Sunday 28th
July
We wanted to see if we could get to
Greens and then Chapman’s baobabs, south of Gweta, to the east of Mgadigadi Pan.
Off the tar, the road took us through the village of Gweta and wound through the
yellow grass and mostly dry-looking trees. To start with it was quite a smooth
sand road, but after a while it deteriorated into a heavily rutted track, which
seemed to be made of fossilised mud and bull-dust, although it no doubt softens
in the rains. The helmsman rose to the challenge of the ever-deepening ruts,
trying out side-tracks and different strategies to cope. But well before we got
to our destination the first mate began to fear a capsize, so we went about and
headed back the way we had come. Africa had definitely won on this occasion. We
had taken the “eastern-most track out of the 2 marked on the maps – we later
discovered that the trick was not to take a track at all, but to “head
somewhere between the two” – as they’re some 20km apart that’s quite a large
“somewhere”! Back at Planet Baobab we filled the water-tank and washed our
smalls – all our other laundry was being taken care of. Then a short rest in
the shade: we wanted to relax on the sofas and comfy chairs near the bar, but
these turned out to be painted concrete, which was a bit of a disappointment.
Still, at least it was cool and shady.
We had time to cook on the fire, which
we tend not to do much as you have to start quite early and we always seem to be
busy. On the menu this evening – boerewors with vegetables roasted in the potje.
It turned out pretty well, which is more than can be said of our first attempt
at breadmaking in the potje. We will use a recipe next time we try this. More
night sounds: Barney came to get me from my shower to take me to the boundary
fence, where we listened to elephants making the most of the waterhole just
beyond the reach of our torch.
July
We wanted to see if we could get to
Greens and then Chapman’s baobabs, south of Gweta, to the east of Mgadigadi Pan.
Off the tar, the road took us through the village of Gweta and wound through the
yellow grass and mostly dry-looking trees. To start with it was quite a smooth
sand road, but after a while it deteriorated into a heavily rutted track, which
seemed to be made of fossilised mud and bull-dust, although it no doubt softens
in the rains. The helmsman rose to the challenge of the ever-deepening ruts,
trying out side-tracks and different strategies to cope. But well before we got
to our destination the first mate began to fear a capsize, so we went about and
headed back the way we had come. Africa had definitely won on this occasion. We
had taken the “eastern-most track out of the 2 marked on the maps – we later
discovered that the trick was not to take a track at all, but to “head
somewhere between the two” – as they’re some 20km apart that’s quite a large
“somewhere”! Back at Planet Baobab we filled the water-tank and washed our
smalls – all our other laundry was being taken care of. Then a short rest in
the shade: we wanted to relax on the sofas and comfy chairs near the bar, but
these turned out to be painted concrete, which was a bit of a disappointment.
Still, at least it was cool and shady.
We had time to cook on the fire, which
we tend not to do much as you have to start quite early and we always seem to be
busy. On the menu this evening – boerewors with vegetables roasted in the potje.
It turned out pretty well, which is more than can be said of our first attempt
at breadmaking in the potje. We will use a recipe next time we try this. More
night sounds: Barney came to get me from my shower to take me to the boundary
fence, where we listened to elephants making the most of the waterhole just
beyond the reach of our torch.