It was another hot day in the bush and although it is supposed to be the rainy season we haven't had sight of rain now for about 5 days. In a way this is quite nice as you don't have to walk through puddles chasing the lions and getting wet but the other hand it means soon after our arrival it gets hot, not just for us but for the lions to, and the walks are always much slower. I had to walk with the 2 T's again which means lots of fun and games and rolling around on the grass. The manager of the game lodge next door has also come to know us and is keen for us to continue our walks in his grounds as it is an added attraction for his guests. I wonder how he would feel if we brought the 2L's along not so keen I would imagine??
At lunch Hayden brought out his guitar and as few of the guys could also play, it was passed around and a number of different sounds were heard, most of them African songs that are quite melodic but involve a lot of high pitched singing. It was great fun even if Haydon wanted me to sing along and as Amy and Ellie know only too well I did everybody a favour by declining.
I have also just taken to entering the kitchen area when I want, to get tea, coffee or a cold drink and today caught the cook turning on his kettle by inserting the wires into the socket without a plug. He just laughed and said it was very dangerous but it's Africa.
The afternoon was to be another lion walk, but as the elephant centre situated next door had a quiet day they called and said I could join them if wanted. I jumped at the chance and quickly went over to join them. I was chosen to ride "Bob", the largest African elephant ridden in Africa and set off for a 1 ½ hour ride around the reserve. It is quite different seeing the game reserve from such a height and the place has a very different feel to it. This may also be because dear old Bob has a flatulence problem that adds another dimension to your African encounter.
As we left for the day to return to town, I decided to stop at roadside, a small suburb of Livingston and where a lot of the crew live. It meant that I could have a few drinks with the crew and get to hear their stories of both the lion encounter and their home lives. What was also really great was that both Derrick and Roderick who live out in the lodge came along which is real change fore them. As is the norm there was lots of laughter and storytelling, and a few beers consumed. After a while we all decided to go to town by Taxi, and Derrick, Roderick and I (taxi number 2) had a real life Dukes of Hazard ride through the back streets Livingston, as the unlicensed driver took rapid evasive action from the police check point half way to town. It was, as we discovered, to avoid a 1.5m kwacha fine for driving illegally. When it all calmed down we were all fairly relaxed about it and had a good laugh but I am not sure if the car will survive much longer.
In town, the bar we went to had darts and pool and although I am lousy at darts I can hold my own at Pool and managed to impress the crew by deposing the reigning pub champion of his crown. Late into the evening we all made our ways home fully satisfied and fulfilled with our lot for the day.
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