Lopping, slopping and spitting....
Trip Start
Jan 04, 2008
1
8
23
Trip End
May 2008
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Campfire Safaris,
South Africa
Monday, October 29, 2007
A vervet monkey has just run down the stairs under which the computer is situated, preceeded by Bossveld (the Staffs Terrier) It's absolutely flippin boiling here ; I know I shouldn't complain but it's about 35 degrees C and just sitting still you sweat (hmm, attractive)
Had a really fun day's work in the week. First task at about 7am was to clean out an exisiting drinking hole, yum it looked sooo inviting and not at all disgusting. We entered it in our flip flops or bare feet and then had to chuck the filthy water out scooping it up with dead ice cream cartons. Towards the bottom we then had to scrape some odious mud and slop it out onto the surrounding area. A couple of frogs required relocation but fortunately there were no tadpoles. Pleasant task completed and a quick visit to the showers later, we jumped on the bakkie with a pair of loppers, secateurs (that might cut butter if you asked them nicely) and some grass cuttiing shears. We took off around the farm/reserve to cut back over -hanging branches along the route we take for game drives so you don't get pieces torn from your clothes or your body by the vicious thorns from the Knob/Blue Hook/Horned/Sweet/False/Buffalo or any other flaming thorn tree! We were in a Bea and Adele's bakkie so we had music and therefore boogied whilst we lopped -health and safety be damned- taking it in turns to chop back the trees and bushes with woefully inadequate kit.
A beautiful Waterbuck
I picked up the name Edward Scissor Hands as despite using grass shears I attacked the branches with huge amounts of gusto and was offered at least 3 gardening jobs whilst we were out. (Gusto is on offer at present -buy one get one free.....oh never mind)The roofing work on the Rondavels continues and earlier last week we had taken delivery of the many poles that are required for the job.Some of the larger ones were about 10 ft long and pretty heavy and there were 3 girls and 2 guys unloading. My buddy Helen (who is very slightly built) nearly collapsed under the weight of one and whilst I was busy laughing at her (we're good to each over like that) I nearly took Ryan's head off a la Laurel and Hardy by swinging my pole around in an uncontrolled manner -blimey they were heavy -I've muscles on my muscles now!
On the excursion front last Saturday saw me rising at 4.15am to go on an an elephant back game ride. On interesting pre -ride chat told us (and we were shown) the soles on an ellies feet which are pretty much like Nike air wair, soft and spongey, which to a certain extent explains their ability to creep up on you unheard!
A "quaint" sport I don't think I've appraised you of yet is dung spitting, and I can see that b4 I tell you any more you already have the gist... Ahh, but what you don't know is that impala dung is the preferred dung of spitters - oh yes , you get a decent trajectory and good distance if you're competent, which Linda our Swedish muppet (amongst our muppet quintet) demonstrated outstanding skills and spat some dung approx 8 metres -impressive huh?And yes I'm sorry to admit that yes, I ,Sally Howse, previously vaguely respectable HR bod also partook of this "sport" (Is anyone still speaking to me after this admission....? My distance was pathetic I must add.
It's now Tuesday and trying to get this finished.
Helen,Marjolein and Me
My buddy Helen left yesterday after 8 weeks and Marjolein (our volunteer leader for the past 8 weeks) went today so I am bereft and friendless -well nearly. We had a team treasure hunt this afternoon which reawakened my competetive spirit which has lain dormant for a few weeks and we have another competetive camouflage competition later on this week -come on Sally's team !(yes, you've guessed I'm a team captain and yes, we are going to win!) I have 2 Dutch youths on my team Floris 18 and Inge 24. We have a rash of Dutchies here and us Brits are becoming dangerously outnumbered don't you know!The particularly observant amongst you will have spotted that my photos bear no relation to my blog -obviously it's deliberate altho you never know, having finally sorted my photos out I may buck the trend and make them somehow relevant next time.
Reckon that's all for now so take care , keep well, eat your greens and put a vest on in this cold weather (you're having) !
Lots of love etc
Africa Sal
xx
P.S Slept out on the tower last night under the stars -beautiful, the moon was stunning too. Fell asleep to the call of crickets ,frogs, jackals and lions.
Comments
Dear Swindon Impala Dung-spitter
Now I've heard it all.
So pleased your not having a shit time.
Sounds great Sally - you made the right and brave move - or even if it wasn't the 'right' mve you're making a very good fist of it - as they say.
Sounds enticing - all this abroad nonsence spurring me on to 95% booking my month in India Dec/Jan - thank you.
Talking of which, I am now talking again, try to shut me up - back to previous self at last thank prozac, goodness and patient family and friends.
Taking Lucy to a Dance School Open Day tomorrow near Chester - an ompromptu test the water trip and Beth sailed (which was the wrong thing to do I guess) through he theory driving test having mugged up fr at least an hour or so...well a bit longer but not much.
Kate is now known as V Woamn being now in Venice to follow her Vietnam in Jan and her Versailles over Xmas with the 2 girls (me plan 2b in INdia)
So that's your more than one sentence Jungle Sal - must remember to cut your lawn and paint your conservatorie !
have more fun
Tony
Reckon it's Lopping, slopping and gobbing!
Another fantastic report! - your descriptions are really great and the photos too brings it all to life. We may be still speaking to you after your 'spitting game', just not too keen on any kissing!
All sounds quite disgusting, though upon refelection I can think of occassions when it could be a very usefull HR skill!
Nothing to report from this end - well nothing that comes anywhere close to the excitement you've been and continue to have. Take care
Chris
We're altogether
Just a quick note to say your Mum's with us tonight so am just about to show her the photos which are great.
it still looks really fab and I bet you wont want to come home!
Where's next?...
Jenny
Dung Spitting?!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Sally,
Glad to hear that you're still having a ball - you're blogs make great reading and I do think you may have found another calling travel/adventure writing no less! Pictures are brilliant too.
Nothing exciting to report from sunny Swindon - and believe it or not it has been sunny - nice autumn weather. Work crew all well if a little frazzled and everyone trying to ignore the Christmas stuff that is in the shops already. It's still October after all.
Dung spitting - mmm - a talent you must share with us on your return - it would be incredibly effective in those meetings!!
Take care and keep up the good work!
Karen
x
Greetings Sally
just read your latest report, there is no end to the excitement. not much to report here as nothing i can say comes anywhere close to spitting contests and clearing out waterholes neither of which i would like to take part in i dont think. Must be strange when you have people leaving after a long time especially given all the experiences. you sound like you're having such a fabulous time........meeting Jan and Kirsty next week, shame you cant join us but i am sure i know where you would rather be! we will have a glass of wine and think about you and your adventures! lol Clarexx
Greetings Sally
just read your latest report, there is no end to the excitement. not much to report here as nothing i can say comes anywhere close to spitting contests and clearing out waterholes neither of which i would like to take part in i dont think. Must be strange when you have people leaving after a long time especially given all the experiences. you sound like you're having such a fabulous time........meeting Jan and Kirsty next week, shame you cant join us but i am sure i know where you would rather be! we will have a glass of wine and think about you and your adventures! lol Clarexx
A spit too far
Dear Africa Sal,
Your latest blog is amazing! You sound as if you're having such a good time - now, I know I had this thing about kissing on the lips, but let me tell you, no, never again, we're just going to have to be bosom buddies!
What news from Beckhampton Street, well, our wheelie bins have arived, they look charming, they really do add something special to the locality. Your dear house is doing well, no complications so far! And yours truly remains in good health and considering it's November, we're enjoying beautiful sunny days and lots of flowers in the garden, I!m just about to go and pick the last few blackberries!
Looking forward to the next instalment, sending love and air Kisses, and hugs, enjoy yourself,
Liz x x x x
Swindon's champion dung spitter
Whatever will you get up to next - dung spitting I ask you, I hope you've taken plenty of mouthwash, although you may have learnt to improvise with ellie wee!!
Wonderful blog again, I must say you look dead cool on your quad bike and so healthy. It's been lovely and sunny here for a while now but we're beginning to get the winter palor unlike you.
I agree with your friend Karen who said you may have a new occupation when you return - travel/adventure writer. I reckon you could also earn a bob or two talking about your experiences.
Life is pretty good in retirement land, my bike saddle isn't getting any more comfortable but I'm persevering. Perhaps I need even more padding on my backside, I think I'll go and eat a cream cake now.
Look forward to your next update as always.
Love
Jan x