That’s it – all done and dusted, and now back to the grindstone in more ways than one. So much happening in such a short time.

BO is in the WH, and GB gone back to good old Texas. An impressive inauguration indeed, not least for the amount of people that actually attended. I only hope he hasn’t promised too much. Certainly looking at some of the things some of those “lefty democrats” want from the stimulus package looks totally out of order and can wait for a rich rainy day. You may be in power but this is not the time for “pay back”! Keep your lefty ideas for when you actually have money in the bank! He’s certainly picked a great team that is bi-partisan and above party politics. Lets hope the old crusty die-hards from the “lets kick commie –ass brigade” reciprocate as well.

In UK how that man GB survives is beyond me. He not only fails to make an iota of difference with his recovery plan, but also continues to throw money away. So an election will be held when there is some form of recovery and then he’ll say “look what I’ve done!”. Too right – look what you HAVE DONE MATE! The worst economy in Europe – well done indeed. Forget the global crisis – you’ve cocked up son! Move over and let the Queen’s corgis run the shop! DC hopefully will run him over or something and get into Downing Street quick before UK is back to the old labour of strikes, unemployment, and unions running the Country.

Now who’s that knob of an editor for the News of the World who has to print something of Prince Harry from 3 years ago, and then say look, he hasn’t changed has he!! Who is this white angel, holier than though Mr. Perfect person! Good grief, sort those editors out when a new government comes in. They are way out of order and are causing most of the gloom and doom by what they are printing. There’s no way they will print something good as that will put smiles back on people’s faces and restore confidence – can’t have that now! Maybe start a newspaper that follows them round 24 hours a day and reports on their behavior – a few skeletons there I bet! Anyway what Prince Harry said was typical army stuff – it’s taken in fun by all and the mickey is thrown around by all. Don’t expect soldiers to be good little angels! It was only good banter!

Here in South Africa the new party “COPE” is doing pretty well with more MP’s from the ANC moving over. Zuma (maybe Future President) is set for his Corruption Trial now in August – could be the first president of a Country to be brought to trial. A new record he must be proud of. Then In Zim. People have forgotten (certainly those spineless SADEC Countries) that Mugabe actually LOST the election. Now they are forcing the MDC into a unity government with the Monster still as president. Keep those sanctions going until Mugabe has left, and there is a democratically elected person in his place, not one of his stalwarts! There you go, the waffle is over – amazing what two months can do to you!

Down here in deepest darkest Garonga things inevitably have been quiet for December and January apart from the obvious. Safari camp was 33% and 35% respectively. December compared to last year was the same but January 09 was up 100% compared to 08, so that is promising. Little Garonga I’m afraid is struggling to attract guests. Not quite sure what to do there apart from bringing in the “dancing Girls”! Anyway In December it was great as always to see returning guests, Carol, Mandy and Thane, and my Brother Alex and Eddie who this time came with family in tow and friends. They stayed over for Xmas which makes a big difference when you have Family over for such a festive occasion. Thanks Al and Ed, great as always to have you over – 4th time I think. Last but by no means least welcome back Jo! In January it was great to have Taryn over and family. Taryn from “Ultimate Honeymoons” in the UK, have supported us tremendously over the last few years – thanks for all your support! A great company! Then also a warm welcome to Kirsten from Golf Classics, and Christiane and Husband on honeymoon. Christiane is from Uhambo Travel in Germany and is our biggest supporter in Germany. Thank you too! So life is good still!

The Bush is really green and lush and we have had the best rains since 2001. Well done rain! The river in front has been down 4 times so far. 328mm so far. The biggest rainfall was 110mm on one night – very dramatic indeed and we had a full camp then after a family had taken over Safari Camp complete. There’s still more on the way and hopefully we should get our annual average (450mm). As a result of all this rain the calves and lambs are all over the place.

The game viewing has been excellent despite the thick vegetation. We released the two “Garonga Cheetah Boys” in mid December and they are doing very well. They have taken up residency pretty close by which is good. We also observed plenty of cheetah movement from the two old guys who obviously think they have something left in them and started to try and seek them out and let them know who is boss. Anyway the Guides have been seeing the two a lot. Only a few Leopard sightings over the last couple of months but many sightings of Lion, Ellie, Rhino and lots of general game. Due to the weather sleep outs have not been too many. The new female cheetah was meant to be coming in February but this is now delayed until July.

On the food front everything has been going very well with our health options proving very popular. On the Xmas night we did of course do the traditional and it was all great fun. Attached as normal will hopefully be an interesting recipe for you to try. Well done Chefs for a great year!

Garonga Recipe

Ostrich carpaccio with a pear chutney and a porcini mushroom parfait.

Serves 4

250g well trimmed ostrich fillet
60ml finely chopped fresh herbs
Pear chutney
Porcini mushroom parfait
1 small packet porcini mushrooms(soaked)
45ml mayonnaise
30ml sour cream
15ml gelatine
60ml hot water

Roll the ostrich fillet in olive oil, mixed herbs and freshly ground black pepper. Roll tightly in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 2-3 hours until firm. Place the mushrooms into a food processor and mince. Remove and place into a bowl with salt and pepper. Stir in the mayonnaise and sour cream. Dissolve the gelatine in the hot water and stir into the parfait. Chill for 2 hours and allow to set. Thinly slice ostrich and place onto the plate with the pear chutney and parfait. Serve cold.

Serving suggestion: Any fillet may be used if preferred.

““If junk food is the devil, then a sweet orange is as scripture.”” Audrey Foris

New ideas for 2009 – a very small one. Am building a BBQ/Braii area big enough for up to 4 Guests just behind the main lounge area and swimming pool. It’s out of the way and would be for guests who may want to do their own BBQ. So we will supply the food of course, and you do the BBQ! If you don’t want to BBQ yourselves then I’ll get the gate man to do it. Of course you’ll have the usual service! Could be fun!

We are now into February already and Valentines coming up. Bear in mind from 04th March until the 26th March we are closed for our annual clean up. Then finally we are starting to see more bookings coming in. To be honest I have not seen a downfall at all. Maybe S.Africa will be a good choice as we charge in Rand and I’d like to think offer very competitive prices. We still offer the packages as usual (all on our website). Also as part of “Classic Safari Camps of Africa” group (www.classicsafaricamps.com) we have the Classics Club whereby if you become a member (by visiting one of the camps) you get a nice surprise when you next visit a Classics property – an upgrade, comp. massage, bottle of bubbly or something. Please do consider this magnificent portfolio of camps, then you don’t have to “Google” “safari” anymore as they are all there within the association from east down to South Africa.

Finally a great way to get here is to fly Airlink to Phalaborwa (the airport is only one hour away from here). Then either drive or be transferred to here or fly private charter for R 880.00 pp. Airlink is a great airline and there is a late afternoon flight every day except Saturday back to Jo’burg for you to then catch your international flight; so not much hanging around the airport and you can stay here until 1600 – lunch etc is complimentary. The link will be attached to all our newsletters from now.

I had a very pleasant break in Dubai in late January. If anybody is interested in renting out a one bedroom apartment on the “palm” let me know.

Well I hope nothing too desperate happens and that things do improve somewhat. In these times of gloom we tend to forget those who are sacrificing their lives on our behalf out In Afghanistan! Please keep remembering and supporting them – “Help For Heroes”! Please do!

Keep well and all the best. Hopefully we will see some of you down here soon.

Best Wishes

Bernie