We're having a lovely relaxing time staying with Stefan & Naski. They live in a lovely thatched house with large grounds and a swimming pool. It seems a bit surreal to be in Africa in a thatched cottage, with a rose garden - very English. They have a menagerie of animals including 8 dogs, 4 emu's, numerous chickens (too many to name!), geese, ducks and a beautiful peacock with his 2 pea-hens. The weather has been hot and sunny so we have enjoyed relaxing in the hammocks, swimming and cooking on a braai (South african type of barbeque) and, of course, enjoying some lovely local south african wine

We went to a local farm for Sunday brunch and some friends of Stefan & Naski's came home afterwards to enjoy a fun afternoon by the pool. One minute we were all in the pool and smothering on the sun cream, the next we were rescuing the cushions from the chairs to stop them getting wet, whilst a thunder storm passed over us. It didn't dampen our spirits, just meant we enjoyed an extra drink whilst we waited for the sun to return! Vanda went and met a neighbour's horses when she went home to feed them (and her 2 sheep!) - beautiful Arabian race horses and she kindly invited Vanda to go riding with her, and showed her where they go riding, where there are numerous jumps!.. V has memories of riding another arab race hourse when visiting Stefan in Dubai!..

We could get used to this life, and are trying to make the most of the luxury, before we head out to Madagascar on Wednesday, where we are expecting a very different experience!..