What a disastrous month out there with cyclones in Burma and earthquakes in China. Those generals though, in Burma, need a serious “seeing to”. The Chinese seem to have done a stupendous job in comparison which puts them in the “good spotlight” now, after the Olympic Torch Rally. Not long to go now.

Then there was all the nonsense here in South Africa in the townships. It was very localized and did take quite a bit of time for the government machine to start getting involved. The police did a sterling job, eventually, of sorting out the instigators. There seems to have been a school of thought here that South Africans who had been given cheap government sponsored housing then sold this housing to “foreigners” at a serious mark up, and then South Africans in the townships blame these foreigners for ‘taking’ their houses etc. Not only that, but there is also the fact that these townships are swamped (3 million people from outside) and the services cannot cope. Then of course you have the crooks who like to take advantage of any seeming discontent. A whole load of things really. Anyway, top ministers were actually pathetic in their lack of response and it took Mbeki a while to actually say anything. He’s lost the plot anyway, and needs a good kick up the …..!
 


Cricket – did England win something? Football – well Becks has got back his captaincy for the match against USA. Then there’s the Super 14 which is all over, but the Tri-Nations is coming up. Wimbledon and all that – plenty going on!

Zimbabwe – well, same old story I’m afraid! A few weeks to go for the second election – don’t hold your breath. He’s just completely insane that man – Mugabe that is. But in SA, Mbeki, has stood back and let it happen. One day it will all come out and we may know the real reason why.

Any good news? Plenty! We are very proud to have sponsored an auction prize for the charity “Combat Stress, UK” for GBP 5,000.00.   GBP 100,000.00 total was raised on the night. Thanks very much to Charlotte (she stayed here recently) for being so involved in this. Don’t forget the other charity www.helpforheroes.org.uk as well. It does make so much difference to the Troopies to know that we do care and do support them, despite the politics involved.
 
Down here on the ranch life is good! May is the month when we get a number of visits from The Trade due to the travel trade show happening in Durban. It was also great to see Johann back with Richard and Karen; Elliott and Ursula (sorry to have missed you both), and a special congratulations to Mathew and Andrea for tying the knot here at Garonga! Many guests had also come on honeymoon, and so hopefully we will see them back for an anniversary. Business has at last picked up with a 62% occupancy for Safari Camp and 10% for Little Garonga (it takes time).

With winter now here (has to be because we’re serving no lunches now!) Koren and her Team have been displaying some amazing cakes – the chocolate
fudge still has to be the best. Amazing results – you can put two pounds on without even blinking. As usual, let another recipe try and tempt you. We did have a special request for a creamy shepherd’s pie (one of the favourites I have put as part of the “health options”) for guests trying the sleep out. I had to add that you MUST have it with chips (soggy ones) and baked beans! It went down very well … literally.

Mozzarella and risotto croquettes with a Neopolitana sauce.

1 cup risotto or arborio rice
200 ml of good quality mozzarella
2 cups bread crumbs
2 eggs beaten
½ finely chopped onion
600ml chicken stock
Cling film
oil
Sauce:
½ packet basil
10ml garlic
4 tomatoes (skinned)
100ml cream
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
10ml olive oil

Fry the onion in some butter until soft and add the risotto. Make sure the butter coats the risotto and slowly start adding the stock. Cook the risotto until almost done and strain. Place the risotto back into the saucepan, add the chopped mozzarella, place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until cheese is almost melted. Place a small portion into a piece of cling film and mould into balls. (its best to push the “ball” until the cling film spilts.) Dip the balls into the egg mixture and roll in the bread crumbs. Coat well. Then deep fry until golden brown. For the sauce place all ingredients into a processor and process until you have a rough texture. Then heat the sauce and pour over risotto balls and serve.

“I eat merely to put food out of my mind.” N.F.Simpson
The safari team (Julius – head guide, Jaffeth, Dingaan, CJ, Obie and Musa) have produced some excellent results. We’ve had great sightings of 3 leopards, plentiful lion, ellie, cheetah and rhino too. With the weather becoming a lot cooler now, early morning and late afternoon walks are becoming increasingly popular. There have also been numerous sleep outs; a couple of stories with the Hyenas discovering the deck and hanging around at the bottom of the tree. It is not cold up there despite the winter kicking in. We have just had a record of 6 nights on the trot where the sleep out was used.
 
On the marketing front I did my annual pilgrimage to Indaba – the trade show in Durban. However before that Classic Safari Camps of Africa held the AGM in Kenya at Elsa’s Kopje in the Meru National Park. It was fantastic. Work was done and some exciting new projects are looming here. We did manage to finish quite early and so at least a day was spent sightseeing at the reserve. A great venue and many thanks indeed to Stefano (Chairman Stefano) and Liz for putting it all together. Then it was back to South Africa for the show. Great to see so many familiar faces again that you really only see at the shows. It was a fantastic stand that we had for the Classic Safari Camps properties and ably organized as ever by Christine. An official and very sad farewell to Christine was made, but
hopefully the memorabla (I don’t know how to spell it!) will remind her of the great times, the laughs and the cries she had with us all. Finally there was the official launch of the CSCA coffee table book. It looks fantastic; you must try and get a copy. We have them in the shop now. Well done to Jaci from Jaci’s camps for organizing it and to Dave Rogers for such a splendid result. It’s brilliant Dave! More things on the cards are to establish a Classics Club where you, the guests, can join and get great benefits by visiting the Classics properties.
 
Well, the party is over now, and Safari Camp is about to close down for our 3 weeks annual clean up. Little Garonga remains open however. From the 1st of June it will have been our 11th Anniversary. The 10th still remains fresh in my very sore head! Those of you in UK who may be visiting the CLA game fair – see you there as we have a stand there with Loisaba Wilderness Camp from Kenya. We will also be ably assisted by Steppes Travel. Pop in for a drink and a chat.

Please do have a squizz at our revamped website. I am offering all sorts of packages, including the Lions Tour Package for 2009!


“Thanks Bettina!”

Listen, you keep well and safe wherever you are. Remember the Troops in Afghanistan and Iraq! www.helpforheroes.org.uk!

All the best and have a great June.

Bernie


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