The morning after the vote before

Friday 19th September

Woodridge Palms, Near Rustenburg

We awoke to the news that Scotland had voted no to independence, by a margin of 10 percentage points.  I must admit to being relieved, though I remain pleased at the way the referendum has engaged so many people in the political process, with turnout at 85%.

The reaction of people here seems to be positive, with South African politicians remarking on the peaceful, democratic way the whole thing was conducted.  Some have seized the opportunity of Scotland's vote to remain in a union to suggest that the people of Lesotho should be offered a referendum on forming a union with South Africa.  Given the failed coup there just two weeks ago, there does seem an element of opportunism (and a sense of inevitability) to this.

We have now left the mountains and travelled west, through Pretoria to a farm holding called Woodridge Palms, about 40km west of Rustenburg.

It's a rather quirky property set in quirkier grounds with an owner who is quirkier still.  Stepping outside, one is surrounded by free-roaming rabbits, peacocks, cats, doges and even an emu and the whole place has an artificial river running through it, crossed by a Victorian-style iron bridge.  Port Merion eat your heart out.

Not expecting to see much wildlife in this area, it was a pleasant surprise to pass springbok, waterbuck, impala and zebra on the road.  The only thing we haven't seen much of is people - once again, we have arrived in the middle of nowhere.