On the run!

That's rather how I feel after yesterday afternoon's events.

Our return to Namibia at the main border crossing from Botswana was quick and easy if a little costly. We were ahead of the rush but they charged us at the rate for a full bus, together with a commercial vehicle mileage charge to re-enter Namibia.

20kms down the road we stopped for the night at Zelda's Farm and Camp and arrived just in time for the inclusive animal feeding. First it was the 2 leopards, fully grown brother and sister. The male was unwell and refused the big chunks of meat offered. Then it was my favourite: Piet the Porcupine who had been reared on the farm and was 12 years old. Chris's favourites were the 2 rescued pygmy owls, native to America but probably imported to Namibia and released. We were told they could revolve their heads through 360 degrees! Chris asked what happens to the artery to their brain. Last were a couple of ugly emus from Australia, a surviving pair who had not been killed by leopards or snakes.

There were few people at the camp but we were followed in by a German couple in an immense MAN truck touring southern Africa. Before leaving yesterday morning we spent a couple of hours talking with them. It was an easy 300km drive tòwards Windhoek to our next campsite where we are now in a thunderstorm as I write.

A few kilometres before reaching the entrance at 3.15pm, we were passing the International Airport. We were low on funds so Chris suggested we call in there to use an ATM. Sunday afternoon it was quiet and no security stop on the gate so all OK. However a small parking incident caused by me being misled by an over zealous (read corrupt) parking official resulted in a second visit to a Namibian police station, this time as the criminals with threat of imprisonment.

It was extremely upsetting for me. The police were again very nice but the power of the airport parking staff resulted in us having to pay a fine of about £50, reduced from £200. This was all because I had been 'trapped' into entering a drop off zone through an exit barrier, raised for me, while waiting for Chris and then given a hand written parking ticket which we would not pay. I had already explained to the official I did not want to park and was only going to drive past the terminal building to pick up my husband. When Chris returned we drove to the airport exit and the gates were closed on us and everyone else trying to enter and exit. The security man called the police and told us we would be put in jail. A few hours of wrangling with the Airport Carpark Staff and payment of the fine meant we arrived at the camp in the dark and a thunderstorm. This is the first rain we have had in nearly 2 weeks. I feel as if we have now spent enough time in Africa. Let's hope our next visit to the airport for our flight home will be without incident.