Monthly Archives: December 2020

Share Your World – Monday 28 December 2020

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The last Share your World for 2020 – Here are my answers

QUESTIONS

Pick three words to describe this past year. (please keep them PG. Thanks).

Weird Challenging Frightening

What were the best books you read this year? Or the best movie you saw?

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama – loved this inspirational book.

“Eve’s War” by Evelyn Shillington. I really enjoy stories about World War II when they’re written from the civilian point of view. I found this diary very interesting and it gave me fresh respect for how ordinary people coped in very trying times. Our grandparents and great-grandparents did not complain, they simply ‘did their bit’ and supported each other through great hardship. Coping with COVID is not half as stressful and we have so much to help us through it.

“The Louder I will sing” by Lee Lawrence – Another inspirational story about a young boy who witnessed his mother being shot during a police raid of their home. He and his family suffered greatly as a result of this but he rose above it, took care of his mother and fought for an apology and compensation after her death. It’s an awesome story.

On a lighter note – “I’m just a Teenage Punchbag” by Jackie Clune really made me laugh. It’s a book that does not end the way you would expect. Just loved it!

My best movie is “The Life of Pi” – but I watched it on an aeroplane last year. I read the book years ago and have seen the film two or three times but I only really ‘got’ it this time. It is deep!

Because there was lots of time for looking inward, what is one big personal lesson you learned this past year?

You never know what might happen. A rumour that you dismiss as nonsense could well turn out to be true. Sometimes the unbelievable becomes a reality.

Do you think Covid has strengthened or weakened societal bonds?

Social bonds have weakened. It isn’t easy to connect with friends and colleagues. Children have not been able to connect with their friends because there has been no sport, no playdates and no attending school. We are all social distancing and keeping in touch via social media is just not the same.

But it hasn’t been all bad. Families have spent more time together and given each other support. Some kids have enjoyed online school and have become more focussed on their education.

Coping with this pandemic has its positives and negatives. It’s harder for some than others but in the end this too shall pass.

GRATITUDE SECTION (Optional of course):

I am grateful that my daughter tested negative for COVID. I am grateful to be surrounded by all my children and grandchildren over the holiday season in spite of the restrictions that are now in place in South Africa. We are fortunate to be in a safe place where we can still enjoy each other.

What is a New Year’s Wish You’d Like To Share With the World?

May the New Year bring an end to this Pandemic and may the world have the wisdom and strength to do what they need to do to flatten the curve. May 2021 have us all adapting positively to a new normal.

A Pandemic Christmas in Plettenberg Bay

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In spite of the pandemic’s efforts to cancel Christmas, it came anyway. For many, it was not the usual happy affair with friends and family. Closed borders and travel restrictions prevented many from travelling even a short distance to be with their loved ones. Then there were those who due to illness or fear of catching or spreading the virus had to spend their Christmas day in isolation.

Our family were among the fortunate who were able to be together to celebrate. Only our eldest daughter was unable to join us due to being unwell. We don’t think it’s COVID but she did not feel well enough to travel from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay and also did not want to risk infecting anybody in case it is.

Our youngest daughter and her nephews travelled up together on Christmas Eve. As is our current custom we are spending the holidays with the Plettenberg Bay branch of the family. The Garden Route is a Covid hotspot. The beaches are closed and we are in any case avoiding crowds and public gatherings. Being 18 km out of town helps us to be as isolated as possible.

Christmas Eve pre-dinner drinks in the garden

Christmas day was delightful. It was sunny and warm and we started with good coffee and a delicious breakfast of fruit salad and yogurt followed by scrambled eggs and bacon.

Christmas morning – Mom and middle daughter

This year we kept things simple and did Secret Santa. Each of us drew a name and had only to buy for that person. A limit of how much to spend was set. BUT the grandparents are natural rule breakers and in addition to the person we drew we got a gift pack for each grandchild! Yes, I know they’re too old for this now but it’s a hard habit to give up! I promise this is the last year we’ll do it. After all the youngest is already 16!

The new kitten ready to help hand out the gifts

Youngest grandson calling all to attention – Time to hand out the Secret Santa Gifts

“I can’t believe it – this is exactly what I asked Santa for!”

Grandson number 2 helping with gift distribution

I know this is from you, Gran! I already got my Secret Santa gift!

Grandson Number 1 loves to cook Asian – Santa brought him a book/DVD and ingredients!

Lunch was delicious. It was almost 4 o’clock when we sat down to it. Lauren roasted beef and gammon, I did the roast veggies, Laurie made a Greek and Shan did a delicious gravy. There was Christmas Pudding to follow but we were all too full and promised to have it later in the day. But by nine o’clock we were still in no mood for more than a Dom Pedro (made with Amarula and Ice Cream) to end the day. I did not take a photo but the one below from the internet is fairly similar to what we had.

Share Your World Monday 21 December 2020

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Here are my answers to this weeks questions from Sparks

What is your favorite type of cookie (they’re called biscuits in Europe I believe)?

They are called biscuits in South Africa too. Any biscuit with chocolate is my favourite. I don’t often indulge in sweet carbohydrates but Romany Creams are irresistable.

If you could choose one age and remain that forever, what would it be and why?

That’s a difficult one. I can’t imagine being at one static age forever. There is a season for everything and each stage has it’s advantages and disadvantages.

I enjoyed the energy I had in my thirties and it was a very busy decade. If I stayed there it would be never ending! Now in my sixties I am still energetic, have time to indulge in a number of activities I did not have time for before and I am no longer responsible for the very young and the very old in my life. So perhaps I would like to remain in my sixties forever. May I never become sick and frail!

Do you have a traditional drink during the holiday season?

Not really – we don’t do eggnog. There will be some good South African wines both red and white on offer and of course, Prosecco

Are you able to still believe in holiday magic as you did when you were a child?

Well, all our grandchildren are over 16 now but they still love Christmas. It’s not quite the same feeling as I had as a child the best part being when my mother read us “A Visit from St Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore.

When I was teaching Grade One – 6 to 7 year-olds – I loved doing the Christmas stories, How the Grinch stole Christmas, was a particular favourite and one year, I read it to my grandchildren too.

Reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas to Grandpa and the grandkids – some years back now.

GRATITUDE SECTION (Always optional)

The prompt is wide open today, for anything you care to share!

I am grateful to be sharing Christmas with our kids and grandkids this year. I have friends who will be alone due to Covid restrictions instituted by their country of residence and others because of self-isolation. One of our own is also unwell and won’t be joining us. Hopefully it is not COVID.

I am also super-excited that my book. A Judge Decided is now ready for distribution. How very grateful I am to all those who worked tirelessly to help have it ready before The New Year.

More about this here

A Judge Decided by Helen Fenwick

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The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Act of 1996 is a unilateral treaty which seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international borders. Its main objective is to enforce rights of custody over a child or children who have been wrongfully removed or kept in a foreign country in breach of those rights and to secure their prompt return to the country where the child or children habitually reside.

In the story I have written a judge must decide the future of two very young boys caught up in the complications of this law.

In our modern world divorce is a reality for many couples. But when one parent is in one country and the other in another sharing custody of the children can become the focus of a bitter battle. Who ought to have the children? Should it automatically be the mother? Why not, the good father?

”A Judge Decided” is a fictionalised story based on some true events.

It is available for purchase from Eloise of Sonopuitgewers for R250,00 plus shipping. If you wish to purchase a copy, please email her with your details and she will quote you the final price.

Contact me @ fenwickh@jebomail.co.za

info@sonopuitgewers.co.za

A JUDGE DECIDED – A LITERARY EVALUATION by Pierre Massyn

Child custody – a topic often avoided, but when discussed, one that inevitably leads to heated debate; a controversial subject since King Solomon and his verdict on the rightful custodian of the disputed child.

Families are known, not only to divide, but to split because of the issue of child custody. Now Helen Fenwick examines in depth this contentious topic in her gripping new book, A judge Decided.

Written with circumspection and great sensitivity, Fenwick deftly interweaves other underlying issues of parent separation and third party involvement.

A Judge Decided is not only a remarkable legal case study based on true events, it exposes the human face of the dramatis personae in a deteriorating relationship. In her groundbreaking work, Fenwick casts the reader into the roles of parents and children alike – the latter caught between two counter poles. Central to the sub-plot of a husband substituting his loyal wife for another woman, is the presence of a mother pining for her children.

Written in the present tense, the book is refreshingly candid and characterised by rare-found honesty, expressed in engaging dialogue between the characters.

Always hovering in the background, in another dimension, is Leigh’s mother – her spirit guide who acts as mentor and counselor. Carey appears in the form of a bird – a heron, a sparrow, an owl – to comfort both Leigh and Penny.

The author successfully portrays and explains bewilderingly legal issues, such as custody of the central character’s children in a disarmingly honest way. Her style is loose and pragmatic, and she paints her narrative in a flowing and easy way. Enshrined in the issue of custody, is The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Act 72 of 1996. Helen Fenwick not only untangles this complex legal web, but presents it to the critical reader in a palatable and credible way.

At the risk of spoiling the reader’s potential enjoyment of this excellent work, I shall restrict myself to saying that the tension builds up palpably up to the point where the judge finally has to give his verdict. Will the forces of good prevail?

The print and layout is pleasing and attractive and Eloise Krige’s Sonop Uitgewers deserves a commendation for a job well done.

In conclusion: A book dealing with the topic of A Judge Decided is long overdue and will be thoroughly appreciated by parents and individuals of all ages world-wide. Rating: *****

Share Your World – 14 December 2020

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Here are my answers to this week’s Share Your World from Sparks

What news event do you vividly remember hearing about as a child, and where were you?

I can’t quite remember where I was but President Kennedy was assassinated at 8:30 pm South African time on my 11th birthday so it would only have been the next day that I became aware of it. I know that I started collecting magazine pictures of him and put them up on my bedroom wall. I also remember watching a drive-in newsreel of the funeral and the image of John Jr saluting made a lasting impression on me.

What is a Christmas song that makes you cringe?

I don’t cringe at Christmas songs. I quite like them. I love “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus” and that might be cringe worthy to some.

What is one place you shop(ped prior to Covid) that might have surprised people?

When I lived in Cape Town I patronised the usual chain stores like Pick ‘n Pay and Woolworths for household stuff. Most of my clothing came from Woolworths or small boutiques. Quality was important in my working days. Now my clothing purchases are limited to Mr Price Clothing and Tekkie Town which would surprise many of my friends, I think. These stores are inexpensive and provide the basics.

What is your least favorite holiday side dish?

I love all holiday food. Maybe brussel sprouts are my least favourite but I will eat them.

GRATITUDE SECTION (Always optional)

Share something heart warming that’s happened to you lately.

Lots of heart warming things are happening right now. We are visiting our rural family in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We are with the patriarch and matriarch of the family but have had frequent visits from their grandchildren (our great-nieces and great-nephews). At the request of Grandma, the Earl gave four of them aged between 10 and 15 a basic lesson on electrics and it was heartwarming to see how well he presented and how enthusiastically they responded.

The kids enjoying an electrics lesson with Great-Uncle Earl

It is also heartwarming to see how after a very premature birth which their brother did not survive, the ‘miracle babies’ are thriving. They are now two years old and doing well.

The little cuties with their 5 year-old brother, Mom and protective dog.

Share Your World – 7 December 2020

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Here are my answers to this week’s Share Your World from Sparks

Do you enjoy skiing or ice skating or if it’s warm where you are, hiking or enjoying outdoor sports?

It is warm where I am but I have done some ice-skating and skiing. As a child I had a pair of rollerskates and I loved roller skating. Then an ice-rink was created a little way from where I lived. You could hire a pair of skates and it was really exciting to glide across the ice. I did it a few time with my own children too. I was forty years old when I went to Verbier in Switzerland and skiied for the first and last time in my life. It was awesome!

In my warm climate, I enjoy nature walks, beach walks and swimming in the sea.

Do you give to charities or homeless that you might encounter, during this time of year, more than you do otherwise?

We tend to give throughout the year and help out where we see there is a need.

What is the most enjoyable activity you engage in during December? Is it a tradition for you and your family?

There is nothing special that we engage in but it is a time where we try to have experiences with our children and grandchildren rather than indulging in expensive gifts. We might go to a live show or take them on special outings, sometimes even a weekend away.

What changes will C-19 bring to your festive celebrations this year?

Our extended family of ten will be celebrating together as usual this year. Our children are concerned that Plettenberg Bay is a COVID hotspot and they have warned us that our movements will be limited! So it looks like we will have lots of bonding time together on the farm, far from the crowds in town.

GRATITUDE SECTION (Optional of course):

Please share a good will wish for the world!

May the world be filled with joy, laughter and love during this holiday season. And may the new year bring an end to C-19!

Travelling in the time of Covid – Kokstad Visit – Farms and Dogs

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5 December 2020 to 6 December 2020

When we woke up on Saturday morning it was still raining. Should we wait till later or leave early? Would the rain let up? Would the mist lift later on? There was no way to judge when the best time to leave would be so we bit the bullet and left at six o’clock.

The trip was a nightmare. We played dodge-the-potholes-in-the-mist for the next four hours! Not only were the mist and potholes scary, the other idiots on the road driving without lights and overtaking at inappropriate places at high speed added to the angst of both the driver and the passenger! However, we won the game thanks to the prayers that went up for our safe passage. Don’t worry about Covid, potholes and bad drivers are far more scary,

We stopped at the Lemon Tree in Underberg at eight o’clock and revived ourselves with their excellent coffee and a delicious breakfast.

The weather improved as we approached Kokstad and it was sunny and clear when we arrived. We stopped in town to do some shopping and arrived at Brooklyn Farm at eleven o’clock. But in the afternoon thunder broke the peace and lightning split the sky. Then the hail came pelting down.

How awesome, though, to be back on the farm that we have been visiting since the 1980s. The family here are the warmest most welcoming people and it’s like coming to our second home every time we visit. We are staying with Barbara and Andrew, the matriarch and patriarch of this branch of the family. Barbara’s sister Diane is staying with her dog Shep and cat Marmaduke in a little cottage next door. Their son, Murray and his family are in the main farmhouse just through the garden gate and their youngest daughter, Ann and family are on a neighbouring farm. Their other children are closeby too.

On Sunday morning Diane called me early to join her on a walk with Shep. The sun was shining and the air was warm and it was glorious to be out walking the Brooklyn paths again.

We walked to the river which flows through the farm

Shep is the most well-mannered dog I have ever met. He brought the stick out of the water, took it to a place away from us, dropped it, shook himself dry so as not to wet us and then picked up the stick and brought it back to Diane to be thrown. He repeated this several times.

Later, back at the farm, Marmaduke found the catnip.

While we were innocently sitting on the patio having tea, Diane got up to go to her cottage when there was a movement in the grass. “Snake!” she yelled. Shep tried to go for it but she called him off. It would have been awful if he’d been bitten.

A Rinkhals Snake resembles a cobra but is not the same species.
It can spit and give a venomous bite.

The Earl tried to catch it with a pair of tongs but it managed to escape and disappear. Hopefully it will not reappear later.

Andrew’s brother Ken, farms in the Swartberg, an hour’s drive from here. We went there for lunch today. Once again there was an afternoon thunderstorm and lots of hail. However, it was lovely to bond over a delicious lunch with Ken, Caroline and Phil. At half past three it was clear enough to go for a walk. We’d brought Shep along and he, Ken’s collies, cross Australian cattle dog and Anatolian joined us.

We laughed to see the chickens and lambs taking shelter together.
Note Henny-Penny using Lambert as a soft bed.

This man, a Lesotho Border guard, had been nine hours in the saddle.
He was on his way home to visit family.

There was no keeping Shep out of the water and the other dogs soon joined in too.

Ken’s pup is training to be a sheepdog and has all the right instincts for it.

At the end of a fabulous afternoon, we made our way back in more pouring rain. There was evidence of heavy hail fall all along the side of the road and we were relieved that we weren’t on the road when that fell.

Internet connection is not strong here and sometimes we cannot connect at all so this blog will only appear when it cooperates.

Travelling in the Time of Covid – Kruger National Park – Farewell

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Thursday 3 December 2020

When I was very young Max Bygraves sang a song about the feeling one had when coming to the end of eating a lollipop. That song always comes to mind when something I really enjoy comes to an end. All that is left after enjoying a lollipop is the stick.

But unlike the one which Max refers to, the stick I have left, holds all the memories of yet another amazing holiday in The Kruger National Park! Little did Mr Bygraves know that decades on, ‘stick,’ would have another meaning.

This morning was cool and overcast and the temperature the lowest it’s been since our arrival thirty-three days ago. However, 18 degrees C did not last long and by midday it was in the mid-twenties.

We left for our drive at quarter past six starting with the Matjulu Loop then made our way to Afsaal picnic site on the H3 for breakfast.

It was very quiet but a few creatures showed up to say farewell.

There were heaps of buffalo lounging about.

*Goodbye – Thanks for visiting – Sorry for not getting up but it is rather early*

The ellies were milling about too.

Nice meeting you – have a good trip home

All all along the loop there were a variety of vultures hanging about in trees.

Yes, we know. You’re going to miss the vulture trees. See you next year.

I’m not just a pretty face! Come back soon!

We came upon a hyaena den where there were two adults and just one pup visible. The others must have been hiding.

Say goodbye, Henry – remember your manners.

Zig-zags of zebra were grazing in the veld and several had young.

Zack, the smallest zebra baby we have ever seen was surprised to hear we were leaving so soon.

It was still chilly when we got to Afsaal Picnic site so we put on jackets to sit at the outdoor tables. They don’t do English breakfasts only toasted sandwiches using roosterkoek which I am not particularly fond of. It is a traditional South African bread baked on a grid over the coals. They are made from flour, yeast, salt, sugar, oil, and water, rolled into small balls of dough then brushed with butter and grilled until charred. We settled for wraps instead. The Earl had chicken mayo and I had a delicious one made with roasted aubergine (egg plant) and a few other ingredients.

The Earl looking a bit grumpy about the last African Bush Breakfast for a while.

Afsaal Picnic Site tries to keep a traditional African atmosphere

On our return trip the rhinoceroses showed up to say goodbye.

We are not going to come out unless you promise to stay another day or two!

Excuse my two rude friends – Goodbye and please come again.

Mom says I must pose nicely for you as you are such regular visitors. I’m sure I will have grown by next year!

We saw lions far in the distance but they did not come close enough to bid us farewell. But that’s okay. We chatted a few days ago.

I know you’ll be back – I’m not walking all that way just to say goodbye!

We returned to the camp at midday and did some laundry and sorted out the caravan for our return trip. At three o’clock we decided to go for one last drive. What a good decision that was because Leopold was not going to let us leave the park without at least one Big Five day!

At first he hid shyly behind the foliage

You’ve got your Big Five day and I know I’m the best of them all!

We were lucky enough to be the second car on the scene and had wonderful views of him. The Earl took all the above photos of Leopold Leopard.

The rest of our drive was quiet but we were delighted that the kudu were polite enough to a us a last farewell

Friday 4 December 2020

This morning we were up by four o’clock and had the caravan packed and hitched by five. Malelane Gate opens at half past five but they let us out at twenty-five past. We are now overnighting at Midmar Dam and tomorrow will make our way to Kokstad where we will spend ten days with our relatives there. The internet is almost non-existent on the farm so I won’t be blogging much for a while.

Thank you to everyone who has followed regularly or dropped in now and then. Watch this space for more news of my soon to be published book, “A Judge Decided”, and other travel tales in the future.

Travelling in the Time of Covid – Kruger National Park – Skukuza to Berg-en-Dal

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Wednesday 2 December 2020

This morning I awoke pain-free! We were on the road by six o’clock. The weather was cool and overcast. We needed to get the caravan to Malelane for a service. The plan was to deliver the caravan and leave it at the workshop overnight. When the Earl booked this service he was not sure how long they would need the keep the caravan so we booked a bungalow at Berg-en-Dal for two nights.

Originally we planned to stop at Berg-en-Dal before going to Malelane so we could unpack what we needed from the caravan into the bungalow but then we realised that check in is only at two o’clock! So we stopped at Afsaal, did our rearranging and then drove to Malelane, found the workshop, went to Safeway Tyres to check when they would get the new tyre we’d ordered, had breakfast at Wimpy and then went back to the park. We took a slow drive and checked in at Berg-en-Dal at one o’clock. They were happy to let us in an hour early.

For the first hour of our journey to Afsaal very few creatures turned up to chat. Then suddenly I called out, “Rhino!”

I asked him nicely to turn around and he obliged.

A little later the Earl saw something running toward us.

He put his head down and laughed at us as the Earl clicked his camera

Nothing much more exciting happened until we returned from dropping the caravan off. Then we received a lovely surprise.

Last year we chalked up 163 different bird species. This year we have beaten our record and have 166 species. I’m still looking for a Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and have one more day to find him! But today we got a new one for this year’s list.

There were lots of elephants today but we were fascinated to see a mom with two calves. The one was obviously older but still suckling.

Mom and Baby with the toddler on her right

One on each side suckling. The toddler already has tusks!

We had a total of four rhino sightings today but not all the photos are worth posting. It is encouraging to see these creatures as they are very sort after by poachers. There is a war going on to protect them.

I think the zebra use giraffe as lookouts. They have a marvelous view from up there and can see predators a mile off and will give the zebra fair warning when to run.

Our Berg-en-Dal bungalow is really cool. I still prefer my caravan but a break in comfortable accommodation that is well equipped doesn’t hurt. The only thing I couldn’t find when preparing dinner was a vegetable peeler. There is a microwave but no microwave dishes! This did not bother me as I used one of their pots to cook my chicken casserole on the stove.

A lovely shady patio. The sliding doors are the entrance to the bungalow

A modern bathroom – shower only. Loo is seperate

Well Appointed Kitchen – serving hatch to the bedroom/living area

The kitchen has a two-plate built in hob, a microwave and fridge. It is fully equipped

We were welcomed to our accommodation by some friendly creatures

At two o’clock the Earl received a call from the workshop. The caravan was ready for collection! Safeway tyres had also received the ordered tyre so off he went to Malelane. We needn’t have booked accommodation after all! But never mind. We’ll stay here until the day after tomorrow when we are due to leave. In the meantime the caravan is safely parked and available for anything we might have forgotten to bring in.

Travelling in the Time of Covid – Kruger National Park – Satara to Skukuza

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Tuesday 1 December 2020

It was not a good start to the day again this morning. Yes, the water was working but my back was not! Thank goodness there was no heavy packing to do.

By six o’clock we were on the road and I soon cheered up when the creatures started to greet us. On the H1-3 we were happy to see wildebeest, zebra and impala. The baboons were also quite amusing. And of course we stopped to snap a bird or two.

Oh please let school open soon – homeschooling is driving me nuts!

Just before Tshokwane picnic site, the Earl called out, ‘hyaena!”

He had stolen a lovely bone from somewhere

His friends came to join him but he was not sharing. They had to find their own bones.

We stopped at the picnic site for coffee at about half past seven and although they were not officially open they made us each an Americano. Definitely the best coffee in the park at this place and the staff are friendly and helpful. The Earl went to the shop and found that they were selling buff pies and even though it was a bit early for such fare, we indulged! Well – my back was sore – I needed comfort food.

The H1- 2 gave us a big surprise. It was quarter past eight and the temperature was already 30 degrees C.

The trip to Skukuza did not take long and we arrived at half past nine and set up in a lovely shady spot. My back was no better so I decided to medicate. Myprodol is my drug of choice. I use it only when I am in real pain and it usually works quite quickly. I lay flat until around half past two when we went for our afternoon drive. I already felt loads better.

The temperature had soared to 40 degrees C. We thought a nice long drive to Lower-Sabie in our air-conditioned vehicle was the best way to deal with it. Being so hot the first hour did not produce much but then – two sleepy lionesses hiding in the shade of some thorn bushes.

She stuck her snout in the air and refused to chat to us

And her friend didn’t even have the decency to wake up

By the time we arrived at Sunset Dam, just outside Lower Sabie Rest Camp, it had clouded over and a storm was threatening. We saw the usual crocodiles, hippos, weavers, jacanas, stilts. storks and water dikkops. Some impala also came down to drink.

We popped into Lower Sabie for a loo break and to buy some water and then made our way back. The rain came down quite hard and there was thunder and lightning which was a tad scary!

There were lots of vultures decorating the trees and marabou storks and tawny eagles were on the banks of the river too. None of the photographs are good enough to post here.

When we got to the place where we’d seen the lions there were three or four cars blocking the road. We saw one of the lionesses moving through the bush. She was not easy to photograph. We wanted to move on but the cars would not move. When we finally maneuvered into a space we saw that they were staring at a lioness in the middle of the road. Fine, but she was going nowhere so please move to the side so we can get through. That was not going to happen and when cars from the opposite direction arrived on the scene they too parked three abreast. The poor Earl was frantic. No way did he want to miss gate closing time!

What’s all the fuss about? Haven’t you seen a lion on the road before?

Eventually, somebody started moving past stationery cars forcing them to move out of the way and that created a gap for escape.

We made it through the gate by six o’clock. My back by now was almost back to normal. We both went for a shower and then to the Cattle Baron for their famous Chateaubriand. We just can’t resist it every time we’re at Skukuza.

Adventuring into Retirement

Making the most of The South African LIfestyle

Monthly Archives: December 2020

A Pandemic Christmas in Plettenberg Bay

A Judge Decided by Helen Fenwick

Travelling in the time of Covid – Kokstad Visit – Farms and Dogs

5 December 2020 to 6 December 2020

Travelling in the Time of Covid – Kruger National Park – Farewell

Thursday 3 December 2020

Friday 4 December 2020

Travelling in the Time of Covid – Kruger National Park – Skukuza to Berg-en-Dal

Wednesday 2 December 2020

Travelling in the Time of Covid – Kruger National Park – Satara to Skukuza

Tuesday 1 December 2020

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5 December 2020 to 6 December 2020

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Thursday 3 December 2020

Friday 4 December 2020

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Wednesday 2 December 2020

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Tuesday 1 December 2020

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