Tembe Elephant Park

Several bull elephants wander down to a watering hole in Tembe Elephant recently for a drink and a mud bath.

Royal Wedding - 29 April 2011

It has been a day for celebration - William and Kate's wedding. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have barely moved off the couch all day. I have watched it live, replayed, the highlights, Sky and now BBC to make sure I haven't missed any angle. However I did miss being part of the atmosphere and did feel a bit misplaced being 6000 miles away in South Africa. And despite having lived here longer than I did in the UK, I can't deny that my roots still lie deeply in the English soil and am an un-apologetically, die-hard royalist.
It's sad that there were the dissenters - no surprise really, there will always be those that oppose a cause, a theme, a point of view - it is the ying and yang of life I guess. But, the majority loved it. Loved the pageantry, the pomp, the ceremony, the dress and the fairy tale. I can' t imagine what it must be like to be a (commoner) mother-of-the bride having to make small talk with the Queen! And, as for Kate, what a job she has taken on as wife of the future King. The glamour of it lives in fairytales only. I wish them well. I think they will guide the monachy into a new, stronger era. God Save the Queen.

Reflections of Nyala - Tembe Elephant park

Rough Play - African Painted dogs, Mkuze

African painted dogs are sociable animals and these guys were playing, not fighting.

Endangered African Painted dog- Mkuze

Last weekend (Easter) we were lucky enough to stay with friends at Mkuzi Game reserve (thanks Wildlife ACT - Bron and Den) and we were priviledged enough to be taken to see a pack of African wild dogs that are being kept in a boma where they are getting to know one another before being let out into the reserve. Observing their antics was fascinating as they greeted one another, played, mated and squabbled. They made amazing sounds - not like dogs at all - more like squeaks really. Their new name as 'painted' dogs also suits them well - much more elegant for these beautiful creatures.

Toothpaste waves - Haga Haga, South Africa

The waves at Haga Haga were enormous this time - it must be the colour and the foam that reminds me of toothpaste, and the whiteness I suppose. Good ad possibility!

Oh....that beach at Haga

Endless peaceful beaches - except when the Bishops and Halls arrive to play cricket!

Unspoilt Haga Haga #2



Panorama of the beautiful Wild Coast last weekend.



Wild Coast, South Africa. Haga Haga panorama.

Out of sync I know, but still editing images from our week at Haga Haga where such big skies, and this case a sunset, enhanced many a photograph.

Cosmos - Underberg, South Africa



On the way back from the Transkei we took the scenic route - half an hour longer, but it took us through Underberg. Cosmos was flowering everywhere and I managed to get the driver to stop long enough to take a pic. As I got out the car the sun went in...typical!



Transkei - the unspoilt beauty of Haga-Haga #3

The unspoilt coast of the Transkei throws up endless opportunities for photographs.

Haga Haga #2

A slow shutter speed adds sense of movement to the sea at Haga Haga.

Transkei - The uspoilt beauty of Haga-Haga

Just returned from a glorious week with friends at Haga Haga in the Transkei. Took masses of pix, but still didn't do justice to the place.. The beauty of Haga lies in it's unspoilt beaches and lack of rampant, Ballito-style property development. There are no burglar guards - it is a laid-back experience where people can walk at night, collect shells, fish, play cricket on the beach - which is as it should be.