughed and told him that his foot was fine. He was very relieved to realize his foot wasn’t the culprit and never had been. I drove until just before getting into Ontdekkers road. I could hardly keep my eyes open so Hubby took over. I dozed on and off waking to find we were driving in pouring rain. We arrived home after dark to a tumultuous welcome from the dogs, managing to unpack the car before the rain started here. It had been a wonderful, peaceful New Year but now we were exhausted and it wasn’t long before we were in bed.
I hope everyone had a wonderful time seeing in the New Year. Cheers!