Delana's 60th Birthday Bash in the Bundu!

Delana's big night!

 We reluctantly left the farm early on 28th October for Markus's & Erika's farm just outside Tsumeb. They had very kindly offered to host the event & even more kindly, gave us three nights free accommodation in their safari tent. 

This is the sight that greeted us!

Bit of work to do then!

Pipes have arrived, so we can get some water laid on!

Kitchen being built!

Toilet being fitted!

Delana's birthday is actually on 2nd November, but as this is mid-week & friends are working, then we moved the party to Friday evening on 29th October. There was just one catch! We had to build most of the venue first!

Shade netting going on that afternoon.

Our gazebo was erected to provide an entrance.

Delana placing salt arrows on the 

track, so people can find the venue!

Another problem was the the venue could only be reached by a vehicle with low ratio 4x4! So we had to vastly improve about 80 meters of track & turn it into a passable road! All hands to the wheel on this one! We made progress that afternoon but still everything to do in the morning.

Roof going on!

Getting there!

Time to relax!

The cement mixer was a bit of an eyesore

 & it couldn't be moved in time.

So, we made it into a lighting feature!

Ready for people to arrive!

Getting set!

Food & drink at the ready.

The view at sunset & people are here!

Vera, Elgin & me!

Camp Delana!

Froggie!

We all had a very enjoyable evening. The problem with having places to stay all over thee place, is that one doesn't get to see people that often. What with the global pandemic & our travels, we hadn't been to Namibia for quite a while. But it was great to see people again. We both love Namibia! Till the next time!

Happy Birthday Delana!

Khadoum National Park

 Khadoum National Park is a remote park in the north of Namibia. Only the extreme north of the park is open to the public, but we were helping conduct the annual full moon game count, so we entered from the south & spent four days at Elandsflakti Waterhole. 

Connie & Artu's house in Tsumeb.

We spent Saturday 16th October in Tsumeb, getting supplies for the trip & then a nice evening out with Connie & Artu. We met up with the rest of the group the next morning & drove the long road to the national park. 

To be continued as were are on the road.

TauroDoqua Bush Camp.

The TD Bushcamp!

The lounge & bar area.

The view from our bedroom at dawn

 We arrived at the bush camp mid-day on 3rd October after two long days driving. It felt good to be back, as we hadn't been here for well over a year. Unfortunately in our absence, we had suffered a break-in & they had stolen our generator, solar panels, all the tools etc. So for the next ten days it was hard work, buying equipment, repairing stuff, cleaning the place & cutting back the bush, which had encroached on the camp. There was little or no time for birding! 

Breakfast at Springbokwasser Waterhole

It was a very pleasant morning.

Grey Lourie

Ring necked Dove

Emerald Spotted Wood-Dove

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

Bare-cheeked Babbler

Present in small number on the farm.

Golden breasted Bunting

Eastern Paradise Whydah

Red headed Finch

White-browed Sparrow Weaver

Eastern Paradise Whydah

Green-winged Pytilia

Brown capped Tchagra

Violet-eared Waxbill & Golden breasted Bunting

The Post Waterhole

Helmeted Guineafowl

Double banded Sandgrouse

Slender Mongoose

A very common species on the farm.

Eventually things got back to normal & we enjoyed a couple of sessions birding the waterholes on the farm. It is October, hot, dry & windy. Possibly the worst month for birding in this area. Night birds included both Fiery-necked & Rufous cheeked Nightjars; Pearl spotted Owlet, Spotted Eagle Owl & almost every night, calling Barn Owls. 

Relaxing!

One Sunday, we had a few friends around for a drinks party, which was very pleasant. When one lives out in the bush, socializing doesn't happen all that often.

Sunset from the tower overlooking the farm.

We left the farm on 16th October for a week away in Khadoum National Park. We arrived back on 23rd & left again on 29th October in order to organize Delana's birthday party. All too soon we left the bush camp, but other adventures await for us!