Monthly Archives: June 2015

Ice Cream, Birds, Baby and FHE

The birds really like our feeders because there are lots of places to eat. It is funny to see them fight for a place – they hover and then dash in and push another bird away. We have found a replacement ice cream source for our fixes that we used to buy from the Chix restaurant that was near our flat but closed some 4 months ago. You can see they serve small portions and of course it is low calorie ice cream – RIGHT!

June 2015 - me and ice cream

June 2015 – me and ice cream

June 2015 - Bird Feeders

June 2015 – Bird Feeders

Church June 2015 - Ntabasing and Baby -smiles

Church June 2015 – Ntabasing and Baby -smiles

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Why the Weird Photo Arrangements?

Due to the crashing of my MacMini because of some problem with iPhoto, I have had to revert to using my old laptop with Picasa 3 for editing and posting. For some reason it does not produce photos that work well in our blog. I never had this problem with iPhoto and as soon as I can get it back I will probably redo the messy looking posts. Until then I am sorry that you will have to scroll through lots of photos that are all over the place!



A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum…They Shrunk the Mission!

Sunday morning we got a big surprise when we received an email from President and Sister Dunn telling us that the boundaries between our mission and the Botswana-Namibia mission had been changed. Basically all of our mission from Pretoria North will be in the B-N mission starting on July 1. This includes the 45 young elders and the 4 senior couples now serving there.

This was a surprise but it makes a lot of sense since the B-N mission can not get any visas for missionaries to serve in either country. Only missionaries called within either country can serve. So while the B-N covered two countries, there were less than 30 missionaries serving and most of those were serving in the city of Mafeking which is in South Africa. So now the mission will have some 75-80 missionaries and that may grow in the future. Hopefully so day the two other countries will issue visas for missionaries and perhaps then borders will be changed again. We just have to trust the Lord and learn patience!

You can see more about this change by going to http://dunnsinjoburg.blogspot.com and reading the June 28, 2015 post!

Below are the maps showing the before and after of the two missions. The other photo – which I borrowed from the Dunn’s great blog – shows some of the elders who are now going to be in the B-N Mission. All the elders and couples got to attend a meeting where the changes were explained. From left to right are elders May, Stilgoe, Sister Dunn, Elders McCallister and Oldroyd and an elder I do not know. Elders May and Stilgoe served in the Vaal Zone and we got to know them through flat inspections, zone meetings and transfers. Elders McCallister and Oldroyd served in our district for many months. Elder Oldroyd served as district leader. We will miss seeing these fine elders at future transfer and zone conference but we know they will do an outstanding job in their new assignments.

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June Transfers…Going Home with Honor

14 missionaries were transferred home. They receive a mission pin from sister Dunn and from president Dunn a hug and a framed plaque showing what is on the screen behind them – all their areas and companions. After they receive their pins, plaques and hugs they are given an opportunity to share their testimony and last words of wisdom with the remaining missionaries…It is a moving experience and one of the blessings of being a senior missionary!

23June15  - Transfers - Brasher Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Brasher Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Cazier

23June15 – Transfers – Cazier

23June15  - Transfers - Cazier Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Cazier Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Compton Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Compton Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - DutsonPinned

23June15 – Transfers – DutsonPinned

23June15  - Transfers - Dye

23June15 – Transfers – Dye

23June15  - Transfers - Dye Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Dye Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Farnes - on plane

23June15 – Transfers – Farnes – on plane

23June15  - Transfers - Koyle

23June15 – Transfers – Koyle

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Koyle

23June15  - Transfers - Malapula

23June15 – Transfers – Malapula

23June15  - Transfers - Malapula

23June15 – Transfers – Malapula

23June15  - Transfers -Menendez

23June15 – Transfers -Menendez

23June15  - Transfers - Menendez Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Menendez Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Neuenschwander

23June15 – Transfers – Neuenschwander

23June15  - Transfers - Neuenschwander Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Neuenschwander Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Sipiri Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Sipiri Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Thompson

23June15 – Transfers – Thompson

23June15  - Transfers - Tye Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Tye Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Wood

23June15 – Transfers – Wood

23June15  - Transfers - Wood Pinned

23June15 – Transfers – Wood Pinned

23June15  - Transfers - Brasher

23June15 – Transfers – Brasher

23June15  - Transfers - Brasher

23June15 – Transfers – Brasher

23June15  - Transfers - Cazier

23June15 – Transfers – Cazier

23June15  - Transfers - Cazier

23June15 – Transfers – Cazier

23June15  - Transfers - Compton

23June15 – Transfers – Compton

23June15  - Transfers - Dutson

23June15 – Transfers – Dutson

23June15  - Transfers - Dye

23June15 – Transfers – Dye

23June15  - Transfers - Dye

23June15 – Transfers – Dye

23June15  - Transfers - Koyle

23June15 – Transfers – Koyle

23June15  - Transfers - Koyle

23June15 – Transfers – Koyle

23June15  - Transfers - Malapula

23June15 – Transfers – Malapula

23June15  - Transfers - Malapula

23June15 – Transfers – Malapula

23June15  - Transfers - Menendez

23June15 – Transfers – Menendez

23June15  - Transfers - Menendez

23June15 – Transfers – Menendez

23June15  - Transfers - Neuenschwander

23June15 – Transfers – Neuenschwander

23June15  - Transfers - Neuenschwander

23June15 – Transfers – Neuenschwander

23June15  - Transfers - Sipiri

23June15 – Transfers – Sipiri

23June15  - Transfers - Sipiri

23June15 – Transfers – Sipiri

23June15  - Transfers - Thompson

23June15 – Transfers – Thompson

23June15  - Transfers - Thompson

23June15 – Transfers – Thompson

23June15  - Transfers - Tye

23June15 – Transfers – Tye

23June15  - Transfers - Tye

23June15 – Transfers – Tye

23June15 - Transfers -Wood

23June15 – Transfers -Wood

23June15  - Transfers - Koyle

As the transfer meeting is coming to an end, Elder Koyle seems to be thinking about the last two years and how strange it will be to wake up tomorrow and not have any missionary work planned!

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June Transfers – Wood



June Transfers – The New Elders

10 new elders came into the mission this transfer…9 were at the transfer meeting but elder Williams was still on the plane from the US and did not get in until later in the evening.

June2015 - Transfers - Ssendege

June2015 – Transfers – Ssendege – Uganda

June2015 - Transfers - Ndlovu - South Africa

June2015 – Transfers – Ndlovu – South Africa

June2015 - Transfers - Thusi - South Africa

June2015 – Transfers – Thusi – South Africa

23June2015 - Transfers - Kwela -South Africa

23June2015 – Transfers – Kwela -South Africa

June2015 - Transfers - Mpiyakhe

June2015 – Transfers – Mpiyakhe

June2015 - Transfers - DeSouza South Africa

June2015 – Transfers – DeSouza South Africa

June2015 - Transfers - Elde Diogo Uganda

June2015 – Transfers – Diogo – Uganda

23Jue2015 -transfers -

23Jue2015 -transfers – Mugenyi – Uganda

June2015 - Transfers - Morrill - US

June2015 – Transfers – Morrill – US

23June2015 - Transfers - Tumarae trains Diogo

23June2015 – Transfers – Tumarae trains Diogo

23June2015 - Transfers - Downs trains Morrill

23June2015 – Transfers – Downs trains Morrill

23June2015 - Transfers - Mavundla trains DeSousa

23June2015 – Transfers – Mavundla trains DeSousa

23June2015 - Transfers - Garnica trains Ssendege

23June2015 – Transfers – Garnica trains Ssendege

23June2015 - Transfers - Kankunen and Smith-Holley train Thusi

23June2015 – Transfers – Kankunen and Smith-Holley train Thusi

23June2015 - Transfers - May trains Mugenyl

23June2015 – Transfers – May trains Mugenyl

23June2015 - Transfers - Savage trains Mpiyakhe

23June2015 – Transfers – Savage trains Mpiyakhe

23June2015 - Transfers - Turauskis trains Khwela

23June2015 – Transfers – Turauskis trains Khwela

23June2015 - Transfers - Lybe trains Ndlovu

23June2015 – Transfers – Lybe trains Ndlovu

23June2015 - Transfers - Reynolds trains Williams who was still on a plane

23June2015 – Transfers – Reynolds trains Williams who was still on a plane



Kruger Part 7 – Birds

June2015 - Kruger - Large red head long beak bird

June2015 – Kruger - Grounded Horn Bill

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Big Water Bird with Orange Beak

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Saddle Billed Stork

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Big Bird with Orange Beak Feeding

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Saddle Billed Stork Feeding

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Big Bird with Orange Beak Looking for Food

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Saddle Billed Stork Looking for Food

15June15 -Kruger Trip - 7 Color Bird

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Lilac breasted roller

15June15 -Kruger Trip -7 Color Bird

15June15 -Kruger Trip -Lilac breasted roller

15June15 -Kruger Trip - 7 Color Bird - Very Good

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Lilac breasted roller

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Big Blue Heron

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Big Blue Heron

 

 

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2 Starlings

June2015 - Kruger - Large red head long beak bird 2

June2015 – Kruger - Ground Hornbills

15June15 -Kruger Trip - One Leg Starling

15June15 -Kruger Trip – One Legged Cape Glossy Starling on deck rail

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Buzzard

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Buzzard

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Grey Headed large bird Cormat

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS - Kori Bustard

June2015 - Kruger - Cormot - closeup good

June2015 – Kruger - Kori Bustard – heaviest flying bird in South africa.

June2015 - Kruger - Ostrich

June2015 – Kruger – Ostrich

June2015 - Kruger -Owl tree

June2015 – Kruger -Owl tree

 

June2015 - Kruger - Owl....

June2015 – Kruger – Owl….

June2015 - Kruger - 4 starlings in tree by deck

June2015 – Kruger - 4 Cape glossy starlings

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Ground Horn Bills

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Cape glossy starling in tree by our deck

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - Birds - Black with Red

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Ground Hornbills

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White headed vultures

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White headed vultures

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Ground Hornbill

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Ground Hornbill

June2015 - Kruger - Large red head long beak bird 2

June2015 – Kruger - Ground Hornbills

June2015 - Kruger - Large red head long beak bird 3

June2015 – Kruger – Ground Hornbill

June2015 - Kruger - Yellow Beak Bird

June2015 – Kruger - Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill

June2015 - Kruger - red beak bird in habitat

June2015 – Kruger -Saddle Billed Stork in habitat

June2015 - Kruger - red beak bird

June2015 – Kruger - Saddle Billed stork

June2015 - Kruger - Bird fishing

June2015 – Kruger – Saddle Billed Stork fishing

June2015 - Kruger - Red Beak Bird Fishing 2

June2015 – Kruger - Saddle Billed stork

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Southern yellow-billed hornbill

June2015 - Kruger - big white bird

June2015 – Kruger – Great White Heron

June2015 - Kruger - LS -  birds from deck

June2015 – Kruger – LS – birds from deck

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15June15 -Kruger Trip -Black and White Birds

15June15 -Kruger Trip -White headed vultures

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Great White Heron

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June2015 - Kruger - Large red head long beak bird

June2015 – Kruger – Ground Hornbill

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - Black and White Bird on Rock

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Black and White Bird on Rock

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - Black and White Bird with Yellow Beak

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Yellow Horned horn bill

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - 7 Color Bird on wire

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – 7 Color Bird on wire

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Large Cormat

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS - Kori Bustard

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Kori Bustard

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Angry Yellow Tailed Bird

15June15 -Kruger Trip - white-spectacled bulbul

June2015 - Kruger - Large red head long beak bird 3

June2015 – Kruger – Ground Hornbill

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Egytian Goose - great

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Egytian Goose – great

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Crested Guinea Fowls

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Crested Guinea Fowls

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Birds under our deck

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS - Starlings and Natal Spurfowl under our deck

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Starlings in parking lot

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Starlings in parking lot

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Kruger – African Fish Eagle

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Heron looking

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Great White Heron checking us out…



23 June 2015 – Transfers – After

After the meeting the new companionships get together, car boots are emptied and refilled as the missionaries shift their earthly belongings from their old area’s vehicle to the new one. But it is also time for more getting together with friends, signing journals and finally the cars start exiting until after the last training meeting is finished and the last piece of luggage is stored the parking lot is again empty of cars, missionaries and chatter until 6 weeks from now when it will happen again…

June2015 - Transfers - Mary, Liera

June2015 – Transfers - Mary found elder Liera who we miss here in Potch…

June2015 - Transfers - Turaskis, Khwela - South Africa

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Turauskis with his new son elder Khwela who is from South Africa

June2015 - Transfers - Savage, Mpiyakhe -South Africa

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Savage will train elder  Mpiyakhe who is also from South Africa

June2015 - Transfers - Me, Barton

June2015 – Transfers - I ran into elder Barton who was transferred out of Potch – we will miss him!

June2015 - Transfers - Peterson, Hehir

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Peterson with elder Hehir who is elder Wild’s new companion here in Potch.

June2015 - Transfers - Me, Todd

June2015 – Transfers - Elder Todd also was transferred so we will only get one or two more chances to enjoy his great smile – at least until he is released.

June2015 - Transfers - Clegg and back of Smth's head

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Clegg managed to close his eyes in every photo I took of him. I noticed that I also got a photo of the back of Elder Smith’s head.

June2015 - Transfers -Garnica, Ssendege - Uganda

June2015 – Transfers -Elder Garnica – our only real Mexican – will be training elder Ssendege who is from Uganda

June2015 - Transfers - Lyon, Group

June2015 – Transfers - I was taking group pictures when I noticed elder Lyon leaning against a car. One of the first photos I took in South Africa was of elder Lyon.

June2015 - Transfers - DeSouza, South Africa

June2015 – Transfers – Elder DeSouza the third new missionary from  South Africa will be trained by elder  May way up in Tzaneen.

June2015 - Transfers - Dye

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Dye is writing in someone’s journal – all over the parking lot there are elders writing in their companion’s journals…

June2015 - Transfers - Stilgoe with Falg

June2015 – Transfers – During one of the early transfers after we got to the mission, elder Stilgoe was proudly displaying his country’s flag. Since he was transferred today, he brought it and I got him to hold it up for a photo. Many of the missionaries display their country’s flag on their flat’s wall.

June2015 - Transfers - Worton, Menendez

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Worton a current AP and elder Menendez a former AP gets a last photo as elder Menendez was going home in just a few hours.

June2015 - Transfers - Cummings

June2015 – Transfers – I got a picture of elder Cummings who is another elder I seem to run into at every meeting.



23 June 2015 – Transfers – Before

Another great transfer meeting…14 elders finished their honorable missions and 10 new missionaries started their’s. About 90 minutes before the actual meeting cars full of missionaries start arriving and everyone moves around the lot greeting old companions and friends. There are lots of smiles, hugs, handshakes and talking going on.

June2015 - Transfers - Alvial, Woniala

June2015 – Transfers – Alvial, Woniala were companions for the last 3 weeks.

June2015 - Transfers - Lasen, Nelson, Pickup - Alvial

June2015 – Transfers – Lasen, Nelson, Pickup – Alvial – Elders Larsen and Alvial served with us in the district. We served in the Florida Fort Lauderdale mission with elder Pickup’s sister.

June2015 - Transfers - Dutson, Stilgoe

June2015 – Transfers – Elders Dutson, and Stilgoe served in the Vaal Zone together…elder Stilgoe was transferred today…

June2015 - Transfers - Dutson, Dye

June2015 – Transfers – Elders Dutson and Dye will fly all the way back to Idaho Falls together – a great pair of missionaries.

June2015 - Transfers - New Missionaries Meeting

June2015 – Transfers – New Missionaries Meeting

June2015 - Transfers - Neuenshawnder, Compton

June2015 – Transfers – Elders Neuenshawnder and  Compton -  two of those who will be going home – but elder Compton only after he spends time in South Africa with his parents.

 

June2015 - Transfers - Rini, Masta, Souza fence sitters

June2015 – Transfers – Rini, Masta, Souza fence sitters

June2015 - Transfers - Rami, Smith and others

June2015 – Transfers – Rami, Smith and others

June2015 - Transfers - May, Yates

June2015 – Transfers – Elders May and Yates both served in Orange Park but I am not sure if they served together there.

June2015 - Transfers - Clegg, Savage

June2015 – Transfers – Elders Clegg and Savage both managed to close their eyes for this photo…

June2015 - Transfers - Oldroyd squeezing Harris

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Oldroyd squeezing Elder Harris- we had the blessing of serving with both of them in the district

June2015 - Transfers - Segil, Arthur 2

June2015 – Transfers – Elders Segil and Arthur

June2015 - Transfers - Adjin, Rami and friend

June2015 – Transfers – Adjin, Rami and friend

June2015 - Transfers - The Gathering

June2015 – Transfers – The Gathering

June2015 - Transfers - Compton Family

June2015 – Transfers – Compton Family came to pick up their son…Elder Compton was our first district leader when arrived at the end of February 2014 – we talked about how it seems like yesterday….

June2015 - Transfers - Menendez saying Goodbye?

June2015 – Transfers – Menendez saying Goodbye? Elder Menendez was one of the missionaries being released. We got to know him when he was a Vaal Zone Leader and later as an assistant to the president.

June2015 - Transfers - Togiatomai

June2015 – Transfers – Elder Togiatomai is also on the phone but probably not talking to elder Menendez since they were standing about 30 feet apart..but then who wants to walk 30 feet to talk when you can use your phones?



21 June 2015 – Sunday at Potchefstroom…

Another beautiful day at the Potchefstroom Branch….between meetings and after church they gather in yard to enjoy the sun…

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Church 6/21/15 - Menzi, Kea

Church 6/21/15 – Menzi, Kea

Church 6/21/15 - Philip, Simon

Church 6/21/15 – Philip, Simon

Church 6/21/15 - Meisie

Church 6/21/15 – Meisie

Church 6/21/15 - Adam Laboba - Sister Nebo

Church 6/21/15 – Adam Laboba – Sister Nebo

Church 6/21/15 - Dorcas, Georgina, Viona, Merriam

Church 6/21/15 – Dorcas, Georgina, Viona, Merriam

Church 6/21/15 - Merriam

Church 6/21/15 – Merriam

Church 6/21/15 - Primary Children

Church 6/21/15 – Primary Children singing and dancing to ‘Follow the Prophet’ with lots of spirit and smiles.

Church 6/21/15 - Nomsa

Church 6/21/15 – Nomsa

Church 6/21/15 - YSA

Church 6/21/15 – YSA gather for a picture…

Church 6/21/15 - Ncapayi, Philip, Kwaikwai

Church 6/21/15 – Ncapayi, Philip, Kwaikwai

Church 6/21/15 - Priesthood meeting outsdie

Church 6/21/15 – Priesthood meeting outside

Church 6/21/15 - Primary Fathers Day

Church 6/21/15 – Primary Fathers Day Singing

Church 6/21/15 - Menzi, Lebo, Kea, Meisie, Adam

Church 6/21/15 – Menzi, Lebo, Kea, Meisie, Adam



Kruger Part 7 – Sunrises, Sunsets, Scenery…and anything else that is left!

With the large amount of pollution in the air, sunrises and sunsets in South Africa can be spectacular…especially with the low mountains and stark trees to add interest…

June2015 - Kruger - Bill at Sabie rest area

June2015 – Kruger – Bill at Sabie rest area

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June2015 - Kruger - view from deck

June2015 – Kruger – view from deck

June2015 - Kruger - Sunrise with tree

June2015 – Kruger – Sunrise with tree

June2015 - Kruger - Sunset drive - sunset

June2015 – Kruger – Sunset drive – sunset

June2015 - Kruger - another view from our deck

June2015 – Kruger – another view from our deck

June2015 - Kruger - Dead Tree

June2015 – Kruger – Dead Tree

June2015 - Kruger - colorful large rock

June2015 – Kruger – colorful large rock

June2015 - Kruger - rocks and water

June2015 – Kruger – rocks and water

June2015 - Kruger - View from our deck

June2015 – Kruger – View from our deck

June2015 - Kruger - Riverby Kruger

June2015 – Kruger – River by Kruger

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June2015 - Kruger - Gods View 2

June2015 – Kruger – Gods View 2

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Unusal Rocks

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Unusal Rocks

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Mary at Pinnacles

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Mary at Pinnacles

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Mary at Sabie close

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Mary at Sabie close

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - A last Look at our tent

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – A last Look at our tent

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - View from our deck

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – View from our deck

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Sunset - First Night

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Sunset – First Night

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Looking out of park to the cane fields

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Sugar Care fields from the park

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Toilet Sign - Ladies- Gents

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Toilet Sign – Ladies- Gents

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - Mercure Hotel Sign

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Mercure Hotel Sign

15June15 -Kruger Trip -Mercure Hotel

15June15 -Kruger Trip -Mercure Hotel

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Happy Anniversary

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Happy Anniversary

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Sunset 3rd Day

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Sunset 3rd Day

15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Sunset on Palm

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Sunset on Palm

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15June15 -Kruger Trip - LS - Sunset Tree

15June15 -Kruger Trip – LS – Sunset Tree

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Lower Sabie Beds

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Lower Sabie Beds

15June15 -Kruger Trip - Landscape Cliff

15June15 -Kruger Trip – Landscape Cliff