The Honey Badger Diaries
Wandering into the future – Matroosberg Nature Reserve
It's no use crying over spilt milk. We’ve had our chips, and now we must suck it up and move on, without the help or approval of the government, closed borders or the WHO. Our lives are still in our hands. What we do with the situation takes some creative thinking and a will to do something...
Honey Badgers Don't Hibernate
I stopped laughing. My one redeeming attribute is that I enjoy a good laugh, some start deep in my belly, others I try to suppress as they tickle my spirit, but, on the whole Butch and I enjoy a good old fashioned chortle. When did merriment leave us? Sometime, I can’t pinpoint, probably...
Weekend Meander to MIDDELPOS
Pompelompie Hartklop (Heartbeat) Festival. The heart of the Karoo beats in its people. They are a hardened community, resilient and steadfast in their faith and in the land. Here every person is worthy. So, one fine day Butch comes along and suggests we go on a road trip to Middelpos. I’d...
Lets Hit The Road Jack - YZERFONTEIN
My beloved knew I’d be emotionally drained after our glorious six weeks in Onrus with the family. This was my weekend to be spoilt, almost an early Valentine’s treat. He made a reservation at the Yzerfontein Caravan Park for the weekend and secured a lovely campsite using the camp layout on...
Windy Weekend Weather Wolseley
It’s often hard to believe there was a life before a disaster. Fortunately there is. Our memories eventually only remember the good things in life as bad thoughts are laid to rest along the wayside. And then life goes on and soon we say “life is good”! So before the great debacle and...
A Gut-Wrenching Confession
If you're interested in the whole sordid disaster then this is it! Shake, Rattle and Roll, without the big band, was what happened to me this morning. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try or work at something it fails. Coming to terms with failure and moving on is also a learning curve I...
2nd November A Day To Remember
It would’ve been my Grandmama, Joe Knight’s birthday. Born on the 2nd November, 1906. She would’ve been a ripe old age (113), but, would she have been proud of our rugby team? Absolutely. Oftentimes I wish she could’ve witnessed and experienced our Rainbow nation in action, especially when all...
Making Memories In Montagu
As we get older we enjoy celebrations. Could it be that they’re becoming scarcer as we attend more funerals than parties these days? Fortunately we were on our way to a birthday braai and would camp in beautiful Montagu with its heritage homes, large properties, channelled water, quaint...
Seven Sticks Of Wood And A Block Of Blitz
No final destination was the plan. YR.com said it would be the worst weekend to go camping. I checked daily, which is very unusual, to see whether the weather would improve. Not a chance. We’d not have our spirits dampened by a drizzle so we packed up and went off to see some spring blooms...
The Honey Badger Goes For An Annual Check-up
We’ve been far and wide in the Honey Badger, our Isuzu NP 300 4X4 Overlander or motor home. Motor home sounds like a retirement home whereas Overlander sounds sexy and adventurous. Don’t you think? We'll stick to Overlander Truck. It’s been just over a year since we officially took...
Safari On Super Suppers And Snacks
Gosh it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that spring in my step. A new shop opened in town, Nibbly Bits. As the name suggests they stock all sorts of delicious nibbly bits. I went all out and got us some treats. After my spree I met up with friends en-route to Prince Albert in the Karoo and...
Tips And Tricks For Camping, Overlanding Or Roadtripping
Every trip has its unique challenges and it’s impossible to plan for every eventuality especially when space is of the essence. African roads are often bad, always take that into account. Here are some of the things I learned on this trip. 1. Less is more.2. When catering have a menu. Some...
Mabuasahube - The Pecking Order
At last we were ready to enjoy ten days of doing absolutely nothing. That's what dreams are made of... a real holiday. The wonder of Mabuasahube. All we do is wonder what’s next. Shrug. Shake your head. Nothing. We just wait and see. No expectations. But, there is always the promise of a...
The Fab Four Conquer The Kalahari - En Route to Mabuasahube
Best friends, best buddies, best Boetie (brother) and hiekkelsuster (crochet companion) that’s what Percy and Sue are to us. It’s rare to hear siblings, at our age, actually like each other and choose to spend time together. We do. We’re close, companionable, comfortable and cosy. The...
My Many Miles To Mabuasahube
Plus many hours practicing MA-BU-A-SA-HU-BE and for successfully playing the sympathy card. But first we rendezvous at Melton Wold in the Karoo. Planning a trip on short notice is very exciting. From the moment we decided, (during one of our long boozy lunches) that we needed a quick getaway...
Who Let The Dogs Out?
And what's more in the Kalahari to boot! So, there we were, minding our own business watching another beautiful African sunset, contemplating the day, sipping drinks when a Land Cruiser came hurtling up our road in a billowing cloud of dust. My stomach lurched and I do confess I felt...
Bonnievale River Lodge And White Linen Camping
Sometimes the end of a story is the story. Our stay in Bonnievale is a classic case where a mishap could make or break one's enjoyment of the moment . We have friends who are Swallows, in other words they spend six summer months in South Africa before migrating back to the UK to spend...
To Arniston With A Surfboard
The Southern Cape must boast the best weather. For some reason autumn has come early this year, I can’t remember ever experiencing three weeks of inclement weather in February/March. We packed up our Honey Badger in the hope of sunshine and perfect waves. Arniston is a gem. As a young girl...
Suikerbossie Guest Farm Meander - A Review
There are only 52 weekends in a year, we’ve already spent 9-10. Lives are hectic and stressful, many need to recharge in the country savouring fresh country air. Suikerbossie Guest Farm in the Kouebokkeveld is the perfect retreat for young and old. I have a friend who knows the lyrics to...
Authentic Seafood Paella Recipe
A Spanish Paella packed with punch, traditional spices and ingredients. A conversation piece that looks more complicated than it is and tastes sensational In a previous life I was a caterer and this Paella recipe was a firm favourite with clients. It is fool-proof, easy and takes center stage...
The Wall - Kariba Dam
It was time to wave Mana Pools goodbye. A month was just long enough and I was excited to resume our road trip and next destination. Kariba. All the stories I’ve heard about Kariba have conjured a picture of holidays, fun and houseboats. Romantic. We, of course, would not be staying in...
Going To The Dogs - Nyamepi Campsite Review
Close your eyes. In the distance hear the cry of the African Fish eagle calling its mate. The soft rustle you hear could be a Vervet monkey suckling her young one, the soft blow is an Impala warning the herd of possible danger and the loud swishing and snorting in the water a hippopotamus...
The Company We Keep
It's true, birds of a feather flock together. Just like Lilian's Lovebirds. Although we travel very well together and comfortably do it without company we were delighted to know that we would not be alone for the entire time we were in Mana. We are social animals after all and I definitely...
Mangwanani! Mana Pools
Morning! Early bird catches the worm. We’d be there when the gates open. That’s what we thought. But of course in Africa that seldom happens. We could not have known that the fuel shortages were about to commence. Eventually, we made it to the Mana Gate and then we had to negotiate the...
Roadtripping From Our Southern Shores to The Mighty Zambezi
On a fine Friday afternoon we were all packed and really excited to set off on our 5 day road trip from the southern tip of South Africa to the most northern border of Zimbabwe where our journey would end on the banks of the mighty Zambezi. Our first stop would be Matjiesfontein. We arrived...
The Honey Badger Does Its Maiden Long Haul To Zimbabwe
I am not a procrastinator by nature, what I can’t do is multitask. This blog has been coming along for a while now, unfortunately Murphy had a hand in the delay. What I must confess is that the last couple of months, since my last blog have been hectic. I hope to catch up and share all the...
The Honeybadger Goes Wild - Without Reservations
Christmas was spent at home with family and then, to get away from the crowds flocking to our very popular beach we decided we'd go on a roadtrip in the Honey Badger, I am still in training so this would be the perfect opportunity to take my driving skills up a notch or two while I...
Butch With An Eye - A progress report
Shortly after we arrived back in Worcester I sent Butch off to the stand-in Ophthalmologist for an update and check-up. With me in tow. This was duly done with unsatisfactory results. The Dr. had nothing to add to the initial investigation, he simply shrugged his shoulders and with wringing...
A Spoke In The Wheel
What we see on social media is not the sum total of who we are. I have a cloud hanging over my head right now. I don’t have the ability to see the so called silver lining, although I do believe there is one, it’s just shining somewhere else. Maybe someone else needs it more than I do right...
Oh Mercy! Mercy! Get My Jersey!
If I could, I would chisel in stone: “Never a dull moment.” And “The winds of misfortune will prevail without fail”! The weather report said, rain. I said “no way!” The annual rainfall in the Tankwa is 10mm, so why get our knickers in a knot? I did keep my eyes on the skies, and, I was...
Glamping In Style - Have Keys and Wheels Will Travel
(Drum Roll, Drum Roll, choir of angels) Right off the bat you must please accept my apologies, I will be boasting and bragging in this blog. I think I have all the reason to. I know! I know it’s very rude. But then, so be it. Please indulge me. Every time I alight our carriage I feel I...
Keep Korma And Curry On
My new favourite quote, especially when my tiara slips fractionally. Yes! Sometimes it takes a change of heart, a change of attitude and courage to be in control of our minds and emotions. It’s unlikely that we all wake up each morning and feel on top of the world. Years ago someone said...
The End Is Nigh And Other Arbitrary Observations
There was a time when I thought I’d never say those words. I am delighted to report The End is nigh. This might be my birthday month with the Honey Badger as the final prize to celebrate the New Year and the end of a long, hard, traumatic and often disappointing 2½ years building our...
Breaking News: We Can't Contain Ourselves!
I have butterflies in my tummy. We are grinning from ear to ear. At last! We have just returned from AC Motorhomes and things are looking fabulous! Our Honey badger is gorgeous. It’s been a fortnight since our last visit and we were bowled over. Overwhelmed is an understatement. Firstly,...
Rome Was Not Built In A Day You Say?
All very well to say that when it’s not your time, energy or money being spent. At last! After more than six months, I am happy to report we have made a little progress on our overlander truck the Honey Badger! We’ve been at this project for more than two years now and at last I have...
Cuisine, Sunscreen, Tambourine I've Seen '17
Highlighting a year brings back sweet memories. It’s through hard times that we take note, but it’s in the cool afterglow that we can sit back and let our hearts and minds recall good times. This has been an amazing roller coaster year. My 60th! My mind has been churning with thoughts, words...
A Painful Nip And Tuck Turns Into Reconstructive Surgery
The last six weeks have been hell. Butch’s ears blocked up from stress and my continual nagging. My Grandmother would've said "a wife should not be like a dripping tap"! Torture. At times I thought I might have a heart attack from stress and anxiety as my oesophageal stricture goes on a rampage...
Drastic Remedial Action For The Honey Badger
Bi-carbonate of soda is my constant companion, wherever I go I have a good dose stashed near at hand. I don’t snort it, I take it with warm water to still my burning stomach. Indigestion burns like a white flame in my chest. The root cause. Stress. Anxiety. Anger. Disappointment. (one would...
Overweight Honey Badger Must Streamline
The Honey Badger is on a crash diet. No more heavy metals. On the spur of the moment it was decided to weigh the truck and huge was the collective surprise when she came in weighing a few hundred kilogrammes over her recommended weight allowance. “How on earth can that happen?” you may well...
There's No Snoozin' With Susan
Camping with my sister-in-law Sue is a treat. She’s organised and runs a tight ship. She has to, with her family of 3 plus 2, plus all the friends and extended family members who make themselves at home there. This whole mish-mash of friends, family and vreemdelinge (strangers) often accompany...
