South Africa 2005

After Chemo 2005 we decided this was the year to do all the places I wanted to visit.  We had done two safari's previously and I always wanted to go back.  Having just dogs, no kids and both working the world was our oyster.  We had both enjoyed the Singita Lodge and headed back out there in August 2005.

We were so shocked that the plane now flew to a different airport and this was a very small jet, you were unable to stand up inside. 

Once in 1999 we came from camp to the small internal airport in the bush through a thunder storm.  We landed sideways, all the way from camp to airport this lady kept saying her hail Mary's.  When we boarded the SA Flight to John'burg the take off was as frightening for us as the aircraft crew.

The river is just in front and watching for elephants is a daily occurence.  Thankfully in August there aren't many nasty nippers around so arms could be uncovered.

The temperature on a morning and night is cold.


When you arrive, you unpack then its out on the landrover.

Our first meeting of the elephants on this trip.  The little one at the front actually slipped and fell in the water, mam was soon there to help tug him out.

Sorry I was on video recorder and not on the camera so no picture of it.

Over the few times we have been in Africa we have been chased by Elephants, they look adorable but are so dangerous. 

We followed this family for quite a few hours and were amazed when they started digging up the ground with tucks and front legs.

One little Elephant came out and trumpheted at us then ran to the safety of his mam.

We thought we were going to have a lucky few days as we saw this beautiful leopard on the first night.  Unfortunately leopard's are becoming a hard find due to illegal hunting.

We tracked her for a while but lost her in the undergrowth.

As a child, after watching Born Free, I wanted to work with wild animals, instead I ended up working with accounts .. we can all dream.

Yes its a long way down for a drink.  We visited this water hole every day in the hope of spotting lions but we were never disappointed as someone was always wanting a drink!

We have a photo of a lion with reflection somewhere in the house, only he has a buffalo in his mouth .. not very pleasant!

Most people hate hynea's but I fell for them when we first watched them as small pups in 1999.  The would come upto the landrovers and bite the tyres.  Once the tracker was sitting out on front and got his boots nibbled, Ken (the tracker) teased him with a branch and the pup had the time of its life.  I felt like reaching over and stroking it.

We did catch a few adults this time .. Gary spotted this one as we were driving along the tracks.

Sundowners - Just before you freeze to death and have to wrap up well you stop for either a early drink or a warm coffee .. nothing like a B & C out in the bush

How could you not enjoy watching these little monsters!  They usually are left to be babysat by an elder sister and annoy her to death.  These are probably about 6 months old.                                                                                       Even the buffalo's like to have a spruce up now and again.  They look quite harmless until your among 200 of them and two bucks start fighting.  We have seen quite a few walk past with battle wounds but not from each other from the lions, leopards and cheetahs who tried to take them down.

Nothing like watching lions.  We have sat for many hours during the 3 safaris watching them in groups or individually.  Once there was an Aunt with 10 juniors, ranging from 18 months to 3 months.  He was one of two brothers who quite happily let us snap away.

Our Cruise - November 2005

My dream was to go on a Cruise and 2005 was our year for holidays, well after the chemo had finished.

We fly to Barbados, and stopped at the famous Sandy Lane for 3 nights before we joined our Cruise Ship for 7 Days.

Yes, one day it was cold and rainy in Barbados too, I honestly am starting to think I do jinx the weather.
What a life, on the ocean waves we went for a cruise and met a couple who have become extremely close friends.

Sitting having beer in one of the carribean ports, it poured down after this drink.

I remember the bar was always cold on an evening, although I'm not surprised as everything was all in.  It was probably the plan to keep you cold.  Brian loved his martini's and each night tried a couple of different ones.  The rest of us well .. champagne of course!

Another port and another beer!  The sun was blazing hot this day and we had a look around the port on the way back from the beach.  Just enjoying our tipple and the heavens opened.  Another lovely day spent by all

Getting ready for dinner.

There were 3 ladies in the cabin next to us, I have to say that the Eldest looked younger than the middle one.  Lots of money had been spent between the three of them with the plastic surgeons, but hey it's their life.

The boat was mainly full of Americans and Shelia was a bad influence on me.  We spent one day at sea and drank all day, even through high tea, when I went to the cabin to change, I laid on the bed and knew nothing till the next morning!

Thankfully neither Gary or I suffered from a thick head.

Our final night for dressing up, I did enjoy the glamour and glitter of the evening and some day I hope to get Gary back on a boat.