Team work makes the Dream work...

Oh - YES ... You guessed it! :) The kids have moved up to the starting blocks. We had a slight overlap with guests, and the last hunting day for the Brantley sons had DUIKER AND JACKAL high on their list. Kiffin had shot a Duiker already, but James had not, so the heat was on. With FW and Will Parker having arrived, Ken started hunting with them and we allocated the jobs of driving and guiding to Micaela and JohnD respectively...
How I wish with all my heart I had a picture of all of them up on the Cruiser, heading out in the early morning. Their smiles were bigger than the vehicle they were piled onto. JohnD had borrowed my Binoculars (or should I say yours Rick!!!). Micaela was armed with her book and lucky feather. The morning hunt left them completely frustrated, as they saw every female duiker on the property, but the males just eluded them... So at lunch a new game plan was hatched. James was going to hunt himself a female Duiker, and then between the brothers, they would have a His / Her matching pair. I guess word got out, as by night fall - their mission was successful, and James was the proud owner of a Duiker RAM!!! Who says that psychology does not work in the bush? I know that both Micaela and JohnD worked hard for their trophy, and they will never forget the experience. The sunburnt faces, smiles, laughter and excitement of recounting the story, will long be remembered and retold! So the Brantley family have returned home, and our children have grown up overnight, and made us so proud of them! Well done dream team! ;)

Falling Star?

It is really a joy to have David, Janell, James and Kiffen here - never a dull moment. ;) We had supper at Mucha last night, and there was a falling star that absolutely lit the night sky like nothing I have ever seen before. We ALL saw it, and the trail remained visible for ages! Did anyone else see it?

The young hunters have certainly been successful, with yesterday in particular, being a busy day. Big smiles on everyone's face around the fire.


The kids only have a week left of holidays, and then it's back to the normal routine. I must say, the child in me will never be 'happy' with the return of the school days... ;) JohnD had the joy of camping out on the Limpopo with some friends of his for two nights. He came home exhausted, but full of stories. Micaela also had the joy of visiting a friend for a few days (also along the Limpopo too !!) The house is quite a different place when there is only one child home!

Midwinterchills brrrr

Overcast, windy and a tad damp... even our very mild winter sun has gone indoors to keep warm. Thank you LORD for my coat!!! ;)
The children are on holiday from school for three weeks... oh boy do I love the joy of waking up WITHOUT the alarm. Don't you?
The table tennis table has been repaired and put on my front stoep, and I have a birds eye view of the continuing sibling rivalry that plays out. JohnD whips Micaela's but quite consistantly, which is great for him as with her so tall, she usually gets the better of him in most of their other combats!
With a few days break, I'm slowly catching up on my Admin, bookwork, and other office arrears!
Hope all of our USA family and friends had a great 4th of July weekend.
Big hugs to you all, and we are so looking forward to the return of David and Janell Brantley next week, with their sons!

Sunny days and blue skies

This month of June has flown by so fast, and has had the most typical winter weather we have seen in a long time. Crisp and fresh early mornings and evenings... cloudless blue skies and the coldest temperatures yet! Don't think that because we are in Africa, that it's only ever hot here.

We have had the joy of David Harrell's company from Texas, and his 10 day hunt has been quite unusual. All of his desired trophies were harvested within about five days, so he has just been 'having fun'... Talk about no pressure! Ken, David and Micaela also took a three day trip to Kruger National Park, and were blessed out of their socks with spotting ALL of the big five.

Micaela took him for her very last ride on Chloe. On Tuesday I delivered Chloe to the same man who purchased Jasmine from us. Both horses are now settled in their new home, and it is a relief. Our original intention to have "a horse for Micaela" somehow turned into SIX horses ... so our two "starter ponies" have now moved on to someone who has just started. No doubt he will also learn how quickly 1 + 1 = 15 "when it comes to horses!"

JohnD has got to play in two cricket matches this month, and both times his team won. He is really enjoying it. The kids are both looking forward to their winter school holidays, and will finish up with their tests tomorrow.

Ken has his birthday on Sunday. We have a few days break before the Brantley Family join us from Charleston next month. Hugs to you all. Keep warm and remember to enjoy every single day.

April, May & June all rolled into one...

Ohmygoodnessme... does anyone out there still even check our blog? I wonder.... I certainly have been really pushed for time, and my computer has been a little cranky on me... too little free memory.
After John Knowles from Boise left us, we had the privilege of having Terry and Jo here from Michigan, for their 6th Safari here. Terry, as usual, didn't waste any time with his package. We had the joy of Derek & Jen visiting us from Zim, with Michael and Kyra. The cousins had fun catching up; having not see each other since August last year. We were also glad to see Nicol, Karia and young Jean for a few days too! He is growing up so fast, and really is cute!
Great excitement while they were all here - Ken finally traded in his very old blue broken tractor for a shiny little RED MASSEY. No more pull starting every morning. No more "boer-maak-a-plan" repairs. No more worries!!! (This is actually a very long story, but I won't bore you all with the details.)
We have had a steady stream of simply BEAUTIFUL little Nguni calves being born, and while Steve & Tina Deierlein (from Charleston) were with us, they had the fun of meeting CbarC - a little bull who was given their brand name. :) He was born while they were on safari with us.
JohnD asked to be baptized in May, so he along with a group of family and friends from Johannesburg, all got baptized in our Mucha Dam. :)
We also had the pleasure of Dave Sebright and Denny Sprick, also from Michigan. They hunted with us 1x1, so we enlisted the help of Ron Sparrow for this hunt. :) Thanks Ron. Two calves were born while they were here. Dad & Mom celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! Dad celebrated his birthday too.
Just a week ago, Brian & Dannette Reed arrived with us from Charleston. We have them with us now! Boy oh boy - they have been blessed. The weather has been really great and we were all wowed last night with the total eclipse of the moon. I gave us all dinner in the boma, and we had our own private show. By about 10:30pm we were all pooped though, and went to bed... just as it was really red!
We also have the joy of a new arrival - Prince Rocky. A tall, handsome, 11yr old Gelding Thoroughbread horse. Boy oh boy does he make Jasmine and Chloe look like little ponies. Sir Prize has now been weaned from his Momma (Jasmine). He and the two young quarter horses are at Silverbank (Dad and Mom's place), until such time we can arrange for Cruising Pleasure to be gelded... We don't want any more horses!!! In fact, we really should find good homes for Jasmine and Chloe. Anyone needing a good child's pony? Six horses is really too many for us!!! You try talk to Micaela about selling Sir Prize. Well, she just about comes undone.
Ken and I now have the BlackBerry phone ... :) I finally got it right. I'm constantly amazed by how many of my emails just do not get through. I really should have done it years ago. PLEASE everyone - if you don't hear back from me fairly promplty regarding anything - chances are the emails are not getting through. Ken is still getting his driver's licence for it, but we will get there! Anyone who has a blackberry... we'd love to be able to add you to our bbm!! It's just the BEST!
Carol is doing really well, and is pretty moblie. Well done Ma!!! She lost her skype again, so anyone who was in skype contact with her, please add her as your contact again! ;)
Since the end of last year, I have only had three domestic ladies full time, so I have been pretty stretched. We all miss Esther, but she was very unwell, and needed some R&R.
The winter is really cold this year, and I wear my coat EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! I thank my Heavenly Father for it every single time I put it on!!! I had another kiss from my Heavely Father in Australia when my Claire blessed me with another 'dream' - some tall leather boots. Boy do they also keep me warm - and they fit !!! (another long story!)
Well, I really have rambled on long enough. I must get this posted. Will try work on some photos, but no promises!!! Big hugs to you all, and hope this makes up for all of the silence.
Love Ken, Jo & Kids xxx

John Knowles

John Knowles from Boise joined us on our first management hunt for the year, and it didn't take long for him to find himself a beautiful Gemsbuck!

The same afternoon he shot this big bodied Blue Wildebeest - whose body dressed out at 143kilos!

This young Impala ram is feeding a needy family. Thanks John!

The joys and sorrows go hand in hand

How is it possible that the human heart can be so completely captivated with one tiny little fur covered, creature? Our Creator alone knows! We are so grateful to Him for the really amazing two months we had with our little Goosley. She saturated our lives with laughter and such joy. She taught us so much about the beauty and miracle of life, and how fragile it is. We will forever remember her little peeps, her tickles, her chasing her tail, her games of hide and seek with the dogs, her unsatisfiable appetite for grasshoppers and cheese, her purring cuddles, and most of all her soft sweet face. She is buried in our little pet graveyard out front, overlooking the bush. While she had become such fast friends and a favorite with Lady and Champ, sadly the kittens did not share in affection for her. The Mommy cat had a very great respect for her, running away at each meeting. The young kittens considered her to look too much like a mouse.... and sadly our Goosley was not much more than a large mouse in size. Champ & Lady had gone with me for my usual morning walk, but Champ somehow got tangled with a mother warthog, and required some urgent attention from the vet. I rushed him into town for stitches. While away, our little Goosley snuck out of the house through the doggy door.... she was killed by one of the 8 week old kittens, and my lady who works in my home just could not get to her in time.