It was a day of fun and silly games with the girls.
We left camp just as dark clouds were descending on us. But heading north we managed to avoid the heavy rains that we saw had fallen at camp on our return.
Having made a catapult the other day to shoot down Baobab fruits, as the trees are impossible to climb, the girls were soon fighting as to who was to use the catapult first. So of course dad had to make another one. Then we drove around looking for a tree full of fruits. Half an hour later we’d managed to shoot down 3 fruit. And gee were they are yummy to eat. The fruit has a hard casing that I was only able to crack open by pounding it with a big rock. But baboon manage to bite these fruit open. Inside is a white pith that encloses many seeds. It is this pith that is very refreshing to suck and is sometimes soaked in water to make a refreshing drink.
Then it was some crazy driving, this time with Lindy behind the wheel.
This was followed by dad do some dare-devil driving down steep river banks into the Chiredzi river. Once in the river we all bailed out the vehicle and left it to drive itself away. The fun was then for the girls to run after it and catch up to the car hoping it didn’t suddenly get traction on hard ground and suddenly take off away from us.
And of course the day wouldn’t be done without tree climbing fitted in there somewhere.
This display of art sure seems to lack any sort of link from one picture to the next. It just seems to be an assembly of images.
The wildebeest below is painted so delicately but then the detail in the horns is just not right and the forequarters should be somewhat heavier. That’s if it is even a wildebeest.
7th April 2000
The roads had dried up somewhat but many were still not passable. This meant we could only traverse on some 40 – 50% of Tjololo’s territory and subsequently weren’t able to find any trace of him.
But the 3 fat brutes were still feeding on their buffalo carcasses from 3 days ago still with oversized stomachs. Hyaenas had been around but weren’t allowed to venture anywhere in the vicinity. Male lions have a passionate hatred for hyaenas.
Temperatures have dropped dramatically as a result of snow falling further inland on the Drakensberg mountain range. Hopefully this will stop the rain AND the bugs. Alas the mosquitoes will still be around a while.
Roll on holidays and may you all have a happy weekend.
I have the pleasure of heading out into the bush with my daughters for our entertainment.
We encountered this large herd of buffalo near Chekwa pan but there was not sign of any elephants.
Travelling right across to the east and along the foothills of the sandstone there was only sign of a couple of elephant bulls. Right now I don’t know where the herds are hanging out.
But we did find a herd of sable near Bandama pan.
While driving along a track Penny suddenly shouted at the top of her voice “Baby tortoise daddy!” I don’t know how she saw it but next to the road and well camouflaged was this little guy minding his own business.
We encountered this little zebra foal only hours or maybe a day old. The little fellow was resting and when we arrived his mom had to nudge him awake and get him on the move as ‘danger’ was approaching.
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