What's bin a happinin' since the last Blog?

Well, quite a bit actually…

November was a bit of a struggle re-adjusting to life in Durban but the time seemed to whizz by with (too) many get-togethers with the friends we had not seen for the previous six months.

December saw us back at James and Laurien’s “in-laws” farm in the Kamberg in the foothills of the Drakensberg where eight of us landed almost a hundred fish in a weekend. The predatory bass community has now been a bit thinned out and hopefully, the trout’s chances of survival will have been made a tad easier.

Gerd, Kay and James C.

Laurien (back to camera), James la G and Moi preparing the trout for smoking.

Lesley and Lynn

That will not set any records!

And a week later we were back in the same area but this time at Peter and Jane’s recently acquired farm near the village of Rosetta.

Girls with dogs - Jane, Kay and Les.

Boys Toys - James C clearing brambles.

Our suite - gorgeous!

The view from our window.

A couple of weeks later we were swanning around Tembe Elephant Park, the first time we have been in December and, consequent on recent rains, the bush was thick and green thus providing great cover and sustenance for the animals and not very good viewing for the humans. Unfortunately, the rainfall has been superficial and the Park is experiencing a ‘green drought’ which is a bit worrying with the dry season still to come.

Fresh lion spoor.

January saw us camping on our South Coast as Lynn had decided she needed to do some surf angling.

And we were also surprised by some great news from Craig and Lauren…

12 weeks and 4 days!

While Lynn was sorting out some old files, a letter from a long lost cousin surfaced, written in condolence when my Mom passed away in 2005 and which was then ‘lost’ before I could reply. It has been great catching up with Karen who now lives in Perth and who has two very accomplished daughters, one a doctor and one apparently quite a famous Australian actress!

Early March saw us back at Glen Mckin Farm in the Kamberg where the same group of us pushed up our bass tally to one hundred and eighty fish landed.

The old farmhouse.

Half a morning's catch.

James la G preparing bass for smoking.

March ended with a two day visit to Kosi Bay and then five days back at Tembe Elephant Park (now dense bush and water everywhere, making animal sighting very difficult) and April started with another pilgrimage down south to Mtakathi at the invitation of long-standing friends Gerd and Les – great weather, great company but not as good fishing as we have become accustomed too.

And then it was back home to pack away all the beach and bush gear, clean the house, pack suitcases and await our lift to the airport which is what we are doing right now.

The Beloved Country has been gripped by power outages caused (we believe) by the rampant theft and corruption at our power utility, Eskom. But the disaster has its funny side…

It has now been reported that during stage 5 and stage 6 load-shedding Eskom is switching off car batteries too.

Stage 7 load-shedding: Eskom comes to your church and takes that little light of yours you were gonna let shine.

Stage 10 load-shedding is when Eskom comes in and even takes your Sunlight soap.

Loadshedding stage 12: Eskom takes your Castle Lite and gives you a Savanna Dark

Stage 22 load shedding: Derek Watts (a well-known TV presenter) is arrested because his surname promotes electricity.

Stage 25 loadshedding : Eskom only allows dark humor.

Stage 100 Loadshedding: Eskom comes to your house and permanently glues your eyelids shut so you never see the light again.

And then there was the ghastly fire in the Notre Dame in Paris; our thoughts are with the French people in this time of national disaster but huge congratulations on raising so much money so quickly for the restoration. A brilliant example of philanthropy!

Our plan this year is to go from Briare, north to Moret-sur-Loing where we will meet Ian and Sian, cruise in tandem south to Joigny where they will continue along the Nivernais to Roanne while we do the Burgundy Canal to St Jean de Losne, then up the Doubs/Rhone-au-Rhin to Mulhouse, back to Besancon where we pick up friends James and Laurien (see Glen Mckin Farm fishing above) and cruise to Chalon-sur-Saone where they will leave us. Then, if water levels permit, we aim to attempt the Seille River to Louhans after which it will be back up the Saone River and on to the Canal du Centre, a quick spin up to Santenay and then back to Fragnes where we have booked our overwinter mooring. A trip total of 1,095 kilometers, 527 locks (gulp) and two tunnels over 177 days.

Let the season begin!