Post 1.503 on June 26 2024

Hope you liked the post about South Africa . I loved, as said, every minute. It’s below this post ,when you missed it.
The picture on top of that post was from the weather here in The Netherlands on June 9 on my way from the airport to my house and later I noticed that more than 100 Dutch pilots added a flight to the OLC.
https://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-3.0/gliding/daily.html?st=olc&rt=olc&c=NL&sc=&sp=2024&df=2024-06-09&f_map=

After I spend a great week with my high-school friends all between 76 and 79 now.Nice little house for 6 “ladies” in the “bush” . Some of us know each other from kindergarten and though we meet regularly, we seem to have ALWAYS something to talk about. We know each others past and families.
The weather was OK, but finally last Sunday we had the first real summer-day in summer, as till now we had a lot of rain since june1 when summer started. Today we will “see: more “feel” 28 up to 31 dgr. C.
I don’t complain.

–—-I am not going to look back at all comps over the last 3 weeks, as I am sure you found your way on the internet.
But interesting comps in progress will have my attention.

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GERMAN NATIONALS for standard and 15 m;

They started with 69 pilots on June 7 and have finished last Friday.They flew from  Zwickau. From 11 days , only 5 days were good enough to fly, so there are winners and National Champions in both classes.
Standard class , with 40 entrees ,started with a 3 hour AAT and 2 pilots managed to win the 1000 daily points. Karsten Leucker in Discus 2B and Jan Knischewski in LS8 Neo.
Flying day 2 showed a set task with 223.84 km and after a late start, after 3 PM, Karsten was runner up again.
Flying day 3 , task 5, had another set task 205.09 km., and Jan was runner up again.
Flying day 4, task 6 had a big task; 3.30 AAT, but OUCH this time Jan was out , loosing 400 points and another Jan Kretzschmar in LS8 won the day.
Flying day 5, task 8, had 219.09 km on the menu, AND Jan Knichewski found his good form back and won the day. Only 14 from 39 finished.
Standard class CHAMPION and WINNERS;
1. Jan Kretzschmar in LS 8NEO with 3,850 points.
2. Philipp Lauer in LS8 NEO with 3,826 p.
3. Karsten Leucker in Discus 2B with 3,691 p.

15 m. class: 29 participants.
Flying day 1 [task 1] 2.30 AAT; Daily winner Steffen Göttler with 104.44 km./h. over 260 km.All 29 finished.
Flying day 2 [task 2]  261.69 km; Steffen was the best again and added 678 points to the 819 he had.
Flying day 3 [task 5] 2.30 AAT; NO Steffen today , he was on spot 8, but Oliver Springer in AS 33es was the best with 290.95 km and 116.24 km./h quite a bit faster than the runner up with 105,46 km./h
Flying day 4 [task 6] with 330.46 km and ONLY 3 finishers!!!!Jonas Florin in ASW 27 was the daily best;104.16 km./h.
Flying day 5 {task 8] 238.83 km and Steffen started with a win and finished with one. Pretty clear he was going to be the new German champion.
15 m. CHAMPION and Winners;
1. Steffen Göttler in Ventus 2A with 3,351 points.
2. Steffen Schwarzer in JS 3 with 3.307 p.
3. Oliver Springer in AS 33es with 3,291 p.

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UK Nationals for 15m, standard and open class;
Aston Down……15 June 2024 – 23 June 2024

A lot of very good pilots young and “old” , as in,…I know them from my time.
Out of 9 days they flew on 7, GOOD!!!!
15 m. class; the 20 pilots started with a very short task 1, but it was not flown.
Task 2 was better; 304.05 km. and 8 pilots flew over 100 km./h . The best was Phil Jones with 105.74 km/ph.in a Ventus 3TS. The Jones family is well-known and I remember the times when their father was still flying and the boys were kids! Tom Arscott [Ventus 2A] was runner up. He is younger ,but I still met him at comp’s. Ayala was unlucky she was out after 76 km.
Task 3;  211.57 km and 3 Lasham- boys reached the top spots; Chris Starkey, [ASGes] Tom and Phil. All 107 km./h. whilst Chris started 15 minutes later. 3 were out.
Task 4;  150.81 km on a pretty marginal day but ONE pilot finished!!!! Tom; with 60.56 km./h normally he would leave his glider in the trailer on such a day. 2 were very close. Mind you Tom was JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION in 2015 in Narromine in club class and yes,..I was there and congratulated him.
This season, year 2023, he was world champion in standard class also in Narromine at the WGC.
Task 5; 266.84 km ….and ONE pilot flew over 100 km./h. TOM!!!! Leigh Wells was runner up. Good to see him high up in the ranking. I was there when he became world champion [Eskilstuna 2006] and we all met earlier in 1987 with the world comps in Benalla, where dad Wells flew and our kids and the UK kids played cricket. The Dutch “clockies” had to learn the rules first. My daughter Inge and Lizzy [Wells] are still friends. All 20 started and finished.
Task 6; 341.13 km….higher speed. Daily winner Phil flew around with 118.09 km./h. for 958 points. Leigh was 3d and Tom 4th.Still not a 1000 points-day. All 20 did well and finished!!!
Task 7; 279.45 km…..Timothy Scott was daily winner and the day before runner up. He moved up from 6 to 4 overall. Leigh , Phil and Tom “hold on” overall on spot 3 2 and 1.
Task 8; 3 hour AAT.…AND, what they did not know then….., their last day task 9 had to be scrubbed.
Derren Francis won what turned out this last competition day; 352,33 km with 100 km./h and YES…he ” got ” the 1000 points. Leigh was runner up with 995 points. Tom was 6th with 889 and Phil 7th with 881 points. 15 from 19 starters finished.
Changes in the top 3,…….and it was CLOSE , VERY CLOSE!!!!! The former WORLD CHAMPION was now again UK CHAMPION:
Overall scores in 15 m class after 7 days ;
1. Leigh Wells in JS 3 with 5,727 points and NATIONAL CHAMPION.
2. Tom Arscott in Ventus 2A with 5,724 points ,…..3 points not even a full turn??!!!
3. Philip Jones in Ventus 3Ts with 5,627 points.

Standard class; 15 pilots….Also their day 1 was scrubbed but their task 2 was straight away good for 1000 points.
Task 2; 302.55 km...Jon Arnold in Discus 2c won the day with 94 km./h just ahead of Henry Inigo-Jones in LS 8. Quite a few UK ladies in this class.
Task 3; 159.00 km….Oliver Ramsay in LS 8 won the day. 4 flew over 100 km./h. One of them Jez Hood in his LS 8. 15 started 12 finished.
Task 4; 150.81 km….NOBODY finished, but a few did well with 144 km.
Task 5; 327.80 km…another 1000 points-day, but nobody flew over 100 km./h. Best was Howard Jones in Discus 2A; 97.96 km./h The runner up Jon had 88.74. 15 started and 12 were in.
Task 6; 321.61 km….Paul Fritche was the best. He started with Henry who was was runner up. Jez was 3d all in LS 8.
Task 7;  279.45 km….In the right mood, Paul flew to another win; 87.86 km./h. AND …for 1000 points. It turned out a difficult day with only 5 finishers. 9 LS8 gliders in the top 10.
Task 8; 3 hour AAT and also they did not know it was their last day. Oliver won with 286 km and 94.22 km./h. and was 7th overall. By the way ALL competitors had to fly into Wales.
Standard Class, overall scores after 7 days :
1. Jez Hood (352 – LS8) | 5,215 points UK NATIONAL CHAMPION.
2. Howard Jones (6 – Discus 2a) | 5,114 points
3. Henry Inigo-Jones (95 – LS8) | 5,055 points

Open class; 20 pilots including a few champions.
Task 2;  361.86 km….Andy [Davis] won day 1 . I was there , when he won in Borlange the WGC title in 1993 in standard class. He flies JS1C as does Russell Cheetham who was 3d and the former WGC champion from Benalla in 2017.Indeed I was there too, this time as a visitor.
Task 3; 257.67 km and Tim Jenkinson in JS 1C won the 668 points for the daily winner. 19 started and 16 finished.
Task 4; CANCELLED.
Task 5;  358.02 km…Andy -Davis- Day- again. 1000 points for 113.17 km./h . Tim was runner up and Russell 3d. 17 started and finished.
Task 6; 388.14 km…..Another JS1C pilot , Richard Browne won 1000 points. Russell was runner up and Andy 3d.
Task 7; 354.51 km…..Only 16 started and only 6 finished, a challenging day. Andy won, Tim was runner up.
Task 8; 3 hour AAT; and …indeed NO knowledge that this was their last day, though they knew the next-day- weather was not the best, but MAYBE a window could be found. No worries for Andy he just won again; 104.85 km./h.Another 1000 points, No doubt who would win the open class Nationals and,…as always in glider 80.
Open Class OVERALL SCORES after 6 days :
1. Andy Davis (80 – JS-MD 1C) | 5,547 points
2. Tim Jenkinson (TJ – JS1c) | 5,285 points
3. Russell Cheetham (E1 – JS1c) | 5,203 points

—–When I was gone, the 18 m UK NATIONALS were flown and won by Matt Davis, yes Andy’s son.
Jonker Sailplanes Marketing via gmail.mcsv.net was proud on Matt flying 1 of their gliders you can hopefully read it in the link.
They also shared some words from Matt , the winning pilot,…always good to read ,a winners review…. I share it with you too, when you have not read it ,this is your chance;

“I went into this competition feeling particularly rusty, having only flown two cross country flights this summer. The weather forecast looked very changeable, so I decided the best tactic for the week would be risk-averse, ‘no lose’ flying. That consistency paid off as I emerged as 18M National Champion for the first time in a nerve wracking finale for the podium places.
There are two decisions that stand out as making the difference during the week. The first was on day two when a big line of showers came through our out-and-return task area as we reached the furthest point. I had fallen behind the gaggle having taken a different route, and they attempted to push round the leading edge of the shower line to get home. By the time I’d scratched away from low down in the rain, that route looked terminal, so I made the decision to make a big detour behind the shower, into the sunshine, where I could see scrappy cumulus forming. I managed to tiptoe home along this route, including a lucky low save where I had the engine out and started the ignition sequence, to find the gaggle had all landed out and only three of us had finished.
The second decision was on the final day, where we’d been set an AAT on a day with a good cumulus forecast, which turned into a blue day with weakening climbs. I’d gone into the day in second place but with a big 168 point gap to first, so knew I’d have to try something a bit different to take first place. The decision point came as we flew into the first sector with weak blue climbs, and the first placed pilot turned round, back towards the cumulus in the second sector. My pre-flight planning highlighted that we had to go deep in the first sector to avoid having to make some big detours around airspace in the second sector, so I pushed on, hoping the detours they’d have to fly would negate the likely higher speeds flown under the cu. The rest of the flight was fairly straightforward, and I knew I’d had a good day in relation to others who took the same route, but had no idea how those that turned early had done. After a nervous wait it transpired our route had been more favourable, but with a big enough speed differential to make up the points difference? The gap slowly closed as more and more traces were scored, and I eventually sneaked into first by 19 points, with the top three separated by only 22 points.”

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HOBBS 2024 Nationals for 18 and 15 m and club class.
19 June 2024 – 28 June 2024

We here in The Netherlands do not quickly forget Hobbs in New Mexico, the place where Kees Musters became WORLD Champion in 1983 in 15 m in a Ventus A.
Now they host the Nationals and after 2 practice days they missed out on Task 1 as it was cancelled. No task on the next day either, but then it started;
18m; with 22 participants
Task 3; 2 hour AAT….4 pilots flew around with 140 km./h. Best was Bob Fletcher in an ASG 29. Gary Ittner in ASG 29 , Erik Nelson in Ventus 3 and Sean Murphy in JS 3 were the other 140km./h pilots.
All 22 in this class started AND finished.
The day turned out better than expected, as blogger Rich mentioned;  Not bad for what we all thought was going to be a terrible day.
Task 4; 4 hour AAT, …better…..16 pilots flew over 500 km. Best was Sean, with 545.80 km with 136.45 km./h. Rick Indrebo [ASG 29] ; 524.50 km. was runner up with 130.15 km./h. All 22 started and finished.
Task 5; 377.89 km….Erik Nelson in his Ventus 3T was the daily winner with 119 km./h followed by Rick with 116.75 km./h. Only 1 pilot did not finish.
“The first leg was good and bad depending on the time.  Many pilots got low and almost landed out.  Everyone had a part of their day that was tough.  Thermals were not round, smooth and constant.  It took patience and a smooth hand to get a good climb.” Rich Owen.
Task 6; 3.30 AAT…..450 km with 125 km./h was the best result by Andy Blackburn in a JS 3, starting rather late but not last. 21 started and 19 were “in”.
Task 7; 3 hour AAT.…with 466 km. Dave Springford [Ventus 3T] won the day; 125.83 km./h just a tad faster than Robin Clark in ASG 29. “Good old” Garry Ittner was 3d.
19 started and ONLY 9 finished. Tough day as Rich wrote;“All the classes had similar tasks.  The threat of rain was in the front of everyone’s mind, including the CD’s.”
After 7 tasks Gary is leading with 4.110 points . Runner up; Nelson Howe with 4.077 p and 3d Dave with 4.046 p.Very close. Also Robin Clark is still in the race with 4.018 p.
Exciting stuff!

15 m; with 17 pilots.
Task 3; 2.30 AAT....13 finished and Jared Granzow in ASW 27 b was the best; 313 km/125 km./h.
Task 4; 3 hour AAT...17 started and finished.Timothy Taylor in Ventus 2cxa won; 424 km/136 km./h.
Task 5; 369.70 km….Noah Reitter in ASG 29 won; 125 km./h. Only one of my USA mates Gary was out.
Task 6; 3.30 AAT.…Mike Sorenson flew 442 km with 117 km./h in the blue.
Task 7; 2.30 AAT….Jared Granzow had another daily win; 383,53 km/ 138.57 km./h quite a bit further and faster than the rest with an average of 345 km and 120 km./h. His speed was the fastest of ALL classes, I read in Rich post. Good on him!!!
After 7 tasks Mike Sorenson leads with 4.411 points ahead of Noah Reitter with 4.345 points.

Club ;16 pilots.1 Pilot has a very Dutch name; Marco Raaijmakers but I do not know him or have heard of him. Only persons in this class I know are Tony Condon, who I met in Uvalde and Sylvia Grandstaff who I met in Lake Keepit.
Task 3; 1.30 AAT..…Andrew Brayer in ASW 20 c won the day; 189 km/ 125 km./h.
Task 4; 3 hour AAT…Greg Shugg in LS 4 won 368 km/116.65 km./h. Good to see Sylvia was runner up loosing 24 points. Tony was 3d. 17 started and finished.
Task 5; 377.89 km.…with a late start at 14.44.44 Christopher Gough in a Ventus cb, won the day; 109 km./h. All 17 started and finished on this blue day.Tony was 3d, Sylvia 5th.
Task 6; 3 hour AAT;…Andrew Brayer in ASW 20C won the day; 346 km./107.26 km./h. Tony was runner up and Sylvia shared spot 8.
Here is Andrew, the guest reporter; “The challenge today was that it was again blue, but with turn areas, we wouldn’t all be funneled onto the same course line. My strategy was to go early and use the other classes as markers, rather than play start roulette. Coming out of Jal I ran down a gaggle with a great climb and got connected with the group. Later in the flight I dove for a dust devil and got a much-needed climb headed into Tatum. The final glide was a nail biter. I lost my reserve to oppressive sink and flopped over the finish at minimal speed, with 100 feet to spare.”
Task 7; 3 hour AAT and won by Sylvia Grandstaff…good on her!!!!! 328 km/ 98 km./h. ONLY 3 from 13 finished.Tony was runner up and Tyler Byron in an LS3A was 3d.
Tony mentioned IT WAS A WILD DAY.; “First two legs went pretty good really. Then a big storm was on the path home. I opted to go east along a cloudstreet that didn’t work and evaporated. Tyler and I found climbs under crummy clouds and complete shadow and made it home with only a little rain falling on us along the way. Saw a lot of lightning.”
After 7 tasks Tony leads with 3.872 points ahead of Sylvia with 3.774 points. Tyler is 3d with 3.712p.

More next week.

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EUROGLIDE;
Started on one of our nice summer days last Monday June 24. Cloud base ar 2000 m so the pure gliders, [7 with many participants] or with turbo[ 30 with even more different pilots.crews] or self launchers [ 33] will have great fun. They have to fly 2500 km start at Venlo in the S of the Netherlands and the first back is the winner. They had to change the route a bit as the airspace over the many soccer fields during the world championships is closed.
Pilots/teams from The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Czech Rep participate AND Australia’s Matthew Scutter.
Matthew Scutter’s Gliding shares all the news in videos.
This EUROGLIDE is the 16th edition and for those who do not know anything about this race;
“Contrary to a standard gliding competition, when each day a task is flown from the same airfield, Euroglide has only one task of approximately 2500 km:”Depart from Venlo airfield, round the turnpoints and return to Venlo as soon as possible, but at latest on the last competition day.”Each day, after landing (out) the teams have to find a suitable airfield for the next day and arrange take-off facilities themselves. To a certain extent, it is allowed to travel towards a turnpoint with the glider in the trailer.”
I know a lot of my mates “long” every time when they have finished already for the next one.
“This kind of competitive gliding is:
Adventurous.
At the daily take-off, it is unknown how far you will get and where you will spend the night.
Freedom.
After the take-off on the first day of the competition, making the turnpoints in accordance with the regulations and returning to Venlo at or before the last day of the competition are the only restrictions.
Team-work.
A team can consist of more than one pilot, thereby creating the opportunity to fly and to crew. Furthermore, the team-work is more intense given the fact that strategic decisions are also made outside the cockpit.
Surprising.
Sometimes the fog and rain in the morning forebodes nothing good, while in the evening you have flown hundreds of kilometres. Unexpectedly you will meet other competitors in the air or somewhere in a bar or clubhouse. Party time!
https://www.euroglide.nl/
After the first day a lot arrived already in the Czech Rep.It’s hot and skies are looking good, this might be a fast edition!!!!
You can follow Matthew:”The day was a bit slow to start, and I almost used the engine right out of the start. I basically straightlined it while almost everyone else went north or south of track to the “classic” good routes. Less deviations got me ahead even after my indiscretion near the start and I should be first overall, or near it. One other glider landed here with me.”
Yesterdays news was sad as as well as in all those editions NEVER a fatal accident happened as far as I can remember.
“Halfway mark! Landed at the Wasserkuppe. Possibly my longest duration flight at more than 9 hours airborne, for 830km using the very first to very last thermal. Probably 200km ahead of the next competitor.

Unfortunately today is a sad day because another pilot in the contest had a fatal takeoff accident this morning. Tomorrow is cancelled in their memory.‘ Which is today.
Only 2 months ago Johan ,president of the NIJAC, the very active club at Malden[close to Nijmegen] helped “us” derigging the gliders on the last day of the Dutch Nationals in the heavy rain. Such a nice guy.
Now he is not with us anymore, but he will not be forgotten. A great loss specially for his family and the club, but also for all the glider-mates in this “small” world.
As Bruce from Australia straight away wrote;”Sorry to hear bad news about the accident, always a downer and our thoughts go out to everyone involved.“
It all happened in Thuringen at the airport of Suhl-Goldlauter. Why????….,that will be sorted out by police and accident investigators. A lot of his mates at the ground saw it happen.
R.I.P. Johan.

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—–Newsflash from DG/Jonkers in June; As you know they co-operate now.
“Their JSDG production started .The first DG-1001, produced by the newly established JSDG Production GmbH (Production Organisation), has been completed at DG Aviation in Bruchsal!
This accomplishment marks a new chapter in the collaboration between Jonkers Sailplanes and DG Aviation. “The cooperation has been seamless, and it’s truly inspiring to witness the dedication and enthusiasm of the entire team of eight – four from Jonker Sailplanes and four from DG Aviation – involved in our daily operations”, says Holger Back CEO and Managing Director of DG Aviation GmbH.
A team from Jonker Sailplanes will collaborate periodically with DG Aviation GmbH for five weeks every few months to help build DG-1001 gliders at DG’s facilities. This partnership presents a fantastic opportunity for both teams to learn from each other, fostering a center of excellence and strengthening German-South African friendships.
By the time the Jonker’s team departs on June 12th, three gliders will have been completed – a remarkable achievement for JSDG Production GmbH!”

—-Soaring Society of America shared the next news .

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Open Class Nationals in Minden, NV. In first place was Keith Essex, flying IC, whose average speed for the entire contest was 100.95 mph. Jim Lee, flying UC, came in second with an average speed for the contest of 99.78. John Cochrane (MP) was third, with an average speed of 98.73 mph. Jim Lee won the speed trophy with a 111-mph run on the last contest day.”

You are more or less up to date. Still a bit upset…..
Next week Wednesday the next post.

Cheers Ritz

This post is only for those who are interested in my travels, like the Aussie diaries.
The next blog about soaring is on June 26.
By the way we had marvellous soaring-weather ,last Sunday [June 9]when I travelled back from Schiphol to my home town in the SE . The skies” “exploded” and you just have to look at Weglide or the OLC, to see what happened.
Many European 1000 km flights and nearly 1 from The Netherlands ;956 by Francois in an EB 29. Even more special was the flight from Jeroen flying an LS 3WL over 879.23 km. The club from Amsterdam at Soesterberg , had their 1-day-competition and they gave pilots the option to fly 1000 km.VERY UNIQUE!!!!Task 2 was; 1.043,36/2.320,49 [ 1.150.92 k]

THE SOUTH AFRICAN DIARY.

When the World Gliding Championship was hosted by the organisation of Mafikeng in S.A. more than 20 years ago, I could have been TC for team Holland, but I reckoned it would be better to sent a male person, as I did n’t like to go there as nobody could guaranty the safety of the pilots after an out-landing. Of course that problem can be everywhere, but in that time S.A was a bit “restless”.

Hence,…this was my very first vist to this great part of the world and I loved every minute!!!!!.
My family invited me to come with them to Madikwe, where they had stayed earlier in the Madikwe Game Reserve. My grand children , now 18 and 20, tried hard to convince me and were more than pleased when I said YES, and….. I thought WHY NOT.
We stayed 2 nights in the Hilton at Johannesburg, travelled to close to Rustenburg, to a great holiday park from ANEW, where we stayed in 3 bungalows also for 2 nights. During the trip the rain was pouring down and heavy thunderstorms with a huge amount of rain accompanied us, but we knew it would be better.
It is winter in S.A. and at 6 it is dark outside. Temperatures between 0 at night and 24 during the day.
At the ANEW resort you could swim, play tennis, or golf, race on quads, so a lot of sportive events. But also a place for congresses and readings.
The 3 ladies , my daughter, granddaughter and I, choose to have a massage, and / or foot pedicure. I had the 1 hour massage and felt new. My neck could move again to the r. and l, which was good for the safaris waiting for us.

The total trip from Johannesburg to the Madikwe Reserve was nearly 5 hours, so a 3 hour voyage was still waiting. My main goal was to see a giraffe and the first animal we saw when we entered the reserve, was a GIRAFFE.
Madikwe has over 20 lodges surrounded by villas-for-rent and a lot of private houses.
We stayed at the Rockfig lodge, a small and intimate lodge nestled in the unspoilt wilderness , with a pool, a “braai” area ,garden and point to look over the wilderness and a waterpoint to see animals passing by for a drink. And YES we saw them, just behind the house; zebras, impalas, monkeys AND elephants.
https://rockfigmadikwe.co.za/villas/inkwe-private-family-house/

We arrived at 2 PM and 4 very friendly staff-people were waiting for us with a warm wet towel and a drink in front of the lodge.
We straight away felt welcome. We got a lovely personal assistant, bringing out the food but also “reading” all our wishes. The ranger , Kagiso, was one of them and at 3 , after a short high tea, we had our first safari trip already in the open 9 person jeep.
Amazing how many animals we saw during our first drive with Kagiso, who was very good. He knew the places where to go and could tell us all we wanted to know.
At sunset around 5.30 , he stopped EVERY day, somewhere on a nice spot, for a drink and a “bite” and to see the sun go down in 5 minutes .
Then to finish the safari, we left to the waterhole where giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalos, rinoceros and many other more small animals finished their day with a drink .
A 3 course dinner in the lodge, finished our day and off we went to our beautiful ‘ Inkwe private family’ house for 6 persons…totally in in oriental style!
Warning; you put on weight!!!!

Wednesday June.5…..Alarm was set for 5.40….Light breakfast before departure . Kagiso had put blankets, a hot-water- bottle and a cape with fleece inside and wind protection outside, on the chairs. There was frost over night.
Inge told me before to take “layers: with me. So several clothes over each other [ to remove when necessary ] and a warm hat and gloves.
Excitement …a lion was spotted by other rangers!!!! And yes …. we saw the lion , with a “fat: belly after a good meal overnight, sunbathing in sand. He was sleepy from the hard work, but when he heard us he was willing to put his “photographic ” face on.

After the morning safari it was time for a continental breakfast, combined with a cooked one to your taste. Then time to swim, sunbath or read a book completely undisturbed by noise. You hear only birds……totally relaxed.
At 3 high tea with sweet and sour again, prepared by 3 good chefs, an experienced one,a younger one and a nice young lady.
3.15 safari. A total new route with giraffes keeping an eye on us . And of course ALL other animals.

Kagiso, driving through the gorgeous flora.

The day was finished at the waterhole again now with nearly 200 buffalos trying to get in the water and to drink. And of course all the other “usual suspects” ,but it’s weird how quick you get used to it.
The ranger had a big light and the buffalos all looked in that. Very interesting specially because there were SO MANY.
I found the elephants sometimes intimidating!!!! Certainly when they were close b

Thursday June 6; A special day as in the evening they would prepare a “braai” for us outside along the bonfire! BUT,…first we went on the safari trip again and this time we “found” 2 lionesses. About 4 and 6 years old according to our ranger. We really needed the jeep, as we drove over bushes higher than the car, to see them. Unbelievable how strong that jeep was.
In the evening I did not go for another safari, as I hit my knee on the stairs from the jeep.
So I could see all preparations for the “braai”.
Table was beautifully set out side, bonfire was burning with chairs around it to keep warm. The chef and his assistants cooked our bread rolls and meat on the “braai”.
Very special evening.

Friday June 7; On the early morning , on another very special day…we left at 8 and would drive till 6.15PM to see all Madikwe flora and fauna this time with a lunch in the bush.
And …..another high light, as “we found” a cheetah. Another gorgeous animal. Look at it.

We drove to nearly the Botswana border and followed the Madikwe river on our search for hippo’s. They were not where they should be. We saw/smelled a dead giraffe,…old age, according to Kagiso Party time for wild dogs and hyenas, and not to forget vultures.
We had wine with our cooked lunch. Yes he “cooked” spare ribs outside and had all yummie, bites going with it, for us, as meat pie , a wrap and scones.

Mountains existing out of red stone were new again and beautiful.Not glued together, but not falling down. Amazing.
We noticed 3 wind socks and a plane. I had a few words with the 2 young pilots , making hours to continue later in the aviation world. There are 2 runways, 1 from gravel and a 1.2 km. long concrete runway. Lot’s of cross wind there. They often fly guests to the reserve.

Another long day was over.

Saturday June 8, day of our departure but first AGAIN a safari at 6 AM.BUT,…no worries, we had to go through the bush again as the message was …4 lionesses. Another car was already there and indeed we saw the 4 animals.
That was pretty scary as Kagiso drove very close and we were surrounded by 3 of them. I felt a bit sorry as those poor full -eaten- animals, just wanted to sleep. Indya took pictures.

At 1 we had our last lunch, said good bye to the chef and his helpers, to the GM and Kagiso.
We had a SUPERB time!!!!

Here is a 38 sec video from a lot of the animals we have seen by Indya.
5f8ae71f85e2450497e2e91f994c4791.mov

5 hours over toll roads this time and at 6 we were in Joburg. During the nearly 11 hour flight I only slept 1 hour, so I was worn out, but made time to share the diary with yo over the next days. Mind you . I had to go to the dentist too on Monday as I lost my golden crown and just missed out on swallowing it.
It’s back now in my mouth.

What a HAPPY week with my lovely family and all those hardworking, caring staff members of the RESERVE.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Indya for her excellent pictures.
To make it an even better HAPPY END, we just heard that Dexter has passed his high-school -exams with good notes!!!! TOP!!!!!

Cheers Ritz
P/S Off now for my annual 1 week holiday with my high-school- friends.
Back for you on June 26!!