Taking a short break

H and I are off for a few days visiting the countryside of my childhood, but would just like to leave you with some photographs taken by our grandson. He spent the month of August on a World Challenge in Kenya and Tanzania, crossing the Great Rift Valley, climbing an extinct volcano, helping local people, trekking in the Loita Hills, and seeing some incredible sights.

The tall, beautiful Maasai tribes people making music

The Maasai warriors applauded Grandson's jumping ability. Jumping is competitive amongst the warriors. They form a circle and one or two at a time will enter the centre to begin jumping whilst maintaining a straight posture. They do not let their heels touch the ground. As they jump they chant, and raise the pitch of their voices based on the height of the jump. Jumping with a straight posture from your toes is extremely difficult to do - try it.

One of the Maasai warriors who taught him how to make fire.

What a treat my favourite animal - the Hippopotamus - Grandson was told that because their heads are so heavy they rest them on the ground or on each other when they are not eating or wallowing in a muddy water hole.

He was extremely fortunate to see a Wildebeest herd on their migration.

On arriving at the river crossings the Wildebeest spent hours stamping the ground, making mooing sounds heard for miles, and creating a very dusty atmosphere. It is as if they are building up their courage to make the deadly river crossing.  Eventually one or two lead the way down the bank into the river followed by all the herd surging in behind them. Inevitably, some, especially the young, sick and old, are drowned or trampled on. During the waiting period there is also a build up of other animals on the river bank, keenly alert, forever looking, watching patiently, for loss of life within the Wildebeest herd. The large Marabou storks with their featherless heads and necks stand like gruesome undertakers. Many scavenging vultures hop impatiently on both sides of the river bank waiting for victims and so do the wide gaping mouths of the crocodiles submerged within the river, and lying along its edge - it all resembles something from Dante's Inferno.

This was a once in a lifetime experience which he thoroughly enjoyed and gained so much benefit from. He is a very special grandson to us both, and I would like to thank him for giving me permission to share some of his wonderful photos with you, and also to thank him for the beautiful wooden carving he gave us from Africa. H and I will treasure it always♥