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!