We are ahead of schedule (having missed out on a big section of our planned trip - no problem - we have loved Namibia and will be back), so we have decided to spend another 2 nights at Nunda. However, we had to change camp sites; our new site 5 was much bigger than site 1 and within 15 minutes we had relocated. It’s scary to think that we have packed up a 2 storey, 4 bedroom house into a 4x4 and trailer; which enables us move our beds, food, clothing and entertainment in a ¼ of an hour.
After relocation and a shower I walked the 50m to the ablution area to do the dishes (we have the luxury of having a few basins to do the washing up here). At first I was a little irritated, my slops were now full of mud and I had a dish washer at home to do the job. However, I soon realised that I was enjoying standing in the middle of the African bush with birds chirping around me, doing something ‘useful’ at my own pace. With no plans for the day, it was unbelievably relaxing to do something with no concerns about being late for a meeting or a lift – I have crossed over – from Johannesburg pace of life to Africa time. Not sure I feel so happy about the pile of clothes washing that now has to be done.
It’s raining again – luckily, Nunda has a stunning open plan bar/lounge/dining area. We spent the morning playing games, reading, catching up on admin and socialising with the other guests. I will have to put the washing on hold for another day (yippee).
Although we are travelling minus dishwasher and washing machines, we are not without e-luxuries (for the dinosaurs, like Gray this means electronic equipment). The Discovery has a tri-battery system so our fridge, phones, i-pods (Gray has music for 26 full days – some of it is not worth listening to, Robs & I, have discovered), lap top, Kindle, portable DVD player, inverter and camera are always fully charged.
The rain stopped and after sitting on the deck reading and watching the river flow by, guilt got the better of me. I did the washing!! I have learnt 3 things: a) I love my washing machine and tumble dryer (& Lettie), b) don’t leave a week’s washing in the hope of finding a place where it can be done for you (for a small fee) and c) don’t wear white in the bush. My hands were made for throwing balls and working on the computer-‘doll my hands and nails’ after using ‘Mama’s Best Wash’ from the general dealer up the road (the Omo is missing in action in the trailer somewhere).
I’m not barefoot, I’m not in the kitchen and I am definitely not pregnant but I might as well be. Now they want hamburgers for dinner. I made homemade patties (from scratch) on garlic toast (from fresh bread bought at the same place as ‘Mama’s’ washing powder), all cooked over an open fire, plus all the trimmings. We are still eating pretty well on the meat bought at a stunning butchery in Swakopmund.
While eating our hamburgers, the hippos were wallowing in the river in front of us (camp 5 is even closer to the water than camp 1) but with all the washing hanging up around Robs’ tent I’m sure she will be safe, no hippo would make it through the obstacle course of braai, camping chairs, table, food boxes and washing.
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