After the more relaxed day yesterday, we decided today to do H & my favourite road in the Kruger Park which is just north of Shingwedzi and runs along the river. We crossed the river to a beautiful sunrise and then headed north to follow to the river. The road usually is teaming with game and today was no exception. Elephant, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, zebra and wildebeest are all in abundance. But unfortunately no predators (though we usually see at least one on that road).
We had breakfast at Babalaba picnic site. The idea was to do some bacon and eggs on the gas skottle (basically a gas wok). Usually you have to pay for the use of one but there was not a staff member in sight and so we just used the one we found. No one appeared the whole time we had breakfast so we never had an opportunity to pay – their loss in my view. On the way back to the camp we did manage to see another lifer for M, O & H which means M is now on 499 lifers. At the end of today I am on 161 birds for the trip which is actually now behind where we were last year at the same point (167 last year). It is very hot at the moment and I am sure that is affecting our bird & game viewing. Today got to 38 degrees (on car thermometer) today. We got back before 10am.
We spent the rest of the day in the camp. H would emerge from the bedroom, walk outside and say “No, I am going back to the room”. If you walked anywhere, you basically have to aim to walk in the shade because as soon as you walk in the direct sunlight you feel like you are immediately burning. Then we got a notification that load shedding could be returning and none of us liked the idea of this heat without air-conditioning. M checked with reception and they said they have a generator for the whole camp and so not to worry. Then just while I am typing this blog the power goes off (at 9pm) and doesn’t come back on. Just what we didn’t want. It is 9:30pm and 30 degrees currently. Fortunately after 30 minutes someone has woken up and turned the generator on and so the air-con is running again and there is a chance I could actually go to sleep. The room was getting very warm and that was only in 30 minutes.
Only H & I went out for an evening drive as M decided to stay with I and O still isn’t feeling well. They didn’t miss out on seeing anything new. Though we didn’t see anything new, H & I enjoyed the drive and H did spot a Lesser Spotted Eagle sitting on its nest which was really cool to see.
M did the braai this evening and for that I was quite thankful. Given it is predicted to be even hotter tomorrow I am hoping he volunteers again tomorrow đŸ™‚ We had lamb chops, sweet potato & corn on cob on the braai accompanied by ratatouille made by H.
Tomorrow is apparently going to be even hotter so if we survive until then … see you tomorrow!
P, M (I forgot to mention yesterday that he paid for dinner last night and then today he did the braai), H, O (still sympathetic because illness drags on) & I (still rejects me in favour of one of the 3 other people on this trip)