Shame (Kimmy's comments)

There are lots of funny phrases out here. I already say ‘Ya’ instead of ‘yes’, I’m so in with the locals. Another word is “Shame”, said in a sort of Australian twang. They say it all the time. It sort of means ‘oh what a shame’ but also means ‘really?’. I’m trying to slip it in to conversation but it always seems to sound insincere when I say it.

So, Angelique’s parents Alex and Electra have been so lovely. Electra has traipsed round lots of car places, fed us, given us beer, taken us for dinner, and even let us sleep in her daughter’s room. Then, she announced she has credit to claim on a timeshare just beside Kruger National Park (the number one safari (or bush drive as they say) destination). She has kindly given us a week of free accommodation at a lovely quite swanky bush resort. We are now sitting in this massive thatched house with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private braai (BBQ) etc. Pete is loving all the braai action and also the ratio of meat to veg in our fridge. Electra even lent us cool boxes so we can take cool drinks in our car around the park.

We arrived yesterday evening and today went in to Kruger. It only costs about £10 entrance, and we are in a slightly clapped out banger of a hire car, but again, it was super cheap. We drove around all afternoon and saw giraffes eating the leaves high up in the trees, zebra grazing or crossing the road ahead. Some African Elephants having a mud bath, wildebeest looking scary. No sighting of lions or rhinos yet....but we shall get up at 4am tomorrow and go for a sunrise drive to try and find the buggers. Every time I saw a cute baby animal today I was thinking “oh , I hope a lion appears and eats it up right now”...how selfish of me!