Kruger National Park - the call of the African wild!

Baby hyena, and a lone bull elephant

This world famous National Park in South Africa was founded in 1898 and is just under 2 million hectares in size in total. It is, to me, so much more than a piece of the planet where flora, fauna and animal are preserved and protected, it speaks of a childhood spent in avid attention of the detail and attention to life that this park offers. I have been here many a time and have never been disappointed. Were I to choose any one dream job in the world, it would be to live in this park, studying it's life - both bush and animal alike, photographing, documenting, drawing and illustrating it. If I never saw a human being it wouldnt phase me (okay, my hubby would be with me), but to spend unprecedented time in this world in the wild, would be an honour.


My husband at our favourite bird hide and waterhole

Natural and wild

The Park is massive and boasts large herds of animals in varying shape and form, an example being when a herd of over 500 buffalo were seen crossing in front of us when we were on our way out of the park at sunset!

For the wild animals who live in the park, each and every day is a struggle to survive, so every sense must remain on high alert, throughout the day, and the night, when most predators actually do their hunting! As the numbers of wild animals dwindle though, due to man encroaching on their terrain, plus due to hunting, so too are the opportunities to see them in their natural state and context dwindling. Parks like this are godsends.


Zeebies making patterns!

Come on in and experience it!

Experience this vast park, choc-a-block with wildlife and outstanding scenery in the comfort of your car (self drive) or with a knowledgeable, registered and friendly guide. It's your choice.

Enjoy accommodation of all types (from basic to luxury), good food and the best wildlife experience ever - an all round must-see if you are travelling in South Africa, Madiba-land :)


Olifants Camp... and our splendid view of the Olifants River

Mrs Tsvangirai's death... was it an accident?

Morgan Tsvangirai survives car crash but his wife of 31 years, Susan, is killed

Oh what a tragedy today... what an absolute shame... here is a man and wife who have fought for their country's freedom for many years, and in a split second, she is gone. Forever.

I don't even want to try and think about how Mr Tsvangirai is feeling, how their family and children are feeling... they must be numb with shock. Their mum, wife, sister and fellow comrade in the Zimbabwean struggle... is gone.

My question is: Was this an accident?

The reports say a lorry driver fell aslepp and careered into them, injuring Mr Tsvangirai and killing Mrs Tsvangirai... but I am afraid I am highly suspicious of this so-called accident... Robert Mugabe is a murderer and a snake.. he is so power hungry and Mr Tsvangirai is the biggest threat to his power he has had in many years... this is his doing in some way, I feel sure about that.

Mrs Tsvangirai, rest well, you did a good work in your beloved Zim x

What makes YOU happy?

Hippo in the Olifants River, Kruger National Park, South Africa

The simple things in life make me happy..

- Just being with my hubby - holding his hand, playing with his hair...
- Watching and photographing game in Africa
- Painting (canvas, not walls!)
- Spending time with township kids in SA (at their school/home/church) - Being with my family (we are spread across USA, UK and SA)
- Lying on my back and looking up at the stars in rural areas - there are so many more up there in the countryside
- Listening to the rain, and the smell after a good electric thunderstorm

What makes YOU happy?

The ides of March...

The ides of March - I always think of my Latin teacher in March. Her nose was green, did you know?

I had a child with slapped cheek syndrome and a child with an inner ear skin infection (gunk oozing out all the time, sore, high temp etc. poor lil chap) already, lets hope I dont have to play nurse again this month.

A trip to the theatre, my brothers birthday, an OFSTED conference at Westminster, applying for indefinate leave to remain. The latter being the most important! A long time coming...

Spring is springing, blossoms are blooming... let's hope we have a good summer!

Little bits of this and that from Kruger National Park

Satara Camp restaurant view

Weaver nests - sometimes the weaver lads have to build up to 5 nests before their picky weaver wifey says she is satsified.. haha... just the way it should be.... (kidding!)

Kruger National park sunset - we had just spent a while watching a mum hyena with her two cubs... such a special time. About ten minutes after this photo was taken my husband spotted a leopard - a beautiful creature, seen below in another post.

Kruger grass...

The giraffe and the thorns. I love this detail.

Still waiting...

With the turmoil of trying to have a child over the last 5 years... leading to us finding out in November last year that we won't be able to have our own biological child together... I have realised a few things. I am taking stock. Like I never used to before. I used to take things for granted...

'I would have a good education'
'I would marry a good man'
'I'd have lots of kids and be a good mum'
'I'd... I'd... I'd...'

... oops... reverse gear here! What was no. 3 again?

'God, did you forget no. 3 on my list?'

I thought he had. And for years it made me angry. Confused.

But, as I am coming to terms with my (our) grief in accepting we'll never have our own biological child, along with it comes a peace and a reprioritising. Not taking eachother for granted. Not taking our family (who all pray for us so much!) for granted. Not taking our health for granted - and this has hit me especially hard with my hospital admittance with my asthma (Today I sit with yet another chest infection... it was only a lil cold last week, but it becomes an infection so quickly due to my pathetic lungs).

Yes, they are pathetic. I'd sell them (give them away!!!) on ebay if someone would only take them...

But you know what? Even though my health is not that great currently, I still have my life. And my ever-loving and supportive husband. And my friends who care so much. My beloved family. And a God who loves me and takes care of me, in ways I often only realise retrospectively...

So Lord, even though we still wait on you to bring us our child... we thank you for your provision and love and faithfulness. Please forgive me for my selfishness and for taking my eyes off you...

One-armed presenter...

Yahoo story about the presenter with one arm and the complaints the BBC have received...

As someone who is involved with childcare in the UK, there is a big emphasis on acceptance of everyone, of different races/cultures/religions/abilities/disabilities. OFSTED are quite fussy about this, which is good.

I chat to the kids about people in wheelchairs, people who where saris, people with down syndrome, people who have tatoos... we live in a richly diverse place and *difference* should not be something to be feared, but something to be embraced and accepted.

Unfortunately the prejudice shown this presenter are parent-led, not child-led. It's a good example of how parents should NOT behave. Kids are far more accepting and tolerant than adults are.

Perspective

I had a bit of a turn last night again... inhalers and steroids didn't work, so had to be nebulised. Thank goodness I have a calm husband who helped me get through it. No need for the ambulance this time. He then sat up the rest of the night watching me sleeping, making sure I was okay, and never slept a wink. I got 3 hours at least.

It kinda put perspective on the paperwork for OFSTED I had been stressing over earlier in the day yesterday... my health is so much more important, I am so blessed to be married to this incredible man, PLUS I am darn fortunate to have that paperwork, because it means I have work... (and daily I am hearing of people being laid off here and in the US) :(

My problem now is my lungs haven't recovered fully yet from that attack. It knocked me for 6. I got a lil cold (pressie from one of the kids this week), and that is not helping, it so easily leads to chest infections with me.

I took my peak flow earlier tonight and it's less now than it was when they let me leave the hospital (eek!) in Nov... am seeing the doc tomorrow and am concerned they'll send me in for overnight observation. The 'overnight observation' last time ended up being 5 days. But if an attack is looming, it's best I halt things now, not leave it too late like last time.

That's why I am still up, I am trying to control my breathing and coughing. Lying down makes things worse.

Might try and see if I can fall asleep now (sitting up), I am knackered.

Do you have tertiary education?

... and was it worth it?

After high (secondary) school I did a 4 year degree in Graphic design. Worked very hard at it, plus had 3 part-time jobs to get myself through this rather expensive course! It was 90% practical, 10% theory. This gave me incredible skills which I used in my own design business for 5 years in South Africa, and then in publishing in London since 2002.

I had a career shift in 2007. I have years of experience working with kids, and opened my own childcare business. I am currently studying for a diploma in childcare. Still freelance as a designer one day a week.

1 foot in each world = happy Jenniflower! :)

I was fortunate in that I knew from an early age what I wanted to study... if you don't know, then take a gap year off. Don't waste time and money on something you won't use/love doing day in, day out. That's my opinion. And if you are doing something you love, apply yourself. All the hard work will be so worth it :)

Can an *immigrant* truly ever feel at home?

So there was this question asked in the Facebook group I chat in:

'Still pondering on this topic and wondering if those who moved permanently ( or for a long time ) to other countries, ever feel fully integrated or can truly share the concerns of their adopted country ? Does interest in your original country predominate or after time is what's going on locally of greater interest ?'

My reply:

'Yes and no.. in my work (design and childcare) I feel fully integrated and part of the team always. They don't in any way single me out as being different, but see me as a professional and co-worker.

But often when I have met English people socially, at someone's home or at a pub, the fact I am South African is nearly always brought up, and it's not a biggie for me, there's loads else to chat about.

I am very interested (and concerned if need be) in everything that still goes on in South Africa, yes... but am equally interested (and concerned if need be) about things that happen locally in England.

I do feel a certain kinship with England, not because I have lived and paid taxes here for nigh on 7 years, but because my grandparents were all English, so I have strong roots here. Even though I know I am technically an immigrant, I don't feel like one at all tbh.

But that's possibly because I have gotten involved with local stuff, have made an effort to see as much of the country as I can etc. How else could I have settled here happily?'