Done and Dusted

[Mel]

There still is. That I know.

[Bushveld Jock]

Lots of familiar places and smells. Last time we also skipped Twee Rivieren and booked in at Two Rivers. It is fenced unlike Rooiputs so you don't have to worry about lions in the camp, but far behind the reception area and a different gate to enter the park. You connect at the main road to Samevloeing at the first water hole outside Twee Rivieren.

The facilities includes showers and toilets with water. No long drops like at Rooiputs.

[Moggiedog]

Thanks BushveldJock - for some reason I was under the impression it was unfenced - we live and learn.

[Moggiedog]

Morning dawned and it was as cold as the proverbial brass monkey's - fortunately we had boiled water the night before and kept it in a flask overnight so it was only a few minutes to having a hand warmer - never mind a belly warmer. We slowly starting packing up camp. Fortunately neither of us are ever hell bent on getting out the gates at opening time - if we ready, we ready - if we not then so be it, we are on holiday and home life is enough of a rat race with early mornings and rushing around like blue .......flies.
All packed up, campsite checked for any inadvertently dropped rubbish, quick pit stop and we were on the road.
We were not expecting many sightings as a freezing cold wind was blowing but we were just happy to be in the place we where in.

The tree - I am sure this is the most photographed tree ever - when it reaches the end of it's life span it will be a huge loss to the landscape.


One of the first creatures we spotted as a black back jackal ding, ding dinging across the river bank. We did not attempt photographs just sat and enjoyed the view.

There is always plenty of bird life - but some birds are not as cooperative as others when you want to take pics!


We wended our way in no great hurry towards our next stop just chillaxing, chatting and enjoying what the Kgalagadi had to share with us.



We soon realized we would have to get a bit of a move on if we wanted to reach Mata Mata in daylight. This is a problem when you travelling slowly - the time does not slow down - and distances traveled are less than you realize. We also need a pit stop. The first picnic spot was still a distance away and being law abiding citizens we did not want to stop on the side of the road so we agreed we would only stop at something - oh you know-

Well that didn't happen. We were stopping for birds, ostriches, gemsbok, springbok, as well as bushes, stones and logs that were doing perfect imitations of some form of animal. Now we knew we where in trouble - we needed that picnic site as both of us were going to overflow at any moment.

Upped speed - but making sure we kept below the speed limit we were hurtling along (if you can call 40K an hour hurtling) - when we had no choice but to stop.



Now we all know lion are not exactly the most energetic of creatures - this one didn't even flick an ear. This is when Jax said she heard some someone say that at some other place people had made the sound of a sheep and a cheetah had stopped and stared at them. Much debate on how ethical it would be to try and bleat like a sheep out the car window - we decided to give it a bash. I have no idea what anyone would have thought if we had been heard. LazyBones did lift his head and have a look - but he was soon back in his original position. I am positive if we had been closer we would have heard him snoring.



In case you missed him in the previous pic - a tad closer



Now don't for a minute think we had forgotten our pressing problem - we hadn't. I often wonder what we would have done if there had been other people at the picnic spot. We flew in - stopped next to the door of the loos - driver and passenger door flung open as we both sprinted - one to the mens, one to the ladies. I will not divulge who went were. At this stage another vehicle had pulled in and we tried to retain as much dignity as possible when we emerged from the throne and headed for a table and chairs under a tree for lunch. Fortunately there were no lion using the picnic spot (as they often do) as neither one of us even checked.

This may be a long trip report ......................only at lunch on the first full day in the park.........................

[Flutterby]

Nice to take your time relaxing and enjoying the surroundings but urgently-needed pit stops are a problem!

[Mel]

I can so relate to those funny shape rocks and logs and even grass tufts
And I can also feel the pain when getting desperate

[Pumbaa]

Great start, moggiedog,

I am now on board as well

[Toko]

I like the trip through the landscape

Glad you found some animals, too.

[Moggiedog]

Pumpaa

[Lisbeth]

We slowly starting packing up camp. Fortunately neither of us are ever hell bent on getting out the gates at opening time - if we ready, we ready - if we not then so be it, we are on holiday and home life is enough of a rat race with early mornings and rushing around like blue .......flies.

Finally someone who agrees with me Especially during winter........The animals are also cold especially not having duvets

Why did you not stop along the road? When you have to go, you have to go and no rule can stop you ( at least that is my case )

P.S. The pics are very small, Moggiedog