Yes, still getting up early for game drives, and is damn disappointing around here. But we do have (nearly) endless supply of hot water. Weirdly, Bill is interested to see the nurses uniform (whether he wants to see it on Marc or Paula has not been discussed.) Well, we all know what Marc and Paula do to fill those long evenings around the (very) camp fire.

Hi Lesley

That is a very good question. Another question is why Marc also had a nurse's uniform in the Landrover? He claims they were Paula's but Paula has pointed out that only Marc has worn them!

Suffice to say that if we do a trip to Malawi with Marc & Paula later this year we will ensure we pitch tent a safe distance from their vehicle.

Visa sorted, they gave us a month so we have until 10 May, which gives us plenty of time to do the Central Kalahari end of this month with Isaac & Liesel.

Are you still getting up at 5am for game drives??

Taking that space is at a premium in overland travel, should I ask what Marc was doing with a police woman's uniform amongst his gear in Africa? Does it help with border crossing? Hope you get the visa sorted.

Thanks Lesley, just updated the photo album and blog site. If anything upsets you Angela made me do it!

Thanks for coming over, the Hobnobs saved our lives (well almost). Shame you didn't bring more afterbite, the campsite outside Gabarone that we've just vacated had mozzies in squadrons waiting to dive bomb us, nasty!

Car is minus the gearbox, clutch, bushes and various other bits being replaced, the usual mechanical mystery as to why we have a bush in the gearbox housing! As mentioned I think I will do a mechanics course back in the UK, would have saved us 50000 pounds by now!

Very quiet here in Gabarone at a "lodge", had to get as near to Landrover as possible as their courtesy cars have all been crashed. It's not quite Otters Den!!!!!!!!

Thanks for a lovely trip

Ralph

Well, a huge thanks to Ralph and Angela for hosting us for the last 6 weeks. We had a fantastic time, and saw more than we could of hoped for. Am sure the back seat of the landy will never be the same, but should you hit hard times in the kalahari you can probably live of the remains of dry voor and Nancy's rusk (which we developed quite a taste for). At the risk of this sounding like an oscar acceptance speech we would also like to thank all those who extended their amazing hospitality to us, and it was great to meet up with new and old friends. Will not use up Ralph and Angelas website any more, but thanks again guys - and we are still all talking - which is some achievement after living in others pockets for such a long time.

Hi All

Indian Ocean at Cape Vidal not very productive fish wise, too small to eat!

Going to Sodwana Bay further north, hoping to get some big fish (boat fishing tomorrow)

Cape Vidal full of drunk sports fisherman, never again!!!!

Ralph

hi guys hows the fishing

Hi Everyone

Having a great time with Lesley & Bill, currently enjoying the mountain scenery around Clarens in the Free State.

Miles, great to meet up with you at Marakele, perhaps we can sort out a Botswana meeting next time!

Marc & Paula, thanks for popping in at Marakele, nice to catch up again. Hope the flight back was OK and maybe we'll meet up in Botswana??

Thanks

Ralph & Angela

Lesley & Bill have arrived here in Upington and we are about to go back in to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for a week of game viewing.

Strange having people in the back seats!

Ralph

Hi Arjan & Patricia

I'm beginning to wonder if we shouldn't have left you stranded at Third Bridge when the Defender broke down!

What with Patricia's bilharzia and baboon sh*t encounter, now you with a bitten nose, it's amazing you manage to travel anywhere. If you do get to Uganda I feel sorry for the gorillas, please don't wipe them out!

Rest up for a week or two though, as Patricia works nights she can look after you all day!

Ralph

Hi Miles

I've come across quite a few Toyotas, 2 stuck in the deep sand at Sossusvlei (as we drove past) and several in Moremi stuck in mud. We've also had to jump start them in Linyanti!

I'll make sure we've got the tow rope out ready for when we meet up! Friends have suggested Marakele as better than Pilansberg (quieter camping and a bit more rugged).

When will you know if you can make it?

Ralph

Funny story:

Yesterdaumorning I picked Patricia up from work, so she could go to bed after her nightshift. We got home. Patricia was sitting behind the computer checking email. I was playing with our dog Remi, we play quite rough, it is never a problem (not for 8 years), but this morning it went wrong. As always she was barking and showing her teeth, I was holding a dogtoy and she was biting on it. I got close to her head, it is never a problem. It is a game were she tries to get to me and until today I was faster then our English Bulldog. One of her teeth got my nose…… blood everywhere. Patricia looked at it and told me I had to go to the Hospital to show it to a doctor, maybe to get a stitch. As left for the hospital, Patricia went to bed. A nice way to start a lazy Sunday. I was in the ER for about 1,5 - 2 hours, the doctor checked my nose and said 'well no stitch necessary'….. So now I am laying down for the whole day, Patricia must spoil me, because I am sad and weak….
I think I have to stay at home for at least a week…. or more……. But knowing Patricia she will kick my but….. I think i will live........