Sunday, July 25, 2010

Hartzview - Day 6

July 24, 2010
Hi Family and Friends, its L.B. here reporting yet once again from Hartzview.....same routine, except this morning L.B. decides to sleep in until almost 8:00. I missed the morning hunt. Hill and Sarah go out again, but don't return until after 1:00. They had a late start..... I think we were all a little tired and lazy. Hill slept very well for the first time since we have been here. I think it really takes about a week or so to get acclamated to the time change. Another exciting hunt for Hill today, he got a white springbuck and an impala. Hill now has 3 of the 4 springbucks.....he just needs the copper springbuck to complete the species.
The weather the same, but it has been warming a little. It is the first day we have seen clouds, sparse during the day, but as the sun went down, it became increasingly cloudier.....always enough blue to make a dutchman's pair of pants, as Grandmother used to say!
We all went out for the afternoon hunt....Hill asked, "Mom, are you becoming just an afternoon hunter?" My response, "YES"! It feels good to be a little lazy and get up at my leisure..... after all, this is a place where you can be one with nature. I am thankful that I have access to the computer , so that I can blog and keep everyone up to date with what is happening with us in Africa. This is a way to keep me close to everyone!
While on the afternoon hunt, we tracked some animals. We did not see many.... some impalas, springbucks, kudu(cows), nothing that Richard could get a shot off. Finally, as the sun was going down, we spotted an eland. Richard used Braam's 25-0-6 , to make a 50-60 yard shot and hit it dead on, but the eland ran. We tracked blood and tracks for over an hour, never to find the animal. The sun was going down fast, so now we had very little time to look..... the tracking will have to wait until in the morning. Hill did not shoot at anything. They saw some animals, but we have a week left before we leave, so Hill and Jacques are waiting for the "big one".
Richard has been busy in the kitchen making pico de gallo, hot sauce, and guacamole.....ahhhhhh, the tastes of home. The south africans are enjoying the flavors of our home, but the spice gets alittle too hot for them. He is going to prepare a big mexican food dinner for us today...... enchiladas, rice, beans, carne guisada, and all the trimmings. We are all looking forward to the meal.... it is also giving Sally and Ria a break!
Have a wonderful Sunday and we are thinking of all of you and missing you too! Sarah, I loved hearing your voice yesterday! Keep commenting and texting! Until tomorrow......
xoxoxoxox, L.B.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Lion Hunt - Leeuwbosch Lodge Day2

July 23, 2010
After a nice rest, we had our knock on the door at 7:00am. We got to sleep in a little for the lion hunt which was very nice. We did not have to be in the field very early as the temperature needed to be a little warmer. We had our coffee and a little breakfast (continental). It was another beautiful day.... these days remind me of our days of fall and or winter, cold mornings, warm afternoons, cold evenings. Not a cloud in the sky, and no humidity.... L.B.'s favorite days!!!! Not too Hot or Not too Cold.... Just perfect! Perfect would be the best way to describe this trip so far! We did not know how perfect this hunt for the male lion was going to be.... we did not know what was ahead or what was to come, but I felt more confidence after having one hunt under my belt. I just expected the same kind of hunt as before..... I thought we will shoot the male lion and have a little lunch and be gone at noon. So with that kind of confidence, we loaded the truck with all the same paraphelnalia to take off for Lion Hunt ....... take 2! We( the same group as yesterday) drove the same sandy roads that had been smoothed the night before with a large tractor tire. We drove east and west, north and south on the 10,000 acres and nothing. We checked the open field(the main watering hole) where the animals come out to drink. We put some meat around a tree in 2 plces and the animals, especially the lion had not touched it. The birds had picked on the bait a little. Still No Lion and No Tracks! We drove some more when Tinkling whistled to stop, aha, TRACKS ! Everyone got out of the truck except for Sarah and myself. We waited for the verdict......it was indeed tracks of a lion, but not just any lion, THE MALE LION..... the lion that would eventually become Hill's trophy. The truck was soon emptied with the exception of me..... I would stay behind. In the same form all of those that left the truck started tracking and stalking the lion. Within about 30 minutes , they were onto the lion..... he was sleeping. He was so camoulflaged, he was so difficult to see. In fact, Jacque did not want Hill to shoot the sleeping lion. Jacque came back to the truck , drove in the brush to try and stir the lion......the LION AWAKES with growling and grunting, get up and walks. While I am left behind( my decision), still thinking this hunt will be over in a few minutes, I wait and I wait and I wait...... for 3.5 hours I wait. It was about 12:00 when I heard the first gun shot, then 3 more. I finally see Tinkling the tracker, what a relief!!! He drives me to where the group was celebrating yet another victory. The lion was enormous weighing around 700 pounds. We all pose for pictures and celebrate with the same excitement as the day before.
We were scheduled to stay in Leeuwbosch until Saturday or Sunday because it was not known that we would be lucky enough to kill 2 lions within 24 hours. We arrived back at our chalet after unloading the lion at the skinning hut. The meat goes to the people in the "shanti town"..... a very poor black area. I have yet to shoot anything as it is hard for me to do, but I do take comfort in knowing that the meat is eaten by all.
We had some lunch, packed our truck, and we were headed back to Hartzview...... home sweet home..... where a wonderful meal was waiting for us along with a toasty fire. Ria and Sally are so good to us, cooking the most wonderful meals!!!! It was an early night for all of us, and for me, my best sleep I have had since I arrived. I am finally settled into Africa! What a beautiful place!
I will close for now..... love to all! Sicily have a wonderful week at camp and don't forget how much I love you and miss you..... God Bless you! You too Paisley Renee!!! Until tomorrow.......
xoxoxoxox, L.B.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Hunting Lions - Leeuwbosch Lodge Day 1

July 22, 2010
We left Hartzview after breakfast brunch for a 2 hour drive to Leeuwbosch Lodge where we went to hunt lions. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the owner Ida. We got settled into our chalet and started to get ready for the afternoon hunt. Ida prepared a nice snack for us before we left. We had our backpacks, cameras, guns and ammunition all put on the truck. We boarded our hunting vehicle and went through 3 secure gates to finally arrive in the 10,000 acres where the lions call home. There are only 6 lionesses and 4 males on the property. There are danger signs of lions everywhere you turn before you enter the last gate into what I called the "litter box". I referred to that area as a littler box because the landscape is sand with thick frozen brush from an obvious cold winter. The only thing that was alive was a tree filled with 2 inch thorns that were literally everywhere..... they lined the sandy roads that we drove down. Ocasionally, we would see fields of bushes filled with a beautiful little yellow flowers that had the sweetest scent. As you drove around you could smell that fragrance. It was another beautiful afternoon, not a cloud in the sky and very cool. I must also tell you that the black mambas love this area, which terrified me more than the lion. We(Ruan, the driver, Tinkling,the tracker, Casper and Jacques, the PH,Harold, the videographer,Richard, Hill, Sarah, and I drove around the sandy roads. We had not even driven the roads for more than an hour when Tinkling noticed a track and after measuring the track against a bullet, it was determined that it was a female...Richard's hunt. Sarah and I decided to observe the hunt from the truck. We did not miss a thing....we were not brave enough to get out of the truck. Within 10 minutes we spotted the lion..... she was sunning after her meal. As the group stalked her they were lined like soldiers one behind the other, guns were loaded and hanging on their shoulders. As they approached the lioness, Richard, Casper, and Jacque, were side by side, guns pointing in the direction of the lion. The others fell to the back watching what was going to be a 20-30 yard shot. The first shot was made.... in her throat, then 4 more. After pictures and a celebratory beer, we loaded the truck back to the chalet where we ended with a fire and a traditional south african meal..... oxtails with carrots and potatoes, also, with all the trimmings. We were in bed early to get our rest for what would be the hunt for the Male Lion the next morning. As we sat by the fire and also, while in our beds, the sounds of the lions were in the background, grunting and growling. If there was any question you were in the bush..... we had our answer!!! Until tomorrow......
xoxoxoxoxo, L.B

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Hartzview - Day 5

July 21, 2010

I am posting for day five tonight becuase we leave for the lion hunt after breakfast in the morning. We will be gone for 2-3 days. There will be no internet, so I will have to write in a journal so that I don't forget the particulars. I am very nervous about this hunt, so I am ready to get it behind us. We have just had our dinner and the PH ( Jacques) has already given Hill his instructions. Sarah and I will not be allowed to track and stalk, we must wait in the vehicle........ biting our nails!!!!

After the morning coffee, Hill, Sarah, and Richard went for the morning hunt. I did not go this morning.... L.B. wanted to stay and sleep in a little. Hill shot a black springbuck and Richard did not shoot. Hill is excited to get the 2nd springbuck out of the species of 4. After the evening hunt, we were welcomed once again with some delicious appetizers and the south african wine is always flowing.

Pray for us, especially Hill, while he is on this lion hunt. While it is very exciting, nevertheless it is all very dangerous. After the hunt, we will return to Hartzview.

The one thing that Hartzview does not have is:

NO FLIES

NO MOSQUITOS

NO HUMIDITY

..... all this equals, no competition for our food, no malaria, and a GREAT hair day everyday..... that last one makes L.B. very HAPPY! Imagine that, more concerned about my hair than malaria..... L.B. still vain in Africa. I will share a funny story.... I washed my hair the other day, I proceeded to plug in my blow dryer to my adapter, turned on my hair dryer, it got so hot, and burned some of my hair off...... I almost became Legally Bald does Africa!!!!! Fortunately, I pulled the plug in seconds, so I am still have enough hair to be called Legally Blonde....I love all of you very much!!!!
Until then.....
xoxoxoxo, L.B.

HARTZVIEW - Day 4

July 20, 2010
We were awakened by our typical knock on our chalet. Each of us has our own chalet equipped with our own bathroom. The chalets are thatch roofs, the kind you would expect to see in scandinavian country. These roofs will last for about 30 years. Thatch grass is grown here on the ranch, using their own resources for the chalets. The only thing that destroys these roofs are the baboons....they are like toddlers, into everything and very destructive. Braam and Jacques would like us to kill all that we see. the Zulus build their huts out of the same resources with a very small opening for entering and exiting.
After our cup of coffee, we load up unto our hunting vehicles to begin our hunt. During the morning hunt, Hill shot a common spring buck and a saddle stripe zebra. There are four species of spingbucks and Hill is hoping to get all four.....common, black, copper, and It is not the kind of zebra you see everyday. The markings of this zebra literally looks like a saddle is on the back of the zebra...... it is going to make a beautiful rug! Richard also shot a zebra.
After a nice hot lunch, some rest, we left for our afternoon hunt around 3:00. We saw many animals, but Richard did not make any shots. Last night was for Sarah, she shot her first animal.... a blue wildebeast. The animal looks very much like a cape buffalo, but certainly not as big. Hill was so excited and very proud of her....... I think that this has been one of his highlights of this trip, so far! His button were popping!!! As for me, I am not sure I can pull a trigger. Ruan wanted me to shoot an animal, but I just could not do it...... not yet anyway, but I have plenty of time to prove myself, if I feel the need to do so. Should L.B. be outdone by her daughter in law??? Time will tell. I considered shooting a black sable, a very majestic looking animal, but also , very expensive......I have plenty of time to make my decision.... we are here until the 30th of July.
Ria and Selly prepared a wonderful meal last night for us using the meat from Hill's kudu...... chicken fried kudu with all the trimmings. We also ate some of the liver.
The staff continues to cater to all our needs and wants....Hartzview has certainly surpassed our expectations. I will close for now, until tomorrow....xoxoxoxo, L.B.
P.S. SOLD MY HOUSE..... CLOSE AUGUST 27TH! To think I negotiated an entire deal through text messaging..... technology..... WOW!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

HEADLINES FROM HARTZVIEW

July 19, 2010
After a very rough night of trying to catch some ZZZZZZZ's and some beauty rest, Hill, Sarah and I woke up to another beautiful morning at Hartzview. I did not fall asleep until about 6:00 in the morning and we had our wake up call at 6:30. For 8 hours, I would read, play scrabble, go to the bathroom......I repeated this for hours. I am thinking that the tea I drank at dinner kept me up and also I still had my days and nights mixed up. Hill could not relax, he tossed and turned waking Sarah, so needless to say the 3 of us were pretty tired. Richard slept like a baby, so what else is new????
The lack of sleep did not keep the hunters from having excellent shots though.... Hill shot a zebra, wildebeast and a kudu, while Richard shot a waterbuck(250 yards, single shot), blesbuck, and a wildebeast. While we were on the evening hunt, we experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. The sunset cast pink,yellow, and red shadows over the fields that we were hunting. We did not come back to camp until after dark.
We continue to stay on basically the same schedule..... this place is spectacular. The meals are wonderfully prepared for us.... all homemade.....american with some dutch and south african flair. For anyone that loves the outdoors, I would highly reccommend Hartzview.... it is truly is a trip of a lifetime. L.B. was not paid for this public announcement....just fact!
Keep reading..... until tomorrow, xoxoxox, L.B.

Monday, July 19, 2010

July 18, 2010
Hello from Hartzview!!!! Our first day to hunt....we sighted in the guns and then off to the morning hunt.
A typical day at camp:
6:30- wake up call ( knock on the door)
7:00-7:30- coffee and a little breakfast
7:30-11-12 Hunt, hunt, hunt
Brunch
Rest until 2:30
2:30- sundown hunt, hunt, hunt
Dinner upon our return
Drinks around the fire
10:00- Bedtime
NEWSBREAK........ Hill has shot his first animal..... gemsbuck....antlers 37.5 inches long.... he came in from the hunt not only happy, but with the traditional warpaint(blood) on his face! Unfortunately, I missed this hunt... I must have been exhausted from the travel. I went to take a short nap before the evening hunt and I just could not wake up. I was so disappointed I was not there to see it, but next time.... I know there will be a next time!!!
We are having a wonderful time.....missing our family, but what an experience!!!!!
xoxoxoxox,L.B.