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Stage 2
Tuesday 9 November 2010
We met Edu Spee and Sandra Suurland the next morning and apologised for the racket we made during the night. They said they had heard nothing. Few people are so polite. After a short conversation (I am a twenty question specialist) we discovered that they were also going on the Bhejane Tour to Liuwa Plains.
Further chatting occurred and we decided to go to LeKhubu (Kubu) Island together. Unfortunately on this trip I decided to bring only one radio as we did not think we would meet anyone to travel with us. Traveling alone is what we usually do as few people have the amount of time available that we have. Also I am past my sell by date and can afford to take chances. Sylvia dutifully tags along.
Traveling speed was agreed at around 90kph and off we went. Shell Fuel (Lethakane) S21.41980 E25.59366 was where we filled up.
We arrived at LeKhubu at lunch time. We have never seen the area so dry and therefore the drive was easy. This time we went on the lower road from West to East. On arrival we looked for our favourite Baobab Tree - it had fallen down - I asked for a discount as I had looked forward to camping under that tree.
15:30 The wind came up and I climbed into the pop up to make sure it did not blow away. There was lots of dust and I battled to stuff the sleeping bags back in their covers to keep them as clean as possible. Sylvia had spread them ready for the coming sleep. Soon after the wind died down.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
1:50 (Again am - this is becoming a habit now.) The wind rose and the tent squatted again. Thunder and lightning in the distance - rain and wind on the tent for about an hour. This type of severe rainfall is not conducive to sound sleep.
6:30 Packed and we drive around the Island for another look.
We leave on a leisurely drive north on a road we have not been able to find before. This time I concentrate hard and see why - the beginning is very close to a local resident's fenced patch. The route is pretty.
A short distance from the tar Edu and Sandra tell us the would like to go to the Nata Bird Sanctuary and we decide to go on to Kasane as we would like to see Chobe.
We wait for them for a while near the tar and then decide that perhaps they are doing toilet things and roar off to Kasane. The road is better than we expected but not wonderful in places with lots of road works.
That afternoon we arrive at Thebe River Lodge and start a debate whether to stay in the chalet or camp. While we procrastinate rain falls and we decide on the chalet. A minute or so after taking the last room more people want rooms. Rain falls - so hard that we can not get to our room. When we do we find great amounts of water have flooded in under the door. I decide if I get up in the night I had better get out of bed on the left side as the right side was under water.
We walked to the camp site and apart from being very muddy from the downpour a tree had been blown over - possibly near where we might have placed our tent. These observations made us happier with our decision to stay in the lodge.
For some reason we drive down the main road which is flooded.
19:00 There is no hot water - as in there is no water escaping from the tap. Room visits are made and observations taken. There is no water coming out of the tap. Repairs will be made promptly. No matter - sleep was on the cards and these sheets were not ours.
Baobab flower bud.
Fallen Baobab flower.
The tent and the wind.
Large Star Chestnut Tree
Our previous favourite campsite tree.
Whisky?
