Till Friday 13 March 2009 - This week has been pretty eventful, so I hope you are sitting comfortably!Monday is spent completing the programme for National Water Week and then travelling to Riviersonderend (dodging the j-walking troop of baboons along the N2) to distribute posters for the Birding weekend in April. Sticking with a theme I was reluctantly coerced into bird sitting the Park Manager beloved 'Dirkie' - the dam thing hated me on sight, trying to bite me every time I went within a foot of his cage, I even tried speaking Afrikaans to keep him happy, in the end I was just grateful he hadn't pegged it in my care.
Being a woman of many talents, I even found time to open my very own taxi service! The Park gates are shut are 7.00 p.m. sharp and reopen at 7.00 a.m. but this does not stop visitors taking liberties - oh no! Having arrived late the night before, the same guests arrive at 8.00 p.m. after a day back in Cape Town - Asanda and I obligingly jump in the bakkie and make the 3km journey to open the gate. Unbelievably we receive a call at 4.30 a.m. - yes that's 4.30 in the morning - from the same couple, requesting we open the gates as they have any early flight - in........ have you guessed yet? Cape Town! Not so obliging we again drive down the track to the gate, this time they are given the stern word, from yours truly, not usual one for confrontation, I surprised myself, maybe it was the early hour! And just to ensure I received no beauty sleep whatsoever, the Venture used to transport the staff from town broke down- so I found myself in Swellendam for 6.30 a.m. what joy!
Wednesday, I took the pregnant Luzann, who is now on light duties and bored out of her poor little mind, on a jaunt through the breathtaking Langeberg mountains, with shallow walls built between the road and a sheer drop it made for an interesting drive. Again trying to drum up more business for the Birding weekend by distributing posters to the areas of Barrydale and Suurbraak.
On returning back to reception, we were informed a snake had been seen in the kitchen, strangely enough everyone suddenly seemed averse to eating their lunch. I have to admit I had to check under my bed before going to sleep that night!
Asanda has become the 'Madonna' of the Western Cape - having changed her hair style for the third time in two months, starting with a curly bob, then short and straight, and now long and braided. Seriously every time I see her, I have to do a double take!
The Gazette and Herald, the local rag in my sleepy home town Malton, has wrote a small article regarding my fundraising for Mabunda Primary School (see link). I am also hoping to go into print here in SA, having wrote an article about the recent Bontebok Game Capture, which has been sent to both the Swellendam Gazette and the SANParks GO WILD magazine. Go girlfriend!
Thursday saw the arrival of three new bakkies for the Park, in fetching shade of greenish baby diarrhoea!
And Friday, I held the Bishops Balls! Let me explain, the Park is often sponsored by a local gentleman by the name of Adin Greaves, in his own way he likes to get involved with issues in the Park. He invited me on a game drive around the Park, educating me on species of plants and wildlife. Sorry to disappoint - the Bishops Balls is the common name for a plant found in the Park! Kindly I was also invited to join Adin and his lovely Wife, Sharon for supper and enjoyed pasta and Kudu (see photo, although not the exact one!) meatballs in their beautiful home.
And Friday, I held the Bishops Balls! Let me explain, the Park is often sponsored by a local gentleman by the name of Adin Greaves, in his own way he likes to get involved with issues in the Park. He invited me on a game drive around the Park, educating me on species of plants and wildlife. Sorry to disappoint - the Bishops Balls is the common name for a plant found in the Park! Kindly I was also invited to join Adin and his lovely Wife, Sharon for supper and enjoyed pasta and Kudu (see photo, although not the exact one!) meatballs in their beautiful home.
