Back to Brittany

 Sunday 23/01/22

Early morning walks are the perfect way to start the day

Our home for the next three months, hidden behind the trees

We've moved Bokkie out of the hangar so she's getting some fresh air

After a fantastic but busy trip to South Africa we managed to scoot across continents into France just as travel opened up.  

We're back in familiar surroundings in our winter sit for the next three months. Our tans are fading away fairly quickly, or maybe they're being worn off by the many layers of clothing we're wearing.  We miss the heat that we had in SA but are loving the slow pace of life in rural France, this really has become a home-from-home for us.

Three of our favourite things in the world - The fireplace, Jess...

and Jasper, relaxed as ever.

We've spent the last week in the garden with the owners so it's been great to get their input and ideas for the property.  They handed over the two cats this morning and headed off to cross the channel - now we will look after things here until April.

Although less diverse than in Kruger, the bird life here is absolutely fantastic!

The Robins are always around in a frosty garden.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Great Tit (L) and Blue Tit (R)

Nuthatch

We will blog as and when we do some interesting stuff: until then assume we're hibernating and winter gardening!

 

Olifants rest camp

 Friday 07/01/22

The mighty Olifants river, usually much more sedate, showing the effect of heavy rains

We've been out of reliable internet range for a few days which we spent at Talamati bushveld campsite and are now at the larger, main camp of Olifants.

European Roller

Lilac-breasted Roller

Sand Grouse

Knob-billed Duck - who would want to carry that around on your nose?

Red-backed Shrike

Immature Bateleur Eagle

Long-tailed Paradise Whydah

We were thrilled to spot this Carmine Bee-eater with its youngster

And it seemed quite excited to see us as well!

We've had quite a few amazing sightings including a wild dog kill right outside the camp fence at Talamati.  We heard the commotion and arrived as the dogs were tucking into the newly-killed impala ram.  It was a frenetic affair and it was awe-inspiring to be so close to these animals in action.  We must have been 20m away from them with only the fence protecting us - utterly amazing.

It was quite intimidating to be so close to these predators in a feeding frenzy!

We've also had quite a few huge thunderstorms and very heavy rains which luckily have also kept temperatures down.

All the birds were drenched after the storm and trying to dry off

Even the Ground Hornbill climbed a perch to get off of the wet grass

With the holidays almost over it was back to school for some

Unfortunately our time in Kruger and South Africa is winding down now; it's hard to believe three months have already passed. Although travel restrictions to France seem to be lifting, we're unsure of our status and will have to see where we travel to next.

Bonus elephant photos:-

If you have a headache...

And a blocked nose.... it is probably just a cold, not COVID

This dung had barely landed on the ground before being covered by bluebottles.
Fast-food for flies?

Belated HNY from Tzaneen

 Sunday 02/01/22

We left our house-sit yesterday with a twinge of sadness, as usual, as we had fallen in love with the four dogs, but we are always looking forward to another adventure.  

The day started off with a bit of excitement. We were busy with our final clean up when I went to the shed to investigate the dogs barking madly.  We were still on edge with all the snake problems but this time they had cornered a monitor lizard. I am not sure who would have won the fight but jumped in to get the monitor out of harm’s way.  I got a good whipping from its tail for my trouble but managed to carry it the main gate and let it loose - hopefully it will have learned to go and hunt elsewhere, away from the dogs.

Our pool with the most amazing view

A lovely way to chill after the long drive.

The view from the stoep outside our room

We’re spending two days on an avocado farm in Tzaneen in a lovely guest house called Die Stoep and are the only guests here, which is wonderful.  It has been as hot as anything but now the weather has broken with an almighty thunderstorm and torrential rain.  

We watched as the heat of the morning built up to a storm.

And then the wind, thunder, lightning and rain came.

Tomorrow we meet my parents in Hoedspruit and join them in Kruger for a few days before we try to fly out. At the moment we still can’t travel to France so we are watching with some trepidation to see if that changes before our flight or if we will need to re-route.

Bonus pic:

This is the first guest house where, not only do we have rusks and biscuits in our room but complimentary Sherry as well. It feels very colonial!

Old world charm