We’ve mentioned Chivero national park before. Well, inside the park is a large dam/lake. Apparently people sail there! So our friend Scott invited us to go sailing this weekend, as part of an event that his sailing club was hosting. So yesterday morning we packed sunblock, hats, lots of water, and headed out for a day by the lake.
We carpooled with Alex and Jed, who had also been invited. By ignoring the route suggested by google maps, we arrived half an hour early. We explored a bit, and then sat down to wait for Scott.
The lake was beautiful. We saw a few cool new birds, including a tiny Kittlitz plover and a rather large Whiskered Tern. Off to the side, the organisers of the event were starting the potjie lunch for after our sail.
the photographer 
the subject 
shiny beetles! 
The lake, in the Chivero National Parks.
The plan was to go for a 2km walk on the beach, then an hour-long sail, then a 4km run in the forest. None of us were too keen on the run, but that was a problem for later. We set off on the walk with a mixed crowd of kids, older people, and us. There were probably 15 kids from ages 6 to about 11, and they took the lead shouting for us to “hurry up!”.
The halfway point on the walk was a big pile of rocks. 
We then turned around and headed back to the sailing club. 
It was a glorious walk in the sunshine.
Once we got back, it was time to sail! Scott took Johno and I as crew, while another nice man put up with Alex and Jed’s attempts to capsize him. Unfortunately, we left our phones on shore, so I didn’t get any pictures of us sailing. Several tiny boats manned entirely by kiddos also set out. I was so impressed by the tiny sailboats. I can’t imagine a better thing than having your own sailboat as a kid. One of the young crews managed to follow us all the way across the lake!
One of the tiny boats sailed by our young friends. 
Scott’s boat, christened the Cuticeps (a type of pointy-nosed frog).
So we sailed all the way across the lake. What a feeling! Leaning back over the edge of the boat to make sure it didn’t overbalance. Pulling various sheets(ropes). On the other side of the dam we saw a croc, and some ostrich, and Zebra and baboons and a bush pig. It was marvelous.
After the sail, we went on a birdwalk in the forest, while everyone else ran or biked. I had a bit of a headache, but I really enjoyed getting to see Johno walking and chatting with his three lovely friends.
We returned to a massive potjie (or three!) for a late lunch.
Finally, after a glorious day of sun and wind and water and friends, we headed home.
Johno and Ellie's Adventures 
I love you blog posts! What a fun day you described. All the best, love helen
On Sun, Jul 14, 2019 at 6:00 AM Johno and Ellie’s Adventures wrote:
> Eleanor Whitaker posted: ” Jacana Sailing Club We’ve mentioned Chivero > national park before. Well, inside the park is a large dam/lake. Apparently > people sail there! So our friend Scott invited us to go sailing this > weekend, as part of an event that his sailing club was hosting” >
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Sailing is in your blood! But I guess it skipped me, or maybe I just never had a chance…
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