Elephants...

[petermcleland]

BTW...Just a note for the less observant here...Picture number 10 shows a male elephant in a state of "musth" (not absolutely sure where that h goes). The gland to the rear of his eye can be seen to be exuding a strong smelling ferromone and in the bottom left corner you can see that he is ready (that is NOT another elephant's leg) :o

[Prop Jockey]

Picture number 10 shows a male elephant in a state of "musth"

I might tell the other half I'm in a state of "musth" when we get back from dinner later. See where it gets me

Cheers

Rich

PS - Where were you Peter ? I've been to quite a few reserves in SA so interested to know if we've overlaped.

[petermcleland]

Where were you Peter ? I've been to quite a few reserves in SA so interested to know if we've overlaped.

Rich,

All those shots were taken in Addo Elephant National Park. It is North of Port Elizabeth but extends over a vast area, even to the coast. A lot of it needs a 4x4 vehicle but the Matyholweni Camp to the Addo Main Camp can be driven in normal vehicles but no buses or caravans.

[speedbird591]

BTW Ian...Three out of four legs in Club...Pretty good for the time of year, especially this year, when all staff had to complete their travel by 31st March :flying:

Capetown and Jo'burg are always full in F and J and and there aren't often spare seats in M either, so I reckon you were pretty lucky to get on considering the time of year! I remember bringing a Captain's wife back from CPT on a jump seat one March - she'd been trying to get back for 7 days. And if a Captain's wife with an F entitlement can't get a flight - nobody can! To be honest, that new Club seat is so good that it makes First look a bit pretentious!

How did you do 4 legs? Did you take an internal flight?

Ian

[petermcleland]

How did you do 4 legs? Did you take an internal flight?

LHR-JNB-PLZ-JNB-LHR

The JNB-PLZ-JNB legs are operated by Comair in BA livery :flying:

[speedbird591]

The JNB-PLZ-JNB legs are operated by Comair in BA livery :flying:

Aaah! Thanks, Peter - I hadn't realised the franchise was still running; it's been a few years now. There was a 727 in Landor livery and then they flew a selection of 727s in world tails before going into the union jack. It always seemed a bit incongrous to see BA short haul aircraft so far from Europe. I imagine the 727s have retired now, but I've got one in my hangar which I often fly from virtual Jo'burg to Cape Town ;-)



Ian

[petermcleland]

Here is an edit of number 3:-



:flying:

[Prop Jockey]

Where were you Peter ? I've been to quite a few reserves in SA so interested to know if we've overlaped.

Rich,

All those shots were taken in Addo Elephant National Park. It is North of Port Elizabeth but extends over a vast area, even to the coast. A lot of it needs a 4x4 vehicle but the Matyholweni Camp to the Addo Main Camp can be driven in normal vehicles but no buses or caravans.

Cheers Peter,

I've not made it as far over as Port Elizabeth, only as far as Plettenburg Bay/Knysna. I can highly recommend Mashatu Lodge in Botswana (fly to Limpopo) too - I completed my BIG 5 there

Cheers

Rich

[speedbird591]

I can highly recommend Mashatu Lodge in Botswana (fly to Limpopo) too - I completed my BIG 5 there

Yes - I've stayed at Mashatu, too - driving up from Jo'burg and crossing the Limpopo into the Tuli Block at Pont Drift border post. The second Mrs Speedbird and I witnessed the birth of a baby elephant there!

My favourite game viewing area is Kruger National Park and the private game reserves on its south western edge. The present Mrs Speedbird and I picked up BIG 7 certificates (The Big Five plus cheetah and wild dog!) in 48 hours at Sabi Sabi while on honeymoon.

Ian

[Prop Jockey]

In 48 hours thats very good going Ian ! It took me two trips spread over 4 or 5 reserves I think. Kruger is excellent too although I haven't spent much time around there. If you ever venture into Namibia then Namushasha Lodge is quite good, being on the Kwando river they can offer water-born game drives which adds an interesting twist to things !

Cheers

Rich