Today is Friday July 6th. At home it’s a hot holiday weekend, hopefully with no storms lurking in the Gulf. But we haven’t had any news or Internet access since Monday morning.
Here it is damp and cold today and I’m hunkered down in my bedroom with heater on, all my clothes on under the covers. I’ve got the curtains drawn so that the staff doesn’t come into clean the room or make the bed while I am laying in it.
This place is perfect for Bill’s African hunting experience. Kobus is an exceptional hunter and guide and he is totally dedicated to Bill with no other clients. The accommodations are nice, much better than any other guided hunt Bill has been on. Hospitality and food are nice. But it is too long in one place for me, without a car, without internet and no activities nearby. I’ve taken some walks up and down the dirt road in front of the house but either way on foot, it’s just more bush and fences on both sides of the road.
The family lives here so there is a of family living commotion. The staff is here all the time and the elderly gardener sweeps the leaves off the porch every morning at 8:30 right in front of my window and he does it very slowly. This morning I was woken by the nanny having a very loud conversation on her cell phone in Xhosa right outside my door. Then the maid comes in everyday to clean the room, pickup laundry and wipe down the bathroom. If I wasn’t here hanging out that would be fine, but I don’t have anywhere else to go.
So I’m getting frustrated as there is so much to see and do in S Africa and I am not able to do much. I could have kept the rental car and/or made arrangements to do a multi-day guided tour nearby but Bill likes having me here. It’s been a very successful hunt so far- Blesbok on Tuesday, an impala and a duiker on Wednesday, a warthog on Thursday.
So I’m hoping Bill gets his kudu today and then we can leave Saturday morning (instead of Monday evening). We’d get a ride to Port Elizabeth airport and pick up another rental car and do some more exploring Sat, Sun and Monday before we have to fly back to Johannesburg on Monday evening.
If he doesn’t tag out today, then I think I’ll still head out and tour alone until he’s ready to go. Or maybe I can find a two day tour leaving Port Elizabeth on Saturday….
I have been reading a book by Derva Murphy, “South from Limpopo”, describing her bike travels through South Africa during the early 90’s as apartheid was ending and in the months leading to the first elections. Great book that I recommend for someone visiting South Africa. Finished the book and left it at Afton Guest House for next curious traveler.
Update: well long sad story involving kudu bull but Bill isn’t yet ready to leave. We had a lovely happy hour in front of fire in bar and then dinner in dining room. I am amazed that Madeline can manage her family and prepare two sit down meals every day. It was a long night with a heavy rain starting around 2:00am.
