The last night with our friends here in the suburbs of Cape Town started with a fine South African braai – meats on the grill – not to be confused with a BarBQ. BBQs are for girly-men. This is a country where the milk is labeled full cream, chicken is a salad and no one orders a skinny latte. When in Rome.  Dessert is real ice cream with caramel sauce topped with cracked sea salt. Adrian insists we take the uneaten ice cream with us – just what we need on safari – as he and Rentia eat healthy but make exceptions for company.

Adrian and Rentia are such an inspiration. We owe them a debt impossible to repay. They’ve opened their home, complete with kitties Bandit, Sylvester and Fraidy-cat. They turned their hard-won knowledge of bush camping into a business. Throughout our contemplation of this long journey they have encouraged us, shared information, and championed the cause.

We first them met at Third Bridge, that mythical camp in Moremi. Hippo had charged through the camp right at dinner time and Jim wandered over to their site to see how they fared. Chatted awhile, admired Rentia’s kitchen and Adrian’s map, then parted ways. It wasn’t until later that I thought, gees, what an idiot, I didn’t get any contact info from them. Days later we were bumping along a sand track and there they were, in the truck coming at us. Hey, I told Jim, there’s that couple – let’s stop and have a natter. We’ve since toured the Kalahari with them – lion everywhere – and Jim was their guest in Cape Town when he took possession of the Beagle. Third Bridge has led us on paths we may not have noticed and we are so grateful for it and for our friendship with Adrian and Rentia.