Warm at last 14 july 2014

I woke up early and it seemed not so cold, checked outside and already it was warm at 8am to put a lighter shirt and shorts for the first time before venturing out for a wander before breakfast, then spent a little time catching up with e mails, how did I manage before free Wi Fi.

Then chatted to some of the other guests for a while. One of the things we had been warned about was to keep doors closed to avoid the monkeys getting into the rooms, well the nice couple next door to me had forgotten to lock their back door so a monkey had got into their room and stolen a packet containing insect repellent, before they got rid of it, just as well it was not needed.  We had breakfast then I went back to my room and there was a monkey outside the window, so got my camera and found a group of them around the rear of the properties, they seemed to be oblivious to mine and others presence as we took photos, later it appeared they had no problem opening doors if not locked, as another couple had fallen victim to their theft that morning.

It as a free morning so we sat chatting outside which made a refreshing change, after lunch off out to the wildlife centre,  by now on the holiday we seemed to of got into the habit of sticking with drivers, in my case it was Given and usually we tended to sit in certain seats, today our vehicle was full, obviously some had wanted a change so I ended up with Even as driver so i sat in the back row which unfortunately did not help my spine but also restricted what i could see due to my height. first we saw the rare white lions, they had been rescued when young and brought up in the reserve, they would be encouraged to mate but, it would be unsafe for them to be released back into the wild,  but that hopefully any young would be, they were beautiful beasts,  such a shame that people had hunted them, that now there are so few left alive and needed protection to survive.

We then visited the replica Pedi village and had an informative talk about the people explaing their background the strict rules how the village was run and oddly that the women of the village had been masters of poisin making, to use as punishment, we were offered a range of traditionsl dishes to drink and eat, I only tried a couple one was catapiller which was quite nutty. We then went to see the buffalo but they also now are very rare, but also we were warned that they were dangerous, well it may of bern the wrong day but they seemed quite laid back and oblivious to us taking their photos, we finished off by having high tea and looking at a range of birds including peacocks and parrots.

Then on with the drive,  a sighting of rhino was made so off we sped, it was a family of 4, it seemed that it was the day that the male was going to procreate with the female well I thought this is going to be exciting, but sadly not it seemed to go on and on with little real activity, he mounted the female a couple of times whilst we watched,  maybe it was us watching and recording with our cameras was what put him off.

Then a further drive it was now getting dark, eventually we reached Ranenside Lodge and our latest meal, then after we went into the Astro boma for a talk from Giiven on how to find south and some of the star formations,  before returning to our lodge, for a chat and a drink then off to bed, as we had a long day the next day, I forgot to say earlier the weather was much warmer so the room was not as cold as it had been previous nights.

Safari here I come 9 June 2014

Well folks the safari to South Africa is not far away, I did worry last month when I had problems with my health,& mainly my back started to play up but also I started getting something that felt like electric shocks down my right arm. Luckily due to Gail and Andrea the physios things have improved, just now have to do more exercises to prevent a re occurrence.
I have had all my inoculations, I had read about monkeys being about the lodge so decided to have the rabies one as well but after buying it was warned I could have a bad reaction to it, so at present have vaccine in my fridge, sob sob. I did contact Saga who are arranging the trip, their view was, if I dont bother the monkeys, they will leave me alone, maybe I should of contacted them first.

I have bought a camcorder for the trip, couldent believe how small it is but can be used as conventional camera also. I have had to buy extra clothes for the trip, that are dark colours for when on safari, but also needed a mixture of warm for the early and late trips out but lighter for the middle of the day, have a list of things need for the trip such as special adapter for their electrical sockets, insect repellent, luckily was able to get this trip in a malarial free zone so one less tablet and adverse reaction to worry about, but have strong painkillers from GP just in case I need them for other aches and pains.
I had decided that when I found out I was travelling with Virgin that I would upgrade on the plane to their economy plus both there and back, because it would give me a better seat and more legroom on the 10 hour flight, I also joined their frequent flyer scheme in the hope it would help for future trips, also Saga had arranged for me to be picked up from home by car and transported to London by them. It was only the other day that I realised how much travelling was involved on this trip. I am being picked up at 1 30 pm on the day, then down to London for the evening flight at 9 30pm, then there is a trip of approximately 3 hours after to the lodge so it looks like in total is will be in excess of 20 hours before I reach my destination.
Well I will close for now but give more background on the trip as I get closer.