Saturday 21 January 2012

New Year, old Holiday thoughts..

Hello Friends,
I am so sorry to have kept you all so long awaiting news from this end.  Thank you for the various e mails asking that all was well.    It has been  it just seems that 2012 has already started to rush along at breakneck speed.  Perhaps also I should blame FB.  I just knew I should never have become involved with it....( I soon may not as there are things going on that I do not like...we will see)  Then I began to think about what I could actually write and tell you that might be new and fresh for a fresh new year and my old brain was blank..I could say my excuse is down to being another year older !!  Mary and I have had quite a few meals out with various friends celebrating said birthday...nothing new about that... I have been visiting my sister MMargaret who unfortunetly is still very very poorly...nothing new about that...then tonight I have been tryng to clear out some documents etc. and started to read some of the diaries I have kept from our various holidays and thought....well that might be "new news" to some of my friends so that is what I am going to do so you can stop right here if you like....you now know that I am alive and kicking...or you can read on about the first day of a holiday in South Africa...

After landing in South Africa there followed a 3 hour coach drive up to Bushlands Lodge Game Reserve, where the first 5 nights of our holiday was spent. We were a great group only 8 of us and we all got on so well. We were all very like-minded and so that was a bonus. Bushlands Lodge was WONDERFUL It is centrally situated in Zululand and surrounded by over 300,000 acres of national park that is rich in wildlife. It had it's own viewing hide close to a waterhole where we could go at any time The comfortable wooden lodges are set on stilts and connected by elevated walkways above a sand forest .This was the only thing that had worried me about the holiday as I hadn't a clue as to how the wheelchair could be got "up there" !!  Never fear Saga here..the walkway leading to our room instead of being up steps was actually ramped the first little bit was on the steep side but only for a yard or so and I hopped out of the chair and then jumped in again and drove it up the rest of the way. I can't adequately describe Bushlands it was in such a wonderful spot. We were surrounded by bush..lots of monkeys, deer, other animals to many to mention. We had only a short walk/trundle to the restaurant and the bar.  The Chef prepared succulent meals every day, the bar GREAT...prices fantastic a martini and lemonade for £1  !!   The bar was further enhanced when the fire was lit beneath the starry sky and drinks were served by the boma (bonfire)


On the way up from Durban Charmaine our young guide (who was lovely nothing was ever any trouble to her) had said she had good news and bad news for us...we asked for the good news first  she said our first Safari had been organised for next day...GREAT WE ALL SAID...bad news...we had to start at 5.30AM !!!!  we all groaned and she said..... well...we could make it 5.45am !!  we voted for the 5.45am start !!  We slept like logs that first night but all were up and ready for our early safari. We met our guide a great guy called Anton. He insisted that Mary got in the front up by him ( it was easier for her to get in the jeep that way) I was right behind, higher up and all the others were behind me, we all had a side seat..no windows..it took aprox. 35mins. to arrive at the Hluhuwe National Park....there the fun started. Anton had told us that sometimes nothing is seen other times a few animals all depended so we were not to be too disappointed if we didn't see much.   We were in the park about 5mins and turned a corner and we were confronted by a whole herd of GIRAFFE  (Mary's fav.) and ZEBRA (my fav.) words cannot describe the feelings at being so near to these magnificent creatures it was AWESOME as you can imagine the camera was hard at work..oh I do hope I can share some of them with you...after a wee while we went on and passed many many animals deer of all sorts/ I am afraid I will never remember which was which !! buffalo's Eland, Duiker, Impala, kudu and Nyala then around another corner...and...What should be right in front of us.... a HUGE bull elephant.  He got quite a surprise....as we did...started taking photo's at once the suddenly this big beast started to swing his trunk wave his ears and paw the ground...our driver Anton very quickly got into reverse and we reversed back round the corner by which time the elephant had started to walk rather quickly towards us !!! he rounded the corner..Anton reversed again...the Whew...old Nellie, or maybe as it was a male he should be called old Bill !!! decided we were not a threat and he shook his trunk at us, turned into the bush grabbing a branch on his way and disappeared into the bush...how an animal that size can disappear so quickly is a mystery.  but disappear he did.    Shortly afterwards Anton stopped and served us all tea/coffee and biscuits  before we eventually after about 3 hours  returned back to the lodge for breakfast.  What a start to the holiday... The food at the lodge was wonderful, well cooked, plain and plentiful. At breakfast we could help ourselves to all kinds of juices, cereals, yogurt (best we have ever tasted!) the waiters produced whatever cooked food we might want. Even cheese sausages !! yes cheese sausages we just had to try them they were ok. but a bit on the salty side as indeed was the ordinary sausages, eggs of any description, bacon etc. etc.  plenty tea/coffee.    It was a very lazy breakfast no hurry so it was almost lunch time by the time we were finished !!  the afternoon was spent unpacking and getting our breath back. Mary and I had a wander along the walkways to get the lay of the land, and arrived at the viewing hide. As it was mid afternoon there wasn't much to be seen. It is best there early morning or evening.   We had all arranged to meet up in the bar at 6.45.  Again it was easy for us to get there it was just behind the restaurant really and to get there we crossed an open area where the Boma (bonfire) was lit under the starry skies, it had the most wonderful atmosphere...and smoke !! (by the end of our 5 days visiting the bar! we were almost pickled !! by SMOKE !!!!)  The drinks were great and so cheap it was almost ridicules only a £1 for Martini and Lemonade...in fact all the drinks I think were £1 and the glasses of wine were huge..No fiddling about with measures in that bar.  When our dinner was ready we all trooped round and first three of nights sat outside (4th 5th nights the Germans arrived and grabbed OUR table !!!)  Dinner was again delicious at least 4/ 5 starters, Then as many different kinds of salads as you could imagine. Also every night there was a roast, beef, pork, ham, chicken, with all the hot vegetables.  We never managed to get to the puds. but the others did and said they were great again a huge variety.  So we certainly never went hungry.    After dinner some of our party went back to the bar and watched the TV there as the rugby matches were on. We usually didn't. As we were actually quite tired by that time. So strolled back to our cabin surrounded by all the sounds of the bush. During the night we could hear squabbling monkeys sometimes !! And the sound of the bullfrogs went on and on. Thankfully I am a bit deaf so didn't bother me...occasionally Mary threatened to do them an mischief .....
So there you are something different to read as a start to my new year....
Again thank you for your letters, e cards phone calls, etc.  You are all the bestest friends one could ask for and I thank God for you all each and every night.
Remember to thank God for your friends as well and to tell them that YOU LOVE THEM

17 comments:

  1. Good to hear from you again, Sybil. As far as Facebook is concerned, there are ways and means to weed out the less pleasant aspects of it. Email me if you want to share. Thanks for sharing your holiday experiences in SA.

    Guido

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  2. Hi Sybil,Enjoyed your adventure in S.Africa.Heard many stories on S.Africa as my sister visits her BIL thier who is a minister (Joahhanesburg).I love giraffes too.I loved the Wild life Safari Park in Louisianna.N.Orleans, when we went with Son.I will send you an E. mail one day with a story in about a Giraffe thier LOL!!I think I would have been to fan though when the Elephant was going to come near you WOW I would have been terrified.Cheap drinks,though we are not drinkers, but it's nice to know,for people who are.I am afraid with my alergy I have had enough of hot countries for a while.The injection I had to have when leaving USA this time,made my mind up for me.Those mossy's hate me LOL!!Three hols now I have hed ruined and been realy ill with their bites.Have a blessed Sunday Sybil.Goodnight and Godbless .Take Care Love you lots.xx (Thankyou for the laughs you send me much appreciated). xxx

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  3. Good to hear from you again. Love reading about your adventures. Keep it up!

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  4. Hello Sybil,

    What a wonderful adventure you had on your trip to South Africa. Thank you for sharing your memories. I would love to make that trip some day.

    Pat

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  5. Such a great Trip you had. Love hearing about it, makes me feel like I was there with you! Trip of a life time. Love you header picture! Think I'd almost pee my pants if an elephant started after the vehicle!!!!! hee hee. I haven't had any trouble on FB. For me a great way to keep in touch w/the kids and friends. Have you checked into Pinterest? I go there and look at lots of stuff just to get ideas. interesting! Have a great weekend, jo

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  6. What a treat to hear of your adventures. I've never traveled much at all and love to read about the sights others see. You do a great job of describing your experiences too. Thanks for sharing with us. I rarely do much at all with FB and continue with my daily blogging. I like it so much better. Hope to hear more from you in the New Year.

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  7. Loved to hear about your adventures! I can't imagine being anywhere where there are monkeys running around! lol I sometimes hear of things in the woods behind us that sound like monkeys but I know we don't have them around here. Anyway, it sounded like an awesome trip! Facebook is a bad time consuming thing but I realize all my peeps are on there and it's an easy way to see what is happening with everyone in "real time"!

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  8. Sybil, I have loved reading about your travels. How exciting to be able to go to those places! I love to watch that show on Sunday Evenings about the family in Africa and it makes me long to be able to see those beautiful animals out in the wild. You and Mary sure do get around!! I think it's all very wonderful! Love and hugs to you today and always. xxoo

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  9. My goodness you have had some wonderful travels and adventures. I doubt if I will ever get to Africa. My sweet Erin has gone there 6 times to teach the deaf children in Ghana but since I don't know sign language, and I was still working when she was going there, I didn't even consider going with her. She does not go there each year now that she is the mother of small children... but she grew to love Africa in the years she was going there. I would like to travel more. It seems harder to do even though we are retired now. However, one day I want to go to England and visit you and Marie. I have only been to England once many years ago. I think it is time for another visit.... maybe not soon, but I can dream.

    Have a nice week. Stay well. Hugs, Lura

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  10. ((((Hello, my beloved Sybil.))) I have been without a computer for over a year because I got a virus from Facebook. I am at the Library today. I lost my job 2 weeks ago. I wish I could remember how to get into my blog and I wish I had your address. I think of you every time I see the postcard you sent me. With much love, Winivere =.)

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    1. Win....I have missed you sooooooooooo much... where are you...pls try to let me know how you are...somehow or other...

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  11. Sybil honey you should write a book about all of your travels.
    I am coming back over here again and reread this post because I know this morning getting ready for my trip to see the kids I missed some of it.
    Just had to come by before I left again to say hello and to check on you dear friend. Did I miss your Birthday again.
    Let me know what day it is so I can put it in my book.
    Will write you more when I get back either Sat night or Sun
    I would stay longer but I don't want to bother anyone with feeding my cats again
    I love you and have a wonderful weekend. Prayers for Margaret
    Love
    Maggie

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  12. PS
    You should of seen the look on my face when your headboard came up
    and the elephant was running toward me. hahaha
    Love
    Maggie

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  13. Hi SYB...I found you..lol. I like your blog. What a lovely adventure...Sandra xxx

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  14. Wow! What a wonderful time. A safari in Africa is on my list of travels, but until then I enjoy reading about your travels. I did do a safari in India to see the Bengal tigers and that was an adventure!
    Hugs to you!

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  15. Sybil honey I still jumped when I opened this page again. haha
    That elephant picture is awesome.
    I had to reread this post because I just can not get over what a wonderful trip you and Mary took. What a great adventure to see the animals in their habitat instead of caged in the zoos.
    You lead such a interesting life. I love that you started the New Year sharing this trip.
    Thank you too for the email about Clint. He did go to a specialist and they of course are doing their on testing. The specialist did tell him he was in for a long journey so I am doing my best to be positive.
    Love you honey and hope your doing well
    Maggie

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  16. What an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing your blog link. I've added myself as a reader. Have a great day.

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