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 leisurely pack up today as we are off the Pretorius Kop.

First stop was sunset dam, nothing new and the rain had made things
murky.  Then off up the H4-1.

1135c – European Roller on the bridge rails, sometimes you get this
close.

We stopped at Nkuhlu picnic area for a caffee and a leg stretch.  Last
time we were here it was raining so hard we did not go far from the car.
It is a lovely picnic area along the river banks.

1134a – these monkeys were ‘everywhere’ at the picnic area.

We then kept on travelling northish.  The unsealed roads were too
unpredictable for us to risk taking.

We drove past Skukuza Camp – as big as a village and on to Lake Panic.

e then popped into Skukuza day visitor area- basically to see what was
there.

We then continued west along the S1, a sealed road, then south on the
S65 unsealed, onto the H1-1 a sealed road again with a few little
unsealed diversions.  The countryside here is a little elevated and the
soil is highly weathered granite-gneiss so the roads a gravelly rather
than muddy, so we could risk taking some.

At a river crossing we saw these two hamerkops.

Suddenly one few up and stood on the back of the other (not mating)
then they went back to hunting – strange.

We took a few loops and made a few stops on our way to Pretoius Kop.

Next – Nkuhlu Picnic area

We stopped at the Botanic Gardens in Worcester.  These are part of the
national botanic garden system and display the dry climate plants.  It
is not very big and an enjoyable explore.

First seen was this enormous tortoise.

748d – this is a Kokerboom,, and an aloe

Next – Kirstenbosch for a walk

Our next stop was longer.  We took a ten minute uphill walk to look at
the Marion Falls rapids.

Next – Hollyford Valley

Next – Plants

The Wey Valley area is very scenic with ancient forests – The Forest of Dean os in the area, and fine views.

The ruins of Tintern Abbey and its sad history were interesting.  They are struggling to keep the ruin safe and vertical.  Some clever chickens wandered around the grounds.

Next – Hostel in St Braivens