9 September 2010

A Sleep Out @ the River Bed

We spend Friday morning rolling fencing material.  This reserve was once a number of individual cattle farms and when the reserve was first created these fences were cut down and left on the ground.

IMG_6152.CR2After awhile it became evident that numerous animals were getting their horns tangled in the wires and losing the battle with the wires.  Today, part of our volunteer activities include rolling up the wires and removing this fencing material from the bush.  Katrina and I work with Felix and we pass the time by learning a bit about his past!  He used to work in the police force but found this conflicted with his religious beliefs and so found himself a new job, working at PAWS.  He loves being asked questions about his life and keeps us entertained by his answers.  His big dreams in life include having a child one day and buying a new car next year. 

2010 09 07 Fence Rolling Rolling the wires is easier said than done but we clear a significant area and feel a sense of achievement. 

IMG_6163On Friday afternoon we have a special treat.  We go down to the river bed for a night under the stars.  Rion drives us to the river as Clive has stays behind with Liz who has opted to stay in camp.

We have packed our roll mats & sleeping bags and enough food and drink for the night.  As it is the dry season we will be sleeping on the riverbed. 

We lay down our mats and as we have arrived early we go for a wander to explore the area.   

Crocodile CentreThe surrounding area is quite devoid of life but later in the evening we spot some baboons up on the ridge of the mountain.

We light a fire and cook sausages for dinner.  We sit around the fire as the sun sets and the temperature plummets and quiz each other on  African trivia. 

JPEGS 2010 09 03 Sleep OutWe toast marshmallows and share stories.  Rion is on fire tonight and keeps us entertained for hours.  The night sky has set up a glorious display.  The stars twinkle in the milky way and a satellite moves across the sky. 

Long after we have retired for the night, I lie in my sleeping bag, enjoying the display of the night sky and listening to my IPOD.  Life is bliss!  There is nothing I love more than sleeping out in the great outdoors.  JPEGS 2010 09 03 Sleep Out-5 We wake up early and Rion brings us our tea and coffee in bed!  What service.  It is time to pack up and go back to camp.  Saturday is our off day so it will be a lazy day.  We spot a tawny eagle on our way back to camp and go back to base a truck load of happy campers! 

Crocodile Centre

“The value of identity of course is that so often with it comes purpose”.  Richard Grant

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