Long day today.
Up with the lark . . . not that there were any, they've all flown south . . . . and back on the road.
Minus 5C and still lots of snow around . . .

But - blue sky, and that's enough to raise anyone's spirits, given all the grey days we've had this month.

Loads of ice, and snow still on the ground, but the further south we drive, the less there is, and gradually the outside temperature creeps up.

As did the traffic, backed up for over an hour due to a major accident. You don't realize just how much freight moves by truck and trailer until they grind to a halt like this, nose to tail.

But look, hardly any snow, and we're jusr north of the Maryland state line. Stopped long enough to take a long abandoned home at the side of the highway.

Finally we've arrived. Another 500k day, our home away from home in Washington for the next few days, and time to unpack :)

We're off . . . .

Got away this morning around 10.15am. A bit later than anticipated, but had to make sammies for the trip, a final tidy up in the house, and pack two sets of baggage in the boot. one for cold weather, the other for hot!

Head for Gan, and the 1000 Island bridge to the US of A. The bridge has to be at least 100 years old . . .

Still, have to pay the toll. Now $3 Canadian, up a quarter since our dollar sank against the US buck . .

The border, always a little increase on the anxiety scale. You just never know that US department of Homeland Security might dream up next for innocent visitors . . . .

Minimal questions, a look in the boot, the 'have a good one', and off we go, another bridge, and into upstate NY for the rather boring trip down to Wilkes Barre PA for the night.

A short break in an off highway MacDonalds parking lot to consume our sammies (picnic tables temporarily out of use) . . .

. . .then back on the road.

Past farms, and small communities tucked away in the snow and mist . . .

State Police lurking, waiting for unwary speeding traveler . . .

. . . or trucker who doesn't quite fulfill road regulations . . .

. . .make sure we're taking the right direction . . .

. . .into Pennsylvania, with a cluster of trucks to contend with (why do they do that?) . . .

. . .a brief patch of blue sky and sun to welcome us . . .

and 470km. done for the day, we reach out overnight destination for a good night sleep.

Sun, sea and sand!

Hmmm . .
been a little while since returning to take up where we left off.
But this is enough to drive anyone to drink, or perhaps head south.

Hopefully no more of this for awhile!

Which is what we're about to do, leaving early tomorrow for Washington DC.
Haven't really spent much time there before, so weather willing, and clear roads, we should be there this Thursday.

5th November 2013

Gosh – all too soon this is our last full day on safari!
The day breaks with a cloud cover, a blessing really, as temperatures are still in the high 30s.
This morning we’re going to attempt to locate and view a rhino, the only one of the ‘big five’ we’ve not been privileged to see.
It really has been an astonishing vacation, and about as close as you can get to the wild without pulling a Tarzan/Jane stunt, and returning to nature.
So this morning, it’s up early, a light breakfast, and the three of us into the jeep, with Samuel our trusty guide.
As a game reserve, the 70,000 hectare Majete is still in the process of being re-stocked after all of the big game was cleared out in the 70s/80s, so our chances of sighting rhino are slim.
However, birds do not need restocking, and they’re everywhere for those who want to see, and with a good guide!

The Brown-headed Parrot, hard to see unless pointed out . . .

. . . not so, with their brilliant colours, the African Pygmy Kingfisher, the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, and with his size, the Black-headed heron, who perches, flys, lands then takes off again . . ah, decisions, decisions.

Much harder to spot, an African Barred Owlet, one of the smallest of the species.

On the other hand, the Trumpeter Hornbill doesn’t care who sees him.

Lower down at ground level, the Leopard Tortoise makes his way, one of the ‘small five’.

The Marabou Stork is the larges of its species, up to 60 inches tall, and counts itself as part of the clean-up crew, along with vultures, feeding on carrion.

A Martial Eagle perches on the lookout for prey, while Wahlberg’s Eagle prefers an airborne hunt.

Scratching around at ground level, the African Pipit, Arnott’s Chat on the lookout for bugs, the Lesser Masked Weaver doing likewise a little higher, and a migrant European Bee-eater.

A Yellow Billed Kite floats by, and a Pied Kingfisher skims the surface of the river

The river, quiet, peaceful, away from human bustle, tree hosting orchids

. . and what’s this? Our Lodge hosting us for a riverside breakfast!

No rhino, but a perfect way to end our safari adventures. It only remains, reluctantly, to head back and pack for the long journey home.