Baby Owls

Monday we cleaned out the kitchen and I was wondering for how long it would look as nice as it did when we finished. Let me tell you, it didn’t last long!!

Later that evening John and I drove to Tzaneen in order to pick up two baby owls. Guys from the mining company in Gravelotte brought the owls to that lady in Tzaneen, the owls were close to a mining shaft, which they planned to blow up. As the baby owls looked very healthy I guess the mother was just out to get food for them and there were no more babies when she got back. I’m sure the guys just wanted to do a good thing by taking them away from the shaft but it’s sad for the owl mother.

The babies are now at Louise’s house because they are still very young and need lots of attention. They are giant eagle owls and they will be very big and stunning birds when they are grown up.
This was a very long day and we only got back at 9.30pm but it was wonderful coming back to camp and having Steve there waiting for us with another wonderful dinner!

Vet visit for black rhino

On Tuesday morning the vet was coming in order to check on Bliksem’s wound. We were allowed to go with him and watch him doing his work from a distance. There was a moment of shock when Bliksem just about started to get weak, he fell into his waterhole and his head was completely under water. The vet, Louise, Andre and John jumped inside and dragged him out of there which was not that easy as Bliksem still was kind of awake! But fortunately everything went well in the end!
After the vet had left, John wanted to reorganize the compartments in the boma where all the crates are stored. We moved huge wooden crates (actually the guys did!) as well as tiny bird boxes. We were very carefully moving the crates and all the bits and pieces that were lying around. I knew that somewhere in these compartments a snake would be waiting for us. And yes, we found a puff adder coiled up in the corner. John got it out of the compartment and moved it outside where we were able to have a good look at it.

Wednesday and Thursday were just “normal” days spent with driving from here to there, picking up this and that, etc.!!

On Saturday evening we were going out for dinner with Louise. We went to the new Spur restaurant, which is located just before you drive into Tzaneen. It is much bigger as the old one and has a beautiful terrace. We spent a wonderful evening with delicious food and as always, good conversation with lots of interesting stories!

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