The Flying Minister

I have experienced real Africa now. I got up at 4.30am and went for an early morning flight to see the sun rise over Etosha National Park. It was a very small plane, can sit 4 plus the pilot, and in fact I was sitting next to the pilot, and very careful not to knock any of those controls/pedals with my big feet. It was a bit bumpy going up, as their was a 36 mph sw wind, but once we were up, it was steady. We flew over the Etosha park, but could not see any animals at the water holes, perhaps they were all in bed asleep. The Etosha pan, changed colour as the sun rose, and then it was time to return. We flew back over our lodge, just to wake up those still sleeping, and then landed on the mud track. We had to bank very sharply to do this, and it was very bumpy coming down, but we landed safely, and then time for breakfast.

On Saturday we left Cape Town on the 8am flight, and I had my bottle of wine confiscated we had carried around South Africa. They said I couldn’t take it on the plane as it was over 100ml. However, I had flown with it from PE the day before. We arrived in Windhoek on time, and then picked up the car. It is a Nissan Bakkie 4 wheel drive, and then we had to drive to Otjiwarongo. This was about 2 ½ hours away, and it was just follow the road, what road, the only road! Once we had left Windhoek, we didn’t see many other cars. Namibia is very sparsely populated, in fact the most populated area is the border with Angola, where several tribes live.

We arrived at the B&B by mid afternoon. We did drive through the town, it didn’t have much, but it did have a Wimpy. You know you have fallen on hand times when you have to go to Wimpy for a latte! The B&B was ok, I had a nice eland for my dinner. The next day we had to drive the whole way to Etosha, and it took another 2 ½ hours, again the road is straight, so you just sit at 120km the whole way. We did spot the traffic Police hiding underneath a tree, trying to catch speeding motorist, but I was within the limit.

We arrived at Etosha about midday, having listened to several sermons from All Souls en route. Then we had a quick coffee, stocked up on bread and water (I eat well in Africa) and it was out to look at God’s creation. We arrived at the first water hole, and there were hundreds of animals there – Elephants were bathing, Zebras jumping around, Ostriches burying their heads in the sand, and various ‘bok’ wandering in and out of the picture. All I heard for 20-30 minutes was click, click of Linda’s camera! And ‘look at that Simon.’ Reply ‘yes Linda, if I have seen one impala I have seen a hundreds.’ – all this game was making me hungry and all I had was bread rolls to eat. We stayed there a while and then drove around, and saw lots more animals – Giraffes, Gemsbok, Springbok, Eland but no tortoises. We had a drive around the Etosha pan, which is like a desert, and when you arrive it feels like the end of the world, as you can’t see any ending to the pan or any life.
We then left to go to our lodging, which is the Naua Naua Game Lodge, about 45 minutes from the park. It was down some dirt track, and then a very bumper road, but great fun in the 4 x 4! Their driveway was 10kms long, and through several gates, nearly run over a warthog, but just missed. On arrival it was tea time, so Linda was first in the Q for a tea and a piece of cake. We have a nice big room, which overlooks out into the lodge area, and there is a small waterhole, where some Eland and Warthogs come to drink.

It was Kudu on the menu for dinner, although Linda had a vegetarian option! Linda was tired, all that use of the fingers taking all the pictures so she went to bed early, whilst I just did some reading.

The next day (Monday) we had breakfast at 7am and were in the Etosha park by 8.30, and went to the waterhole, we were not disappointed, plenty of animals were coming to drink, in their hundreds. We watched them all, Linda counted them in and out, and there was a queue at one stage, some waiting on the hills for their turn to drink. We saw a lion sleeping under the tree a few feet away from the water hole and I did tell him he was a missing a free breakfast, but he just ignored me.
We then drove around the area, visiting several other locations, I probably drove about 150kms. We did see some Giraffes having a drink, they are very unwieldy doing it, and have to spread their four legs out like they are doing the splits. Don’t worry, Linda has about 450 photos – so you will be able to see lots of animal pictures.

On Tuesday we stayed at the Naua Naua camp all day, looking for an animal free zone. It was still very hot, and humid and then Linda found out that there was a very small walk around the bush we could go on – she is obviously missing all that walking she normally does. It takes about 30 minutes she told me, and I believed her (should have known better after 14 years of marriage). It took 90 minutes! It was up the hills, through the bush, watching out for the animals, snakes, scorpions and trying to ensure the one bottle of water she bought lasted! The owner had given me a big stick to hit the ground, so that any predators stayed away, as leopards and cheetahs have been seen in this area. It was a long walk, and when we got back we found out we should have turned around after 30 mins and come back the same way.

It was Eland for dinner, although Linda had chicken for a change, and it was a nice meal. The owners come and have dinner with you, so it was a pleasant evening.

On Wednesday we went back to Etosha national park, Linda was getting withdrawal symptoms of not seeing any animals and so we booked a lodge in the park overnight. It is a nice lodge, it has a fridge, air conditioning and a KETTLE! So Linda can drink tea all day. There is a water hole you can see from the lodge area, so we don’t even have to drive anywhere.

Whilst I was unpacking the car, Linda had gone to the waterhole, and I was had just boiled the kettle for a nice coffee, and she rushed in ‘Simon, there is an elephant at the water hole, come and see.’ I said ‘I have seen lots of elephants’ and Linda said ‘but this one is different.’ I said ’so it doesn’t have four legs, one trunk and a couple of floppy ears like all the others I have seen.’ So being a dutiful husband, I went to have a look, and it was no different from all the others I have seen. There were lots of animals at the water hole, and others were queuing to come down. It got rather crowded at one stage.

In the evening we sat and watched the sun go down over the water hole, as we the sun was setting, some giraffes came down to have a drink, I would say we sat romantically, holding hands watching the bright sun disappear over the horizon but Linda had no hands free as she was constantly clicking on the camera. We then went back to our bungalow and lit some wood for a braai- our last night in Africa! We ended up eating indoors as a Jackal turned up to the party (uninvited) and was trying to nick our dinner. So far Linda has taken 492 photos (plus the ones we have deleted) – so I am sure she will be delighted to share them with you on her return!

On Thursday morning Linda was up bright and early and at the water hole by 6.30am to check what animals were there, only a few impala, but she still managed to take a couple of photos. We were on the road by 8am and it was a long drive (500km) back to Windhoek. We stopped on route, and found a coffee house, which did the best coffee we have tasted so far! However, Linda bought some more wooden animals. She also saw some poor kids without clothes and shoes, so she emptied most of my suitcase out, giving away my T shirts I had bought in the Bahamas. I am coming home in the clothes I stand up in!

Lily Pond, Natures Valley

No whales, no ostriches, definitely no tortoises – must be heaven! We are staying at a upmarket B&B in Natures Valley, about 50 miles from Kynsna called Lily Pond. Its called Lily Pond – because there is are three ponds in the middle of the property, but that attracts frogs who croak all night – so still no peace. I know its upmarket as when you go for dinner, it’s a four course set menu and you get more knives and forks then I know what to do with. Evidently, you have to start outside and work inwards, and not allowed to use your fingers. Life was much easier when I just had a knife and fork to use, and they didn’t take it away after every plate. The food is ok, a bit posh nosh for me, I mean you get it all laid out fancy, waste of time if you ask me as it all goes down the same hole, laid out fancy or not.

I asked for poached egg, this morning, did it come with toast – no- a huge plate with one small anaemic poached egg in the middle, and a flower for decoration – but no toast! Had to go and make my own. The grounds are lovely, Linda has been for a walk, and taken some photo’s and you can see a small collection at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/simon.werrett

We have been here for 2 nights, and probably eaten more then we have all holiday. We left Knysna on Tuesday, the sun was shining, and we went to Plettenberg Bay and I took my darling wife down to the beach, as she likes to go there, and we walked hand in hand on the sand, how romantic! Although it was no different, from Southend, apart from warmer. We then had a coffee at a café overlooking the beach, and we were able to sit there, admiring the view, looking into each others eyes – well I would have, it I hadn’t been more interested in reading my computer magazine. The latte was nice – not quite up to Starbucks standards, but not bad for a third world country.
We then found a shopping centre, and I said to Linda, oh that dress looks nice, thinking she wouldn’t like it, but she did, and so I ended up buying it, I shall keep my mouth shut in future, as it gets expensive when I open it. However, we did find a café where there was free internet, so I was able to update and check my email etc.

We then arrived at Lily Pond, and it was nice and warm so we sat on our patio area and enjoyed the views, weather and God’s creatures. On Wednesday, the weather changed, rain, rain and torrential rain. We went to Natures Valley beach, which was very picturesque (this was before the rain) and we could again walk on the beach and admire God’s creative handiwork. After this we went to Plett Bay, and I was able to sit in the café, and do some email etc, whilst Linda went shopping. She must have had an off day as she didn’t buy anything!

The rain has been consistent for the last eight hours, so everywhere is starting to get flooded, good thing our bed is off the ground! I was fast asleep, when about 3am Linda woke me up saying its flooding, wake up, I woke up, looked around for the water, and then she said ‘oh I must have been dreaming” It has been raining non stop for 24 hours, and it was still raining when I got up in the morning. We had breakfast, and then it was on our way again. It was slow progress, as we had to drive slowly because of the wets roads, and lack of visibility. We made it to Jeffreys Bay by about 12.30 and found a nice coffee shop right on the beach. It was a bit like being in Albania, an aga in the middle, with sand all around it, and you poured your own drinks. The structure was made of wood and it looked very basic – no lattes here. We then drove into Port Elizabeth, arriving just before 2pm. We have used the B&B before so it was easy to find, and we checked in and relaxed and it also had free internet – so I could do various updates. In the evening we went to the local chippie for a takeaway, although I had paella, but Linda had chips!

I have been busy downloading sermons from All Souls website for my Itouch – so we can listen to them in the car next week, as there is a lot of driving to be done in Namibia.

Knysna

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No its super Linda! A dog had fallen into the canal opposite our apartment and couldn't get out, so super Linda put on her costume on and jumped into the canal and swam across to reach it, and lift it out. There was no one else around to see her 'super' act, but me and I was just laughing at her in the water and trying to get the stupid dog out! She then had to swim back, fortunately no boats were coming at the time.

We are now at Knysna staying in an apartment for a few days. It is right on the waterfront at Knysna quays and we have lovely views from the patio. It has been warm here and sunny, so Linda has been sitting on the patio sunbathing, and getting a little burnt. Knysna has a free wireless internet system, so I can do some work from the comfort of the couch. The apartment also has satellite TV so I have been able to watch the cricket, whilst enjoying the surroundings.

We have been spending a few days just relaxing and doing some reading, it has been quite pleasant. I had ostrich kebabs for my tea a couple of times as they are good for you. Linda had a cheese sausage. The weather has been good, and sunny, and we have walked along the waterfront a couple of times, although Linda hasn't bought anything in the shops (yet).

We had found details of a local church on the internet and then located it on the map. We turned up at 10.30 to find the church services start earlier here - at 9.30 and they don't have evening services. So we went up to the heads to see the views and listened to a sermon by John Stott on the Ipod.

In the evening we went out for a meal, Linda had butterfish and I had calamari and prawns, it was very nice. We then went for a short walk before returning to the apartment.

We are leaving here on Tuesday for Natures valley, and then down to Port Elizabeth on Thursday, and fly back to Cape Town on Friday afternoon, ready for an early flight to Windhoek on Saturday morning.

There are some photo's at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/simon.werrett

Tortoise Alert

I was driving at 120km along the Mountain road, when suddenly Linda shouted “stop”, I immediately hit the brakes, the back wheels locked, but I managed to stop and said ‘what’s wrong’ thinking she was having a heart attack or I was going to run someone over, not that we had seen anybody for miles. “Look” She said “there’s a tortoise”. I was not amused, and did contemplate making her walk with the tortoise. A few miles along the road, another tortoise was crossing the road, so we had to slow down to make sure it was ok, and made the other side. I thought it was going to visit its flat mate!

Its now Thursday evening and we are in Oudshoorn, about 500km east of Cape Town, it’s the centre of the Ostrich industry, and there are ostriches everywhere, in the fields, on the farms and naturally on the plate! It was raining when we left Cape Town yesterday, we wanted to leave early, but Linda wasn’t ready in time, so we left about 9.45. It was a misty city we left, you couldn’t even see Table Mountain, the table cloth had completely engulfed it.

Our first stop was a Vineyard to have a look round, and buy a decent bottle of plonk. So we went to Vergelegen, about 50kms from Cape Town. It was the only one the Queen visited when she was here in 1995, but I bet she didn’t have to pay 20 rand on the gate to get in! It was a beautiful place, full of old buildings, and lovely gardens, with roses and other flowers. Mandela had his picture under an oak tree here – so Linda wanted hers done as well. We stopped at the Rose Garden Café for a tea (no Latte’s here) and then had a wandered around the gardens. We could have done some wine tasting, but I was driving and Linda doesn’t drink the stuff. We did buy a bottle in the shop, and it would be good to say I went on recommendation and the contents – but no I looked at the price – and got the cheapest! Although it did come with a nice bag.

After this, we then went to Hermanus, about 75 kms south, where the whales were. Linda wanted to see more animals! So the duty driver duly drove down to the seaside, and she could sit on the rocks and watch the whales – if you have seen one …… There were some big ones and little ones and they were all black in colour. It was a bit windy, so they didn’t come near the shore. We then went for a walk around the town, and visited a few shops, before going back to the sea front. I thought I was going to be lucky and get a coffee – but no more whales had arrived – and so we had to watch them jumping around. I had to feed the meter, well give the car guard a few more rand, so we could stay longer. We finally left about 4.30pm – and we had a couple of hours drive to Swellendam. We were staying at the Old Mill B&B, we had been thereon a previous visit so I knew where it was.

I looked at the map, and there was a short cut across country, and so I decided to go that way, so I was humping along at about 120kms, making ground very nicely, when the road suddenly ran out, and it was a dirt track. So I had to slow down, and endure 20kms of dirt track across the mountains till I came out the other side and the road appeared again. We made it to the B&B, as I was walking to reception, this duck jumped out in front of me ( a Muscovy) and made me jump. I had a word in his ear hole and told him that if he did that again he would be joining an orange in the pot and become duck a la orange. We booked in and our room was very nice, with an open fire but it was too hot. Linda managed to break the toilet in this one as well! I can never take her anywhere twice.

I knew the food was good here, and it was rude not to have the three game dish – so I had kudu, ostrich and springbok – lovely. Linda had the fish, and then a cheesecake, but I didn’t have a desert. We slept well, and got up a bit earlier today and had a pleasant breakfast before leaving about 9.15. We were going across country again and through several mountain passes, although I had to keep slowing down and stopping for Linda to take photo’s – anybody would think we were on holiday – and there was no rush.

We did stop at Ladismith for a coffee, and it was a one road town, and then it was straight on for Oudshoorn, (avoiding the tortoises) and we arrived about 1pm. We found the Tourist Information bureau and sorted out some accommodation. We are staying on a farm about 15kms out of town called De Oude Meul, and they have some animals in the front you can watch.

We dropped our luggage off, and then went back into town. We had a wander around, and then went to the Queens hotel for afternoon tea. This royalty thing seems to have gone to Linda’s head ever since she met Princess Alexandra in London recently. In the evening we stayed at the farm, and had dinner here – the choice was too much, all different kinds of meat, some I had never seen before – I finally went for the wildebeest and it was very nice! Linda had fish.

So its off to Knysna in the morning, and we are staying there for the weekend – and hopefully an animal free weekend, but I doubt I will be that lucky!

Cape Town

Having a whale of a time! Linda is happy, she has seen lions from the plane when we were landing at Windhoek airport (she insists they were lions under a tree!), a n Ostrich from the air, plenty of penguins and some whales. We are in Cape Town, staying at the Cape Standard B&B, an art décor sort of joint. It has a nice bedroom, and then a small bathroom. The shower is sort of open and goes onto wood. Linda managed to break the toilet handle – I don’t know what it is with her and bathrooms but she always manages to break something.

We were flying Air Namibia and when we arrived at Gatwick, we were told the Business Lounge was being redecorated and given some vouchers instead. It meant a free Starbucks, but we didn’t want anything else, so Linda spent them on Starbucks chocolates, which she said were for the Kids (although she has eaten a few). She was embarrassing, as she would stand at the queue and if anyone spent over a fiver, she would offer them a voucher and take the money. I sat right away from her!

The plane ride was good, some turbulence over Cameroon and Angola – nothing compared to the turbulence on the ground there. The seat went most of the way back so we could sleep. We arrived at Windhoek at 9.30, and had just sat down to coffee in the lounge, when we had to board the Cape Town flight. It was just under 2 hours to Cape Town and so got there about 12.30. We went through immigration, collected the car, a Toyota Yaris and then found our hotel.

In the afternoon we went to the Waterfront, and had a coffee and looked up at Table Mountain, Linda had an avocado and feta baguette and I had a seafood salad (with squid, fish, octopus, prawns, caviar and salad). We then wandered around the shops, we didn’t buy anything as we were too tired.

Today, we were up and out by 9.30 and took a leisurely drive down to Simons Town to see the penguins, as the place is famous for them at Boulders beach (although the coffee was very poor at the Café). So Linda saw hundreds of penguins, all look the same to me black and white! She also saw some whales with their calves in the bay. When penguins have a lot of babies they are called a crèche. So we sat and watched the whales, and sat and watch the whales, and sat and…. With not a Starbucks in sight.

We then took the scenic route back, which became even more scenic when the toll road across the mountains was closed! So we had to go the back route, it was a nice route- but much slower. We made it back to Cape Town by mid afternoon, and went down to the Waterfront. The Tablecloth was over the mountain, so God was obviously settling down for his dinner!

We stopped for a savoury pancake and a cold drink, before doing a bit of shopping, and going back to the B&B. We are back on the road again tomorrow – we have two days to make Knysna.

There are some pictures at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/simon.werrett