Fringilla Farm to Shiwa N'Gandu
Day 15 & 16 - 5th & 6th February 2007
Day 1
Departed Fringilla at the usual 8.00am for a monster run to Shiwa N'Gandu, so
far the single longest ride of the expedition. We were packed off with a
selection of the farms excellent pies, heated en-route on the exhaust manifold
of the Land Cruiser.
A fairly tortuous ride (hence lack of photos of it!), concluding with around
30Km of loose gravel & sand roads up to the folly that is Shiwa N'gandu. Built
by an eccentric Englishman in the 1920's, the house would not look out of place
in rural England. Unfortunately, the lodging accommodation at the house was
being renovated, so we needed to ride another few kilometres to Kapishya Hot
Springs Lodge. The Lodge consists of large chalets built alongside a fast
flowing, crocodile infested river (yes - note "fast-flow" and "croc" in the same
sentence?). Central to the Lodge is a famous hot water spring adjacent to the
river. Its magical curative properties were put to good use when Rennie returned
from another white water rafting outing having dislocated (and relocated) his
ankle. A few minutes in the spring, and he was bouncing fit the next day!
720Km
Day 2
Formal visit and tour of the house. It is best described as a time capsule. In
the main tower, we found a small office containing flight records in and out of
the Estate (Empire Flying boats and old Handley Page HP42's used to use the
estate and the lake for stopovers), an extensive library. Interesting but brief!
Back to the Lodge for White water rafting. Crocbait was at it again, this time
without a lifejacket. Excellent BarBQ finished off the day.
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Leopard smörgåsbord!
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Baby Wildebeest
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You just can't keep a good crocbaiter down
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