A week in the Lowveld - June 2023

 This break we have been waiting for with some anticipation and we're going to do a few different things.

The last time we were this way must have been about ten years ago when we shot IPSC Nationals in Komatiepoort.

So what has changed. The roads. Our country is being plundered, because now it's not just coal that is leaving by the truckload, the chrome and iron ore going into Maputo is unbelievable. The road is a single lane most of the time and sitting behind a truck is all you can do. To add to this there is road works everywhere and no rule of the road followed.

Okay, so not going to moan. This is after all travel on South African roads.

Lowveld Shooting club is only a year or so old and also a lovely experience, but travelling here is the problem. So it's a case of been there, done that.

We stayed at the River House Lodge overlooking the Crocodile River. The elephants come romping around in the water right in front of us and the crocs laze in the sun on the sandbanks. Hippo peeped and Waterbuck came enquiring at the deck. Lovely. 

On Monday, 26th June, we spend the day in the southern part of the Kruger National Park. Plenty of elephant and impala to see. Near the end Richard spotted buffalo and the as we turned a bend a kudu family stood right next to the road.

Tuesday, 27th June. Next stop will be Dullstroom but first we will stop off at the Sudwala Caves. Very interesting and will try to make a slide of the photos.

Dullstroom is freezing.  

We are staying at the Dunkeld Country & Equestrian Estate. First thing we did was get our fireplace fired up and set our electric blankets on high. It was too cold to braai so we did our steaks inside. We were dying for steak and chips. Our meals at the River House Lodge reminded me of the days on Rich Ranch with the schools. Chicken a la King. Mince. Chicken Stew. LOL.

Even tough the wind was bad, the sun was out so we did some fly fishing on Wednesday - no success. Richard saw one or two trout turn near the surface, but not a bite to be had. It was another cold night and the load shedding doesn't help. 

Thursday was a cloudy, windy day. It is sad that when it's cold, the fish bite. Fake news. 😊 Other fake news was the Mussels advertised for June. It's the 28th of June - Sorry, no more, - here is the July Menu. Only in South Africa. 😂

Lovely week away. What a diverse country we have. In one week we experience summer and winter. Wildlife and fishing and then some good Clay Target Shooting.

Enjoy the elephants.