Hi All

This is a very quick update from an internet cafe in Maun sat next to an ankle biter (child) with dubious personal hygiene standards. I'm trying to write this before I get a dose of something nasty!

We have just got back from a quick trip to 2 national parks (Nxai Pan & Makgadigadi Pans) to the east of Maun and a brief return to civilisation (watching England lose the rugby world cup final at a lodge called Planet Baobab in the middle of nowhere).

We've slept on a salt pan under the stars after a quad bike trip in to nothingness and we've seen more zebra than you could possibly count (Boteti River Makgadigadi Pans).

As we have 4 days left on our visas and we are a bit unsure about getting back in to South Africa, we are heading for Namibia via the panhandle of the Okavango Delta. Hopefully we will try some fishing on the Kavango River before crossing the border.

Those of you wishing to point out that I've mispelt the Pan name beginning with Makg, you are probably right but it is spelt so many ways on the internet I've given up! Pronouncing it requires 8 beers, 2 bottles of wine and a lisp.

Not a great week for English football, rugby or formula one but after you've slept on a salt pan it puts these things in perspective, and besides there is nothing to kick or thump out there.

Congratulations to South Africa for the rugby win, hope everyone is well and enjoying the updates and photos.

Ralph & Angela

PS The aardvark outside Planet Baobab is probably the closest we will come to seeing this notoriously shy nocturnal animal, certainly hope we never see a live one this big or I may give up alcohol.