South Africa

moulesy replied on 17/02/2020 13:08

Posted on 17/02/2020 13:08

It was obviously coincidence that we'd booked our holiday to avoid the worst of Storm Dennis (and I hope to goodness that everyone has stayed safe and secure - the little news we've heard over here has seemed pretty grim) and even more of a coincidence, according to Mrs M that we arrived on Valentine's Day, but here we are anyway. 

We arrived at Pretoria (or Tshwane as it's now been given its African name) after a long but comfortable flight and taken on a quick tour of the city, including, of course, stopping off at one of the many statues of the country's great man, and then off to our hotel for an overnight stay before setting off for the Kruger National Park the following morning.

En route we stopped at what is now a rather tacky tourist attraction - a village called Pilgrim's Rest which was established during the country's first gold rush in the 19th century. The bar at the hotel started life as a church in next door Mozambique before being brought and rebuilt in the village. Some enterprising local youths dress up as scarecrows and dance for a few coins from visitors (all rather sad in some ways.)

Then off up to the mountain top to a spot called God's Windows for some amazing views of the veldt, some 1000 metres below - an awesome site.

And finally on to the park itself,  hoping for a good night's sleep until we found put we had to be up at 5am for the first of two day's game drives!

brue replied on 25/02/2020 12:25

Posted on 25/02/2020 12:25

Many thanks Moulesy for your SA views and comments, glad to hear you got to the top of the mountain in good weather. Have a safe journey home, I think you're going to be busy soon! wink

Tinwheeler replied on 25/02/2020 12:28

Posted on 25/02/2020 12:28

Two weeks already! The time has gone in a flash. 

Thanks for the pics from Table Mountain - great stuff.

Takethedogalong replied on 25/02/2020 13:06

Posted on 25/02/2020 13:06

Safe flight M. Great photo with the cricketer (erm, it’s not my thing, who is he?)🤭

Glad you got up the mountain as well. Storm Ralph awaits😱😁

Cornersteady replied on 25/02/2020 19:57

Posted on 25/02/2020 12:08 by moulesy

Not the absolute highlight, but one has to take one's chances when they come - one of these is a world class Australian international cricketer and the other is a "little fat English bloke! "

Posted on 25/02/2020 19:57

Actually I'm pretty that was the highlight of his trip and he's posted a similar photo on some Australian cricketing website saying they were sitting next to the famous Moulesy of CT smile

Have a great trip

nelliethehooker replied on 25/02/2020 20:39

Posted on 25/02/2020 20:39

Great photos and pleased that you both had such a good time. Have a safe journey home......just be careful not to get too close to any Chinese tourists on your flights.

moulesy replied on 26/02/2020 15:17

Posted on 26/02/2020 15:17

"Great photo with the cricketer (erm, it's not my thing, who is he?)

Well, first of all, I assume you spotted which was which? laughing 

He's David Warner AustralIan opening batsman and former captain (the one on the left, that is!) Sadly caught up with Steve Smith in the great Sandpapergate scandal a couple of years back but now, happily both rehabilitated and showing great form. And as, it turns out a really nice guy, as were many of the others, happy to stop and chat to our group in the hotel foyer. I'll never be able to think of Australians in quite the same manner again! laughing

moulesy replied on 26/02/2020 15:18

Posted on 26/02/2020 15:18

We're safely back home again now. After 30° temperatures at Table Mountain yesterday you can imagine the reaction when the captain announced we were landing at Heathrow where the temperature was 2°! surprised

nelliethehooker replied on 28/02/2020 22:00

Posted on 28/02/2020 22:00

Definitely a shock to your system after all that Sun and high temperatures. Good to hear that you've made it home safe and sound.

ABM replied on 02/03/2020 23:04

Posted on 02/03/2020 23:04

Moulesy, Sad to hear you're back in this "Cold Old Country " again, but great to be able to say Thank you for the information and the pictures. I really like the ones made of gear wheels, spanners and other metal items. I've seen a couple of them at GDSF - one was a nine foot high WW1 soldier, the second was a representation of one of "The Angels of Mons ".  They take some real engineering skills as well as a large chunk of talent as an artist.

Once again, Thank You  and keep yourselves warm walking those pups  wink

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