Tuesday – 3.15 am. I woke and sat bolt upright in bed as I heard a loud sound – I thought it was an elephant outside my door. Bravely I got out of bed and peered outside but nothing there. The next day I discovered that Brass had heard it too but it was lions near the camp in the bush.
Tuesday we worked on the erosion in the bush – we took lots of palm branches and dead leaves and laid them in the troughs so that when the rain come it won’t cause more erosion. We then went and collected sand from the Dam and transported it to the ‘roads’ – build like sleeping policeman.
We then had a lecture on the integration of blacks and whites after apartheid in 1994/5. It was really interesting to see how the laws have changed to try and protect the interests of the black population but what’s not been realised is the impact on the conservation areas. There is something called land reclaim which means that property can be reclaimed by the original owners even if it was purchased legally. At the moment there are 73 outstanding claims in the Kruger National Park which if they are upheld means the Kruger may not exist by 2011!!
In the afternoon we went to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where they look after injured animals and birds or where they are no longer wanted by their owners. We saw loads of birds of prey and the big cats. It was good to be able to see the lions up close. On the way back home we saw a heard of zebras just inside the gates of the camp but it was dusk so I couldn’t take a photo.
Wednesday – today we went out into the bush to get rid of the ‘Alien plants’ which are mainly cacti that don’t belong here and take all the moisture from the soil which is killing the indigenous plants. Very satisfying work but the number of thorns in my hands legs and bum was staggering.
Today we had a lecture on Hunting and anti poaching. Again it is so interesting to see the story from inside the country and the necessity for such an activity. Hunting here is extremely controlled, necessary and legal (I never thought I'd see the day when I would agree) When I get back I'll tell you about it. What the outside world is not aware of is how much poaching is done is South Africa and how cruel it is - again I'll share it when I get back
Spoke to our Rubes last night and she’s still making progress and Ceri has printed off some of my photos to show her – so she’s pleased about that.
Off to have a shower now – will have more to say later
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Monday, 12 May 2008
Weekend at camp
I decided not to go out in town on Friday and stay over as I was up early with the elephant walks, but it meant that only a few of us were at the camp on Saturday which is so quiet as there is 'NO WAY OUT' without a guide or one of the sisters with the 'buggie' By the way I forgot to mention getting off the elephant - my legs had been so 'spread' they hurt. LOL
I sat by the 'fence' eating my breakfast and heard a noise directly the other side of the fence (crunching bones) I looked over to see Lola the fluffy white dog on the wild side of the fence! AAAAAAHHHHHH!! Decision - do I risk life and limb to go outside and rescue her or leave her to the lions. We compromised and and I lifted the safe bit of the fence to bring her back. And then Bushfield (the pitbull) decided to leap through the fence - there were chicken bones which were too big a temptation. I thought you're on your own mate - but he came back through too.
Later in the day I went to the hide with Mark - he was digging in the sand which we use for erosion work, but I sat in the hide and just listened to the noise of the bush. On the way back to camp we came by a giraffe right outside the gate and he let us come so close to him- they are such graceful creatures.
In the evening I was up in the look out tower when the monkeys started going beserk, Leon told us that meant there was big game in the area and on queue we heard the lions roar in nearby.
We had a BRAII for tea ( BBQ) and thoughout the night you could hear the lions in the bush.
Sunday was much more eventful as we had a lecture on gun handling and safefy and then we spent an hour shooting. I managed to achieve a few 'brain' shots but the it was interesting because in South Africa the law says that you cannot shoot an animal until is 20 metres from you. At that point (and depending on the animal) if you miss the animal will be on you, so Campfire safaris teach you respect for the animal and how to get away rather than kill it.
Last night we saw an elephant at the water hole and this morning when we walked in the bush we could hear an elephant walking and breaking trees but we couldn't find him. Lots of dung around though and we also came across lots of lion tracks near the house.
Glad to hear you're enjoying my blog. I know when I go to Sri Lanka - it will probably be more difficult to keep in touch.
That's all for now. It's Monday
I sat by the 'fence' eating my breakfast and heard a noise directly the other side of the fence (crunching bones) I looked over to see Lola the fluffy white dog on the wild side of the fence! AAAAAAHHHHHH!! Decision - do I risk life and limb to go outside and rescue her or leave her to the lions. We compromised and and I lifted the safe bit of the fence to bring her back. And then Bushfield (the pitbull) decided to leap through the fence - there were chicken bones which were too big a temptation. I thought you're on your own mate - but he came back through too.
Later in the day I went to the hide with Mark - he was digging in the sand which we use for erosion work, but I sat in the hide and just listened to the noise of the bush. On the way back to camp we came by a giraffe right outside the gate and he let us come so close to him- they are such graceful creatures.
In the evening I was up in the look out tower when the monkeys started going beserk, Leon told us that meant there was big game in the area and on queue we heard the lions roar in nearby.
We had a BRAII for tea ( BBQ) and thoughout the night you could hear the lions in the bush.
Sunday was much more eventful as we had a lecture on gun handling and safefy and then we spent an hour shooting. I managed to achieve a few 'brain' shots but the it was interesting because in South Africa the law says that you cannot shoot an animal until is 20 metres from you. At that point (and depending on the animal) if you miss the animal will be on you, so Campfire safaris teach you respect for the animal and how to get away rather than kill it.
Last night we saw an elephant at the water hole and this morning when we walked in the bush we could hear an elephant walking and breaking trees but we couldn't find him. Lots of dung around though and we also came across lots of lion tracks near the house.
Glad to hear you're enjoying my blog. I know when I go to Sri Lanka - it will probably be more difficult to keep in touch.
That's all for now. It's Monday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
