Met our guides Meshack and Shandle today, and the rest of the group......hmmm, there is no rest of group!!! Just Barry, Sue and I for the whole 20 days. It seems that the company guarantee certain dates and have to honour them no matter how many people book, this trip they are running at a loss. So, not going to find my Mr Right in Africa (obviously that was the plan!!!) Not sure how I feel about such a small group, obviously bit of a social butterfly nowadays, like spending time with different people and having varied conversations. Will let you know along the way how I'm coping (interesting, as 6 weeks ago I would have preferred this scenario rather than having to mingle!)

The tour bus is amazing, custom built with big comfy seats and huge windows that open for the perfect safari experience! We have a 12 person truck all to ourselves.....things looking up already ;)........although not for long, as Shandle informed me that it was going to be an issue being a veggie, South Africa being a big meat eating country. Now I did know this, but everything I suggested, he said we couldn't get, including rice, crisps and bananas (I mean come on, bananas!!) Now, as I am writing this on the 18th (I know bit behind), I have learnt that Shandle has a tendency to wind people up. He will say something in all seriousness keeping a straight face so you believe him. He also doesn't let on he is kidding unless you call his bluff so it's hard to know when he's doing it!! I can safely say that not only has it NOT been an issue, but every meal has been a culinary delight!! We have a massive basket of fruit on the bus to snack on, and the guys have soya and a multitude of veg. I've had veggie cutlets, nuggets, salad, cheese, roast potatoes, sausages, thai curry and the crowning glory so far, spag bog!! So, bring on the Slimfast, I'm going to need it!! Although I will say the food is all really healthy, salad for lunch everyday, cereal and yoghurt for brekkie etc....

Our first drive was a long one, stopping to get supplies, including Pringles and cider, yes cider, hurrah!(yes I do sound like a 16 year old!) The landscape is amazing, it's like five different countries all rolled into one, the mountains are at times like Oz and others the Brecon Beacons, there are Canadian pine forests and dry desert giving way to lush green fields growing soya and maize. Along the way we passed a number of trout farms, obviously geared up for tourists with lodges, restaurants and craft shops which looked really nice, other than the fish part. We also had to stop on one road as we came across a race track, with cars crossing to get from one field to another, looked great fun, tried to get a pick but clearly my photography skills not up to the job as all going too fast for me to capture anything other than a cloud of dust.

We arrived at Pilgrims Rest to a small campsite with showers and toilets - a welcome novelty for my camping experience so far on my travels (although doubt there will be bed tea)! Pilgrims Rest itself is lovely, an old goldrush town, founded by an English man. One of the highlights was the local pub which is an English church he had brought over from the UK. Had a pint, as felt rude not to, then a look at some of the shops, including an amazing place that sells wire animals. I know sounds rubbish, but they are really good and you can watch the guy making them (refreshing change as most tourist places in the world sell the same stuff which the owner will swear they have made themselves, until you go next door and get the same products and the same story!!!). Anyway, cynicism over, I do have photographic evidence of said amazing animals and an email address to see if I can get some when I get home.

Last stop was Gods Window, which is a viewing point over the Blyde river canyon. Great to have a walk and get to see the views. Mishek also introduced us to a type of Aloe Vera plant which people use as an effective cure for gonorrhea (nice to know, but not planning on needing any!!)

Dinner was a BBQ, and for the meat eaters, a side of a cow each, really the biggest steaks I have ever seen, apparently cooked to perfection!!