Bass are calling Deej

Well the ICE has melted and after a lot of work the craft is ready for the big visit....Fully cleaned and serviced, water system is now working, new lights installed, Engine seems to run well.. And we have new fishing rods ready to go guys.....

A few Wompum shots for Abbie

Re united again, the Blue and Green Wompums relax by the pool









Then dry off overlooking the African Bush, just one more leg in their long Jourrney then off to Indiana.

A few more favourite picts

My personal favourite shot

DJ Rustles up another batch of his signature dish "Road Kill Surprise" for breakfast!

Washed down with some excellent wine! Cheers!

Warthog Love in!

Pick me , Pick Me!

MMMMMMM Rhino Butt

The African Experiance

Another remarkable experiance at place called Lesedi from "Ke Bona Lesedi" meaning I see the light. It provides you with an introduction into some of the African cultures - Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi., as well as some of the history of the Nation. You can tour each of the cultural villages and you are also treated to a variety of African Dance and music........

Last few days in Africa - The Bird Park

Well its Mothers Day, and I think the mothers were done proud! Lazy morning followed by shopping at the water front... More presents.. and off to the bird park to visit some slightly gentler creatures from the others we have encountered. (But only slightly) they will have your finger off given half a chance. Anyway here follows a few sample pictures of the day!

Night shot over the Venetia Limpopo reserve

This shot was taken during our night drive through the reserve, panning with a spotlight from the Land rover you suddenly see Eyes light up in the bush! Monkeys, with bright red eyes, wildebeest and so much more.

Last night we went to see African Footprints, the story of Africa told in dance. Remarkable !! If you ever get the opportunity go see it, truly magical. Having a bit of a recovery day to day before we get back out there again. Off to a Zulu village, and Sun City over the next few days, before the long haul home. bty Dibbs and Phil you are invited anytime guys..

Bush traffic, Baobab trees and Tree top walk

If you think the 401 is bad, imagine meeting this guy on the road as we did. Hard to miss eh!

The Baobab tree is the strangest tree I have ever seen and they dominate the landscape around this area. They are distinctly reminiscent of the tree in the Harry Potter movies and equally intimidating.

The Tree Top walk over the bush is an extraordinary experience, at least you feel relatively safe from What Lies Beneath........

And a Bee Eater on the banks of the Limpopo, posing for us.

We owe our thanks to the amazing DJ who did all the driving I think the round trip was over 1200 k's at the end of the day... Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive and extended fuel tanks. There are of course many hundreds of photo's and video clips and these are just a small selection.

Little Muck Lodge

Ok, Imagine having your own game reserve for a few days! Little Muck is on the Venetia Limpopo Nature reserve and owned by De Beers ( you may have heard of them) Not far from their Diamond mine little muck is a massive area of African Bush with views to Botswana and Zimbabwe. We were the only people here so it was ours!. Here are a few views by day and night of the area to give you a feel. Many Many thanks to DJ and Kelly for cleverly organising this for us. This is a picture of our hut.



After settling in off on a Night drive through the bush, I think Kay was a little apprehensive, but settled in to enjoy it. Make no mistake,as Matt would say this is the real MacCoy, and there are things out there that will eat you.



The Green Wompum managed to attract some local Wildlife also and re kindled its relationship with the infamous Blue Wompum Abigail. They will be on there way back to you shortly.

This is Africa

Well, I am not sure if I can really do these last few days justice but we will give it a shot. Up at 4.00am for a 600kM drive North to the Botswana border. A quick stop at Pontdrift and the ride of a lifetime on a rather ancient bucket and cable system across the crocodile rich Limpopo river and your in Botswana.




The pictures tell the story. Note the electric fence and razor wire forming the border between the 2 countries.







DJ seemed to smell out a much needed coffee ( NO TIM's Here) and after a 16 Km ride along an unmade road, we came across the Crocodile lady. An Oasis in the middle of the bush, right on the border were she has run a farm for 25 years right through the wars, and now raises Crocodiles. Lots and Lots of them. We were also introduced to her pet goat she rescued from the jaws of a baboon. The poor thing now has a little brain damage and a missing eye, so when you call it, it runs right past you!

Oh before I forget our Jumping Shot of the trip!!

Close Encounters

Kay takes her new friend for a walk

An adventure packed weekend at Hartbeespoort Dam. Rather fortunate to be able to stay at a friends luxury weekend pad right on the water. Nearby there is a fantastic market, with an incredible range of African Art, Carvings prints etc etc. Yes we got you presents guys!. Then Sunday morning off to the elephant sanctuary were we met some new friends and Kay took one of them walkies. Not as cuddly as the cats but ranging from 4 to 7 tons they must be treated with great caution and respect. Tomorrow a 4:30am start to drive up to the Botswana border for a stay at another reserve.

More of the Rhino Park

Surprisingly, the Rhino park were these pictures were taken is only about 60 minutes from Johannesburg and gives you a good feel for the African bush. Although we are off on Monday to a reserve close to the borders of Botswana and Zimbabwe, with the opportunity to take a cable car across the Limpopo river into Botswana. These pictures speak for themselves. Africa at its best!

As you can see our good friend DJ, showed us how it should be done, and Kelly for some totally unknown reason, crawled into the tunnel with the Lions.. Not to be outdone by DJ I guess. From my perspective I just couldn't find a good reason for climbing into a tunnel full of Lions.. Must be a Kelly thing?

Ok one more picture before Dinner!!

This is a Cheetah! Again up close and personal, he was just sitting there waiting for us. I was hoping to get a picture of him with Green Wompum, but the Wompum was a little intimidated Abigail. But stay tuned for later on in the week. As Kay said, no zoo will ever seem the same again......

Arrived!

Back in Africa after so many years and staying with some very dear friends DJ and Kelly. We have a very busy but fantastic schedule ahead of us and every day brings something New and Exciting. As an opening picture, something I though I would never see.......
So many more pictures to add when I get time, Rhino up close and personal, Lions, Leopard and Kay taking on a tiger and a lion!.









And of course we could not leave out the Lion I was playing with, Kay hopes she can move yup to the big guys later on in the trip!