There have been so many moments that I wanted to remember and Australia was almost upon me. Zimbabwe was just a fleeting moment and yet the helicopter ride over the Falls was like having an eagle view. They have it off to a fine art and take a video of you which you watch later, and I know it’s a tourist thing but I bought one and I love it. It’s filled with amazing facts about this staggering fault line and its rock and roll spray that cascades almost a meter down, and such rainbows.
The lazy but plush saunter down the Zambezi, watching the three elephants playing and crossing the water …to grabbing a snapshot of a crocodile resting on a branch.. it made me smile because it was small, about the size of my forearm. The lovely couple from New Zealand, who loved scouters….me??? A scouser!!! And invited me to their pub in Auckland,…the birds , the hippos….
The sunset brandy at the back of the hotel watching the bridge change colour across the manicured lawns…..
The early morning walk before breakfast where an armed guard escorted me across a little wasteland to the entrance of the park, my own hero!! ..and all the staggering viewpoints to see sections of the ravine and its falling waterfalls…..so much…
But nothing can touch that experience in the Serengeti it has taken a piece of my heart…I didn’t go there to see how many zebra or wilderbeast there were, or watch a lion kill, or see a cub born, for me the Serengeti opened itself up to me as it wished and every magical moment will stay with me ….
I was about to face Victoria Falls airport, Johannesburg, Sydney and then Brisbane and I felt the tears of sadness replaced with those of joy at being with Matthew and his young family in Australia…..
So this is my last post for now and I wrote it so that I could never forget.
I think I knew before what I wish for my children, we all wish for them to be safe and healthy with a respect for everyone around them…but this trip has re-enforced that we are so privileged with our environment, that we must protect it whatever it takes…If you have read any of this I just want to say thank you It’s helped me knowing you were all still out there……
See you soon xx
I have never considered myself as a bag lady but no matter how much I try, I always find myself with yet another bag. Take my Africa trip for example, I couldn’t have possibly gone there without my luggage being made of resourceable canvas and leather. I was on Safari after all. It was appropriate. I had to look the part. So I convinced myself that the small leather back pack would be great for walking Spain. At least my attempt to walk Spain.
Gatwick is so anal. Everything is mechanised even to the point of processing your luggage label and receipt. I quite enjoyed that really. How many times have we watched the ground staff lady print off the long sticky label and bent down to wrap it around my case handle and stick it together. Sorted. I’m now eligible as a ground staff sticky labeller. Of course the plane took off late and of course it was gate 110 not 5 or 7. It’s of no consequence because I’m sat on the front row next to a six foot 3 inch tall blonde lady with legs that went on forever…and she wore shorts. In front of me was the tallest cabin manager, so sweet with a long black pony tail and pencil slim skirt and she is a man…so I am in for a varied short flight.
OMG. If I don’t write this down I will be days behind. Leaving the prettiest village of St Jean, there is an uphill slog plus backpack. OMG. When did I signup for this. Was it the movie ‘The Way’ or reading Laurie Lee ,’ When `I walked out one summer morning’ !!! I misbehaved in a former life. I’m sure this is retribution.