Honeymooning Day 11 Wednesday

Woken by driving rain and winds as the phone rang our wakeup call at 5.30am. The drive would go ahead if we wanted it and it seemed the Boy did!! Broad grins, Dutch courage and all our warm clothes on our backs, we headed up for coffee and rusks for 6am.

The Boy wore:

• 2xtrousers
• 2xt-shirts
• long sleeved shirt
• short sleeved shirt
• wool jumper
• cotton jumper
• anorak
• scarf

I wore:

• camisole vest
• 2 of the Boy's T-shirts
• 3/4 length sleeve top
• Hoodie
• Cotton cardigan
• Scarf
• 2xsocks
• 2xtrousers
• Hiking boots

The four other guests decided to stay in their beds so we had Jamie the ranger to ourselves. A combination of female delicacy and threats of potential tantrums got me the front passenger seat with windshield, protected legs and heating fans. Lucky for me as my glasses were rendered useless in moments by the rain. Richard took a rear seat in blankets, ponchos and we set off to hunt for the elusive rhino and hippo.

Almost immediately, two lionesses with a kill were spotted in the south of the park so we 'put foot' to see the young ladies: Jamie guessed they were no more than 14 months old. A hyena by this time had come along to forage and watching the three interact in total silence with body language was extraordinary. The hyena managed to steal of leg of the impala kill before being chased off and so we left them to their breakfast. Off again, quick comfort stop for coffee then on the road again.

Eventually we decided that the rhino and hippo had evaded us entirely. On our way back for breakfast a radio announcement came through of elephants spotted on the side road by Bayethe. Spent an enchanting 20minutes watching them feed then reluctantly returned to camp for breakfast, change, pack and depart.

Scrumptious breakfast of french toast, salmon and poached egg with fresh mango juice then a hot outdoor shower. Packed ready for collection for 11am.

Our transfer driver clocked that we had plenty of time to get to the airport so we took us via a small tour of her township outside PE. In truth, her tour raised more questions than it answered but was certainly humbling. The Boy and I are determined to investigate the civic and social history and structure to try to learn more about it all.

Quick and easy transfer flight back to Cape Town to greet the worst thunderstorms endured by the South Coast in 30 years. Driving rain, thunder and lightening pummelled a gray drive to Franschhoek in the winelands for our last night away.

Cute B&B but persistent and torrential downfall required a speedy dinner selection system. A basic pizza and salad felt somewhat sacrilegious in the culinary heart of SA but we were shattered and had packed a lot in from a 5am start. Staggered into bed by 10pm.