SOUTH AFRICA: First Trip: South Africa - Somerby Safaris

[Trout Tracker]

I am having a hard time believing that this is really happening. It seems like only last week, that my best friend and hunting buddy, Tom, who lives in Maine, floated the idea of us going to Africa for a Safari. What was he thinking! We are both foresters working for a private company, we’re not doctors, lawyers or bankers! At that time when Tom suggested the idea, I (who live in Oklahoma), didn’t give it the thought it deserved as I never thought I could afford a trip like this. That is what you get for assuming – I didn’t have any idea what a trip like this would cost, so I automatically thought it was well beyond my budget of “fun money”. Both of us had planned and talked about a guided Elk hunt out west, or a guided Caribou hunt in Quebec for our next trip. My brain could process that, and believed that those hunts were in our “wheelhouse”. Ten months and one Dallas Safari Club Convention (DSC) later, both Tom and I are on a plane headed to the Dark Continent for our first safari for a price tag cheaper than either of those hunts for Elk or Caribou! But I digress…

I started to give the concept of going to Africa more thought when Tom began sharing prices he had seen. In January of 2014, Nynke (my wife) and I went to a DSC event in Dallas to see for myself what options were out there. Yikes…having never been to a DSC event before, I was blown away, and it was certainly sensory overload. Arriving at the event on Sunday, we raced through the aisles and grabbed every brochure we could find and visited with a few outfitters that caught our attention. Leaving the event, we had 4 bags of brochures and a lot of homework ahead. The next 3 weeks, I sorted through the piles of information into a short list of those outfitters that I wanted to learn more from. My sort was rudimentary, but it helped me get to a manageable amount of people to follow up with later. Here were our criteria:

• We were not interested in “inches”, but old representative animals. We knew we couldn’t afford a property that catered in animals to make “the book”.
• We wanted to have the entire property to ourselves. Neither of us had any interest in “sharing” a property with another group of hunters but would welcome spending time around a campfire with other like-minded hunters.
• We wanted to hunt self-sustaining animals, not animals supplemented frequently.
• We, being both foresters, have a much better grasp on acreage and property size than some, and we’ve both worked our careers on large acreage tracts, so we set up an arbitrary minimum individual acreage of 20,000 acres, as it was a size we figured we couldn’t be bouncing off fences regularly.
• We didn’t require “fancy lodging”. Growing up in blue collar America, we are more than used to tents and making do. I had no interest in a lodge that has a spa!
• Our last requirement was that we wanted...and expect to hunt. Neither of us wanted to be on a clock…breakfast at 7. Lunch at noon. Dinner at 6. If we are doing this once in a lifetime trip, then we are hoping to hunt from early morning to dark. A simple field lunch is fine, and welcomed, as it allows us more time to be in the field. Oh yeah, we also wanted to hunt 2:1. This would give us the opportunity to hunt with each other and participate in each other’s adventure!

There were several very fine operators that I would have enjoyed hunting with, but I simply had to place them in my “Dr’s, Lawyers and Banker” pile. So, after our sort, we made a short list of a few outfitters, and contacted dozens of references and made out decision over the course of about 6 weeks, selecting Somerby Safaris as our outfitter. Time will tell if we made the right choice for our ten-day adventure!

From our selection process to our flight time, we both visited with clients, friends and associated who have made the trip before. We spent a significant amount of time preparing and planning for this trip. Our outfitter suggested that we use Barnes TSX ammunition, as we were going to each hunt: Warthog, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Kudu, Gemsbok and I also was instructed by my wife to not return without a Zebra! The months leading up to our hunt, found me in local gravel pits, shooting off of sticks out to 200 yards in preparation for our “Once in a lifetime-Mancation!”

I’m not going to tell Tom’s story, as that should be up to him.

My rifle of choice for this trip was easy for me to choose, as it was the largest caliber bolt action rifle I owned. A Remington Model 700 Classic in .280 Rem, shooting 140 gr. TSX. Topped with a Burris 3x9 scope. From the above picture, you can see that it likes and shot the ammo well. The rest will be up to me. Not that Tom and I needed additional excuses to talk often, but planning for this trip gave us something else to fill our conversations and bounce ideas and questions off of each other. Looking back, the planning process was busy, stressful, exciting and wonderful all at the same time. In the process of contacting one of the references for one of the outfitters was that I keep a journal. I have never done that and didn’t give it much thought until we began packing for our trip. It’s a decision I’m grateful I chose to do.

Tom and I met in Atlanta on the appointed date, with luggage checked, dozens of emails answered by Somerby Safaris staff (certainly they must be exhausted at all our questions by now!) and an unknown adventure ahead. We had no idea what to expect, but we each knew something extraordinary was in our reach. Sitting on the plane, I have a moment to reflect on the past few months. I’m grateful for my wife, who is allowing me to take this trip with my best friend, without her along to join us. I know how lucky I am, and I appreciate that she has been so supportive. I’m also grateful for my job and that having worked for 20 years for the same employer is what is allowing me this opportunity. Last, but most importantly, I’m grateful to God and for the opportunities, freedom and blessings that He’s bestowed upon the both of us.

Fifteen hours later we arrive at JNB, not knowing where to go, or what to do! Follow the crowd! Emerging from baggage claim, I see a tall man with a slightly familiar face (Andre) with a sign that has our names printed on it-guess that’s our guy! Next to him I see a woman with bloodshot eyes and tears running down her cheeks…and I learn that this is Ansa, the lady we’ve been emailing the past few months. She just put on the plane their last client and is clearly emotional about their departing. Andre introduces everyone and escorts us to SAPS to claim our rifles. Ansa apologizes about the tears, but confesses that she gets so attached to many of their clients and hates to see them go.

All our baggage and rifles are in good shape and tonight we head to Ndlovo Lodge about an hour away for tonight’s stay. I can’t believe it…we are finally in Africa, and what was once a fleeting dream is about to come true. My camera is ready and so am I. Arriving at Ndlovo, we are greeted by the concierge, and he takes us and our luggage to our room. What a beautiful lodge! We are both overwhelmed and have dozens of questions for our PH this evening. Andre is patient with us and we stay up late talking about our plans for tomorrow when we will head to a private ranch in the Limpopo Province. Off to bed we go, and I’m too excited to sleep much this evening. Christmas arrives tomorrow!

 

[Mekaniks]

Excellent! Looking forward to following along on your adventure

 

[ILDRHNTR]

Best of luck!! Enjoy every minute!! Can’t wait for the report and pics. Your enthusiasm is very evident in your writing. That will make the report all the better.

 

[Trout Tracker]

Day 1.

Not wanting to miss my first sunrise in Africa, I awake early to peacocks and other birds beginning their morning din. How exciting… my first sunrise and a cup of coffee in my hands. I’m more relaxed this morning than I have been in months. Last evening prior to retiring for the evening, I learned my first mistake of the trip: my Universal Travel Converter, isn’t so universal. Maybe in Europe, but not here! Oh well, I’ll have to grab one on our way through town.

Andre meets us for breakfast and prepares us for the day ahead. The plan is to drive to our hunting location, empty the truck, get ready to hunt, check our rifles to see if Delta made any modifications to our equipment and head out hunting. Arriving at our destination, I’m shocked to see the quality of the accommodations, and wonder if this can really be real or if I’m dreaming. I think to myself that this is a long way from a canvas tent and a Coleman stove! I believe I can adjust “up”.

Andre, who had been very patient with our questions, must be wondering what he’s got himself into. Both Tom and I have been quizzing and questioning him since we left Ndlovo, and I can imagine that he’s anxious to go hunting to shut us up! Tom and I grab our rifles, backpacks and the gear we believe we’ll need on our first evening out. We have our tracker Benji and our Game Scout (our rep from the property we will be hunting) with us as we depart for the afternoon hunt. Entering the property, Andre finds an open area where he sets up a rudimentary target and we each take a few shots. All is well, and we are now officially hunting! Minutes after entering the gate, both Tom and I are in awe at the amount of wildlife we are seeing on this working cattle ranch. Somerby had arranged to have exclusive rights to hunt here, and we learn that the property is over 35,000 acres, and has not had any animals introduced. We are told that we should expect to see Impala, Kudu, Warthog, Baboon, Duiker and Mountain Reedbuck. Our cameras were busy as we were snapping pictures everywhere.

Let’s get on to the hunt…Driving through multiple cattle lots and corrals, we are working our way into the ranch and get to see many Warthogs, Baboon and Impala. Andre shares with us that his concern is Kudu, and wants to tackle that animal first, but if he saw a mature animal on our list, he’d let us know. I was amazed to see so many Impala hanging out with the cattle, and they didn’t seem too spooky, and would hang out in the brush as we drove past. It was 2:15 PM, and we made our way through a 5 wire cattle fence when Andre spotted a group of Impala that interested him. I won the earlier “Rock, Paper, Scissors” game, so I was to shoot first. Andre drove the vehicle to some cover and left the Hilux running as we clamored out of the truck. I must admit I wasn’t as organized as I had hoped to be, but grabbed my rifle, ammo and followed Andre. The stalk didn’t last very long, as we wound our way through the thorn scrub, using it as cover. Emerging from the opposite side, I could see several Impala, but they all looked the same to me. I knew there must be a good one there, as Andre set up the Trigger Sticks for me to use as a rest. Settling in the sticks, he patiently coached me to the correct animal, walking me through the animals until he and I were both confident that I was aiming at the correct animal. The ram was broadside at 150 yards when I settled the crosshairs on the animal between exploding heartbeats. At the shot, Andre slapped my back and congratulated me on a good shot. I must say I was relieved, as I haven’t felt this much adrenaline since my first deer, and I didn’t want to let Tom or Andre down with an errant shot. The Impala ran a short 30-40 yards before piling up. Wow. I want to do that again!

I was very happy to have shot well, and examining the teeth of the animal, confirmed that he was quite old. Next up was Tom!

Keeping with the timeline of our trip, an hour or so later, we spotted a large bachelor group of Kudu that headed for thick cover. Tom and Andre took off after them, and within an hour I heard him shoot. Could this day get any better?

After we loaded the Kudu, it was dark, and we were tired, thirsty and hungry. Time to head to the lodge for a meal, a drink and get ready for tomorrow.

Day 2.

Animals again everywhere we looked. This was going to take some getting used to. People back home won’t believe me, which is why I’m taking pictures of all the game, and the multitude of the tracks that Andre says he can follow…who’s he kidding? I bet he brags like that to all first time Americans!!! Within an hour of entering the property, Andre sees an old sow Warthog that he asks if Tom would like to shoot, which of course he decides to. Another victim of his T/C Encore and 165 gr. TSX.

Tom and I are both thrilled to be together hunting and making memories, but we can’t deny that the jet lag is wearing on us, so we head to the lodge to drop off the pig and have some lunch and take a nap. I can’t believe it...napping during a hunt. What would my dad and grandfather say!!!

After lunch, we head back out and Andre spots an Impala, and again it’s Tom’s turn, as I already have my Impala.

Loading him up we continue on our quest to see if we can locate a Kudu for me. Of course, now, Impala are like rabbits back home along the roadside…just everywhere, but it doesn’t matter, as we both are enjoying seeing them. Coursing through the ranch roads, I can’t help but compare this property to some of the ranches I work on in Southeast Oklahoma or some of the terrain and properties I’ve seen in west Texas.

Rounding a gentle curve in the road, but unable to see around it due to the vegetation, we spot a small group of Blue Wildebeest cross the road heading into some sparce cover to our left. Andre comments that there is a good bull in the group and tells me to grab my rifle. Again we leave the vehicle behind and begin our pursuit. I stayed as close to Andre as I dared and kept my head up looking for the animals and hoped that I may spot them before our guide. Fat chance…I’m humbled and amazed at how Andre and Benji can spot the game in this cover. As the day continues, I feel humbled and so much like a rookie. You’d have never guessed at how many hours I’ve spend in the field, both for work and play, and it’s apparent that I don’t have the skills that I thought I had. On the bright side, what a place to learn! Continuing on our stalk, we loose sight of the Wildebeest, and they begin to track them in the sand. What? Whatever…there are tracks everywhere. I wish they’d quit putting on this show and not pretend that they can do this. And yet again, I’m humbled. After a short walk, there they are! Andre sets up the sticks, only he’s set them up for a Dutchman not a Frenchman! I’m too short and also too excited to think clearly to simply lower a leg! I, in my adrenaline rush, try to grow taller…☹. Yes, I’m a slow learner. Just as I had got situated, the animal had enough and departed. Damn. Rookie mistake, and it just cost me the animal. I was upset at myself for taking too long and not doing what I had come here to do. Quicker Lewia!

Andre didn’t complain or act upset, he just continued on and believed we still had a chance before darkness overtook us. 15 minutes of tracking and we again caught up to them walking through the scrub. Again, Andre set up the sticks, and this time, I was more composed, prepared and didn’t hesitate. I couldn’t see all of his vitals, but enough to know that I could make the shot. I settled in, found the animal and took the shot. As I was coming back into my rifle, I watched as the bull fell to the ground! Working the bolt just in case I needed to make him stay put, we cautiously approached the animal as we watched him take his final breath. All was still and Benji made sure the Wildebeest was dead before he allowed me to approach the animal. Elation and redemption for my earlier hesitation. Tom and I were still getting to know Andre, but I can tell that we three are very similar and I’m confident we’ll enjoy our 10 days together.

What a day. We used every bit of it this afternoon, as again we watch the African Sun set on our dream trip. Could this get any better? Getting back to the skinning shed, we unload our animals and head back to the lodge for dinner. A brandy and coke wash away much of the dust-but to be sure, I better have another just to be sure.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Congrats so far on your success! I always enjoy the enthusiasm that comes through in a report from a first timer.

 

[Firebird]

Enjoying your report, look forward to the next installment

 

[.300RUM]

Excellent reporting, jet lag got us too, had to head in for a nap as well. I definitely agree with you on the ability of these folks being able to spot critters in the brush. My first day of jet lag shooting resulted in the bad placement on a Gemsbok, the PH done a heck of a job tracking it down, finding it in a huge thicket of brush and briars. He kept pointing, "there it is", I'm like where?!?!

Y'all have some nice trophies, great looking Kudu, that's on my list for the next trip.

 

[Adipose]

Congratulations on a great trip and report!

 

[AZDAVE]

Congratulations, nice animals. It is very nice to see the enthusiasm you are experiencing on the work to get a outfitter decided on to all you planning to the mention of the first morning with coffee to just enjoy being in AFRICA. One of the things I enjoy is taking first timers to Africa ans seeing the wonderment in their eyes.

 

[Nyati]

Love that warthog

 

[Vanguard2279]

Great report so far! I look forward to the rest. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Congrats on a great hunt. Like others, seeing a first timer's enthusiasm is always contagious.

 

[Trout Tracker]

Day 3

Tom awakened me when he walked across the porch of my Chalet…guess my sleeping pill worked last night! Staying true to our mission, Andre wanted to continue deeper in the ranch today to go after my Kudu. Going through the last of the cattle gates, Andre was telling us about a particular location on the property that he felt confident that we’d see the bull I wanted. After the success we’ve had, the excitement was high, and my buddy and I held onto the rack in the back of the truck as we dodged limbs and marveled at the game we were seeing. I recognize the location we are in, as we drive past where Tom killed his Kudu two days prior. ½ mile further, but still miles away from where we intended to go, we spot 3 bulls standing just off the edge of the road. Stopping to investigate, Andre barely had time to review them, when they took off and headed up the mountain. He commented that one of them was a very old mature bull, with a broomed off tip, but that this was one we’d follow. The wind was terrible, blowing up the hill towards the animals, so it didn’t make sense to follow now. Andre, being familiar with the property, suggested we take an alternate route up the mountain to counter the wind. Who was I to argue, so I grabbed the rifle and my vest and followed our guide up the ridge, keeping the wind in our favor. I’m glad I’m young and in shape, as this was a hurried pace and challenging walking. Remember, I’m a forester that spends my days walking in the woods for a living.

15 minutes into the walk I notice a “deer” in front of us? This is the first time I’ve seen an animal prior to our PH pointing one out to either of us. It turns out that it was a Mountain Reedbuck, with 3 ewes. Continuing our journey, we reach a plateau and begin our sweep along the bench hoping to locate the Kudu. As we were walking, Andre stops to look at the ground and comments that the Kudu have already passed through and that we need to continue up the hill. What? Who’s he kidding? The ground is mostly rocks, no sand and certainly no tracks! How does he know this? But I’m impressed that we caught up with the Wildebeest yesterday, so I keep my mouth shut. On up the hill we continue, and nearing the top we again make a swing to the bench below when we hear a tremendous racket! Andre swears, and curses the animals, as he confirms that it’s a pair of Baboons “barking” and running in our direction, certain that they would ruin our chances of finding the Kudu. Dang the luck! Initially Andre believed that the Baboons were after a Leopard, but as they got closer, he guessed that they were being territorial, and one was chasing the other off-I just prayed that they didn’t chase off the Kudu we were after. As the Baboons ran over the hill, spooking everything in their path, we decided to wait a bit to let things calm down.

Resuming our search, Andre doesn’t take 5 steps when he freezes. He informs me that he can see a Kudu in front of us!!! I see trees. Slowly, as the wind is so subtle as to barely cover mice walking now, we inch forward to put me in a position where I can see the bull. In 10 minutes we move 10 feet, and this is where Andre set up the sticks for me. I rest the rifle in the cradle, and Andre coaches me to the animal, and now I can see two Kudu-not clearly, just pieces. He whispers to me which bull is the bigger of the two, and I can now make out where I need to aim, although I don’t dare risk the shot. A forked tree has multiple branches blocking my heart/lung area. Andre suggested a slight move to change the angle, and another ten minutes of buck…er, Kudu fever continued. The move was as good as I felt it would be and I contorted my body to find a hole through the trees to make the shot. At the shot, Kudu erupted everywhere, and I couldn’t tell you how many were there. There was no way for me to follow the animal I just shot, but I heard a beautiful sound moments later. The sound of crashing brush from a clumsy unstable animal and then a solid crash. He didn’t travel 20 yards.

Sitting here, admiring this magnificent animal, I can’t help but reflect on so many things, one of those is my grandfather, who passed 6 years ago. Today, I wore his hat in remembrance of him and the memories we shared together. I know he’s smiling today and saying, “Way to go Daniel!”

Now what to do…we are well off any road or trail, and likely over ¼ mile from the truck. Andre informs me to stay put and he’ll be back. Tom and our skinner Benji hear me shoot and are on their way. A few hours later, Andre returns with help, and a litter to tote out the Kudu. Andre suggests that we dress the animal here to lighten the load and I ask if I can do the chore. I’ve literally field dressed hundreds of animals to date, and both Tom and I can do a CLEAN and TIDY job in just a few minutes. Today, with my dream animal on the ground, I wanted to finish the job. I just pray that today, with witnesses that I don’t embarrass myself!

The men carried my animal out on the litter made from drill stem pipe and a pool cover! Benji decided to remove the lower legs to reduce weight, as I carry out the head. This process took quite some time and we head back to the lodge to have lunch and get the animal in the salt. My smile couldn’t be peeled off with a crowbar!

After lunch, we head back out to see what Africa may have in store-hopefully a Wildebeest for Tom. Our afternoon drive was filled with Baboons, Impala, Warthog and more Kudu! As the sun was getting low, we spotted a dust cloud that contained some Wildebeest and the hunt was on. Andre again demonstrated his skills and Tom had wrapped his hands around his bull at dark.

It's been another full day, with numerous stalks, walks and hunts throughout the day, making this trip exactly what we both wanted in a hunt. Over dinner of Kudu tenderloin and a malty beverage, Andre shares with us a “deal” on some additional animal not on our initial wish list. I’m certain that you who have participated in these hunts know what I’m talking about. As we’d have to travel to a different property much further west of where we are currently at to hunt Gemsbok (on our initial list) and for the Zebra (per my wife), these additional animals were available here on quota if we wanted. After a 4 second private conversation, we were in. Added to our “list” was Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Springbok and Blesbok. Tonight we packed and prepared for the trip tomorrow.

Day 4...

 

[Rem280]

Love the 280 REM. I used Federal Trophy Copper bullets which are similar to the TSX

 

[.300RUM]

Another great Kudu, again, on my list for my next trip. Congratulations

 

[Trout Tracker]

Love that warthog

She was an old toothy gal!

 

[Trout Tracker]

Love the 280 REM. I used Federal Trophy Copper bullets which are similar to the TSX

That .280 has served me well, and has accounted for a lot of animals for us over the years. Stay tuned...she shines well with those copper bullets. I'll never shoot anything else after what was demonstrated to us in Africa!

 

[Trout Tracker]

Congratulations, nice animals. It is very nice to see the enthusiasm you are experiencing on the work to get a outfitter decided on to all you planning to the mention of the first morning with coffee to just enjoy being in AFRICA. One of the things I enjoy is taking first timers to Africa ans seeing the wonderment in their eyes.

Thank you. It's taken me some time to work up the courage to begin writing this up. I've been blessed to have taken several on their first trips too. It's the next best thing to having a "first" experience all over again. I enjoy sharing those moments...making memories with those we love.

 

[Trout Tracker]

Day 4

Today we drove most of the day to get to the Northwest Province. What a different landscape! Flat, and very open for most of the property with scattered islands of trees and grass. I can see that here is where some longer distance shooting may come into play. Gulp. This may be difficult at a different level, but what the heck. I’m up for the adventure. Tom and I went to the range at this property and shot at 200 and 300 yards, hoping to be “minute of Springbok”. We did fair, but I’m seeing that my rifle setup could use a little improvement and make a note that I’d like to replace my trigger when I get home and add a better piece of glass to the top. Maybe I’m trying to build in a bit of an excuse before I embarrass myself with my shooting…

Arriving at our new lodge, we learn that Somerby has arranged to have a Chef take care of us here. Anton Vermeulen was going to do his best to fatten us up, and we both welcomed the challenge! As long as he cooked some of the game we killed and gave us some vegetables, we’d be fine. Andre gave us a brief overview of what to expect here and we were going prepare ourselves for tomorrow.

Day 5.

There are two properties here, separated by a paved road, and this place in total is over 150,000 acres. Today we are going to try for Gemsbok first, as they are higher on our list. After going through the gates and picking up our Game Scout, we immediately begin to see game. Zebra, Giraffe, Rhino, Sable, Tsessebe, Blue and Black Wildebeest and of course Gemsbok. For us, seeing these animals in the wild, not in a zoo, for the first time is hard to put into words. Every animal we saw, in its own way was beautiful. Even the Red Hartebeest, that on the wall looked so ugly and odd…and now, I covet one. Watching them run, regal with their head held up high and their rocking gate. Two days ago, I had ZERO desire to hunt one, and today, that has all changed.

Off to our hunt. Driving through the property, we saw hundreds of head of game, but none yet piqued Andre’s interest until mid-morning. Benji taps the truck to get Andre’s attention, as in his elevated position he can see some animals that Andre can’t. Andre climbs in the back of the truck to gain some elevation and scans the animals in the distance, and tells me to grab my stuff and lets go!

The ground here is very sandy, like walking along a sand dune along the ocean. Gaining purchase with my feet is impossible, and I don’t know how to describe walking in this sand, except that I feel like it’s dragging me down and I have to work harder to walk. We use huge clumps of thorn scrub to hide behind and move our way forward from clump to clump, gaining on the herd as we are out of sight. 20 minutes into the stalk, Andre tells me that we’ll step into the shadows ahead and he’ll set up the sticks and guide me into the correct bull.

Stepping around the cluster of thorns, he sets up the sticks and I settle in for the 200 yard shot. Andre is very calm, patient and clear. Talking me through the herd to the right animal. Once I’ve located the bull, which is facing me head on. I place my cross hairs on his nose, believing that my bullet will drift into his chest, making a clean kill. I settle in for the shot, and shoot. At the shot, about 40 Gemsbok scatter like quail, and I have no idea what’s happened. Andre asks about my shot picture, and shares with me my worst fear…that I made a poor shot, and he thinks I shot the animal in the nose. Damn. Time to clean up my mess. I hate it, and I’m guilty of being in a funk and a foul mood, and it’s all my fault. I’m thankful I have my best friend with me, because I know he’ll stick with me to get this taken care of, and he won’t complain. I feel bad that I’m taking away his hunting time. I’m also grateful that I have two competent people with me: Andre and Benji. The short story is that we tracked these animals all day long. Caught up to them multiple times but had a hard time sorting out the injured bull. Looking for a red blood stain on the animal was all we could hope for, not knowing where or what I hit. At dark, with my shoulders dragging the ground, we poked through some brush and again had the herd at 200 yards. Same position-looking straight at us. Andre picked out the bull, and I again settled in, but didn’t make the mistake of aiming for the nose-but put the crosshairs on his chest and pulled the trigger. Animal down. What a day. I learned a lot about perseverance and staying with it. I’m ready for a drink.

I'll write up some more tomorrow...