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As I put my boot on to go to breakfast I thought I had left some paper or a sock in it - but a quick hand in revealed a large, but soft, frog who had hopped in over night......I quickly found it a new home outside!
Today we moved to another Robin Pope camp - Ebony Grove - for one nights rustic camping on the banks of the Luangwa. All packed we left Nkwali, crossed the river again and had a lovely relaxing game drive to the RV point before another trip on the river to the campsite.
Enroute to the RV point we stopped to watch some elephants and switched off the engine - we went to move to let a young bull pass and the jeep wouldn't start --- not a place to get out and render a repair so we sat still and let him pass - he went to Johns side but didn't like it, returned to the front of the vehicle, glared at us and then passed slowly on my side- trunk sniffing the air all the time. When he had gone our guide decanted quickly tools in hand and sorted out the starter motor - we started and were off again - phew! As we passed a large pool we saw 3 crocodiles grappling with an impala they had caught earlier as he had gone down to drink......we stayed and watched the empass - no one seemed to be winning - they were playing a long game so we continued to the RV point. A lovely river trip followed to Ebony Grove,we were joined by a young couple from New Zealand, on a 3 month trip. It was great seeing the white fronted beeaters and martins nesting in the riverbank.....also in the area were predators - water monitor lizards and african harrier hawks who feed on the birds eggs and young. We arrived at camp in time to look around then have lunch......nice basic tents but with everything you need, long drop loos and a bucket shower. A siesta followed and when I woke I found that a couple of bugs had had a nibble leaving itchy spots. Grrrr!
After afternoon tea we took the boat across the river - more engine failure - the boatman had to punt - two failures in one day was it us or the machines!!! Once on the other side we set off with our guide( Kanga) and an armed ranger for a much needed walk - it was good to stretch our legs. We were back in camp for sunset- we drank our sundowner while sitting around the camp fire eating freshly roasted peanuts; it was then time for showers. As darkness fell we watched a herd of male elephants cross the river to our side - they were heading for the village. We shone a torch so they knew where we were and avoided our dinner table ( today's photo) which luckily they did.
The night was still and lovely - a full moon meant the turtle doves kept singing during the night -in bed and just before going to sleep I could hear lions on the other side of the river......more tomorrow!
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