Quiet again (J1)

I realize we have been ignoring the blog a little, I can list all sorts of excuses about not being in the office much, and having visitors etc, but who really cares?

First we had a long awaited visit from the family Polson, which was loads of fun, we showed them Gaborone, Mokolodi game reserve, and a few nice restaurants. We also enjoyed watching the rugby world cup final with them, which was a blast. We went to our favourite rugby hang out, the Bull and Bush Bar.

What else? Maybe I should just do this with pictures:

For those who do not follow sports: The South Africa Springboks won the rugby world cup, and Ferrari became world champion Formula 1 (against all expectations)

(Interjection from Jill: "WOO HOO!!!")

After that fantastic weekend we travelled up to Lethlakane (central Botswana) for a new project. The town is not very nice, but people were very helpful. I wont post any pictures of overflowing septic tanks here, but that is what we kept ourselves busy with.

Late last week we went to Joburg to pick up our friends from Australia, we spent some time in Joburg and in Pilanesburg game park, and are showing them the nice things about Botswana now.

Unfortunately one of those things was the cable thieves, on Sunday night they paid us a visit again, and took the now buried cable out of the ground. We spent most of yesterday getting it replaced, and even though Steve thought he came on a holiday, he ended up mixing concrete with me in the afternoon. Now with most of the cable embedded in concrete we should hopefully not have the problem again.

Other news from Plot 32A: we seem to have a new resident, a puff adder. He (or she) has been spotted twice in the last few weeks. As soon as we figure out where it has set up residence we will probably call BDF (Botswana Defence Force) to remove it, and set it free in a nature reserve.

J1

Off again.....

Just got back from a site visit up in Letlhakane last night, drove straight to the gym, got some exercise and went home to pack. Now we're at the office for a couple of hours, then it's off to Joburg to pick up our friends Steve & Madonna (aussies we know from Ireland) to hang out with them for the next week and a bit. Looking really forward to having our first Aussie visitors, as so far they've only been Irish and South African. Wonder what they'll think of Botswana and South Africa. I'm sure Steve will have lots of good photos, perhaps some of them will make an appearance.

But not before we hit the South African Wine Expo in Joburg tonight with Jéan and Alan. The fact that Alan doesn't drink wine will make this a highly entertaining experience for him, I'm sure. It will be one of our last hoo-has with Jéan before he so cold-heartedly dumps us for the gloom and rain of Scotland, for the next 2 years. boo hoooooooo!

Cable thieves

I suppose the fun stories and pictures have already been posted. Time for a little less fun? It happens quite often that people get their power cables stolen in South Africa / Botswana. The thieves strip the stolen cables, and sell the copper to the scrapyard. It had been happening around us quite a bit, and the night we came back it was our turn. It was only a matter of time, as the cables were not buried, and thus a very easy target. We had already taken this up with the landlord, but our concern was ignored. Not really too much our problem (rental houses have their advantages….) except for there was a holiday on the Monday and Tuesday, with no electrician being available. The power in the house was still working, but not in Marys place, and not at the borehole pumps. This meant no water, resulting in no showers, no flushing toilets, no laundry (with a piles of sweaty hiking clothes) etc etc. On Wednesday evening we were all connected again, this time with the cable properly buried. I guess this is all part of living in Africa.

Last weekend we volunteered to help with a family fun day (fundraiser) for the SPCA, the local animal shelter. We had the task of selling drink and food tickets, but it was nice to see so many people turn up, and be surrounded by puppies, kittens, donkeys, rabbits, goats and even guiney pigs. I think they made a load of money, which helps paying for veterinary bills for dogs like Sech (he is still with us….)

Besides this we have been enjoying the rugby worldcup. For those from the non-rugby countries: Australia and New Zealand, two of the biggest favourites, were kicked out of the tournament. South Africa did make it through, and is playing Argentina in the semi finals next weekend.

Alan has left us and settled in Johannesburg. He has started his job two weeks ago, and found a nice place to live. His permit has been approved, and everything has worked out perfectly for him. No more sober driver for us though.

Nothing else to report on, except for work, new projects, courses etc etc, but that would make this just too boring.

J1

Happy Botswana Day!

(this last weekend.....)

Several of Botswana's public holidays fall on a weekend, so sometimes they give you both the Monday AND the Tuesday off. This makes for blissful 4-day weekends where you can actually get out and do something and not have to take time off.

We decided to go hiking with Jéan and Alan. There is a nice mountain range exactly halfway between Joburg (them) and Gaborone (us) called the Magaliesburg, with endless possibilities for camping and hiking. We decided upon the Eagle Cove trails and it was great. Only lost the trail once, didn't get eaten by anything, and stumbled upon the coolest canyon ever... from the top AND the bottom.

Some photos:

At the top of the canyon edge:

Looking down into the massive rivine below:

We sat and watched these baboons for a half an hour. They are really entertaining... there were about 20 of them or so.

It was tough climbing and took us a whole day, but we got back to camp at the bottom sometime around sunset and enjoyed some nice sundowners and a feast of meat on the fire.

The next morning we got up, boiled some eggs in some tin cans left over from the night before, and headed off for another day of hiking - this time DOWN into the canyon to the river below.

The boys (A & J) headed back to Joburg on sunday and we (J&J) came back to Gabs exhausted and feeling fit.