South Africa - Day 9, Mount Sheba and Kruger Fever!

Because of the terrain in and around the valley where the Mount Sheba resort sits EVERY move it up or downhill especially when entering the forest. I got at taste of it on the drive in and decide to not join the group on the morning hikes. When I saw there was a spa and the menu included a foot scrub, masque and massage -- I was in. It was only a 30 minutes treatment but Vince decided to announce to the group "Barbara is taking a spa day tomorrow". Hardly!

The rooms here were also cold, but they sent someone around to light a fire for you. It was lovely to sit by the fire and review the day AND there was internet access in the rooms -- little did I know that was a luxury that was going away in Kruger. I neglected to stoke the fire (they did leave wood) until it was just embers, so again, I had more weight on me than I like during the night.

Started the morning with my coffee on the lovely patio and took birding walk around the grounds this morning Plan to take the rest of the day off to rest up for Kruger (Safari National Park) starting tomorrow for the rest of the trip. Was thinking I could spend some time on my lovely patio, but alas work is going one on the roof and it is covered in palm fronds with more dropping every few minutes. Guess I will be inside relaxing after lunch until they stop working. Maybe I will get some time before dinner. Sigh… can’t win them all.

The Sunrise

My palm frond covered porch -- you can see the ladder the to top right

After the porch sit I took a walk about the place -- less productive than I would have liked because when there are hills I have to walk with attention on the way down -- makes it hard to bird. to give you some context, here is an aerial view

The Yellow line is my route @1.15 miles. Here is what I photographed along the way.

African Dusky Flycatcher

Eurasian Hoopoe

Cape White-eye

Common Bulbul (Dark-capped)

Cape Wagtail (yes, they wag their tails)

Bar-throated Apalis

Sombre Greenbul

I went down to meet the team for breakfast and went for my foot treatment -- heavenly! Then I went sat by the pool and watched birds until lunchtime when Vince showed up and told me the rest of the group was using lunchtime as down time. I ordered some lunch, he had a coke and told me of their morning adventures. I stayed a while longer and watched the birds flying around the pool area.

Blue Wildebeest (Gnu)

Groundscraper Thrush

Greater Double-collared Sunbird

White-breasted Sunbird

Sunbird (backlit so not sure which kind)

Red-winged Starling

Familiar Chat

Blue Plumbago

View from the Pool

My backyard before the roofing started

A restful afternoon and lovely dinner followed by a short owling session (we heard two African Wood-Owls dueting in the night). Great way to end the day. The dining room here was very over the top elegant, it felt like dining in a castle dining room. The first night it was packed and the second night we were the only people there. Oh yeah and the veg was Creamed Spinach & Mashed Pumpkin!

This photo was snagged from Trip advisor, I'm still hoping Helen has a better one and I will replace it if she does.

They didn't light my fire -- although it was a little warmer but I did get a hot water bottle delivered to my room to leave in my bed before I went to bed to heat up the sheets. Kind of nice rustic touch and I was warmer too. I was getting Kruger Fever -- really looking forward to starting the Safari but a little nervous about my ability to get in the vehicle. More on that tomorrow and the escalating Kruger fever!