Friday 2nd October
Today is our first full day in the city(Pretoria).
An early start is needed to fit in all we have planned.
Really the early start was needed to pack 2 suitcases we were sending home as unaccompanied baggage (more cost effective than excess on the plane).
We left our accommodation at 8.30 for the 20 minute drive to SanParks head office
We enjoyed coffee and biscuits with NedretS, ZakiyaF, andMelanieG.(and a handsome young man whose name escapes us)
Lots of tales were swapped and we realised all too soon that nearly 90 minutes had passed.
Time to say our farewell to our newfound friends……this happened so many times on this trip…..and we drove off into a traffic nightmare.
We were taking our 2 extra suitcases to Jet Park, close to OT airport, to be shipped home.
We travelled on the R21 and expected the trip to take 40 minutes.
Not far into the trip the traffic was starting to slow, and we noticed a large sign flashing that there was an accident ahead.
Eventually we passed the scene of the accident and soon after reached Jet Park, our 40 minute trip taking 150 minutes.
We found the freight company but finding a place to park was nigh impossible…….managed to get a spot and the bags were despatched.
The supervisor suggested the N1 would be the quicker option to drive back to Pretoria.
Guess what? Half an hour quicker.
I will never again complain about the traffic in Sydney and Canberra.
The road construction just went for k’s (on both the R21 & N1) and one hopes traffic will move smoothly when the work is completed.
We witnessed many near accidents on the N1 and also had a little dingle in the lane next to us. Three cars at least bumper to bumper, and I had left the camera at home.
Arrived home in Pretoria with a pounding headache and went in search of a strong coffee and food.
Friday evening we visited friends for a meal.
We had our first stay in KNP with Eugene & Jireh in 2001 in the tents at Tamboti, and that is where our fascination and love of KNP was truly ignited.
We manage to visit them each time we visit South Africa, and also they visit us when they are in Australia visiting their children who live here.
LP
Coming soon
Markets and a mega meet
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