Lovely. Spent the first day of the new millenium driving through Kruger. Herself played at a new millenium gig at a private game lodge the night before (string quartet). Funny story - (it is about lions) . . .
There was a mixup with accomodation (they were supposed to provide - it wasnt ready). Because of work I had a hotel chain loyalty card, quickly called the priority line and booked two rooms at the nearby town - 100kms away. Legged it in the Jetta Cli - Herself dropped me and the kids off, she went back and played the gig. We swam in the pool and had a nice supper (they were small).
Something you may not know. Not all gates going in and out of game farms in RSA are manned. Not far off your farm five bar gate, but extra mesh on. No there arent two one inside the other. So you drive up to the gate, stop the car, look around, get out, swing the gate open, get back in the car, drive through, stop the car, get out, swing the gate shut, get back in the car, and drive on.
Notice all that time outside the car ? Driving back to the gig after dropping us it was daylight. No problem. Driving back to the hotel after the gig at 1.00 am ? It is pitch black. Visibility not much. Less than that. And as she drives up to the gate, she hears . . . Do you know that grunting noise a male lion makes when hes declaring this is my territory ? That noise. Repeated. Several times. Really close . . .
Well no option, she sorted the gate and got back to the hotel. The next morning we had to drive past that gate to get to Kruger. Not 300m from the gate, up against the fence on the other side, were two of the most magnificent black maned male lions in their absolute prime. We sat quietly watching through the car windows for a while. And as I turned to look at Herself I'm convinced she wasnt quite as suntanned as she was the day before . . .
And its now a favourite family story - thank you Kruger and those two black maned lions. And thanks for reminding me !
Bonus fact: Kruger National Park (its up against the Mocambique border) is the same size as Wales. So seeing any predators in the bush is really rare . . . So special sighting.
