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Now then; trusting you all had a great Easter; remarkably early this year. Now what’s all this nonsense boycotting the Beijing Olympics! Sure there’s a problem, but then there’s no talk of boycotting the World Cup here in SA, and just look at the numbers killed in SA compared to Tibet! Everyone seems very happy coming here. Mad Dog “Bob” in Zim. Up to his never ending old tricks. What gets me is that the SADEC Countries and the AU don’t say anything, as though its all perfectly alright, and what are we worrying about!! 12 Days now and still no result and Mbeki says let Africa run its own way. UMMMM! 2 reasons for all this. They love to cock a finger up to the West, no matter how many thousands of people suffer,
and secondly if they were to try this themselves later

on, then they could not be accused of double standards. Well the West gives them billions of dosh every year, and so maybe one day the West should also cock a finger up to them and tell them to use their own resources, of which there are many, but its misappropriated, mishandled or whatever! So Pres. Sarkozy and his gorgeous wife entertained us all whilst he was in UK! Of course inevitably the British press (AKA “Killjoys!) had to get out a Picture of her that didn’t do her justice. What’s wrong with these Guys, do they hate having people enjoying themselves or being successful! A Strange breed indeed! Terminal 5: What a great cock up! Well done BA; you have served the nation Proud! Strange how they can pull it off in the Far East. Any good news – Yes! Becks got his 100th Cap! The Tories are 14 Points ahead of Mr. Miserable Scotsman Brown, and we have now got our Reservations Office here at the Camp!! Now down here in yonder Safari Camp we had a ………quiet March! 26% occupancy for Safari Camp and 6% for Little Garonga. Having said that we were religiously entertained by Gert (Builder and Architect of Garonga) and Els and their family and friends who came and took over both camps to celebrate Gert and Els’s Double wammy – their wedding anniversary and Els’s 65th Birthday (didn’t look a day over 21 Els!). It was great fun where we managed to cater for all 22 of them at the main camp. We had the “parliament table setting” ( a tried and tested system for groups over 18) for the party night. Lots of “Langarm” dancing around the table! Fantastic and many a hangover in the morning. Congratulations to both Gert and Els and for the honour of hosting your celebrations. t was great to welcome back Graham (3rd time) and Trish. Graham threatens to
Sim, Laura and the Boys preparing for Take off!	bring “Simply Red” here when they tour SA next year. I might go on leave then! Only joking Graham. Also a very warm welcome back to Sim and Laura and Children! Sim, sorry about the CC thing. Will reimburse soonest; I have not forgotten! Then also to Mon Captain Pierre-Louis; always a pleasure again to see you both and a great Garonga Supporter – Thanks. Then last but not least to Martin and Gisela; thanks also! Without you all (repeat Guests) we would sink into the abyss! Also a warm welcome to Scarlett from Go 2 Africa who support us nicely thanks. And finally a warm welcome to Marion who came to check us out also, but Marion has just joined TSA Marketing (Our Marketing Res in SA), and is already giving me lots of homework to do; so the Jamiesons has to wait for a bit – about 5 minutes!
Now what’s happening out there in that Thick Bush? The three male Lions are active as ever and entertaining all. I actually had quite an amusing experience recently with them. I was walking back home one late afternoon, and on reaching the airstrip and plodding up towards my House a Wildebeest suddenly shot off right in front of me. I thought this a bit strange and decided to look further from where he came out from. There 100m ahead were the 3 Boys sitting on the edge of the strip just their heads showing. No point in turning away, so I diverted across the scrub bush to my house in a confident walk (Translated means moving pretty quickly, without running!) all the time thinking, if they rush me now, there’s little chance of me doing even a Linford Christie Sprint and making it. So with each step getting closer to the house, my confidence grew, thinking, if they did it now I think I could make it, but would need an oxygen tent to recover! Finally as I got even closer to the House, I realized that they weren’t interested. Well, it does keep you on your toes that’s for sure! Many sightings of the Ellie herds, Cheetah, the rhinos, and stacks of Plains game. One couple recently had seen all the Big 4 (Including the Leopard) within one drive. It is the start of winter now and so the Skies are getting clearer now and with that more stargazing, and so the Guys can get the telescope out and start doing that. Once again we have not really had all that much rain – 81 mm from the start of the year to date. The Bush is dry where we are with a lot of trees shedding their leaves already, but then if you move around the Reserve there are some places where it is very green. I just hope we get some more late rains before winter really sets in, as it can be a long dry winter before the first rains again. Koren and her Chefettes have been doing splendidly especially catering for the big Group. She has nearly finished the Cookery Book Photos. Once that is done and the recipes installed, all it needs then is for me to write a short History of each Staff Member who we photographed holding the Dish, and Bob’s your uncle. We will see where it goes! In the meantime enjoy this month’s recipe.
Mango Delight Serves 1 1 fresh mango (sliced) 2 slices seed loaf(see pg ???) 10ml Butter 40ml watercress 2 eggs Salt and pepper Boil the eggs in hot water for 6 minutes. Butter the seed loaf and layer the watercress and mango. Once the eggs are done, peel, cut in half, place on top and add a dash of salt and pepper and serve. “Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.” Jim Davis
As I said earlier Reservations is now being done here at the Camp run by Vanessa (Ex-Manageress). It is a perfect scenario and really does make a huge difference. When she is on leave, I take over for the 2 weeks, and you really see what is happening out there, and strike up a really good rapport with Guests, Operators. On top of that we have revamped our Website; I’d be keen to know if you have any ideas or comments. You will be able to download High Res Pictures from the site. A new CD will be out shortly featuring both camps, which will be available in the Shop. So it has been quite active. The British Lions Rugby Tour to South Africa is just over a year away (late June – July), and we have put a package together for this. It will be on the website within a week. A very attractive Package.	My house guard
As we are approaching Winter, or routine will change somewhat. From May to August we stop doing Lunches due to a late breakfast, as the game Drives will only be returning from about 1000 hrs. Therefore regrettably no Picnics during this time. We compensate with a High Tea from about 1515 hrs, before the Afternoon Game drive. Then roaring fires, electric blankets, hot toddies all come into play + decadent “Death by Chocolate Cake”!! Well that’s about it really. Enjoy the Month and be chatting soon. Take Care and all the best Bernie

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TSA Marketing - P. O. Box 2058, Parklands, 2121. Johannesburg South Africa
Tel: +27 11 447 0533 / Fax: +27 11 447 6593 / reservations@garonga.com

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