We're Going on a Lionhunt!!!

Four Drifters,18 teddies. a pebble and a piece of driftwood DRIFTING thro the amazing Kruger park. Four hundred miles long and 2 million hectares ,no fences so the animals roam freely - it is their country and there are strict rules for humans. We saw everything except lion and leopard, even a crocodile sunbathing - fantastic. But the most special moment was when a herd of female elephants crossed the road in front of us. Mothers with their young some only a few days old. And what was so special was the Matriarch of the herd positioned herself in the middle of the road with her back to us just like a lollipop lady and stood their till all her 30 plus girls had slowly sauntered by
It was so touching

THE RHYTHMS OF THE BUSH - the fast flowimg noises of Crocodile River, the cries of the fish eagle and the grunting of hippos.
We are now south Kruger and staying in an individual thatched house overlooking Crocodile River with an incredible view - saw a hippo and warthogs while having breakfast. This area is left totally natural a real Out of Africa feel but also can feel scruffy at the edges - loads of bugs lizards etc!!
Different again

My blogs are working out to be expensive so I have to limit them but will be back in contact if we can find wi fi

Nice to hear Robs operation went ok and that Brian is feeling a bit better this week
Love to you all from us four xx

Drifting clouds - Rhythms of the Rain & Meeting an Elephant

YES it's. raining-change of plans!! Meant to be going to Blyde River Canyon, but swirling clouds and driving rain . Visited amazing falls in full flow but Gods Window see below-and Wonder View were covered iN drifting mist but amazing all the same.
Then what else do you do on a miserable afternoon! YOU have-
AN AFTERNOON WITH AN ELEPHANT
WOW awesome experience - even got.an elephant kiss
AND THE SUN CAME OUT

From Johannesburg to Graskop

Four Drifters (Sue Josef Barry and Pam)
and 18 teddy bears (knitted by ladies in local church for African children) drift from Joburg to MIddleburg only 130min-surprisingly beautiful. Stayed by Olifants River with blue lilies,wild monkeys, stunning birds and butterflies and we each had our own house recently built so perfect for first night.

Who said Joburg was dangerous!

Now we are at Tsanana Silk Farm in log cabins with outside jacuzzies havIng driven thro spectacular scenery for three hours to Graskop. Dullstrom was a place we stopped at for coffee and Sue and I could have stayed for hours it had fantastic local craft -not the normal wooden elephant ! Lots of great sayings

Barry is now preparing a braai on our deck - great

"The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously"

We're miles from anywhere so connections very difficult don't fret family if you don't hear from us!!!!! we're having a ball

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!!

So much to do - from swimming in waterfalls; walking with elephants; white water rafting; aerial cable trails; caving; silk farm tour; coffee farm tour; just to name a few.
The photos below are the silk worms cocoon which has to be soaked in water then teased out and hooked on four nails

Lisa makes a super breakfast on The Deck

The Pebble & the Driftwood

Brian selected a pebble and piece of driftwood from Climping Beach & they will find a place to rest in Africa. They must stay together. The Pebble dropped in water will send ripples across oceans and the Driftwood placed in the earth where the pebble lies depicts the tree - it's strong roots penetrating through the earth binding everything together - giving life.

Shifting Sands - Fiesta of San Juan

The summer solstice party of San Juan- the longest day, the shortest night is when the Spanish celebrate to the early hours of the morning on the beach.
The 3 symbols of this deeply pagan event are herbs, water & fire -all purifying elements that make up San Juan's heady symbolism of fertility, vitality & astral gods.  Certainly was working on all the millions of people of all ages who flocked to the beaches!


San Juan is about changes - shifting sands.  Its about night to day; its about fire to water.  Fire purifies and water recuperates, refreshes & rejuvenates.

Bonfires large and small are lit all along the Andalucian coast for miles to celebrate into the early hours of the morning.  Its common to see people jumping over the fires, which legend has it, cleanse the body and soul.  Certainly people were jumping over the smaller fires - cant image health & safety allowing that in UK!!
Jumping in the sea at midnight is also supposed to wash away evil spirits but not many did that this year.   Certainly some went in for a dip but due to a huge influx of Portugese man of war, not many wanted to wash away evil spirits and possibly get worse spirits as a result.


An amazing night, one to be remembered and certainly put in the diary for next year.

The DJs were playing the Spanish top single all the time aptly called

All Night, All Day, All Night, All Day, fiesta - What the f.....  What the f....'  quite catchy actually!!

 

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Shifting Sands - from Climping West Sussex to Calahonda Andalucia

The sand is always moving.   The best waves move along with the sand.
It is this constant change that creates interest and stimulation

'Walk with me as the sands shift and change and we dodge and weave our way through the waves of emotion.'

A beautiful early morning walk for two hours along the soft sands and warm water before the heat of the day in Marbella.  Divine but so are the beaches at Climping in a totally different way - we're so spoilt!

Añadir leyenda

Shifting Sands-Time Is Running Out-Hourglass Empty

OOH NO - GOING BACK TO SNOW...... whatever!  Sitting here in a costume in the hot sun, it seems unreal that we are going back to freezing cold.  
I am sorry to inform the readers but neither of us want to come back!!!!

We have been so well looked after.

This is the lovely Benedicta who cleans, irons and washes bed linen.
Wish I could take her home in my pocket!!!

Barrys favourite seat to do a suduko, wide open doors either side allows lovely breezes into the lounge and he can hear the surf and smell the sea.




Pams favourite place on the beach watching the surfers.  A walk along the beach, collecting shells and enjoying the warm Indian Ocean lapping at my feet - perfect.

 



Last meal!!   Barry nearly freaked out going through Durban Docks - thank goodness it wasnt at night!   We had been given the name of Buds Wharfside Diner and thought it would be fun to go to as it was only over the hill.   Half an hour later Barry was saying that he wouldnt be eating there as went through queues of waiting trucks on strike.  It was meant to be 5 minutes!   It was great, different and good food.

  

See the Ha De Das bird with its long beak on a branch, known in KZN as the HaHa bird cos of its loud cry like noise.
We have been woken by its lively calls in the morning

Live Inspired   is certainly the right expression for our magical holiday.
It has been very relaxing being able to stay at Ansteys, recharge our batteries etc and then go off again to explore another beautiful part of KZN.   Just hope we can return the gesture to Tash and Rudy and give them a holiday to remember too. We cant thank them enough!

Most Magical Moment - singing the South African National Anthem with 300 Zulu chiefs in Isandlwana.

Most Amazing Place - apart from Ansteys, was Leopard Rock Look Out Chalets & Cape Vidal.

Most Awesome Experience - seeing lions basking in the sun by the river early morning & hyenas joining us for a braai.  Also sitting in a hide for a couple of hours at Leopards Mountain Game Lodge, meditating & just watching animals quietly coming to drink at the pool.

KZN is truly beautiful and offers so much
Come & visit yourself - do it soon!


THE HOURGLASS OF LIFE


The Shifting Sands in the hourglass of life
No matter what you do, you cant turn it around
for God has created man on the ground.

A new season begun, a new life, a new birth
engraving our story here upon earth
The pages turn slowly
Each day will pass
Life is measured by the hourglass

The clock counts each grain of sand.
Think about this and understand
reflections of love and holding hands.
Happiness is a life well spent
of beautiful children that heaven has sent.

The hourglass of life has told us no lie
Enjoy each moment, dont turn around and then cry.


Sadly the grains of sand have run out of the hourglass and we are returning to snowy UK in the morning.


This is the last blog of 'Shifting Sands' hope you have enjoyed it.

Shifting Sands-Its Friday Man-Get Down To Surf n Sands

Shifting Sands - Its Friday Man, get down to surf n sands!

A hot day on the Bluff,  great surfing conditions. Many came down Friday afternoon, created great atmosphere for start of weekend.

Our Last Game Drive - got up very early!  No hyenas around.  Barry & I were woken in the night by a big knock on our deck but couldnt see anything! Otherwise, we slept well & really enjoyed the experience. It has given us the desire to do more camping and be more adventurous!!

 A pride of lions just basking in the early morning sun on the riverbed.  How amazing is that!.  The proud male looked majestic & behind him was 6 lionesses and a baby sleeping.   Fortunately Paul's camera has a good zoom so he promises to send me a copy.

Said our goodbyes to Pet & Paul.  They are heading North & we, South.  Stopped at some delightful bays on the way down to Ansteys.  Down the whole coast of KZN are beautiful expanses of golden sands

Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge looked a great place to stay set in tropical gardens, overlooking the lagoon and Indian Ocean.

Back at Ansteys in time for our usual banana milkshake at the Green Dragon on the beach!

Every Day Has Been a Magical Day!