We had an extraordinary experience at Ndlopfu this weekend. On Saturday morning we went to look at progress with our alterations, and  walked straight into a freshly killed Impala, lying on the deck. Urine and fresh blood was still oozing out, so we must have surprised the leopard, who obviously disappeared over the edge. I "skrikked" myself  stupid, shouted at Linda to get back into the vehicle, called frantically on the radio for reinforcements,  ammunition and spears, I got the fright of my life. It's funny now, but have you recently smelled cat?

With Bruce's assistance, we figured that the leopard must have chased the Impala, who took refuge through the back door into the kitchen.  From the blood spattered all over the placefloor, the buck was first brought down inside the lounge, then got up and went out onto the deck, where it was finally brought down. This must have happened just before we walked in.

We dragged the buck across the river, and waited in vain yesterday evening for the leopard to fetch the kill (we must be stupid, he must have been watching us all day!).

This morning we went back, the  carcass was gone, and we had a casual look around the building site. As we went downstairs, I almost stepped  into what I suspect was fresh leopard faeces. So for the second time in 24 hours I skipped a heart beat. With no more clean underpants, we returned to Harrismith.

After visiting Ndlopfu for 15 years as Willie's guest, still no  leopard sighting for me, but venison kindly supplied to our doorstep.

 Cheers Dries