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Gecko 109 on Safari – Final Episode -Wildlife Encounters at Kruger: Elephants and More by Guest Blogger, Cathy.

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Solar Struggles and Starry Nights: Tsendze and Beyond

As I mentioned in our last post, our departure for Tsendze was delayed by a bit of roadside camaraderie. Waldo and Desiré, fellow campers, had car trouble, and Alec offered to help. After a trip to Phalaborwa and some mechanical magic, the comforting roar of Waldo’s engine signalled success. We packed up, said a warm farewell to our new friends, and finally hit the road.

The drive to Tsendze was lovely—clear skies and a gentle warmth that would later climb to a blistering 37°C. We stopped at Mopani Camp to check in, where the ever-friendly ladies at reception greeted us with their usual friendly faces. Tsendze is one of the few Kruger camps where sites are allocated, so after receiving our spot, we drove the eight or so kilometres back to the entrance.

The gates at Tsendze are a bit of a landmark, and as always, Alec did a quick scan of the bush to ensure I wouldn’t become a widow before opening them. We found campsite #5 and were thrilled to see a large tree offering generous shade—much needed, as the heat had become oppressive and there’s no electricity at Tsendze. Our aircon was out of the question, so we relied solely on our 12V system to keep the fridge and lights going.

Once the van was set up and the solar panels laid out to catch what sun they could, we returned to Mopani for a lazy lunch on the deck overlooking Pioneer Dam. The elephants were having a glorious pool party—splashing, playing, and generally making us wish we could join them.

An Elephant Pool Party at Pioneer dam

Back at camp, the afternoon drifted by as we enjoyed the birds and squirrels in the surrounding bush. As evening fell and the heat softened, we settled in with our customary drinks and opted for a simple sandwich supper, still full from lunch and not quite ready to brave the stove.

As tradition goes, Roger popped by to welcome us. He’s a fixture at Tsendze — knowledgeable, kind, and always ready with a story. He apologized for the foot traffic near our site; a nest of barn owls had drawn curious children from across the camp. Roger’s passion for and knowledge of the birds and animals of the area is encyclopaedic, especially when it comes to owls. It’s always a pleasure chatting with him.

Kruger’s bird life felt like a living field guide. We enjoyed watching them in camp and on our drives. There were many different species but there are a few that are our favourites.

A majestic martial eagle

Marabou Storks were at the end of the line when looks were handed out

A Pale Chanting Goshawk peers out

Mocking Cliff Chat poses beautifully

Ford Tailed Drongos were everywhere

A Kurrichane Thrush looks for supper

Egrets and a Cormorant look for supper

Alec’s favourite Bird – Yellow Billed Hornbill

Burchells Coucal dozes in the sun

Crested Francolin are accomplished beggars

Gorgeous Tawny Eagle

Bennet’s Woodpecker

Southern Ground Hornbills

Beautiful mature Bataleur

White fronted Bee Eater waiting for prey

Busy Magpie Shrike

African Jacana forages in the shallows

After a refreshing shower, we turned in early, eager to explore the area the next day. But morning greeted us with thick cloud cover — a camper’s nemesis when relying on solar power. Our panels, usually reliable in partial sun, couldn’t keep up under the heavy skies. With our battery struggling, we made another trip to Mopani to see if we could swap our booking for a powered site at Letaba. The receptionist worked her magic and found us a place one night, which was better than nothing, especially with school holidays filling up the camps.

We packed up and headed back to Letaba, grateful for the reprieve and already making mental notes about upgrading our electrical setup. Lithium batteries? Better panels? A puzzle for another day.

Letaba welcomed us with a lovely site, and we spent the afternoon revisiting some of our favourite spots—the bridge over the river, Engelhart Dam, and the loops off the Phalaborwa Road. Kruger, as always, delivered. One of my favourite sightings was a line of elephant bulls marching out of the bush to drink at a reservoir—majestic and utterly grounding.

On a blazing day these zebra needed a drink

Buffalo also drinking at the same waterhole

An unusual Kruger sighting – Tsessebe

Five Bulls in a row

Enjoying the freshest water

Hippos ignore the Yellow-billed Storks

Some of the most fearsome jaws in nature

Giraffe necking – some of those hits must have hurt

Waterbuck bulls are more interested in the ladies than us

Just outside camp on our final drive, we had one of those rare sightings that makes you blink twice and wonder if your eyes are playing tricks. We were meandering along the river loops when a flash of white darted across the road in front of us. We stopped immediately, and there it was—perched to the left, a pure white squirrel. I scrambled for my camera, but of course, it chose that moment to focus on the nearest leaves. By the time I’d adjusted, the squirrel had vanished into the undergrowth.

Whether it was a true albino or leucistic, I couldn’t say. But what struck me most was how starkly its snowy coat stood out against the muted tones of the bush—like a tiny beacon in a world of camouflage. It’s a wonder it’s survived to adulthood, given how visible it must be to every predator, feathered or four-legged. We could only hope this little ghost of the veld continues to evade its predators. 

My out of focus pic of the squirrel

Back at camp, we found ourselves surrounded by twelve Maui motor homes, all part of a French tour group. They’d formed a loose circle, and our little Gecko stood out like a lone ranger. The evening was quiet, punctuated by night sounds and snippets of French conversation drifting through the air.

The next morning marked the start of our 2,000-kilometre journey home. As always, leaving Kruger felt like leaving a piece of ourselves behind.

Sunset on our holiday!

Impressions of Kruger

This visit brought a pleasant surprise: signs of real maintenance. Letaba now has a new electrified diamond mesh fence, and the new shop is a welcome upgrade. The debris from the old, burned-down shop has finally been cleared. Though we were a bit unsettled by the sight of a large animal trap near the campsite—what exactly were they hoping to catch?

Across the camps, things looked more cared for. Gardens were tended, paths swept, and for the first time in ages, we didn’t spot toilet paper strewn along the loops near the Letaba River. On our last visit, it had been a real eyesore.

We had a wonderful time—short, but rich with wildlife, quiet moments, and the kind of peace only the bush can offer. There’s nothing quite like sitting under a sky full of stars, drink in hand, the scent of roasting meat in the air. The calls of Scops Owls and nightjars blend with jackal howls, hyena whoops, and every now and then, the deep, primal roar of a lion.

Kruger is more than a destination—it’s a balm for the soul. And it’s a place we’ll keep returning to, again and again.

Gecko 109 on Safari – Episode 3 – Wildlife and Tranquility in Kruger – By Guest Blogger, Cathy

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In my previous blog, I mistakenly referred to our meal stop as the Farmers Market at Alzu. The correct name is the Farmer’s Bistro. I also mentioned we were heading to Mopani, when in fact it was Maroela—clearly, I mixed up my trees! These slip-ups have now been corrected in the earlier posts.

From Kopjies to Riverbeds: A Journey Through Kruger
We left Berg-en-Dal early, eager to explore a new corner of the Park—Maroela, a satellite campsite near Orpen. The drive was, once again, a joy. Kruger never disappoints when it comes to wildlife, and this leg of the trip gifted us one of the Park’s most elusive treasures: a pack of wild dogs lounging in a riverbed. These endangered canines are high on every visitor’s wish list, and although we’d hoped to spot the resident pack near Satara, we were lucky enough to encounter them much earlier.

Not long after, we found a young leopard trying to get comfortable in a tree. Choosing the right, smooth branch for a lazy day is very important.

Young leopard doing its best to get comfortable

Our First Glimpse of the Dogs

Wild Dogs in the river bed

Every river has its crocodiles!
Not long after, we came across a pride of lions—albeit far from the road. It always amazes me how some people can spot the faintest flicker of movement or a subtle shape in the distance. One kind soul pointed out a green mound near a cluster of trees, and sure enough, through binoculars, nine lions lay dozing in the sun. I’ll never stop marvelling at the eyesight of seasoned bush-goers!

Lions Lazing in the sunshine

One young male keeps watch

A Pitstop at Satara
By midday, we reached the Orpen turnoff and decided to pop into Satara for lunch and fuel. A delicious chicken salad at the Cattle Baron hit the spot, and with a full tank, we made our way to Maroela.

Along the way, we were lucky to encounter another rarity at Kruger, the Southern Ground Hornbill. In fact, we saw these magnificent birds a few times. Did you know that these birds are the largest hornbill in the world and one of the heaviest flying birds in South Africa?

A Gorgeous Ground Hornbill

Another prime viewing was watching this young Bataleur play in a puddle! This daft young bird hopped around, sipped a little, and thought about bathing. It fluffed its feathers, dipped down, and then hopped away again.  It went through this performance a few times before tiring of the game and moving off. What a pleasure to see a young animal just enjoying itself.

A young Bataleur playing in a puddle

Maroela: Quiet Charm by the River
After the bustling energy of Satara, Maroela was a breath of fresh air. Small, quiet, and reminiscent of Tsendze, it offered a peaceful retreat. The gate system is self-managed, and many sites overlook the river—dry at the time, but still frequented by elephants and giraffe.
The ablutions, though a bit dated, were spotless. And the showers? Miraculously well-behaved! No rogue spray patterns—just a steady stream of water where it was meant to go. We quickly settled into a lovely site and headed out for our first drive.
The veld around Maroela looked tired, a clear sign of the dry season’s end. Still, the area was alive with elephants, giraffe, impala, kudu, and more. We’ve never been the type to chase only the big cats. There’s so much beauty in the quieter creatures, and we find endless joy in watching them go about their day.

Everyone waiting to drink from the last pool of water

So many beautiful giraffes

A roadblock you don’t argue with

Side-eye from a Hippo

Zebra drink at Nsemani Dam

Rain and Reflection
On our last night at Maroela, the heavens opened. Rain at last! I swear the bush sighed in relief. Thankfully, we’d packed away our awning the night before, so there was no soggy canvas to wrestle with in the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, we set off for Letaba—one of our favourite camps.

Letaba: The Place of Sand
We made good time and arrived late morning, finding a semi-shady site near the fence. Most trees here are Mopani, and at this time of year, they’re bare. It’s a blessing for game viewing—you can see much deeper into the bush, but shade is scarce in the camp.
One of Kruger’s prettiest sights is the Letaba River from the bridge. It’s a haven for waterbuck, hippos, and birds. We spotted African Spoonbills, Three-banded Plovers, Goliath and Grey Herons, Saddle-billed Storks, and the resident Fish Eagle pair.

One of the prettiest views – Letaba River from the bridge

A Waterbuck ram dines on water plant

A pied kingfisher waits for a meal to swim by

Drives and Discoveries
Letaba offers a variety of scenic drives, and we explored most of them during our three-day stay. Elephants were everywhere, and giraffe sightings were particularly lovely. Wildebeest, zebra, and kudu kept us entertained throughout.
On our final afternoon, we stumbled upon a lion kill—perhaps one of the most dramatic sightings we’ve had. Two lionesses were feasting on a buffalo right beside the road. The sound of bones cracking in the silence was a visceral reminder of their power. It’s no wonder the bushveld lives in awe—and fear—of these magnificent creatures.

Lions feast on a buffalo

We could clearly hear the crunching of bones

Elephant Hall – A Must Visit
Of course, no visit to Letaba is complete without once again standing in awe of the tusks of the magnificent tuskers that have lived at Kruger. The Elephant Hall museum is a mine of information about the elephants of the Kruger, and there are many fascinating exhibits to look at, all related to elephants and their life cycles.
There is also a small exhibit of different skulls and skins of other animals in the park. This small museum is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Life-size statue outside the Elephant Hall

Loads of info about elephants

Each tusker has his own display with his tusks

Selection of skulls and skins from other critters

Stars, Braai, and a Glass of Merlot
That evening, we watched the resident hyena pace along the fence, enjoyed a sundowner, and soaked in the peace of camp life. There’s nothing quite like a star-filled sky, the scent of braai in the air, and a glass of merlot in hand.
Again that night, the heavens opened, and we had a terrific thunderstorm. The wind howled and the rain pelted down. Again, the bush got a good watering so I am sure that the green grass is not far away!
A Morning Mishap and a Friendly Fix
The next morning brought a hiccup—our neighbours’ Toyota battery had died overnight. Even a jumpstart couldn’t revive it. Alec drove Waldo to Phalaborwa for a replacement, which delayed our departure for Tsendze. But in true bush spirit, we made new friends, so it was a win-win.
Now, as we head off to Tsendze—where there’s no 220v—the next chapter of this blog will have to wait. But something tells me it’ll be worth the pause.

Gecko 109 on Safari Episode 2 – Discovering Crocodile Bridge: Warthogs and Wildlife – by Guest Blogger, Cathy

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From Bass Lake to Crocodile Bridge: Surprises, Sightings, and a Mop-Wielding Warthog Wrangler

We left Bass Lake early, slightly anxious about finding our way back to the N4 and bracing ourselves for the inevitable convoy of trucks. Thankfully, we navigated back to the N1 without a hitch and soon merged onto the N4. It was busy, as expected, but the dual lanes made for a smooth enough drive.

With no breakfast in our bellies, we decided to stop at the next promising spot—and that turned out to be Alzu. What a surprise! We expected the usual roadside pit stop: a fuel station, maybe a tired-looking restaurant. Instead, Alzu felt like someone had plucked a strip mall from Joburg and dropped it in the middle of the bush. Multiple restaurants, a shop that could rival a small city, and crowds of people everywhere.

After peeking into Mug & Bean and Spur, we opted for the quieter Farmer’s Bistro. Good call. They served up toasted egg and bacon sandwiches on thick farm bread—hearty, delicious, and paired with the obligatory mountain of chips. Alec and I couldn’t even finish ours.

Back on the road, we made good time until we hit a jaw-dropping queue of trucks near Komatipoort—15 kilometres of slow-moving metal. It made us wonder: where do these drivers eat, sleep, or even find a bathroom? Most of the ore trucks don’t have sleeper cabs, so it must be a rough few days inching forward.

Eventually, we turned off towards Crocodile Bridge and felt that familiar thrill—Kruger time. We’d never stayed at Croc Bridge before, and it turned out to be a gem. Neatly demarcated campsites (a rarity!), a warm welcome from the resident bushbuck, and a shady, safe spot for Lizzie, our caravan.

The camp was spotless, with beautifully tended gardens. We met a man wielding a bright green, slightly moth-eaten mop—his warthog deterrent. Apparently, the warthogs like to sleep under vehicles and have midnight tusk-fueled brawls that wreak havoc on wiring. Mop diplomacy at its finest.

Our game drives were fantastic. A courting pair of lions stole the show, but we also saw herds of impala, elegant kudu, and some lovely birds. Croc Bridge was the perfect start to our holiday.

That said, Monday marked the beginning of SAN Parks’ free access week, and the roads turned chaotic. Sightings always cause traffic jams, but with the surge in daily visitors, it was borderline gridlock.

Our courting couple off to find a room
A cute steenbok stopped to say hello
Our first Ellies – Always a treat
Plenty of beautiful giraffe
The scourge of Crocodile Bridge!

The Long Drive to Berg-en-Dal: Rhinos, Rock Formations, and a Camp That Could Use a Map

After two nights at Croc Bridge, we headed to Berg-en-Dal. We had three options: backtrack to the N4 and brave the trucks again, take the bone-rattling gravel road between Croc Bridge and Malelane, or enjoy a leisurely drive up the tar road via Skukuza. No contest—we chose the tar road and stopped at Lower Sabie for breakfast.

Berg-en-Dal was bustling. Cars, vans, tents—everywhere. It took a while to find a spot, and honestly, I wish SAN Parks would follow Croc Bridge’s lead and demarcate sites. At Berg-en-Dal, it was hard to tell where one site ended and another began. At one point, a tent was completely boxed in by vehicles, and a mini reshuffle was needed just to let the poor campers out.

Still, the sightings were wonderful. The landscape here is stunning—rocky kopjies and dramatic rock formations. It’s prime rhino territory, and we were lucky to spot a cow and her calf. The highlight, though, was a female leopard doing what leopards do best: napping. She was so relaxed, it felt like a privilege just to watch her breathe.

After two lovely days, it was time to pack up and head to Maroela—another first for us.

Such an elegant lady – female Kudu
A stunning lilac-breasted Roller
Buffalo by the dozen
Alec’s favourite bird – yellow-billed hornbill
Grey Heron – head on!
Mama Rhino with her calf

One sleepy leopard
Wonder if the elephant wanted to admire the fig

The Curse of the Smartphone: A Rant from the Riverbank

One thing I just can’t wrap my head around is the obsession with phones. At Lower Sabie’s Mug & Bean, we sat on the veranda overlooking the magnificent Sabie River. Birds flitted across the water, animals moved in the distance—and yet, most people were glued to their screens.

Before even greeting the waiter, phones were out, thumbs scrolling. No eye contact, no conversation, just a sea of faces lit by blue light. And it’s not just teenagers—it’s everyone. Why come to the park if your main interest is a 4×6 inch screen?

Don’t get me wrong—my phone’s a useful tool. But I sincerely hope it never becomes the most important thing in my life.

Preferred Vacation Styles – Share Your World 23 June 2024

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Here are my answers to this week’s questions from Di

When you go on vacation, do you like to sample the local cuisine, check out the sights, or laze on the beach?

When travelling I would certainly eat what the locals eat – sixty-one million Italians can’t be wrong. (in Zimbabwe, I even ate a Mopane worm!)

There is also no point going to new places if all you’re going to do is laze on the beach. I can do that at home, so I would definitely explore and experience everything I could about an exotic place.

While on a coach tour with my daughter, we chose to eat Italian in Italy – mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil pesto for me – An Italian salad for her.

Have you ever been away on a vacation with friends rather than family?

We have often been on vacation with friends, especially when visiting game reserves. Many of these trips have been organised by us but all expenses have been shared and they have all worked out extremely well. Because we love the bush and have some knowledge of birds and wildlife we enjoy being the ‘guides’ for first-time visitors to the parks.

Australian friends at a stop-over in Windhoek on our way to Etosha National Park,

  Would you prefer a cruise or coach tour holiday?

I have experienced both and at my age, I prefer cruising. It is an awesome way to travel as you blend relaxing with exploring and you can choose how much of each to do. It is amazingly convenient not to have to pack and unpack as you move to each new destination. Your floating hotel effortless takes you there while you enjoy having all your accommodation and catering needs included in your fare. Even the entertainment and most activities are free. You can choose to go on excursions at port stops or to do your own thing. It’s win-win all the way.

Help yourself to breakfast!

Self-catering, or full board where all meals are included/provided?

My other type of vacation is visiting game reserves in South Africa. Although I have enjoyed many different types of travel and vacation, trekking into the bush is my ultimate choice and something my hubby and I have been doing every year since the 1990s. We have explored almost all the parks in South Africa, as well as some in Namibia and Botswana. Our adventures have taken many different forms – rondawels, roof-top tenting, and caravanning. Now that we’ve embraced our golden years and parted ways with the caravan, it’s time to return to the charm of self-catering bungalows.

In most of the South African National Parks, you might find excellent restaurants in the rest camps and picnic sites. So if you are not in the mood to braai, you have the option to eat out!

Self-catering in the bush – Watch out for hyenas and please don’t feed them!

Gratitude:
It is mid-winter in South Africa, but I am most grateful that on Saturday the weather was calm and sunny, if a tad chilly in the early morning, as The NSRI’s was holding a Winter Solstice Swim at Struisbaai’s harbour beach. My friend, Michele, braved the icy waters along with a dozen or so others who all declared that it was ‘warm once you’re in’ and all splashed about for half an hour! Well done to all of them. I was wrapped in my boots and jacket as I took the photos!

Today we have rain, but during a break in the weather, I was thankful that the birds were enjoying the winter flora along the Struisbaai coastal road.

Cape Bulbul
Cape Francolin
Cape Sparrow
Cape Weaver

The Southern Tip of Africa

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It’s been a while since I’ve shared my thoughts about the place I call home. As winter gradually makes its presence felt in the southern hemisphere, we’re still fortunate to enjoy a few crisp yet sunny days. On Saturday afternoon, while the men set off to sea in hopes of a good catch, we ladies – Wise Wine Warriors—spent a lovely afternoon at Struisbaai Harbour Café. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the harbour, I paused to take it all in and truly appreciate where I was. Then, on Sunday evening, as we all gathered for a sunset braai, I was once again struck by the undeniable charm of this little gem in the deep south of my country. In this vast world, fate has placed me at the southernmost tip of Africa—and I must say, I couldn’t be happier.

Some of our group – Wise Wine Warriors

It is often mistakenly believed that the southern tip of Africa is Cape Point, near Cape Town, and quite close to where I grew up. Some also claim that this is where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. It’s good for tourism to go along with this myth! But in fact, the two oceans meet at Cape Agulhas, and it is also the most southerly point of Africa.

The Earl and Me at the Southern Tip of Africa

When I was a child, I was keen to stand on the very tip of Africa. I asked my parents if we could visit. But they did not share my adventurous spirit and thought that it was hardly worth the visit.
“It’s very remote and there nothing there,” my mother declared.  
And she was right – my first visit was in 1982, and the area didn’t even have electricity!   Of course, it’s quite different now, and this formerly tiny district is attracting more and more permanent residents. But its natural beauty still abounds.   Sometimes I take a moment and let it all sink in that I am at the southernmost tip of “Darkest Africa.”  Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai boast a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. The Agulhas National Park hosts over 2,000 native plant species. The fauna in the region is also fascinating. The wetlands provide refuge for birds and amphibians, including the African Black Oystercatcher, Damara Tern, and Southern Right Whales, which migrate through the area. Our harbour welcomes short-tailed stingrays that swim in to enjoy some delicious pickings thrown into the water by the local fishermen cleaning their catch. We even have Cape Clawless otters frolicking in the shallows from time to time. Click on the link to see a video.

The coastline is also notorious for the number of sailing ships wrecked in its stormy seas. The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse was built in 1849 and is now a historic landmark,  still warning seafarers of  the treacherous waters

 On November 16, 1982, the Meisho Marul ran aground near the southernmost point of Africa due to a storm. Fortunately, all 17 crew members managed to swim to safety. The wreck has since become an iconic sight.   Over the years, the wreck has eroded significantly, with only the bow section remaining visible above the waves.

I try to get in a daily walk, and whether it’s just around the village, along the coast road from home to Agulhas or along our very long white beach, I never tire of the beauty around me.  Hardly a day goes by that I do not ‘maak ‘n draai by die hawe’ (pop in at the harbour) and it always takes my breath away.

A while ago, I met two young Frenchmen at our local harbour café.   They asked if I was local and we got chatting,  They expressed how much they loved this part of South Africa.
“But surely it can’t beat the French Riviera,” I said.

“Oh but it is so very much better!” they declared.

I thought they were being polite, but then I really looked and thought, “Well, yes – it’s still so natural and quaint and simple. It’s not glitzy and busy like the top destinations of the world. We are indeed lucky to enjoy this little piece of paradise.”

Don’t get me wrong.  When we’re having the foulest weather, I curse the wind, the rain, the flooding and the cold.   But when the sun comes out – well – all is forgiven and forgotten.  

To end, allow me to share some photographs from the sunset braai we enjoyed with the lovely friends we have made here at the southern tip. Thanks to Sonja for catering the delicious starters and dessert, and to Sharon who insisted we all gather at this stunning site right at the southern tip, overlooking the wreck. Where in the world can you safely picnic outdoors without paying an entrance fee or having guards to ensure your safety? It was exquisite and yes, we did make sure the fire was completely dead before we left.

Marlene Sharon Derek
Sonja and Roger
Clive, Tania, Earl, Derek
Derek enjoying Sonja’s Tiramisu

Share Your World Monday 30 December 2024

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This is the last SYW of 2024. Here are my answers. Thanks, Di for some lovely questions.

1.  Would you consider 2024 to have been a good year?
It hasn’t been a bad year and also not a very busy one. As we get older we are slowing down but having said that when I look back I realise how much we have done compared to other people of our age.

2.  What has been the highlight of 2024 for you?
What a great question. Before I looked at this challenge, I had made a list of the highlights of 2024, and there are a few. At the top of the list is our granddaughter’s wedding in April, which included a weekend of fun activities in Cape St. Francis. Then in June, we took an overseas trip – two weeks in England and a 10-day cruise with two of our daughters.

Sundowners at a Cape St Francis beach

Each month had a highlight of its own.
January – visited my sister at Breede River.
February – We attended the Gecko Caravan Rally at Wilderness.
I was photographer and blogger for the annual Marlin Competition in Struisbaai. March – our quietest month – we stayed home and enjoyed our friend.
May – I was the official photographer for the International Bottom Fish Competition.
In July, my husband turned 80.
We went to Cape Town to attend a special presentation of Springbok/Protea Caps to all those who had represented their country internationally in the past. Earl was the only one to receive a Springbok cap and he received a standing ovation.
In August, we had a visit from our friend Yolandi, and our son-in-law Allan made a detour to a business meeting specifically to visit us.
In September we hosted and catered for Nampo guests for a week.
In October we had a wonderful Caravanning trip to Karoo National Park, Camdeboo National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park.
November and December were marred a little by a severe dose of Diverticulitis but that didn’t stop us travelling to Warmwaterberg and then Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town to end a great year.


3. Did you keep any New Year resolutions if you made any in January?
This is what I wrote in my diary on 1 January 2024 – I do not make New’s Resolutions, but every year I pledge to take one day at a time and live each moment to the fullest. Earl and I are getting older – that is a fact – and may we continue to live a good, interesting, adventurous, and fun life.
I suppose the answer to the question is yes, we have lived each moment to the fullest.

4. Are you looking forward to 2025
Yes, I am. I have no idea what the future holds but a new year is always a time to make fresh plans or just go with the flow. The slate is clean at the moment. We have no plans yet but will embrace any opportunities that come our way.

Gratitude

I love the Meme that Di included in this challenge. I am truly grateful for the blessings I have captured this past year.

Gecko Roadtrip October 2024 – Day 2 Oudtschoorn to Karoo National Park

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Note: When viewing the groups of photographs click on first one to enlarge. Use arrows to see slide show. Press escape to return to the blog post.  If you are on your phone you just need to swipe to see each photo and click on the x to return to the blog post. You might also need to click on the info icon to see the captions.

We awoke to clear blue skies this morning, but it was still fairly chilly. I dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. We were all up by 7:30 and went to the Kleinplaas restaurant for breakfast. You could choose from a full buffet of cereals, yogurt, fruit, eggs, bacon, etc., or have a plated health breakfast of cereal, yogurt, fruit, or bacon and eggs. Earl and I had bacon and eggs while Cathy and Alec settled for the health.

At around 09:00 we left to make the two and a half hour drive to Karoo National Park. Once again we enjoyed another beautiful mountain pass. Swartberg Pass starts from the quaint village of De Rust. What an amazing feat of human engineerng this pass is. Imagine the Voortrekkers of old having to make their way across these majestic mountains in their ox wagons. What amazingly brave and tough people these men and women were.

Day 1 Journey Struisbaai to Oudtschoorn
Day 2 Journey – Oudtschoorn to Karoo National Park near Beaufort West

The road has dramatic twists and bends and the scenery is magnifcent. The sheer rock faces in hues of grey and red are interspersed with lush green pockets of vegetation that miraculously sprout from the dry, stony earth. Once over the pass the landscape becomes typically semi-desert with scattered trees and scrub and the lovely low flat topped mountains and koppies.

Although the skies were clear and blue there was a nip in the air and the wind was blowing. When we entered the park the gate guard told us that it was summer last week but now winter had returned!

Entering Karoo National Park

I love the colour of the Karoo and the park displays the tapestry of ochres, rusty reds and deep orange in its rocks and soil. The vegetation is a show of different shades of mauves, pinks, browns, greens and yellows.

The colours!
Bird Hide in the camp
Red Hartebeest blending into the landscape

After checking in we found two lovely sites next each other and soon set up camp. The fascilities are stunning. Everything is neat and well maintained. There is a camp kitchen and a laundry and the ablution block is spotlessly clean.

We spent the afternoon in camp and enjoyed the birds and animals that don’t mind sharing their habitat with humans.

A big guy!
Southern Masked Weaver
Red-faced Mousebird

I strongly disapprove of feeding the wildlife but I am sure there are people wno do otherwise why would a beautiful kudu female feel so comfortable among us? She visited us today and it was extremely tempting to offer her a carrot or some cabbage but I would not allow The Earl to give in to his emotions. You can see from the photographs how tame this creature is. She visits the campsite often but is truly wild and goes to join her kudu friends once she’s greeted everyone in camp.

Kudu approaching
Hello Could you spare a carrot or two?
Absolutely not!
The Earl was delighted to actually touch a wild creature!
Oh well if he can’t feed the kudu he’d better get on with feeding the humans and braai he must!

The 2024 SADSAA International and National Bottom Fish Tournament – Opening Day

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Friday, 26 April 2024

Today was registration day for The Bottom Fish International and National Tournament, hosted by Struisbaai Deep Sea Angling Club.

An amazing brochure filled with information regarding the events of the week, the rules of the competition and details of the boats, skippers and competitors was given to each competitor.

 Each angler received a goodie pack filled with some amazing treasures and the skipper of each boat received a cooler bag filled with gifts.

Thanks to the generous sponsors without whom such a tournament would not be possible.  The following sponsored this year’s Bottom Fish Tournament.

Harcourts, Afrimat, Africooler, Body Zone, Sceptre Fishing, Harbour Café Struisbaai, Fresh Stop Struisbaai, Astron Struisbaai,  Khulu Projects, NSRI Station 30 Agulhas, Viking Fishing, Glenwood Wines Franschoek, Struisbaai Angling Shop,  Link Sports, Hugeunot Valley Natural Spring Water.

This morning the International Teams registered and received their brochures and goodie bags, Click on the first photo of each gallery to enlarge, then use arrows to see a slide show. Press escape to return to the blog.

Protea Ladies Jacqui Luef Michelle Richards (captain), Belinda Fischl
Protea Men John Luef, Allen Ford (Captain), DP Burger
Gibraltar Charles Bear, Joseph Charles Lara, (captain) Michael Bosio
SASACC Kevin Clark Francois Beukes (captain) Kobus Koekemoer
Iceland Gunnar Jonsson Arnar Eythorsson Thorir Sveinsson Skarpheoinn Asbjornsson (captain)
Barbarian Gunnar Jonsson Wayne Gerber (captain) Gary Truluck

At 4 pm it was the turn of the National Teams to register. Some were already dressed formally for the opening function later in the evening while others were still in casual attire.

Border Men Fred Clarke (captain) Andrew Harris , Gary Lunt
Gauteng
Janes Wasserman (captain) Deon Wasserman, Jannas Hendriksz
Eastern Province Ladies Elizabeth Coetzee (captain), Kimberly Burdett Magdalena Kolesky
SADSAA U21
Jan du Plessis (captain) Divan Burger Alex Tyldesley
Southern Cape
Bertie Stewart (captain) Jannie Stewart Robin Corker
Eastern Province Men
Brian Gerber (captain), Gerhard Els Francois Kolesky
Natal
Robert Shepard (captain) Graham Doman Sayed Cassim
Western Province Men
Mark Rode (captain) Albert Burger Ossie Sauermann
SADSAA Ladies
Sheena Gerber (captain) Jennifer Nelson Mable Liebenberg
Families who fish together stay together!
Mother and son Sheena and Christopher Gerber
SADSAA Seniors
Riaz Hussain (captain) Ian Peinke Christopeher Gerber
Border Ladies
Tara Roux (captain) Adele Lunt Dale Webb

Before the Opening Function began all the teams gathered together on the pier and with their respective flags held high they marched in procession to Struisbaai Harbour Café who catered a delicious dinner.   As they entered they planted their flags and then took their seats at the beautifully set tables.   It was really a grand affair.  

Below are the photos of the parade Click on the first one to enlarge and watch a slide show.

Once everyone had found their places they stood to attention while the National Anthems of South Africa, Gibraltar and Iceland were played.

Roger Marais, the chairman of the Struisbaai Deep Sea Angling Club, welcomed everybody to the International and National Bottom Fish Tournament, said grace and then introduced some dignitaries who each gave a speech.

Andries Maree SASACC President
Chris Schorn SADSAA President
Paul Swart Mayor of Agulhas District
DP Burger Western Provice Deepsea Angling Association President

Chris Schorn and Nick Nel (SADSAA Tournament Officer) then began the capping ceremony. It was touching to see how many members of the same family were representing their province or country and the fathers were invited to help their sons or daughters into their blazers for the first time. The Gerber family had three members participating this year. Dad, Wayne was in the Barbarian team, Mom, Sheena captained the SADSAA Ladies’ team and son Christopher fished in SADSAA Men’s Seniors. John Leuf has certainly had a great influence on his daughter Jacqueline’s fishing career and it was his honour to help her into her Protea Blazer.

Nick Nel Michelle Richards Chris Schorn
Nick Nel, Jacqueline Leuf with father John, Chris Schorn
Nick Nel John Leuf Chris Schorn
Nick Nel DP Burger Chris Schorn
Nick Nel Allen Ford Chris Schorn
Protea Men’s Team Dp Burger, Allen Ford John Leuf
Allen Ford Speech
Protea Ladies Jacquline Leuf Michelle Richards, Belinda Fischl
Barbarian Gary Truluck receives Protea colours
Barbarian Wayne Gerber receives Protea colours
SASACC Andries Maree Francois Beukes Kobus Koekemoer Kevin Clark Chris Schorn
SADSAA Ladies Nick Nel Mable Liebenberg Jennifier Nelson Sheena Gerber Chris Schorn
SADSA SENIORS Nick Nel Ian Peinke Riaz Hussain Christopher Gerber Chris Schorn
Wayne Gerber, Magdalena Kolesky
Chris Schorn helping Robin Corker into his new Southern Cape Blazer
Western Province DP Burger Albert Burger Ossie Sauermann Mark Rode Chris Schorn

Special mention was made about Earl Fenwick who received Springbok colours for fishing in 1971 and 1972. He is approaching his 80th birthday but is still actively involved in the fishing fraternity. The dress code insisted that one wear their highest colours and he proudly wore his Springbok blazer. 

An original Fishing Springbok

Once the honours had been presented dinner was served and the party began.  Old friends reconnected and a great time was had by all.