On the Road Again...

Our time in Southern Africa is nearing an end - I suppose nearly 3 months is long enough. We have enjoyed our time here, seen so much more of the country, experienced all types of weather and are ever thankful to those who let us sleep under their roof when we 'dropped by' (the latest being Chris's aunt and uncle holidaying in Sun City with Chris' folks and his cousin).
While I type this, Chris is trying to pack his bags and I am staying out of his way... you see, the way we pack (or try to) is that I would start... and hopefully finish in not too long a time, and then (unwittingly) Chris will pack everything else which remains. However, my plan backfires when he gets distracted by my belongings still being on the bed, the floor and on the shelves! Ain't travelling grand!

Tomorrow we fly off to Livingstone to see the statues to the Great Doctor - we presume! We'll also be starting another tour - 22 days this time, which takes us through some spectacular scenery and some exciting countries...

Victoria Falls, Zambezi Gorge, Lake Kariba, South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Nairobi, Arusha.

A journey through the wild continent, from Zambia to Malawi and Tanzania, and finally into Kenya. We'll be discovering the diversity of wildlife, landscapes and people in East and Southern Africa on this journey of adventure and discovery. And keep your eye out for the Big 5! - Well, that's what the guides say, so let's hope so...

Hold onto your hats. We'll update as best as possible, but with our accommodation being participation camping (15 nts), cabin/lodge/bungalow/hotel (4 nts), simple permanent tented camp (2 nts), we're getting back down and dirty with nature, and certainly not many internet cafes en route.

Bon Voyage!

Where in the world.....

It's count down to our next big trip, overland from Zambia to Kenya starting Thursday. To prepare I did what I do best, put it off and headed to Cullinan, outside Pretoria for a relaxing weekend with Lee (my Cousin), Mona (his wife), Matthew and Ethan (their sons.)

Our chalet was fantastic, except for the maid service which wanted to clean our air con'd room at 8:00am ! The pool was fantastic and very refreshing after our long hike from the car carrying cooler bags, towels, books, ipods and almost everything else needed for a relaxing day in the country. That 50 meter hike doesn't seem far but when you have so many beers, breezers and cokes it can be tough. Matthew, who is twelve, had never experienced a Sauna before (30 something degrees and this kids wants a sauna ???) so Lee and I persevered and sat sweating in a wooden box at 110 degrees Celsius (that's what the dial said) An hour later we crawled to the pool via the cooler bag.

So today, Monday is tidy-up day. Sort ourselves out, get ready for Thursday and finalize our plans for April (So far we have tickets as far as London !!!) the list of things to sort out is growing and I don't anticipate good Internet access in other parts of Africa but we shall see.

One thing I do like to look at occasionally is who is looking at the blog, in the past 2 months, people from 17 countries have looked at the blog (google analytics I thank you). I'm glad the blog is doing well and thanks to all those who read it and even better if you enjoy it.

The newest addition to the Boyd family

One of many new family photos... Bronwyn, Simon and the small bundle who is lovingly known as Ruby Peig Boyd. She is certainly a lovely little thing and I cannot wait to get a cuddle - and possibly some nappies to change. After being able to do that for Grier (and bath her), I now at least have a little bit of experience - but not much!

Her Auntie Grainne says that she is opening her eyes, so here is one where she is certainly looking at whoever has disturbed her sleep!!
Love and many congratulations to the new mummy and daddy and lashing of kisses to Ruby from her Auntie Judith and Uncle Chris. Roll on the head wetting!!!!!

BIRTH days...

At 12:45pm, Bronwyn gave birth to a little girl - Ruby. Weighing in at 7lb 6oz and adorned with dark hair. I don't have any pictures at the moment, but hopefully Ruby's new Daddy or grandparents will assist with that. Both mummy and daddy will be needing some well earned rest, Simon said he hasn't slept for more than an hour from Saturday, but we're pleased that everyone is safe and well and now the fun really starts!
Ruby's arrival means that Ruth - Cheryl is a fully fledged Auntie and Craig an Uncle for the first time and Grier now has a cousin. On Bronwyn's side of the family, it's the first Grand-daughter for Brian and Ger, so congratulations to them too.
I can't wait to meet my new niece but that will be in March, when the nappies aren't as messy!!! It will be a lovely family reunion with the Lennie family coming over from Norway too.

So that's another Birthday to add to the collection.

Sorry if we forgot to contact people on their Birthday, but when you are in the middle of nowhere and cell coverage changes every time the wind blows it gets a bit awkward, and when you update the blog, its gets overlooked unless it's on that specific day, but we did think about you all xx

Happy Clappy, but not too bad

One thing you shouldn't really talk about is religion 'cause you will always offend somebody but Sunday morning was an interesting experience. We have been in Durban for the weekend visiting my Auntie Carol. Durban is home to South Africa's Indian Community although not once did we see a curry house. It is also home to one of the largest malls in the southern hemisphere, Gateway mall at which we enjoyed a chocolate bar (that's a coffee shop selling chocolate things, such as chocolate shots, milkshakes, cakes, coffee (mocha) and even chocolate liqueur ! ) we also went to the cinema (Burn after reading.... put simply it's rubbish, don't bother), a bit of food and a few essentials (such as a map to find our way back to J'burg via the 'scenic' route. Anyway back to the story. My Aunt joined a 'happy clappy' church. As she has a new man in her life we had to go to Church to meet him. (he's suitable and meets our approval). 30 minutes of christian rock ballads is probably how I would describe the opening. 50 minutes of American style preaching (minus the cartwheels, although it was close) and a few prayers that started off in one direction and finished up one something completely different with several members of the audience taking part. I have to say, it's not the worst service I've ever been to and It hasn't changed my views on God but if you are ever in the Durban area I would recommend anyone go along. You are made to feel most welcome, you get a cup of tea(during a break in the service) and apart from being a bit weird, everyone is very friendly. Heartland Church

We learnt a lot....

It's been a long month and with one day off (our last post) so much has happened. As you all know we spent the last month at Karongwe Nature Reserve completing an Ecotraining field guides course, in the northern part of South Africa, the Low-Veld as it is called. We have amassed over 1000 photos of birds, insects, mammals, plants and trees and can even identify most of them. (correction, just counted, 1980 from the past month) The mammals we can even track by their footprint (spoor) and Poo (dung, scat or feaces). The smell of Waterbuck, the roar of Lion, the call of a grey Go-away bird (which sounds like Goway, Goway). A huge amount of useless information is now in my head which will be really useful walking down Bedford Street in Belfast when we return. Jude and I both passed the course, 61% final score each although we did have different scores for the practicals, presentations and exams (4 hour final exam!). We made another lot of good friends (so many people on our travels!) and some which we will see again in the coming years. A few photos and a bit of info.

Our tent on our last day. Home for a month it was a bit of a shock after the luxury of Cape Town. Not a lot of room and they heated up well during the day to over 40 Celsius. The mosquito nets where great at night but you had to make sure not to touch the sides or the little guys would be able to stretch.

This 'Elegant Grasshopper' not the smallest of insects but one of the most colourful. Also known as an Elegant Locust the difference is only in the numbers. Locusts are swarms of Grasshoppers. Crickets on the other hand are completely different.

The aposomatic colouration is used by insects to warn off predators. It says you can see me, I'm not hiding but you don't want to eat me cause I'm poisonous.

A grey Heron and an Egyptian goose
The Grey heron is a palearctic migratory bird meaning it migrates from Europe or Asia. it is actually Europe's largest heron. The Egyptian goose is an Intra-African migratory bird meaning it migrates from within Africa... in this case Egypt hence the name

The Sickle bush, know for its compound bipinate leaves with long straight brown thorns. Also known as the Chinese lantern tree due to the flowers, it is eaten by a lot of animals. There are various local medicinal uses for the bark but we only used it for firewood and bushpacking (to encourage growth in eroded areas.)

One of the 4 lion cubs in the reserve the lion is a pure carnivore (meat eater). Although lazy they are more opportunistic in their prey. Some say the lioness will do most of the hunting unless easy prey walks past for the male to crab. This little guy will grow up to 250kg and 4 foot high at the shoulder.

The Common Impala was the most plentiful mammal in the reserve. This young male was part of a bachelor herd which hung around practising rutting (fighting) and working on chat up techniques for the mating season in April. The long horns, present only in the males are not much defence against Cheetah and leopard. Their speed and agility make it too fast for the lazy lion. If a herd is attacked they all jump up and run around to confuse the predator.

This is Savannah with her two cubs and a male impala. The cheetah is a very tall and slender cat and can run up to 60kph (that's about 37mph).

So where now? A few days in J'burg to catch up (thanks again Lee and Mona) and a bit of travel around the area. 26th February is our next 'trip' from Zambia to Nairobi before back in march for a week to see Niece or Nephew Boyd. Trip 2 starts April 1st (no joke) in Dubai but you'll hear about that later, we need to buy the tickets still !

I did say to lots of people about our website but the time to arrange everything else has taken over and to be honest we've been having too much fun. I'll try and get a lot more of our photos online somewhere, and I'll let you know when that happens.