The journey
Excitement filled the air as we all met at my townhouse in Pretoria. I could not wait for noon to hit the road! Some of the guys were late, that's men for you, so when we did eventually leave an hour later, I was bursting with anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.
We took to the back roads to avoid the hectic Easter Holiday traffic. The drive was pleasant and our moods changed with the scenery, becoming more and more relaxed as we left the pressures of city life far behind us. We arrived at the Swartwater concession just as the sun was setting in the Limpopo Valley. Only in Africa do you find towns like Swartwater - the main street through the town doubles as the local airstrip, and you have to watch out for airplanes landing. While Rod and Andy figured out the final directions to the main camp, the rest off us relaxed with a cold beer in the semi-darkness of the bush. Truly a sundowner to remember.
The boys eventually figured out the final direction and route, and we enveloped the darkness as we drove the final miles to farmhouse. Uncle Hennie, Auntie Martie and Justice the Jack Russell greeted us like long lost relatives even though we were all meeting them for the first time. We were shown to the hunting camp and while the guys were off-loading our equipment and supplies, I was given some sound advise by Martin - "Seeing that you are supposed to be one of the boys, do what we do - stand around and look busy." So that was what I did (after arranging the groceries - don't tell anyone, hee,hee.)
In no time we had a fire going and food cooking on the coals. With everyone so relaxed and happy it was a truly wonderful evening.
We decided to call it a day at around midnight, and I unrolled my sleeping bag next to the fire. The evening was too beautiful to waste indoors. I drifted off under the clear bright sky, relishing the moon and the stars, and the great glory of the universe. I remember watching the moon move across the sky, took a last glance at My Star and fell into a wonderful and well-deserved sleep. |
Self catering