This is from the (only) journal entry of our trip:

Zett and I are sipping on a beer on the stoep (Veranda) out the front of our tent overlooking a slice of pristine Okavango delta, Max is having a snooze so there’s no sound other that the birds and the odd baboon call.

I figure this is as good a time as any to jot down what’s happened the last couple of days.

Day 1. Pretoria to Kubu Island

We started out with an early start after a not so good nights rest, Max was projectile vomiting from 11:30pm through too around 2am, we all found out later that it was due to a stomach bug… we’ve all had a dose of it over that last couple of days, luckily it seems to only last 24 hours.

Despite this we were on the road by 5am and made really good time up to the border arriving at around 10:30am.

The border crossing itself didn’t go as hoped but about as well as expected, the main problem being that my application for an extension to my relatives permit is still processing (after almost 3 months) and the permit itself has expired. We had the extension application with us but as you expect no-one really knew what to do about it, we managed to get them down to a R1500 fine for overstaying, which they say will allow me to re-enter on a 3 month tourist visa… thanks for nothing the department of home affairs!

After the border crossing we again made good time up one of the main highways north for several hours. Once we turned off the main highway though it was a completely different story, the tar road gave way to gravel road, which gave way to sandy track, which gave way to “choose your own adventure” salt pan and grassy plain where we were using a combination of GPS, compass and gut feel.

We eventually made it to Kubu Island (an island dotted with Baobab trees on the edge of the salt pan proper) just before sunset. We bypassed all the designated campsites and setup camp on the pan side of the island, right in front of a stand of 5 impressive baobab trees.

The baobab tree looks like it’s been planted upside down, with its branches looking more like the roots of some sort of tuba. Though the outside of the tree is hard and smooth it looks sort of wrinkly and fleshy, apparently they take hundreds of years to grow to a decent size.

After a fairly windy night and cruisey morning we set off for Maun, at this point the navigation really got interesting with the GPS devoid of any roads, we mostly relied on the kindness of the goat herders we passed and the compass on my watch.

The sandy tracks eventually made it to the back streets of Gewa, where after driving through some shacks and grass roofed huts we made it to the highway again for some fuel before heading to Maun for the night.

The following shots are to/from and around Kubu island, we weren’t actually there for long but it make for some great photos.

I can’t believe that Max turned the big 01 yesterday, everyone always says it but I’ll say it again “where has the time gone!”. After his morning bottle we gave him his present, an activity table, which seems to be a hit. Then after dressing he had a little baby smash session before being whisked up to daycare.

Later in the arvo we had some drinks and nibbles with Ouma and Oupa to celebrate, happy birthday big fella!

Last Sunday Max got christened in a church… unfortunately for me the whole thing was in Afrikaans so I have no idea what was going on, hopefully Zett can elaborate at a later date.

Afterwards we had some of the family back to our place for a couple of celebratory beers and cakes.

About 3 weeks ago the Mongoose Massive embarked on their first 24 hour mountain bike race, the venue was the Parys showgrounds which was dotted with these awesome fake Paris monuments. The fake Arch de Triomphe was the start/finish line, there was also an obelisk and we camped under the fake “Tower de Eifel”.

Overall it was a very successful race, we placed 10th overall and  5th in our open teams category (up to 7 riders). I’m proud that we were the first of the “weekend warrior” (read: non sponsored or bike shop) teams in our category also.

Unfortunately the track itself was “gay as”, basically a completely non technical flat double track around some paddocks which gave the marathon and “roadies” a leg in. Mind you the later part of the track was a huge spirit sucking mud pit, which took it’s toll on the legs and drive-train, after the 50 odd laps we completed we were definitely spent.

Overall it was great effort by everyone, we were all lapping within 24-30 minutes a lap (Henry came within a few seconds but just couldn’t break into the 23s) the whole race, with no real serious blow–outs or mechanicals (Bar a small double pinch flat issue on the first lap…Hein).

Bring on the next one!

In preparation for our Kili trip at the end of August, we did a two day hike a couple of weeks ago in Magoebaskloof. It is a fairly well renowned hike spot about four hour north of Pretoria.

The following photos are a quick log of our trip, it was a stunning place, as Zett described it “the kind of place fairies live”. Which is strangely fitting, we are a fair way latitudely north but at 1600 metres high so it’s kind of like a rain forest but more high country. Whatever the reason the end result is a stunning place to spend a couple of days.

As always Max was a star, didn’t make a peep (other than motivational babbling and slapping for the pack horse.. ME) for the 5 hours a day for 2 days in the “Max Pack”. Must admit the trail wasn’t the flattest I’ve ever hiked, couple that with 10.5kg of Max’s tightly packed atoms and all his food my shoulders and quads certainly knew they had been working.

The huts we stayed at each night were quite comfy, the first night we had the place to ourselves and no power but the second night we shared the hut with some interesting young people, a couple of the fellas had just returned from a trip to South America so we had plenty of stories to swap over a few rewarding glasses of red.

Last week was a big week on the uncle front with the safe arrival of both Henry and Kean, unfortunately we have to wait all the way till September to see little Henry (which sucks balls). Last Thursday we shot over to V-Town for a quick look at Kean and then cooked Celeste a nice big roast at their house the day after they returned home (Sunday).

A few weeks ago the Mogoose massive embarked on a night time mission around the Kloof (Groenkloof – our regular weekend ride).

On a regular day they kick everyone out at 6pm and lock the gates, so to do a night ride you have to stay in the overnight hut, and as we only found out as we headed out for our ride… you’re supposed to tell the operators so they can organise you some security.

Apparently they have a big problem with armed poachers sneaking around the reserve at night.  Somehow we convinced the guy that we’d be alright and he let us go out anyway.  Which was most fortunate as we had a blast, it was the same old trail we ride most weeks but the game are out in full force, we were chasing Zebra, Wilde Beast and Jackal down the trails.

For me it was one of those “that’s right we do live in Africa!” moments, awesome fun.

A few weeks ago we had a lovely lunch over at PV and Michelle’s to celebrate PV’s birthday. Their dogs had recently had a big litter of pups which Max was fascinated by, lucky for him they are super good natured because Max “the iron fist” Leahy, gave them all a good working over!

I’m convinced he gets this violent streak from his mother.

A few weeks ago we started so hike training in preparation for our trip to Kilimanjaro in August, Kiwi and Eloise were breaking in their brand new boots.

It was a surprisingly tough hike, 10km around Groenkloof (our regular weekend ride) had a bit more elevation than we thought.

Lucky for us Max seems to love the “Maxpack”, gladly hanging out in it for the 4-5 hours it took us to get around.

Nice way to spend a “lazy” Sunday.