Of Parys, Cheetahs and Scorpio

Friday we visited the Rotary Club of Parys in the Free State. Rotarians Hendrik Swanepoel and Debbie Bernhardt described their clubs completed projects and goals. They lease land on the Vaal River and hope to reclaim a park for the town.
We next journeyed to a private cheetah and game preserve. The cheetahs were rised by the preserve owner Estelle Kemp and are as tame as house cats - well, almost. They have this peculiar habit of wanting to chase down horses that the spot beyond the fence.
Pictured is Cheri tickling a big cat behind the ear.
What's Africa without a safari? While a game drive is not what we traditionally think of as a safari, within a few hours, if you're lucky, you can spot big game in their natural surroundings.
Pieter Kemp drove us into the veld where we were treated to seeing various antelope, white rhino, zebra and giraffe. We couldn't have been more excited at our luck!
Later we went into town for some shopping - metal work. See Mark, Vicky and Cheri, or rather visit their homes soon for a treat!
Next on to the Vredefort Dome - site of a meteor strike on Earth some 2025 million years ago. This natural phenomenon contributed to the gold mining upon which this country grew so rich.
Then on to the home and distillery of Hannes DeKlerk. He distilles nationally reknowned "witblits" - a strong grape based alcohol. This is also a traditional Afrikan drink steeped in history of life in South Africa.
We were next treated to views of the southern hemispere sky by amatuer astronomer Michael Buchanan who shared his telescope with us. Jupiter and three of its moons! He delighted us with a green laser pointer turned skyward - Scorpio and the Southern Cross!
What a day! Lekker! (Afrikaans for "Wonderful!")