A Humorous Journey

Hi again,

Thanks for the pictures of Margaret's cuddly toy collection. I love it! It certainly gives one a clearer idea of how far and wide you've travelled! It's hard to believe, but I think Margaret has more than we have. And all ours have names too, though they are stored away now (my children won't admit to it, but they were the ones who did not want me to donate any to the local orphanage).

I am so happy to hear that you are considering a visit here. I will ask my father if we could use his 4x4 and I'd love to visit the Kruger Park with you (if that's okay with you). It's best to go before it gets too hot - also because of malaria (April through to August/September or beginning of October is good). My children went with my parents about 3 years ago, but I have not been there since I was 10 years old. In a 4x4 one can see much more (being higher than the tall grass), and at the camps they do offer early-morning game drives too.
The Cradle of Humankind is about an hour's drive from Joburg, and
You could start by visiting the Augrabies Falls. I've read that when in flood, these falls have 3 times the amount of water falling over the cliffs than the Niagara Falls are in flood, but when in the dry season it may be disappointing. If you continue from there, you will find that both the Richtersveld (fewer flowers, but amazing in many other ways, as Google will tell you) and Namaqualand is not too far. One would want to be able to stop and take pictures, as going from Augrabies down through Namaqualand to Vanrhynsdorp and Nieuwoudtville, you should see flowers all the way. During the other seasons you'd still see interesting plants, birds, succulent and the Quiver trees, but the masses of flowers are the main attraction. And you may want to consider Sutherland for