February/March 2009

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Introduction to part 1 of 6

Sylvia drove 5290 kilometres from start to finish. The weather was very wet and therefore we sometimes just continued on to the next destination.

Later we were to encounter very wet conditions. There was far more water this year.

Khutse - Botswana (This was the first stage of our little jaunt.)

On Thursday 26 February we set off for Doornrivier. When we arrived we met Andre and managed to get the cottage we have used before. There have been some significant improvements. It rained that night and at one stage we heard noises in the cabin and found that the little dog had decided to keep us company. Unfortunately he was gaseous and Sylvia put him out on the verandah and closed the door. There he remained while the thunder and lightning continued.

Friday 27 February - the sunrise as we left doornrivier to meet Ralph & Gillian for breakfast at the Wimpy in Zeerust.

The gate at Khutse.

Giraffe on the way to our camp site. Few animals were seen and we would have missed these had we not stopped to put on our grass seed net.

Delmar Nortje from the Land Cruiser Club was there to meet us. He had considerately made a lovely fire which we all braaied (barbecued) on and we sat around it in great comfort. There was also some lovely bread being made but unfortunately bread does not agree with me at night, That was a real pity as I would have loved to chomp on some.

Angus who was also there was a wonderful help in erecting our gazebo. As you can see they both have a wonderfully cheerful disposition and I look forward to meeting them in the bush sometime soon.

Sunsets are lovely if you are lucky.

Saturday 28 February - Sunrise over the pan.

Ralph examining the bits.

Sylvia, Ralph and Gillian posing near the pan.

Typical tracks

Ostriches on the march.

A bird in the tree. (Animals are scarce in Khutse so all sightings are important.)

Lots of Springbok for Khutse

We went for a drive around the pan and when we got back Delmar and Angus had fled. No firewood had been left and there was no farewell note either. Even the bread and grill had gone. I was really looking forward to another evening with them.

Sunday 1 March - Sunrise over the pan

A male lion near the waterhole.

His mate looking away.

Sniffing around.

Look at all those teeth!

Red Hartebeest

A Gemsbok (Oryx) looking at us.

A Grey Heron at the waterhole.

Monday 2 March - These flowers were common after the rain.

Ralph, Gillianj and Sylvia

Not quite so common flowers.

The camp site.

Tuesday 3 March - Giraffe on the way out looking at us driving towards them.

Vultures in a tree.

Ralph and Gillian went on ahead of us as they were returning home and we went to see if we could find Delmar and Angus - they might have had goodies to eat or something but there was no sign of them.

When we left we thought of traveling along the cut line to Khama Rhino Sanctuary but the locals said it was "difficult" and being alone we decided to not take that route.