With a month or so to kill before the house-sit in Riebeek Kasteel, I decided to go walk-about in KZN. The Beast was taken out of storage and set up for me on my favourite site at Hlalanathi. The view in one direction is over the golf course and on to Oliviershoekpas about 30 km distant.
The other direction requires a little exercise to get to the edge of the cliff and from there, the Royal Natal NP, Amphitheatre and all the rest of the bells and whistles.
Found this massive cycad whose pod had split to reveal magical red seeds that were of interest to all manner of creepy crawlies.
A familiar call had me focussing on a white-fronted bee-eater whose palette of plumage colours would have any artist scrabbling for a brush.
A rather heraldic cloud formation over the Sentinel (the "Thumb"in the centre of the range) caught my attention while on an afternoon drive.............
......................while the late light turned the normally pink grass pearlescent.
Was having a read on afternoon when I heard all manner of weird noises emanating from the vicinity of my bakkie. The culprits, a pair of ground-scraper thrushes, were fascinated by their reflections in the windscreen and mirror and were either trying to get these strangers out of their territory, or trying to persuade them to indulge in a bit of wife swapping! It was most unfortunate that my camera was in the vehicle and this was the best the phone could provide.
Decided to try and stay a few nights at Midmar, which is a stupendous spot even though there are a few dodgy memories of wayward bakkies. Chose the camp site furthest from anything and apart from the security chap was totally on my own.
Returning to camp after an early walk/drive, I turned off the main road and caught a fleeting glance of a serval who seconds earlier had been relaxing on the warm tar. Probably one of the shyest cats on the planet this had bounded off into the mielie field in a flash. Only the second time I've ever seen them in the wild, the fellow below was a guest at Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre when I last visited, which I've re-used just to show how beautiful they are.
There were mornings when it felt possible to stroll across the lake............
..............and evenings of such beauty as to make you wish you had someone to share them with.
Just down the south coast past Amazimtoti is the Karridene Hotel and Resort and as the caravan Park is large, well equipped and reasonable I dropped anchor for a week or so. Happened to contact Wendy, as she is always keen to go birding and ended up being invited to a slap-up dinner with eight wonderful friends - many thanks Tanza, Neil and all contributors.
A report from the Rare Bird News site had me toddling off to the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary where quite a crowd had gathered to locate something special. Had a couple of false alarms in the form of Mountain Wagtails but eventually...............
......the very elegant grey wagtail took a bow and everyone wowwed. My last sighting occurred in Betty's Bay in 1995 so it was almost a lifer. Apologies for lack of quality but it was at the very limit of my range and though I tried many more times, never even got another glimpse.
Sure you wont mind a second (blurred) look!
Just around the corner is Winklespruit Beach where I was able to buy 8 large avocados for R30, amazing.
I was on my way back to Hlalanathi when the hand of doom landed on my shoulder. I'd met up with Wendy and Mervyn to try and locate the wagtail and when that failed asked them back to camp for breakfast. Whilst enjoying our repast Mervyn and I went over the things we'd left behind over the years and his story of mislaying the jockey wheel of his boat took the cake. I was just outside Nottingham Road when doom reminded me I forgotten the jockey wheel at the campsite. After a couple of false starts I eventually settled on an overnight stop at Midmar, then the hour and a half drive to Karridene which would hopefully see me back before dark. A phone call to security confirmed that the wheel would be there when I arrived and even with all the roadworks I managed to toast my good fortune before sundown. Ah the joys of travel!
With the Beast safely stowed at Hlalanathi, I headed back across the Freestate and into the perfect storm of my sister's dementia reaching a crescendo the day before I was due to fly. Fortunately things were resolved and I slipped off the Cape where peace and tranquillity reigned at the Kings lovely home at the foot of the Swartberg. The only slightly sour note is how much more of the countryside disappears under plastic netting every year.
Among other minor duties were the care and maintenance of this delightful trio, Storm - very loving and affectionate, especially around meal times...............
..............dear old Shadow, who for the most part takes his duties very seriously..................
..............and darling little looney Luna, a rescue pup who sports what is affectionately known as the "Township twirl" to her tail.
