South Africa - Wildlife Rules, OK!

Stayed at a guest house in Cape Town where the advent of National Woman's Day coincided with the gay male owner's partner's birthday - so much laughter all round. Recommendation for dinner turned out to be, surprise, surprise, a fluffy pink place called the Duchess of Beachsomething with some hilarious camp goings on and a stonking bottle of red to get the trip going.

Spent a wet afternoon at the World of Birds where a large owl took a liking to Gen's tripod and camera, wresting control from us and standing on top proudly chewing the strap. Later on, I was adopted by squirrel monkeys who hitchhiked on the tripod bag and my shoulder.

Headed to the Western and Northern Cape states. Poor year for desert bloom, but great wildlife and a fun stay in a hilltop suite built around boulders inside the room complete with blue geckos.

Here I experienced my Superman moment: After a good soak in the boulder bath, Gen got stuck in the bathroom when the lock jammed. Donning my cloak and superpowers, I gave the door a massive kick, the lock blew off...and I whisked Gen into the room. Result!

From Cape Town to the northern part of Kruger National Park. Plenty of birdlife and beasties.

The stay at Olifants rest camp was enlivened by dinner enriched by the company of bats. Open air dining included the delight of twittering bats perching above the table...and then I realised what those strange olive things on the table really were - not olives, but bat deposits accurately bombing the table. Gen ingeniously fashioned napkin hats for the wineglasses, whilst I stoically wiped the occasional bat pee from my glistening pate. Later in the evening, another bat did victory laps around the bedroom before taking up residence on my bath towel in the shower.

Driving to exit the park on the last day, Gen said she'd like something really special. A couple of minutes later, as if by shamanic summoning, a large eagle swooped down to circle the car and land in the road beside us where it posed for pictures and gathered cigarette butts.

This was a huge, juvenile Bateleur eagle, absolutely fearless and stunningly beautiful.

Wildlife rules, ok!