Luxury B&B and Self Catering Accommodation in Hazyview

Floods in Hazyview - Update

2012-01-20T05:47:00.000+02:00

Friday 20th January, 2012.

Many would have seen the news of the torrential downpour experienced in the Lowveld with Hazyview and Kruger National Park being some of the areas severely effected. Mpumalanga Province as a region has been affected.

Well today the weather has cleared and there is no sign of rain in the Hazyview area. Kruger National Park had been closed for a few days but has now reopened although there are a number of gravel/dirt roads still closed to vehicles - as the water levels subside these roads should be reopened although many may need repair.

Guests staying with us have been able to go on Safari on to Kruger National Park today so that at least is back on track.

Here's a picture taken from the back door of the main Lodge here at Blue Jay, overlooking the driveway entrance - this was taken the day before yesterday when the rain was torrential.

Quite daunting to drive on as our driveway is on a slope but as we say to our Guests at least it doesn't snow here!

As to whether (no pun intended) we have had 200 or 300 or 400mm of rain this week is hard to gauge (still no pun intended) as our rain gauge only measures up to 100mm at a time - all we know is every time we checked the gauge its was full and on 100mm - and we checked 4 times - what we can say is that we have had a lot of rain.

Through it all we still were and continue to be warm wearing shorts and T-shirts which is a plus - temperatures being in the mid 20's.

Rhino - Black or White

2011-11-23T17:28:00.000+02:00

We managed to go into Kruger National Park yesterday, saw lots but only one Rhino. Given all the poaching and almost 300 Rhinos killed for their horns this year alone it was indeed an excellent sighting.

Magnificent Creatures they are and this one is WHAT? - a Black or White Rhino? Send your thoughts to bluejay@bluejaylodge.co.za

Also saw lots of Giraffe, this one was behind us hence the mirror view

All this only 10 minutes away from Blue Jay Lodge

On Guard

2011-09-13T10:46:00.000+02:00

We have a new look out posted here at Blue Jay, his task being to spot the birds and advise us of Guests arriving.

Great new member of staff it must be said, he is always vigilant and his vantage point from the roof of the main Lodge gives him a 360 degree view over the property. His early warning signals are amazing and we are most happy with his performance so far - particularly as he is cheap to employ - his only wages being fruit from the trees on the property.

Welcome Adonis to the Blue Jay Team!

On Honeymoon

2011-09-13T10:43:00.001+02:00

We are known for a romantic getaway here at Blue Jay and have many honeymooners staying with us.
Recently in Kruger National Park, 10 minutes from us, we saw these Lions on Honeymoon!!

Lions on Honeymoon

Safari - Kruger National Park

2011-08-01T15:00:00.000+02:00

It's not often we get the chance to do a self drive Safari into Kruger National Park but when we do get the chance we grab it with both hands - time is always limited for us so we need to plan a 4 to 5 hour trip maximum and here's what we do:

At 6 am Enter Phabeni Gate, 10 kms away from Blue Jay
Stay on the S1 tar road, also known as the Doispane Raod, heading towards Skukuza.

First stop off is at the Nyamundwa Dam about 20 kms in from Phabeni Gate for coffee and to take in the early sunrise view:

Continue along the Doispane Road, direction Skukuza and 4 kilometers from Skukuza there will be a turning for Lake Panic to your left, it's a gravel road and signposted.

Lake panic is one of those spots in Kruger that is very special - it's not a rest camp so having stopped in the veld, you can get out of your car - but then you don't hang around as you are in the bush and animals are about - you then make a dash for a gate and fenced walkway (offering protection) that leads you down to a Hide overlooking an amazing expanse of water called Lake Panic.

Not sure why it is called Lake Panic - our theory is that perhaps it describes the necessary mad dash from your vehicle to the gate and fenced walkway.

The best times are early morning to visit Lake Panic - hippos, crocodiles and the most stunning bird life can be seen. The serious photographers with very good cameras and huge lenses will always be seen at lake Panic as it is a photographer's paradise. Our camera does not have one of those huge lenses (needing 2 people to carry them), so do appreciate that when you see the photos we took yesterday morning.

So this little Safari continues from Lake Panic, joining up with H1-1 going South and then continuing West on the same road and exiting at Numbi Gate - an excellent Self Drive Safari.

Sunrise in the Slowveld

2011-07-25T16:12:00.000+02:00

Sometimes the Lowveld is also known as the Slowveld and then Hazyview is also known as Lazyview.

All of these descriptions really describe the way of life here - measured, at a nice pace, peaceful and beautiful - the wildlife (and us) wake up to yet another stunning sunrise heralding another spectacular day in the Lowveld as well as here at Blue Jay - where Tranquility Amongst the Trees awaits with Wildlife in the Kruger National Park only 10kms away.

Sabi Sands Night Wildlife Safari

2011-07-22T14:43:00.000+02:00

Often recommended to guests and organised by ourselves is a Sabi Sands Night Wildlife Safari - an open 4X4 Vehicle collects you here at Blue Jay around 2.30pm and then takes you in to a private game reserve in Sabi Sands where off roading is allowed - in other words if there is a leopard in a tree the guide and tracker will take you there in the vehicle for a very special and up close viewing. The safari goes into the night so the experience of Africa and the wild at night is an additional bonus - all followed by a bush dinner under the canopy of bright stars. You return to Blue Jay and well deserved sleep around 10.30pm.

Here's a few pictures from our Safari into Sabi Sands this week:

Jackal vs Puff Adder

2011-04-12T11:42:00.000+02:00

Valami le Grange watched a jackal as it scavenged for insects on the road ahead of her. "He then suddenly hastened toward what we thought was a centipede but turned out to be an exhausted puff adder!"

See her sequence of pictures beautifully catured of this scene click here taken at Kgalagdi Transfrontier Park

Of course more wildlife can be seen at Kruger National Park only 10 minutes from Blue Jay

Wood Owl at Blue Jay

2011-03-17T08:42:00.000+02:00

We have a pair of Wood Owls here at Blue Jay and there is nothing more African than hearing them call each other in the still of the African night. This one is getting quite tame and often sits on the verandah quite happily looking at us. I managed to get a picture taken albeit not the best but thought it would be nice to share it.

Beware of a Big Elephant

2011-02-23T16:46:00.002+02:00

In Pilansberg, close to Blue Jay the sequence of pictures below show it all - the message, when you see a BIG ELEPHANT COMING TOWARDS YOU do get out of the way. Happy to report that the passenger and driver of the car escaped with minor scratches but they do have major memories.

Fine Dining in Hazyview

2010-10-24T08:17:00.001+02:00

Here at Blue Jay we don't do evening meals as within 5 km radius of us there are excellent family eateries as well as top end restaurants that we can recommend to our guests. Why compete we say and to enjoy the local cuisine on offer just adds to the vacation experience.

Based on excellent guests comments and experiences one of the best restaurants here in Hazyview has to be Pioneers Butcher and Grill - a top end Steak House where the best South African Beef in a sophisticated setting awaits you.

Not only the best Steaks but excellent Fish and Vegetarian dishes are available at Pioneers for those who aren't red meat eaters. Their wine list is comprehensive and also affordably priced.

Pioneers Butcher and Grill, Hazyview

A Quick Safari Trip – Kruger National Park

2010-10-14T12:37:00.002+02:00

It’s not often that Margi and I get a chance to go into Kruger National Park even though it’s 10 minutes away from us here at Blue Jay.

Well yesterday we did get the chance - the last time we were in KNP was June. We had a wonderful Safari – from Phabeni gate entrance travelling down to Lower Sabie we managed the 3 of the Big 5 – we came back feeling spoilt what with the privilege of having all this so close by to us.

Sure you have seen many wildlife pictures but then these are ours and we are happy to share them.

Click photos to enlarge

Saw plenty of Rhino – 3 different sightings and what was nice was to see young Rhinos around.

Buffalo running away and yes running towards us – some quick reversing was done!

No relation

Let’s Chat some more

2010-10-11T11:24:00.001+02:00

Our White Browed Robin Chat previously posted is still here and we managed to get some additional pictures of him in our garden here at Blue Jay – difficult to do as he does move around a lot.

Click photo to enlarge

But as the temperature rises and all is hot here with the pool being the best place to be, our Robin decided to have his own little “swim”.

Click photo to enlarge

Red Eye Special

2010-10-11T10:44:00.001+02:00

We have 2 Wood Owls nesting at the moment here at Blue Jay – I thought leaving the red eye would make this more interesting given that his other eye is closed.

Click photo to enlarge

Moon Flower

2010-10-11T10:37:00.001+02:00

Wonderfully scented and commonly known as the Moon Flower as they open at night – the sight and smells here at Blue Jay are absolutely incredible.

Click on photo to enlarge

On closer inspection we observed a cricket - of course he will have to be called Jiminy, click photo to enlarge.

All here at Blue Jay where Tranquility amongst the Trees awaits you. Click here to book online

The Martians have Landed

2010-10-11T10:24:00.001+02:00

Take a close look at the photo and let your imagination run wild – looks like little green men – picture taken here at Blue Jay

Take another closer look and you will see an ant as well.

Click photo to enlarge

Beautiful

2010-10-11T06:51:00.001+02:00

Taken at Blue Jay Lodge – lovely Spring Surprise

Winner has Won The Cup of Gold

2010-10-03T11:10:00.002+02:00

Earlier we spoke about some flowers and wanting to have them identified giving Latin names and Hans from Holland (a regular visitor to Blue Jay) managed to do that - so Hans, well done and you now have won a free night's stay with us, Margi and I look forward to welcoming you and Anita for the 4th time in April 2011.

Above is the pic of the one flower, Solandra Maxima commonly referred to as Cup of Gold (for obvious reasons) - immediately below the picture is some information about it that you may find interesting - we hastily add that we do not use the flowers for sacred ceremonies.
Description
Cup of gold, sometimes called chalice vine, is a heavy, thick stemmed tropical liana with large shiny leaves and large bell shaped golden yellow flowers. The thick and woody ropelike stems branch frequently and root at their nodes, and can run for more than 200 ft (61 m), clinging with aerial rootlets and scrambling over everything in the way. The evergreen leaves are leathery, about 6 in (15.2 cm) long and elliptic, with prominent lighter colored midribs and lateral veins. The flowers are truly spectacular, shaped like a chalice, 6-10 in (15.2-25.4 cm) long, flaring open to 4-7 in (10.2-17.8 cm) across. The five lobes of the corolla are reflexed, and each lobe is marked with a narrow purplish brown ridge on the inside. The flowers start out yellow and turn deeper golden as they age. They are fragrant, especially at night, with a scent reminiscent of coconut. Cup of gold blooms intermittently through the year, but mainly in the winter dry season. The fruits, rarely seen in cultivation, are round berries, about 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter.
There are eight species of chalice vines, and they often are confused in the trade. Solandra maxima is the most common species in cultivation.
Location
Solandra maxima is native to Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Other species occur in the West Indies. And of course we know it exists here at Blue Jay.
Culture
Cup of gold is a fast growing vine that thrives in most any well-drained soil. It tolerates severe pruning and blooms on new growth, so it can be cut back at any time of year. This is a heavy vine, and it requires a very sturdy support.
Light: Cup of gold thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Moisture: Cup of gold grows best with regular watering, but blooms best when water is withheld. Let the vine grow for a while, producing vigorous new shoots, then withhold water until the leaves begin to wilt.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 - 11.
Propagation: Cup of gold usually is propagated from stem cuttings taken in summer and rooted with bottom heat.
Usage
Cup of gold is often grown on large pergolas or trellises, or trained to grow up the side of a house where the spectacular flowers can spill down the walls over windows and doorways. Tolerant of salt spray and salty soils, all the chalice vines are excellent for seaside gardens. This is a large, rampant grower which requires plenty of space and a strong support.
Features
The chalice vines are related to the angel trumpets (Datura spp. and Brugmansia spp.), and like them, have hallucinogenic properties. They are used in sacred ceremonies in Mexico.
WARNING
The flowers, and probably all parts, of chalice vines are poisonous

Wake up Sleepy Head

2010-09-30T06:22:00.000+02:00

Early morning is our favourite time - it's cool, the birds are chirping and watching yet another beautiful sun rise over Blue Jay could not be better!

To Chat or Not to Chat

2010-09-28T07:20:00.000+02:00

Staying on the Spring Theme, every morning here at Blue Jay this bird delights us with his melodic singing - as described in the Roberts Book of Birds the call sound he makes is a characteristic, loud, crescendo song of repeated phrases - wonderful to hear and we would add that his calls have a very "liquid" sound.

He's known as a White Browed Robin-Chat and he is beautiful.

Win with Spring

2010-09-28T07:09:00.002+02:00

Unlike Europe South Africa doesn't really have 4 seasons.

Here the transition from winter to summer is not marked by a period of Spring nor is Summer to Winter marked by a period of Autumn - what happens is we change from Summer to Winter as well as Winter to Summer in one go - dramatically and quickly - but that's not to say that Mother Nature ignores the seasonal changes as can be seen from these pictures taken here at Blue Jay - what a delight!

If you can give us the correct Latin names of these flowers email us with your answer - the first correct answer received wins a 3 night stay with us for 2 people paying only for 2 nights!! T's & C's apply.

The Sabie Waterfalls

2010-09-13T15:44:00.000+02:00

Always when advising guests on how best to plan for and take in the wonderful sights in the Lowveld area a must do is to visit the Waterfalls in the Sabie area - there are 7 waterfalls to see.

This is an activity that would take a half a day self driving and of course we have all the maps for you so you won't get lost.

Here's a few pics of just 2 of them - only 40 minutes away from Blue Jay

Horse Shoe

Lone Creek

Free Access to Kruger National Park

2010-09-13T14:21:00.001+02:00

This week and this week only, South African Citizens can gain free access to Kruger National Park - like spring, this was sprung on us quite suddenly but still worth the opportunity - Blue Jay is only 10 minutes away.

Here's the official bulletin notice from SANPARKS:

Date: 2010-09-09

From Monday, 13 September until Friday, 17 September, the country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) will allow locals with valid identity documents an opportunity to spend a day at a national park of their choice free of charge.

The week-long campaign giving free access to the national parks will be applicable to all the national parks managed by SANParks, with the exception of Boulders in Table Mountain National Park, Tankwa and Namaqua National Parks.

According to SANParks General Manager: Media Relations, Reynold Thakhuli, the objective of the week is to cultivate a culture of pride in all South Africans in their relationship with the country’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, under the established theme “Know Your National Parks”.

The idea of a national parks focus week was conceived in 2006, after a realisation that a vast majority of South Africans were not accessing the national parks. “SANParks then embarked upon this campaign to encourage all South Africans, especially those from the communities around the parks, to share in what SANParks envisions to be “the pride and joy of all South Africans and the world”.

The feature element of this campaign is the free access granted to all South African day visitors carrying their official Identity Documents. Young persons under the age of 16 will be allowed free access without the requirement of proof of identity. It must be noted that the free access to the parks will not include any commercial activities in the park such as guided safaris in vehicles or guided walks, etc.

“Environmental education and protection is the responsibility of everyone, not just a privileged few. If we are to create a sense of ownership of the natural heritage of South Africa in all South Africans, then all South Africans must be able to have access to such,” said Thakhuli.

“We especially want our young people to take advantage of this opportunity because this heritage will be under their protection in the near future,” added Thakhuli.

“The annual SA National Parks Week has been made possible with support from First National Bank since inception. “In recent years, awareness of environmental issues and the impact we have on our environment has increased greatly. At FNB we recognise the immediate and potential threats posed by global warming and other environmental issues, and have taken steps to minimise our impact on our surroundings, said FNB Public Sector Banking CEO National Government,” Yvonne Zwane.

“FNB has embarked on environmentally friendly initiatives such as: energy saving that reduces the load on the Eskom grid, water conservation processes, paper saving initiatives and encouraging the use of recycled paper. This precipitates environmental impact reduction for a sustainable future through energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste re-cycling and indigenous gardens. Furthermore FNB has completed initiatives such as the development of the environmentally friendly Fairlands Building moving South Africa a step closer towards an environmentally friendly society,” concluded Zwane.

SANParks encourages all South Africans and especially educators and school groups to diarise these dates and plan a visit to a national park nearby.

Issued by: SANParks Corporate Communications

Spring is Sprung

2010-09-12T10:10:00.000+02:00

Well it can be said that Spring is finally here heralding the onset of glorious summer days - and mother nature has once again shown her true colours which we can see in our garden with the blossoming of the Clivias which are stunning.

Enjoy the photos from the Blue Jay Garden

Remember a silly little Spring limerick?

Spring is Sprung
The Grass is Ris
I wonder where the birdies is?
The Birdies on the Wing
But that's absurd
Because the wing is on the Bird!

Learn the SA National Anthem

2010-07-28T15:00:00.001+02:00

Previously we spoke about the history and gave the words of the South African National Anthem.

We thought this video is really helpful to learn both the words and tune......

All of us here at Blue Jay have been practicing.

Fifa World Cup and the South African Flag & Anthem

2010-07-05T16:31:00.001+02:00

The two questions that often came up from many of the International Guests staying with us here at Blue Jay during this Football crazy time had to do with the significance of the South African Flag and the words of the South African Anthem. Actually we didn't know all the answers but now have learnt and suspect many South Africans would also want to know so here's the info on it all - it's a long article but fascinating reading:

South Africa's new flag was adopted on April 27, 1994. When the new SA flag was chosen it was regarded as an "interim" flag in line with the "interim" constitution through which South Africa achieved full democracy in 1994. Subsequently, a Constitutional Assembly has drawn up a new Constitution (adopted on May 8, 1996 and amended on October 11, 1996) which was enacted by Parliament as Act 108 of 1996.

As part of the process in drawing up the new Constitution, the question was asked whether the flag should be retained or a new one designed. The overwhelming response was that the new flag should be retained and is now described in Schedule 1 of the Constitution.

The flag was designed by Mr Fred Brownell, the State Herald. It was specifically stated that the colors had no official meaning or symbolism, other their use in the past in flags in this country – red, white and blue from the Dutch and English (British) communities; and black, green and gold from the flags of the liberation movements (ANC, Inkhatha, PAC, etc).

The "pall" (Y) does symbolise the convergence and going forward as one unified nation of previously disparate groups in South Africa.

The South African flag is one of the most recognisable in the world – but does not yet have a name (like the Union Jack). Any name must be decided by the custodians of the country's national symbols – the Bureau of Heraldry.

South Africa's national anthem

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika

Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,

Yizwa imithandazo yethu,

Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,

O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,

O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,

Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel,

Uit die diepte van ons see,

Oor ons ewige gebergtes,

Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

Sounds the call to come together,

And united we shall stand,

Let us live and strive for freedom,

In South Africa our land.

Translation

The isiXhosa and isiZulu of the first stanza, the Sesotho of the second stanza and the Afrikaans of the third stanza translate into English as follows:

Lord, bless Africa

May her spirit rise high up

Hear thou our prayers

Lord bless us.

Lord, bless Africa

Banish wars and strife

Lord, bless our nation

Of South Africa.

Ringing out from our blue heavens

From our deep seas breaking round

Over everlasting mountains

Where the echoing crags resound ...

History: two anthems into one

Before South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, the country had two anthems - an official and an unofficial one. The official anthem was Die Stem, in English The Call of South Africa. The unofficial anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, was a symbol of independence and resistance to apartheid, sung by the majority of the population and at all anti-apartheid rallies and gatherings.

In the official anthem of the new South Africa, the two anthems merge into one.

Die Stem van Suid Afrika (The Call of South Africa) - Die Stem van Suid Afrika was originally a poem, written by CJ Langenhoven in May 1918. The music was composed by the Reverend ML de Villiers in 1921. The South African Broadcasting Corporation played both God save the King and Die Stem to close their daily radio broadcasts, and so the public became familiar with the Afrikaans anthem.

It was first sung publicly at the official hoisting of the national flag in Cape Town on 31 May 1928, but it was not until 2 May 1957 that the government accepted Die Stem as the official national anthem. In 1952 the English version, The Call of South Africa, was accepted for official use.

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika - Nkosi was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Methodist mission school teacher. The words of the first stanza were originally written in isiXhosa as a hymn. Seven additional stanzas in isiXhoza were later added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. A Sesotho version was published by Moses Mphahlele in 1942. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was popularised at concerts held in Johannesburg by Reverend JL Dube's Ohlange Zulu Choir. It became a popular church hymn that was later adopted as an anthem at political meetings, sung as an act of defiance.

The first stanza is generally sung in isiXhosa or isiZulu, followed by the Sesotho version. Apparently there is no standard version or translations of Nkosi, and the words vary from place to place and from occasion to occasion.

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
(courtesy of CapeInfo Newletters)

Germany 4 Argentine 0

2010-07-04T07:49:00.001+02:00

Well it couldn't have been a better result for our German Guests staying here at Blue Jay - well done on an excellent result for what has to be described as a display of "proper football'. We have been housing and hosting a large group of Germans visiting our country in support of their team - a wonderful group and passionate football supporters - so much so that traditional dress is required, here's a view:

Up Up and Away in a Beautiful Balloon

2010-03-09T15:08:00.001+02:00

Milestones come around before you even know it - one turns 50 (or more), our first Grandson Jude arrives as the newest member of the family and what a delight it is to be Grandparents, one serves the 4,500th breakfast here at Blue Jay since opening in April 2007............

And then Margi and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary - another milestone and absolute delight.

How best to celebrate such a milestone? Float on the breeze, reach up high into the sky, feel the wind in your hair, look at the world serenely below from the basket of a Hot Air Balloon!

And so yes we did go Up Up and away in a Beautiful Balloon and enjoyed every moment of it. Ballooning is an absolute must for anyone visiting our area and staying with us here at Blue Jay Lodge and no you don't have be celebrating your 32nd anniversary, just celebrate.........

A Twitcher's Dilemma

2010-01-13T15:08:00.002+02:00

Here's a pic of a Bateleur Eagle with a smaller Eagle sitting adjacent to it on a branch of a tree in Kruger National Park. The pic was taken by guests of ours on a recent stay here at Blue Jay and none of us are able to identify the smaller bird on the left of the Bateleur - we think its a juvenile but if you know pop us an email and help us out.

Email us at contact@bluejaylodgehazyview.com

All of this only 10 minutes away from Blue Jay Lodge

2010 - Happy New Year

2010-01-13T14:14:00.000+02:00

Well 2009 is behind us and we must say a big thank you to the 800 plus guests that stayed with us during 2009 - thank you also for enriching our lives and leaving us as friends - may all of you have a fantastic 2010 and we look forward to meeting again.

We brought in the New Year with guests from South Africa, Holland and Italy and Roberto being a chef made us a traditional South African "potjie" - here's all of us having fun - a big thanks to Roberto who by the way is an Italian South African!

Back Row: Charlotte & Stijn (Netherlands): Margi & Phil (SA - Blue Jay): Rebecca (Netherlands)
Front Row: Stenia & Roberto (Italian South Africans): Martin (Netherlands)
Blue Jay Lodge

Lif'e's a box of chocolates............

2009-12-08T15:54:00.002+02:00

Full of surprises and you never know what you are going to get (courtesy Forest Gump) - and that's exactly what happened to Margi and I (Philip).

We've said it before, that those staying with us here at Blue Jay arrive as Guests and leave as Friends and in many cases parting can be such sorrow as was the case with Pride and Kb (pic on right) - but then they sent us chocolates after they got home - no not a bar of chocolate but 3 boxes of chocolates - how sweet is that - here's the pic below to prove it - life is indeed boxes of chocolates - Thanks Pride and Kb.

A Summer Night and a Summer's Day at Blue Jay

2009-12-05T07:07:00.001+02:00

Here at Blue Jay during the summer months there is nothing more spectacular then a typical Lowveld Thunderstorm - one gets the sense and feeling of the real Africa during a storm and we had just such a storm last week with over 80 mm of rain and hail to boot – the nice thing about these storms is that one is still in summer clothes as the temperatures remain at 20 plus degrees. Many thanks to our guests Debra and Peter of the UK who took these pictures:

A few hours later it all blew over and Mother Africa's Earth had been quenched, smelling fresh - the sun was out at its best, baking down and revitalising the flora - thanks again to Debra and Peter for these wonderful pictures of the Blue Jay Garden and also to Kathy for the last picture in this series.

Come and Join us for a ride on the Breeze!

2009-11-24T15:43:00.000+02:00

What better way to start the day than with a Balloon Safari only 20 minutes away from Blue Jay Lodge

in Hazyview.

A gentle and graceful way to start the day - flights take you over the Sabie River Valley, the beautiful Mpumalanga Lowveld and land where the breeze takes you. On landing celebrate with a glass of champagne followed by breakfast with your pilot.

For ballooning and accommodation enquiries contact us at enquiries@bluejaylodgehazyview.com

Cheetah Sighting in Kruger

2009-11-24T14:52:00.000+02:00

We have lived in Hazyview for 4 years now and have yet to see a Cheetah in Kruger National Park.

Our previous blog entry spoke about Guests sharing their game viewing pictures with us and have we seen some fantastic pictures - here's a few Cheetah photo's taken by Craig who stayed with us recently - wonderful! Thanks Craig.

All this to be seen 10 minutes away from Blue Jay Lodge!

Great Grandson of Joao Albasini Visits Blue Jay Lodge

2009-11-24T14:09:00.003+02:00

One of the absolute delights of being in the hospitality business is the interesting people that stay with us here at Blue Jay Lodge - everyone has a story and many an evening is spent on the terrace amongst the trees learning about the fascinating lives and travel experiences of our Guests - not to mention showing us the pictures of the Big 5 seen at Kruger National Park.

Margi and I thank you all for sharing your lives and travel experiences with us and really need to say that you arrived as Guests but then leave as Friends - can't be better than that!

We haven't wanted to single out any specific Guest but in this case we do as in October/November this year we had Tony and his wife Jackie Albasini staying with us.

Here's a pic of Tony and Jackie Albasini

So who is Tony Albasini you ask - well he is the Great Grandson of Joao Albasini and again you ask who is Joao Albasini - here's the history:

But first here's a pic of Tony's Great Grandfather, Joao Albasini

The remains of the 19th century trading post of the famous Portuguese trader, Joao Albasini is found at the Phabeni Gate, 10 km from Blue Jay Lodge in Hazyview.

Over the ages trading activity has taken place in the south-eastern region of Africa. Lourenco Marques, now known as Maputo (Mozambique) would have been the starting point (or end point) of many of the ancient trading routes that criss-crossed the countryside. When Albasini arrived in the then Portuguese occupied, port in the early 1800’s, he began setting up his trading business. He set up a network of trading routes that reached the inland as far as the Lowveld and by 1845 he had established a trading post at Magashula’s Kraal (now known as Albasini Ruins). This trading post was conveniently positioned along two of these ancient trade routes.
It is popular belief that Albasini’s settlement at Magashula’s Kraal was the first European settlement in the Lowveld. He only stayed here for a short time and moved to the growing town of Ohrigstad, where he married 18year old Gertina Maria Petronella Janse van Rensburg. Shortly after, they moved to the new town at the foot of the Soutpansberg Mountains, Schoemansdal. Here Albasini established himself on the farm “Goedewensch” which proved to be a very prosperous time for him and his family.

In 1858 he was appointed vice-consul of Portugal in the ZAR as well as a superintendent of the Native tribes in and around the Schoemansdal area. His election as vice-consul made it necessary for a postal service to run from Goedewensch to Lourenco Marques every month by a Portuguese soldier, the Boer government was offered the to make use of the opportunity. He remained in service as vice-consul until 1872.

Albasini most probably inherited his adventurous spirit and business sense from his father, who was an ivory trader under the Portuguese flag. When Albasini was 17years old he accompanied his father on one of his trading journeys to Brazil and Lourenco Marques. According to legend their ship was stranded on the east coast of Africa and Albasini, with the help of his father and his determination began setting up his own trade business. His father left for Lisbon shortly afterwards never again to see his son. Under the difficult conditions of poor trade and threat of the deadly diseases, such as malaria and tsetse fly, Albasini was determined to make a success of his career. He began trading the merchandise his father left him and annually, during the safer winter months, he would take clothes, beads, knives and mirrors along the ancient trade routes into the interior of the sub-continent and exchange them for ivory. He would return laidened, when the dangerous summer months began approaching. This ivory was then traded with visiting ships for ammunition, merchandise and foodstuffs.

On his first trip to the newly established Boer (Afrikaans) town, Ohrigstad, Albasini bought some land from the Kutswe chief Magashula for 22 head of cattle. Here he established his first mentioned trading post. This post was conveniently positioned along two ancient trade routes and offered wonderful opportunities of trade with both the local black people and the Boers. He would transport goods from Lourenco Marques through the tsetse fly area to Magashula’s kraal for the Boers, who would then travel down the escarpment to collect their goods. Albasini also appointed two headmen to run two other posts, one at the foot of Manugukop (just south of Pretoriuskop), which was run by Manugu, after whom the koppie was named. The other was run by Josekhulu near Ship Mountain (along the Voortrekker Road).

Albasini only stayed at Magashula’s Kraal for two years, as he was drawn by the growing settlements on the escarpment. In 1847 he bought a farm outside Ohrigstad and opened a shop there. Magashula’s Kraal was renowned for its fine white bread, which was made from grain grown at the post.

Albasini was born to an Italian father and Spanish mother in Lisbon in May 1813. He enjoyed his childhood with his parents and brother and sister in Lisbon. In 1830 at the age of 17 years he arrived on the East Coast of Africa. He had a strong personality, sharp intellect and determination and due to this he became a personage in the Portuguese Port of Lourenco Marques (Mozambique). He played an important role in establishing this port as the gateway to the seas for the Zuid Afrikanshe Rebuliek (ZAR) and was the first Portuguese to trade with the Boers (Afrikaners) in Ohrigstad.

His Great Grandson Tony stayed at Blue Jay Lodge on a recent visit to Hazyview, Mpumalanga South Africa.

Nice to have met you Tony and Jackie - Blue Jay Lodge

Starla – Lost & Found!

2009-10-22T16:10:00.002+02:00

Guests who have stayed with us know that here at Blue Jay we do not have any pets but then discover that we have an adopted Border Collie - Starla -belonging to our neighbour Sandy and Ben. Starla often visits us and when she does Starla becomes a favourite of all. Many times the reason for her visits is when she smells the firewood and the steak, chops and Oom Kallie’s Boerewors going on the braai (BBQ- it’s one of the things we do for International Guests when they are here – a traditional South African Braai).

Starla, as most dogs are, is very nervous and scared when we have the real Lowveld thunderstorms. If nobody is at her home, she will come to our house seeking sanctuary. However last week, for some unknown reason, she took to the streets whilst we were having what seemed like a mini tornado here in Hazyview. She was seen running in the direction of Phabeni Gate opposite and nearby Blue Jay. She was missing for a week.

After doing some investigative work amongst our staff, we were told she was seen near the Clinic in Shabalala Township. Sandy (our neighbour), myself and her gardener (Philemon) who can speak the local language, made a visit to this area on Tuesday. We were directed to the Clinic by Philemon, driving through twists and turns and very bad roads. On arrival there, the security guard came to the car window and after talking to Philemon, asked us how much we would pay him if he told us where the dog was! After some negotiation, another man, who was with the guard at the time, directed us to a house further down the road and lo and behold, there was Starla, sitting under a tree! Her name tag had been removed, but she was in a good condition. We called her and she jumped into the car. We paid the “ransom” money and drove home. Only after we got home did we realise what a miracle this was that we had been able to find her in such a big area. What puzzles us though is why the people wanted to keep her as surely they would know she belonged to someone as she did have an ID on her, so they could have called and received a reward anyway (if that was their intention).

Anyway all’s well that ends well and Starla is back at home safe and sound and will continue to visit again when we are having a braai or a Lowveld storm!!

The little boy stroking Starla is Jude, our first Grandson.

Blue Jay Lodge is 10 kms away from Kruger National Park entering through Phabeni Gate

Tockus erythrorhynchus

2009-10-20T16:02:00.001+02:00

Seeing as we went on about Blue Jay and the name we thought we'd continue with the name theme and share this one with you - Tockus erythrorhynchus - a mouthful you must admit for a bird but in plain English the common name is Red-billed Hornbill.

This friendly hornbill sat on our window ledge whilst we were viewing game at the Shithlave Dam - seems like he was staring down my brother Brian and judging by the look on his face the Tockus won!

Talking of friendly birds, lo and behold a good friend of ours Laurette was also at the dam and we can't understand why binoculars were needed to see the Hornbill?

Blue Jay Lodge is 10 minutes away from Kruger National Park

A Twitcher’s Dilemma – A Blue Jay Story

2009-10-19T14:21:00.003+02:00

As Blue Jay Lodge is located in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa, any Twitcher worth his or her salt would know that where we are situated a Blue Jay would never ever be seen – in the Americas yes but definitely not in the southern regions of Africa!

So why have we used the name Blue Jay for our property we hear you ask?

Some questions have long answers so here goes………

Firstly the road that we are in originally was called Troupant which is Afrikaans for Lilac Breasted Roller - a strikingly colourful and most beautiful bird.

Now the folk in the early safari days used to give their own names to the birds and animals that they saw, remember that the Roberts Book of Birds and other such resource books were not at hand during those early Jock of the Bushveld days. And so it is that they called the Lilac Breasted Roller a Blue Jay which makes sense because it is a very blue bird.

Back to Troupant though – now that is the official Afrikaans translation in the Bird Book for Lilac Breasted Roller after which our road was named. But then the local authorities decided to Anglicize some of the road names in Hazyview Village and they must have referred to some of those Jock of the Bushveld folk for a translation and true to form they said “originally we called the Lilac Breasted Roller a Blue Jay” – so there you have it – our first answer to why we have used the name Blue Jay.

The second answer is a lot shorter – we thought it makes sense to call our Lodge Blue Jay as it is after all in Blue Jay Lane – this we are sure you’ll find a far more logical answer than our first offering.

Either way, we have yet to see a Blue Jay in our garden but we have seen many in Kruger Park entering through Phabeni Gate which is 10 minutes drive from here. So when you are in the Park do look out for the Lilac Breasted Roller or if you prefer the Troupant or even the Blue Jay – they are all the same.

By the way all our suites are named after birds that we have identified here in the garden, and we encourage our guests to look out for the Kingfisher, the Sunbird, the Black-Backed Puff Back Shrike, the Purple Crested Loerie as well as the Paradise Fly Catcher.

But be warned - you will never see the Blue Jay here at Blue Jay Lodge.

Italian guests touch wild lion in Kruger!

2009-10-03T18:10:00.000+02:00

Now this is not something a lot of people can go home and brag about! Last week we had an Italian couple at Blue Jay who went on two organised open vehicle safari's and came back very disappointed as they had not seen "the lion". Its sometimes difficult to explain to overseas guests that the cats are not always visible every time one visits Kruger. Anyway on their last day we advised them to go in on their own as they now had some idea of where to go, etc. They came back with big grins on their faces with the statement: "we touched the lion" - well we were not too sure what they were on about until they explained that they had come across game rangers who had darted a lion that had been caught in a snare and they were busy removing the wire around its neck. They were given permission to get out of their car and touch the lion who was fast asleep! They have promised to send us a photo when they get home. The previous week we had read in the local newspaper about a similar incident in Kruger where a lion was seen with a wire around its neck and had been darted and the wire removed. I phoned a ranger at Sabi Sands and he told me that this happens all the time, particularly now when the river is low and the poachers can get across and lay these snares. I don't think they particularly want to catch a lion but whatever goes through that particular path, will be caught.

And all of this happened 20 minutes drive from Blue Jay Lodge.

Our Breakaway at Mopani

2009-10-03T17:00:00.001+02:00

It's not often we can do what our Guests do and go on Safari but we did just that a couple of weeks back and it was great.

Recently we spent 2 nights on Safari at Mopani in Kruger National Park - about 250kms north of Blue Jay Lodge, an area of the Park that we had not yet explored. From Mopani Rest Camp it's a short distance north to the Tropic of Capricorn.

The Letaba and Olifants rivers which flow through this area are majestic and magnificent affording fantastic game viewing - it's an expansive wildlife area dominated by Mopani Trees and and one gets the sense of Africa at large and untamed. Beautiful!

I must relate our dinner story on our first night at Mopani - I had made a lovely big fire just before sunset and we watched a big Bull Elephant come down to the nearby dam for a drink - lovely scene, sunset, Elephant, bush, nice fire. As the coals were just right for cooking I turned to Margi asking for the meat only to discover we had left it in the fridge - no not the fridge where we were staying but the fridge at Blue Jay Lodge 250kms away! It was a nice fire though.........Here are some photos of what we saw......

An Impala with a difference (an albino)- first time for us!

Margi at the the Tropic of Capricorn

More info on the Tropic of Capricorn

OK we did see at least one of the Big 5

Zebras drinking

We have come back refreshed and ready!

Leopard kills Cheetah that killed Impala

2009-09-29T15:32:00.001+02:00

Kruger National Park - by Mark Kinnear of the Lowvelder Newspaper.

This is an African story older than the baobab trees, older than the river which carved out the Blyde River Canyon, as old as Mother Africa herself. Survival of the fittest, of the strongest, happens thousands of times every day in the Kruger National Park.

It is only once or twice in a lifetime that human visitors to the park get to witness the law of the wild to the extent that it recently happened .

The Impala’s story

I was near the S28 a few kilometres north of Crocodile Bridge Camp, doing what we impala do - grazing and staring at the passing vehicles of domestic tourists and the camera lenses of foreign tourists. A few family members were with me. It was afternoon and a cool breeze blew through the newly sprouted green grass. I bent down to eat. Suddenly the emergency shout came - run, danger! We all bolted. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a cheetah. I new I could not outrun the fastest land mammal and as I saw my family escaping to safety I felt the sharp claws dig into me. The incisors ripped into my neck I could feel the life being squeezed out of me. It went dark and I felt no more pain.

The Cheetah’s story
It had been a few days since I had eaten. The previous day’s hunting had been unsuccessful. But my luck was about to change. As a safari vehicle full of foreign tourists spotted me and the camera shutters started clicking, I saw it, a small herd of impala. The wind was blowing towards me and I crouched and slowly started to stalk. In a second I accelerated to maximum speed. She never had a chance. The kill was quick. I was ravenous and her carcass was still warm, as I started tearing flesh from the rump. As I said, my luck had changed. I felt extremely satisfied.

The Leopard’s story
As I hid in the grass from the tourists on a safari vehicle, I scowled. Where would my next meal come from? Then, as if Mother Nature herself had answered my question, I heard a commotion a few hundred metres away. I approached quietly and a few minutes later saw a cheetah eating an impala. I could hear her purring with pleasure as she chewed the best and tastiest meat from the rump. My mouth watered. I knew it would be a fight to the death, but I had the advantage of surprise as her mind was on her meal. I executed the attack perfectly. I saw the terror in her eyes as I placed my mouth over her neck and part of her head. She struggled and I pressed my jaws together and it was over. Her blood was as sweet as my victory. I dragged the impala into a nearby tree and placed her gently on a branch. Then I did the same with the cheetah. I did not want to lose either of them to those pesky hyenas or a lion. As I rested my tired muscles I looked at the two enemies lying next to each other on the same tree branch - united in death. Some distance away vehicles gathered. The humans were chattering in high-pitched tones and seemed excited about something. I felt strong, no, I felt the strongest.

The leopard that caught the cheetah that caught the impala. This was the amazing sequence of events that was recently witnessed by tourists on an afternoon game drive in the southern Kruger National Park. Later more vehicles arrived at the scene and were fortunate enough to see the two carcasses hanging in a fever tree.

According to Raymond Travers, media relations practitioner of the Kruger National Park, this kill was unusual, but not unexpected, as a leopard is an opportunistic hunter. "The rangers and scientists I have spoken to, all say this is a rare occurrence," said Travers.

Brian Gardiner, a tourist from Belize in Central America, arrived at the double kill after his safari vehicle’s guide had been tipped off by a fellow guide. "We were all absolutely amazed, and in my 20 years of being involved with the safari industry in east and southern Africa, I have only once heard of a similar occurrence, but never where the host carnivore and its prey had both been harvested as food," he said.

"On our arrival at the sighting, the leopard was briefly seen under a low bush in the vicinity of the fever tree, but as it was still light it moved away. We could clearly see the impala that was placed a metre or so further along one of the major branches from the junction with the main trunk of the tree, some 10 metres from the ground. Lying prone over the same branch close to the junction was the cheetah carcass," he explained.

According to Gardiner, they returned to the sighting the following afternoon, and once again, they didn’t see the leopard, but did observe that only the impala seemed to have been fed on and the cheetah appeared to be untouched. "We were extremely fortunate and privileged to have been close enough to observe what I have described, and it emphasises the massive importance that places like the Kruger National Park, are for the continuance of these and other such dramas, which make up the intricate and rich tapestry of life, without which we are all sure to perish," concluded Gardiner.

Blue Jay Lodge Hazyview 10 Minutes away from all of this - B&B & Self Catering

A New Experience

2009-09-25T15:32:00.000+02:00

Well at long last we have set up a Blue Jay Lodge Blog. It's all new for us and we are on a vertical learning curve.

What we hope to share are the experiences and happenings here at Blue Jay Lodge as well as what's happening in the Lowveld, Panorama and Kruger National Park - hopefully we'll be including postings about the environment, the setting, the wildlife (not just the Big 5), the country and of course the guests that stay with us from all parts of the World. Should be informative as well as fun as we do have a sense of humour. Till later......