Gaels in Mozambique.

[simondippenhall]

As Jim said the bikes are parked up in the sand for a day or so as we enjoy the sights of Tofo

Local fishmongers wares:

Jim and I have been checking out a few ‘well cared for one lady owner’ vehicles that might be better in the sand …..

So a relaxing day, after (in my case) an 0600 swim and then some back stretch exercises on the beach …idyllic!


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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Well this our abode in Tofo in this backpackers campsite. The yellow truck we saw in Maputo is here too and we are exchanging travel stories

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

A few birds to perhaps provoke an ornithological debate. In order, my suggestions, Pin-tailed Whydah, Greater Flamingo, Common Whimbrel, White-fronted Plover and possibly an African Pipit.

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[richardbd]

PT Wydah - deffo
G Flamingo - I concur
Whimbrel - no idea
WF Plover - I concur
A Pipit - not sure. Shouldn't it be speckled?

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

PT Wydah - deffo
G Flamingo - I concur
Whimbrel - no idea
WF Plover - I concur
A Pipit - not sure. Shouldn't it be speckled?

Poor photo of the pipit, wouldn't cooperate! The Wydah and Pipit were in the garden here, so may see them again.

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[barak666]

Really enjoying this, guys....thank you both for the entertaining words and photos...

Phil

 

[Kitsilano]

Ah, 'Limpopo'....the sheer thrill of the word stirs one's imagination!

Thanks for stopping to catch that, Simon.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Thanks for the comments guys. As for the Limpopo, I know what you mean about the name. Here's a view of the river as we crossed.

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[simondippenhall]

Thanks guys! Another which Jim caught was of me in the process of deciding I should turn around in the sand, just at the time our acquaintances Karin and Riin and their 8 tonnes of Steyr truck came rolling down the lane

We are now reflecting on the way forward as another storm rolls in….probably head north to Vilanculos tomorrow and see if we can get a boat it to Bazaruto Island and it’s reported 150 bird species


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[de crowe]

Great Ride Report Jim and Simon. Are you taking a day off?

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Not a day off, but we did ride yesterday. We found it hard to leave Fatima's Backpackers in Tofo, with its wonderful beach, good restaurants and interesting fellow travellers. One story that amused us was from the Swiss couple who had failed to get into Sudan, because their passport was unacceptable, because it had been eaten by their young dog. The result of this was, they were now heading south for South Africa to have their campervan shipped back to Europe. I had to ask if the dog was returning to Switzerland with them and got a clear answer, a "yes" from the lady and a "no" from the guy.

We had parked next to the yellow truck in the very sandy garden of Fatimas. So after loading up it was a sand ploughing session out to the also sandy road, but both remained upright.


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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Not far out of Fatimas, Simon spotted a ball in the road and a dung beetle attached. I stopped and by the time I'd got to the ball he'd got it off the road and was pushing it through the grass verge. What surprised me were the two other beetles clinging to the ball of dung and apparently not helping at all.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

To continue with the insect world, I spotted these coloutful crickets/grasshoppers during a roadside stop. I'm of course not sure what they are but no doubt someone here will clarify.

As it happened, a large insect had smashed into my helmet a little earlier and I found this remains on my saddle fleece. It looks as if it could be another of these insects.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

We enjoyed this ride to Vilanculos. Lots of views of the local's lives along the road, kids coming from school, ladies carrying produce and people selling charcoal. A proper ride in Africa.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

The acacia trees have been a theme of our visit to Mozambique and we were delighted to see a few baobabs even if this is a poor photo.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

Signs for elephants are always exciting but sadly no sightings or dung this time.

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

There was a lot of burning of the bush just beside the road, which we assumed was to enable cash crops to be planted. I suppose this the method used for centuries to clear land for cultivation.

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[simondippenhall]

We had expected a rainy morning and a late start so we’re delighted that neither occurred and we got away by 9, well refreshed if sad to leave interesting acquaintances.

We stopped early so I could buy a cold drink and some biscuits. Jim guarded the bikes, probably not necessary to

This chap was admiring the bikes and offering route suggestions so I awarded him a selfie

At our next fuel stop, in Massinga, I spotted some schoolboys with BMW Motorrad backpacks serving as school satchels

Too late to stop and take a snap we passed through the Tropic of Capricorn on our way to Vinculanos

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[Drumacoon Lad.]

This was the view which greeted us on arrival in Vilanculos, and the once we had chosen our accommodation, we had this to look out on from our terrace.

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[tanneman]

Usually female Dung beetles hitch a ride.

Most elephants were culled during the civil war and poaching has seen to the rest. There is a conservation area where they try to re-establish big game like rhino and elephants.