Rhinos and antelopes and more rain

So...I still can't upload any photos but at least I have internet access at last.

Since my last entry we have visited Mkhaye park in Swaziland, which was absolutely fantastic. It is a sanctuary for endangered species and breeds rhinos and other rare antelopes. the accommodationn and food were amazing and we saw so many rhinos that we became quite blase by the end of ur trip. We also took advantage of a sunny day to visit Maguga Dam and the Phophanaye water falls, again well worth the visit, also leaving enough time in the day for Richard to watch an afternoon of football inthe comfort of the bed and breakfast, while I hung out with Sally.

We were really sad to say goodbye to Swaziland, it is probably our favourite place so far, in terms of the things to do and see but also just the friendly, laid back atmosphere.

We did a mega drive on Monday to get to Kimberly, home of South Africa's diamond rush. We visited the interestingly named Big Hole Museum ( Richardhad a field day with attempted innuendos). here we learned all about the history of Kimberly and diamond mining and it fitted in quite nicely with our other diamond experiences in Antwerp and Botswana, although the promised 'underground experience' promised by the museum leaflet was a bit of a let down.... there is a witticism here somewhere about down and underground and lifts not going down very far but my command of English is failing me today.

Anyway, despite the interesting diamond history of Kimberly we beat a hasty retreat on Tuesday morning and hot footed it to Mokola a national park which Rixhard had spotted earlier in a magazine and which promised us sightings of the very rare roan and sable antelopes. We got hideously lost on the way there and also had to get a puncture repared so an hour's journey ended up taking more like 3...however we were not disappointed. The park was lovely, again great accommodation and lovely food and our guide was also very knowledgeable, despite rocking up too quickly to a family of rhino and alsmost causing the bull to charge us. we did our own self drive in the park and Richard spotted a Roan, which was very exciting. We left early this morning, slightly disappointed that we hadn't seen a sable when, as we passed by the outer perimetre of the park we cam across a whole herd of them....15 in total. They are very beautiful and as I can't put up any photos at the moment I expect you all to google sable antelope so you know what I'm talking about.

We are now in Beaufort West on our way to Plettenberg Bay. There is internet here and loads of South African holiday makers all staying over on theor way to the Garden Route. It is very stormy and there is not much to do...but tomorrow we should be by the sea for a few days....I hope it stops raining.