Good Morning,
(5:45 AM here).
We've travelled down into the edge of the Kalahari Desert and are residing at a very excellent place known as "Elephant Camp".
WIFI is working here at the moment, hurray.
One peacock and one peahen roost in the tree just beside my little veranda each night (my room is on the 2nd story of this "desert fortress" / within a beautiful green oasis).
This AM they are restless and screaming a lot so, I figured I will use this time to submit more of my jabber about hunting.
Must be a jackal prowling about or someone went outside to watch the sunrise (there also is a small group of German non-hunting tourists staying here, to take wildlife photographs.)
37,000 acres that is game fenced but I haven't seen this fence, except when we entered the gates, quite a long way before we arrived at the oasis.
Unless you count the fence immediately around the compound itself, design to keep dangerous animals away from the camp.
We've seen many species, including but not limited to elephant, antelopes, gamebirds, hare, giraffe and cheeta.
Part mountains and part flat, virtually all of this holding is covered with the thickest thornbush I have seen in a long time.
It averages about 8' high, very thick and so finding animals in it is no easy thing.
Everything has thorns here (someone once said; "that's Africa") but my favorite is the ones with millions of tiny, needle sharp, "cat's claw" thorns festooned on every branch and twig.
The slightest mis-step and they grab you, as if angry that you tried to sneak past.
Sharp stones have punctured two of our tires here.
Hunting conditions in this part of the Kalahari are not for the faint of heart.
And I spoke too soon about the WIFI, our connection just now has quit again.)
Philip however is extremely organized and always totally prepared.
He brings several spare tires, on rims and when one gets a puncture, it is changed out in 5 or 10 minutes.
Then off you go, to whatever water hole or hilltop you had intended on to begin with.
Likewise, while walking, if you stay directly behind your PH as he follows the trails beaten down by thousands of antelope and zebra hooves, you will not be clawed to bits.
(One glance at my scratched up shins and nicked up hands suggests that I'm a rather slow learner lol).
The Chef's here are tip top, serving only game meat, local vegetables and fruits.
All their bread is made by hand here as well.
White table cloths and candle light dinners.
I'm not necessarily worthy of such pampering but, am truly enjoying all of it.
Last night we enjoyed an impala roast, potatoes with cheese and bacon, rice, a huge supply of brown gravy, German style cole slaw (just as I prefer it - not sugary sweet), an excellent red wine (Syrah) from down in South Africa and blah, blah, blah.
All superbly prepared and delicious.
Back to hunting topic:
Is it just me or do German non-hunters seem to be more tuned in to reality than American non-hunters ?
Several of these German travelers have thanked us for the delicious food we provide for their dining pleasure.
Try holding your breath until some USA non-hunter tourist thanks you for the meat on their plate.
I have taken a decent bull eland and my son has taken a management bull oryx here.
I did not have the heart to tell them that some previous hunter/s had shot the impala, providing us with that splendid rump roast.
This lodge ages all meats within their walk in cold room, for minimum 1 week, old animals much longer.
Well anyway, we are all having a huge time and upon our return to the good old USA, both my son and I will write full details.
Likewise, he will post the photos for both of us, as I have had absolutely no luck posting them myself (it's a geezer thing).
Cheers,
Velo Dog
Namibia.
PS:
8:00 AM here and WIFI connected again so, I will launch this and breakfast is served now as well.
