1st January has dawned! When I made this video I was feeling OK, but my health rapidly deteriorated after this. The next ten days were pretty bad & I could do very little but try to sleep & be miserable! I had no energy at all, even walking around the house was problematic for me. In the evening I tried to conduct a sea watch but quickly gave up. I recorded 27 Arctic Skuas within thirty minutes. Of course my optimism was a little misplaced in the video & I had to go back on my oral chemotherapy tablets soon after the video was made. I have been told by my oncologist that I will be taking these tablets until either they stop working, or till the end of my life. This news is a trifle disappointing!
Eric, Annika & Delana.
On 2nd January I saw 272 Common Swifts flying east along the coast. Annika (Delana's sister & Eric her brother) were staying with us. It was the first time all three siblings had been together for many years, as Annika lives in Ireland.
Annika & Ronelle: best friends
since university days.
On 10th saw 38 Arctic Skuas coming into roost, but yet again had to give up after thirty minutes as I was feeling unwell.
Rowan & Jonathan.
On 11th it was Rowan's birthday. Jonathan was working, so they spent a quiet time at home, complete with wine of course!
Sunset from the house.
Tradouw Pass
The road winds through some spectacular scenery.
Delana & her sister Annika.
On 13th January we left Pearly Beach for the long drive north to Pretoria. I was feeling a little better but not really on top form, so we decided to make the drives shorter than normal, & take three days, not two, to reach Pretoria.
Our home for the night.
Beautifully restored old house.
View from the garden.
Our first day was driving to De Rust a lovely small town in the Karoo. En route one drives through the Tradouw Pass & the very scenic Route 62. On this leg only Annika, Ronelle, Delana & myself were present. We stayed in a beautiful old house. I wasn't feeling great, so stayed home, but the girls went to the pub!
Spotted Eagle Owl
Fantastic to get such close views!
The next day were drove to Jacobdaaal & enjoyed a nice evening socializing with Eric & family in their garden. On the morning of 15th Eric showed me two young Spotted Eagle Owls which had been bred in one of his outdoor sheds. Great birds they were too. Not often one gets great views like this.
Staying cool!
On 16th January we made the drive to Pretoria. Staying one night then hitting the road again for Sabie Park. We had dropped Ronelle off at home & Annika was staying with us for a few days. It was very hot but we had ordered a new pool & Delana was very quick to make use of it!
Water levels were high on the Sand River.
We visited Kruger Park on 19th, driving south to Malelane to meet up with Andrew & Jacky. We spent a lovely few hours with them on the deck overlooking the Crocodile River. Annika hadn't see them for a number of years, so it was a good reunion.
Spotted Hyena
Young
Very cute! But wait until they grow up!
Leopard
Elephant
Wahlberg's Eagle
Common Sandpiper
White-backed Vultures bathing & preening
along the Sand River
Adult Southern Carmine Bee-eater
Adult feeding young.
Flap-necked Chameleon
At the Cattle Baron in Skukuza.
Hippo
Grey Heron
Striated Heron
African Fish Eagle
Common Sandpiper
The next day we visited Skukuza for lunch & a good time was enjoyed by all. We briefly stopped at Lake Panic but the water levels were very high & little was to be seen.
Till the next time!
On the 21st it was time to take Annika to Skukuza Airport for her flight home. It really has to be one of the nicest little airports in Africa: no queues, no hassle, amazing!
We stayed at home until 23rd January when we drove back to Pretoria. We had building material to buy (we are extending our master bathroom) & a quick visit to the dentist for both of us. Things took a little longer than we thought & we stayed until 30th when we left early for my visa run. I have to leave the country every ninety days, so this time we had a brief visit to southern Mozambique.
Captain Ahmed!
One bit of good news, was that back in Abu Dhabi Ahmed had been promoted to Captain! Well deserved indeed, a reward for all your hard work.
