Lockdown Day 94 -Sunday 28 June

There's still confusion over whether Kruger Park will open for overnight visitors on 1 July or not. I am learning to take things one day at a time.

For some reason the waterbuck decided to hang out in the river for a while.

A male Nyala came right to the door to say hello. He's pretty tame.

It seems burgers are the new favourite.

Late afternoon coffee and malva was interrupted by loud lion roaring over the river. We rushed down, scanned all over with binoculars but we didn't see them.

Lockdown Day 93 - Saturday 27 June

The ellies were here again. There were 5 today. I did a little video of them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DeRSv7btBocJJpRg8

Maybe I need a course in graphic design and online media to up my creative game now that I have some basics. I've been writing a lot during lockdown; mostly random musings. I have started an online course to get into the practice of writing daily. I might even start a book. And then there are the blogs. As with all blogging, there's always room for improving each post, so you have to get it say 80% right ( 60% if you're busy and on the road) and then publish and move on. I've had some time during lockdown to return to old posts to add labels and correct spelling but I'm not going to rehash any. They are representative of a time and a place in my history.

The art materials are mostly untouched. I realise that creativity requires practice and I haven't drawn anything for a long, long time. Writing comes easier these days. Frances asked me for pictures of "Hippo Lodge" at Ximongwe River Camp, the house we call home at the moment. I did take some video a while back but until I can edit that, here are a few pics.

Lockdown Day 92- Friday 26 June

Neil and I will be at Ximongwe River Camp for July too. This is our home for now.

I'm beginning to feel that this is a new normal and we are no longer marking time until we pick up where we left off with our pre-covid lives.

This week the greater Hoedspruit area got their first confirmed case of Covid. There have been more cases in Phalaborwe but the case numbers here in Limpopo Province are still very low. 

Neil has a system for assessing risk as yellow ( very low risk ), orange ( take precautions seriously)  or red (avoid at all costs. ) Life has always been about taking a certain amount of risk. We take into concideration our own health and safety as well as the health of others.

Here's a link to an excellent article written by a group of top level health professionals from Wits.

Maverick Citizen Op-Ed: Distance, Dose, Dispersion: An experts’ guide on Covid-19 risks in South Africa and how to manage them https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-06-26-distance-dose-dispersion-an-experts-guide-on-covid-19-risks-in-south-africa-and-how-to-manage-them/

I won't be heading to the casino and I'm so blessed and privileged not to have to travel in minibus taxis or go to work in a hospital. 

I made Crocque Monsieur for brunch and Beetroot Risotto followed by Roast Lamb for dinner.

Lockdown Day 91 - Thursday 25 June

Another busy day. We did a wonderful early morning boat cruise on the Olifants River, enjoying some really nice bird watching. Our bird list is now at 174. 

We had take-away pizza for lunch to celebrate Johan's birthday.

 We were enjoying a sunset gin and tonic tasting when 2 elephants decided to visit.

One decided to come right up to the house to wish Johan a happy birthday and snack on the wild mulberry tree outside the kitchen door.

He's been here quite often; he's got uneven tusks so he's easy to recognise. They can be cheeky and pull out the watertank pipes or break the sprinklers but he just carved himself a nice path up behind the house, returning the same way about half an hour or so later to go and join his friend by the river.

Kruger National Park ; Lockdown Day 90 - Wednesday 24 June

Wow, so I've nearly missed posting for today but here goes! We are so busy these days!😉

We were up at 4 am again to head into the Kruger Park at Orpen Gate.

The sunrise made the early start worthwhile.

Whilst we didn't see any cats, the day was really good. I have been going to the Park for about 37 years and I think today I saw more game than ever before. Thousands of zebra and wildebeest. Loads of giraffe, buffalo and  elephant. Herds of buck. Hyena. Rhino. Jackal. Monkeys and Baboons. And lots of birds. Raptors. Even 3 Kori bustards and 3 ground hornbills all together.

We got back to Ximongwe at 6.30pm. Stephen, who had been up early to help us pack the car, told us that 4 lions strolled through the camp as we drove off in the morning!

After a bowl of butternut soup, we were in bed by 9.30pm.

Lockdown Day 89 - Tuesday 23 June

Some days we have a slow start. Today was one of those days. All good though.

Just a lazy, sunny, happy day.

We got Fat Frank's ( the Butcher's ) to make us a mix of course ground sirloin and chuck for burgers. 

We had Spur but much better than Spur for dinner.

Cheese Burger, Chips, Onion Rings, Creamed Spinach and Roasted Butternut followed by Peppermint Crisp Tart.

We had to prepare food for our trip into Kruger tomorrow and somehow ended up with getting to bed to late.

For the first time in 30 years, after yesterday's haircut, I have only my natural colour hair. ( Top right picture ) Luckily I don't have much grey but it's a bit mousy.  I'm not the mousy type but I actually don't mind the hair. I have been lots of different kinds of blond as well as pink and orange before so we'll just have to see what's next.

Lockdown Day 88 - Monday 22 June

Today we headed into Hoedspruit.

It's amazing how getting out and doing normal everyday things has made me feel so much better. Neil and I really enjoyed our "exciting"day.

Cappuccinos and muffins at outdoor seating at a restaurant.

A haircut in a salon.

Shopping for socks and leggings at Mr. Price.

Buying some art materials at the stationery store.

Buying a small space heater.

Groceries, Butchery, Wine Shop.

Buying new ammo boxes and plastic boxes for the new truck and the caravan.(I'm going to get so organised!)

Collecting the truck's registration plates from Postnet.

Getting the new towbar fitted.

And getting home after dark....

Still no electricity.(Power went off in the morning just before we left.)

But we have such awesome hosts. They had set up portable lights in our house and Stephen came running with a flashlight and they all helped us unpack the car. I think we'll move in permanently.😉

Luckily we had a deli roasted chicken from Pick n Pay for dinner, so no cooking required. The power came back on about 9.30pm so I could unpack everything before bed.

And Google Photos and Facebook are still reminding me of my very different former travelling life.

This week in history..

2019 - Delhi, India

2018 - Amsterdam, Holland

2017 - Florence, Italy

2016 - Las Vegas,USA

2015 - Barrydale, Route 62, South Africa.

Lockdown Day 87- Sunday 22 June

Another quiet Sunday. A beautiful, sunny day. The shortest day of the year. And a little chilly after dark. I never like winter and even though we're in the warmest corner of South Africa at the moment, we stayed in bed until 10.

I made Breakfast Mac and Cheese for brunch but it was nearly 2pm by the time we ate. And before you know it, the sun's setting.

The good news is that we have a 4 night booking in the Kruger Park in early July in 3 small camps we haven't ever been to. Bateleur, Pafuri Border and Sirheni. Let's hope they are ready for overnight guests by then. 

Happy Father's Day to my Dad. Thanks to Mr. Delivery, we sent lunch to my folks.

Lockdown Day 86 - Saturday 20 June

I am feeling pretty much over lockdown today.  Sometimes you don't want to create your own entertainment, you just want everything laid on. Today I'd like to swap the beauty and tranquility of the bush for some crazy and chaotic Saturday night in the city in New York, London, Singapore, Las Vegas. Or Phuket or Joburg! I want crowds. I want music. I want to dance. And I want to finally fall into bed in the early hours of the morning and sleep all day Sunday.

Lockdown is so middle-aged. Stuffy, formal, mind your manners Zooms and sitting upright in the dining room watching the acclaimed dance music duo Goldfish performing live in their livingroom on a Webinar! ( Yes, we really did that tonight - great music, kak in every other way! )