Johannesburg

Tuesday, Sept 23

My sister Anne’s birthday and no way to communicate. We have had no internet service since we have landed in South Africa. It seems that the hotel in Jo’berg had different software that was not compatible with Vista. Ah well, we have been so busy.

Met at the airport by the Hanks. They are Americans that run Hanks Aero Adventures. We checked into Toadbury Hall, after the 11 hour flight from Paris. Not too tired as we had slept and the time zone was the same as Normandy so we were arriving at local time and our time-8 PM. Toadbury Hall was soo cute. The grounds included a chapel for wedding and lovely dinning room and public rooms. We will post photos. Our cottage was covered in Wisteria, purple, and at least 600 sq. feet. The main building was thatched reed-a little different than English thatch as you could see it from the inside. We were greeted with a glass of sherry and met the two English couples that were flying out on Hanks planes, a day later than we were.

The next day the women went to a lovely botanical garden and a game park where we actually petted lion cubs. We also saw African wild dogs which are difficult to see in Nature. The men were being checked out for South African pilot licenses and taking check rides. It was windy and challenging. The next day we joined the men for a practice flight with an instructor and went to the Hanks’ African style home for lunch and checkout. The house was lovely and Christina and Nick are gracious and run a tight ship. He looks and dresses like an Arizona cowboy, tall and lean. She has a PhD from Brown in Anthropology and they are a great team. She gave me drawings and a packet of currency (Rand, Pulas and dollars) for fees and the visa to get into Zambia. She also outfitted me with a pilot shirt and epaulettes to make me look like a pilot as it makes is easier to cross borders if you look “official.”