The First Leg - Johannesburg to Borakalalo

The Beginning (and The End !) - 17th October

After a mad rush around Johannesburg doing last minute things (like investing the proceeds of the sale of our house), Tony and I finally left our friends', Magnus and Christine's house in Lonehill, and hit William Nicol at 3pm, just in time to catch the Friday afternoon traffic to Harties and Brits. 

Our destination: Borakalalo National Park
Distance from Lonehill:  About 120km by road (and 48 km as  the crow flies - I wish we were the crows!)

We eventually arrive at Borakalalo after 5pm, pitch our tent on the shore of the Klipvoor Dam (angler's heaven) and take care to avoid the giant thorns everywhere !  Then the weekend begins in earnest.

Then, with our friends, Ocea Garriock and Simon Jeggo, we pour ourselves large drinks, and start to prepare dinner for twelve at the braai:

• Blue cheese, pecan nut and pear croutons with Black Forest ham
• Mint and Rosemary marinated lamb chops with roast potatoes, salad and a butternut and zucchini bake
• Tiramisu and Coffee and Heather Custard (who could forget!)

Not bad dining for the bush, is it ?  Next morning, this was followed with a cholestrol-laden Mexican breakfast from Hanli and Lloyd Wood.  Eish !

But wait there is more !

This trip is not only the happy beginning of the Great Trek for Tony and me, but it is also the end of an era of camping with our wonderful group of Johannesburg friends, organised by The Head Honcho, Brian Rogers, and The Chief of Entertainment, his wife Adrienne.  

The weekend at Borakalalo is also intended as an early 60th birthday party for Adrienne, who seems never to lack an excuse to celebrate something !  

 


Another great camping meal:  

• Cocktails from Simon and Rosely van der Merwe
• Avocado Ritz (with avos from Len and Judy Visser's garden!)
• Steak with Honey and Mustard sauce, smashed potatoes and a colourful vegetable medley
• Chocolate mousse (a marriage saver, apparently!)
• Coffee and Liquers

After another heart-stopping breakfast on Sunday morning courtesy of Brian, everyone else drifted off back to the big smoke, leaving Tony and I camping in (almost) complete and splendid isolation.  Bread and water for dinner on Sunday night.  What a weekend - great company, scenic location, and food, glorious food.  

Special Sightings:  
Herd of Sable Antelope (too far for a decent pic)
Black backed jackal (too dark for pic)

Bird count:16

Tune in for the next installment as we travel to Marakele National Park.