Dry Socket, Wet Grass!

Owing to the worst 'toothache' I have ever had, I have not been able to go and see my Hook ponies for over a week. These days I start to feel very uneasy if I haven't been able to go for a while. Thank goodness Reserve Manager Tom, Agent M, and the Lookers are all on the case and keeping me in touch with how my 'team' are doing. Conditions have been difficult for the last week and a half - torrential rain and now thick ice, but the ponies seem to be fine. 

Here's a combination of their pictures:

This is going to be the most testing time for the ponies, and it's only if they can get through these leaner months without getting too lean themselves, that they will be allowed to stay; they are only allowed to have supplemental feeding if there is actually snow on the ground. 

I have always thought that ponies should get a little round in the summer and a little slim in the winter but there is a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. Neither I nor the HIWWT want people ringing up to complain about their condition. 

Hippo-time

An evening drive down to the river reaped big rewards, extremely big rewards!

The Wildlife Service were in the process of making a new viewing deck in order to give the hippos more space and to keep people safer. I thought it would be nice to than them. 

And did those paws...

...in ancient times, walk upon Meru's green and pleasant land? 

Our trip to see Elsa's grave and Elsa's Rock really brought to life Joy and George, and the lions that they rehabilitated in Meru and later in Kora. Once again I would recommend George's book: 'My Pride and Joy' and Catherine Cass's Book about Joy called 'Behind the Mask.' 

Pictures of Joy and George cover the walls of the lodge, but Elsa is buried down by the river with poignant words upon her grave. 

This is George's rock where he walked with the lions in the evening...

but now it is Moses' Kingdom. He has worked in Meru for sixteen years.

Looking back at Mughwango Hill where the lodge is discreetly decking the small mountain. 

Animals beginning with B

 Bulls, buffalos, bee-eaters, butterflies and beetles. 

Odds and Sods

From our arrival at Meru and the very first long safari, it became clear to me that my neck and shoulder were not up to the bumpy tracks. Even with my arm propped up on Moses' camera bag and a couple of shukas, I still ached so badly that I was close to tears when I got back to camp. It only took a warm flannel and some kind words from the staff for me to actually cry. I was whisked off for a glorious massage with Sandra, lying on a bed which was open to the elements, overlooking the rocks. We kept a close eye on a passing snake which looked like a wiggly piece of hosepipe.

Our room and verandah were also open during daylight hours and I was able to watch the local wildlife go by. There were lizards inside and out and gheckos behind the pictures. They were extremely good at catching flies and other insects.

The little dik-diks which took advantage of the extra protection from predators within the lodge grounds. They 'marry' for life and are fiercely loyal.

The comical rock hyrax are great company, freezing like statues if you look at them. Related to elephants, they are good at clod-hopping across the decking and hiding within the walls. 

Occasionally the monkeys (tumbili in Swahili) would come and case the joint to see if there was anything worth stealing. 

This baby bushbuck liked to trip around the garden behind her mother. 

I began to realise that I didn't need to go on the long safaris - I could delegate that to David and Xanthe. I could enjoy the local animals and just relax. Fortunately two members of staff. Shadrack and Lawrence agreed to teach me some more Swahili and test what I already knew.