Not everyday does my world treat me like this it has to be said.
After arriving on Thursday evening at around 0130 (local, ie 2230 UK) and spending the night with Neil & Tanja, at a mentally grotty, but passable hotel in Nairobi, and a mad morning with the Savuka Safari people (Mercy & ?) trying to find her, I've spent from then til now with "A".
We've walked and talked endlessly. Although I was pretty spaced out unfortunately by the altitude (7500 ft or so) and more so the Lariam, at least at the start, which most certainly did not help. (For a fuller explanation of the nightmare that is Lariam read this.)
The effects began to wear off on Saturday, which meant that by the time we'd met her sister "J" and husband "D" last night, I was more or less "straight". They live fairly near, about 2 miles or so, on a tea & flower farm, though I think they may do some veg & maybe even have a bit of stock too, though couldn't swear to it.
A few bottles of "White Cap" (or "White Chap" as it's more affectionately known...) helped the rehabilitation process...
I'm racing ahead a bit here, but there's so much to try to take in all at once,
"A"'s place:
Staff
Kilonzo: Cows
George: Outside/chickens/rabbits (dog food, very sensible!) assistant in surgery etc
Michael: Inside & a bit of overlap with Michael.
Dogs
Fly: German Shepherd who really doesn't accept my being here much, if at all.
Bear: Ditto who is much more tolerant of me.
T'Other: Ditto (Bitch) who quite likes me.
Spook: Belgian Shepherd, a bit of a scaredy-cat. but gorgeous!
Fuffy: A bitch hound (!) of some description, I'd say foxhound (ish), sort of accepts.
Sabu: Border Collie (dog) who's okay with me but who really hates monkeys!
Folly: Ditto (Bitch) who adores me, no really, instant bonding.
In addition to which there are two "visitors" that A looks after on behalf of some people from the American Baptist Mission (Retreat more like):
Coco: a X breed Ridgeback and;
Lady: a proper smart Rottie.
And an unknown Police dog, who's essentially a German Shepherd, but may have a touch of something else in him, it's a long story...
Other animals:
One-Eye: a simply huge tabby Tom cat
Acorn: a smaller tabby Queen
"Unknown": a ginger & white Queen that does nothing all day, everyday, except lie in
the sun & eat, not moving more than a few feet, and that only occasionally...
6 Jersey cows
The aforementioned dog-food rabbits
Countless chickens, meat & layers
At least 5 or 6 Guinea Fowl.
At least 2 ducks
Several bee hives....
Plus several visiting Sykes' monkeys, who basically come to steal the honey, fruit & veg, and absolutely delight in taking the mickey out of the dogs!
I was so going to try and write more than I have so far, but have pretty well lacked the time, and/or the opportunity. I will try to flesh out the above bones when I get a proper chance & assimilated it all a bit more.
Anyway, J the sister is married to D, there son is R, apparently a well known rally driver, who's a couple of years younger than me. Besides a fabulous house, straight off a colonial film-set, but which wouldn't look out of place if it was lifted from the middle of all the tea etc and dropped into a London suburb, no really, it's a bit surreal...They've assorted dogs, Dachsunds & Dobermans mainly, near Tigoni. In adition to this they also have another house near Mombassa, at a place called Kilifi. Together with various friends, they are to spend Christmas down there. As part of the arrangements for that involve D driving down, with a car-load of provisions and so on, somehow I find myself invited to accompany him. This will allow me to hopefully hook up with Neil & Tanja again, who by now will have go through their safari, and arrived at their timeshare...As well as having a few days as D'd guest.
I so love it when a plan comes together!
