tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13615665133196618492024-03-20T11:18:32.646+02:00Christine's TravelogueSketches and stories from the vast plains of Africa.
When you've acquired a taste for dust,
The Scent of our first rain,
You're hooked for life on Africa
And you'll not be right again
Till you can watch the setting moon
And hear the jackals bark
And know that they're around you,
Waiting in the dark.
C.Emily Dibb
See my work at https://www.christinelamberth.comChristine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-62834043497528665242024-03-20T11:18:00.000+02:002024-03-20T11:18:01.147+02:00The African Cheetah: Africa's Swift and Endangered Predator<h1><br /></h1><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6LWjksGH_V-uqIGWPAViJhygrGpAtOIdNiVPPFzrLxDh93OFZvo6ES8BaxVPi9nLjuL8nsUPDxW4Z8Vitjd5xDzTeyyWSj121BDz88Xid9wEaCDqnCmb-RzeCyk-rfD6NVOfxGROe6mwG6qCHufcrdZy5ImkqOcwZP35zMbAvhQ-P_e2JPwxwWQuWnZq/s4030/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="4030" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6LWjksGH_V-uqIGWPAViJhygrGpAtOIdNiVPPFzrLxDh93OFZvo6ES8BaxVPi9nLjuL8nsUPDxW4Z8Vitjd5xDzTeyyWSj121BDz88Xid9wEaCDqnCmb-RzeCyk-rfD6NVOfxGROe6mwG6qCHufcrdZy5ImkqOcwZP35zMbAvhQ-P_e2JPwxwWQuWnZq/w640-h306/IMG_4467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Its no secret that I am an avid admirer of Big Cats. But I have a special place in my heart for the cheetah. Their vulnerable status and their ability to survive against the odds makes them my favourite animal.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As such I spend much time "hunting" them down in all the corners of the earth so that I can bring new and exciting artworks to light for your enjoyment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here's a little information you may not know about the Cheetah.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The African cheetah, scientifically known as Acinonyx jubatus, is one of the most revered and iconic predators on the African continent. Known for its incredible speed and striking appearance, the African cheetah possesses a combination of physical attributes that make it a truly unique and magnificent creature. However, despite its revered status, the African cheetah is currently facing the threat of extinction, and numerous conservation efforts are being made to protect this extraordinary species.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Endangered Status and CITES Red Lists</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The African cheetah has unfortunately been classified as a vulnerable species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2016. This classification means that the population of African cheetahs is significantly decreasing, and urgent action is needed to prevent their extinction. Additionally, the African cheetah is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits any trade in these animals or their parts.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Areas Found and Population Demographics</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Historically, African cheetahs were found throughout Africa, ranging from the Sahel region in the north to South Africa in the south. However, due to habitat loss, conflict with humans, and depletion of their prey base, their distribution has significantly decreased.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Currently, African cheetahs are primarily found in sub-Saharan African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. These countries possess vast savannahs and grasslands, providing suitable habitats for cheetahs to thrive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As for population demographics, recent estimates suggest that only around 7,100 cheetahs remain in the wild. This low number highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect and restore their populations.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Physical Attributes and Survival Statistics</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The African cheetah is instantly recognizable due to its slender body, distinctive black "tear stripes" running from its eyes to the sides of its mouth, and its incredible speed. Possessing long legs, a flexible spine, and a lightweight build, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (113 kilometers per hour) in just a few seconds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Despite its immense speed, the cheetah faces several challenges to its survival. As a specialized predator, it relies on short, powerful bursts of acceleration to catch its prey. However, this unique hunting strategy can be risky, as frequent injuries during high-speed chases can adversely affect their chances of survival.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Conservation Programs and Efforts</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Numerous conservation programs have been established to protect the African cheetah and ensure its survival. These programs focus on various aspects such as habitat preservation, conflict resolution, and education.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Acinonyx, a non-profit organization, is one such program dedicated to the conservation of cheetahs. They work closely with local communities to address human-wildlife conflicts, promote sustainable land use practices, and provide support for anti-poaching efforts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Other initiatives, such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund, focus on conducting research, educating local communities, and rehabilitating injured or orphaned cheetahs, with the aim of reintroducing them back into the wild.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Furthermore, the African governments are actively involved in conservation efforts. Many countries have established national parks and protected areas, allowing for the preservation of cheetah habitats.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Conclusion</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The African cheetah is not only a magnificent creature but also a vital part of Africa's ecosystem. Its endangered status emphasizes the urgent need for increased conservation efforts. By protecting their habitats, reducing conflicts with humans, and raising awareness about their importance, we can strive to secure the future of the African cheetah. Only through these collective efforts can we ensure the survival of this iconic predator, enriching Africa's natural heritage for generations to come.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>You Can Help</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your help is needed to further the work by other concerned organisations. If you simply go to the parks where the cheetah are you are already helping. Your entrance fees go to preserving the space a cheetah needs to survive. Another alternative is to donate to reputable organisations that work with cheetah. Always remember to do some homework before donating your hard earned cash. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And last, but not least, you can simply raise awareness by talking about your experiences with cheetahs, or, you can purchase a piece of art to put on your walls that can become a talking point amongst friends and family. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By investing in artwork you inadvertently support the cheetah because I, the artist, support the Parks through my entrance fees and visiting these places to keep myself inspired to do new works. Every little bit helps.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com"><b>BUY THIS ARTWORK NOW</b></a></span></h2>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Botswana-25.2522189 20.9717002-53.562452736178841 -14.1845498 3.0580149361788465 56.1279502tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-41259173276464719072023-10-31T15:18:00.000+02:002023-10-31T15:18:03.378+02:00The Reason for It All<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zr-U93hUVopF02Qy2GN5Uq-EzqLLv8pn6Z7AnBKJ9xwX6vcjkRH3LoPW6C7ib3-s7MgUlrJ0Wg9vmsR6kyJdNL0P06PhDVDndRj_LTCVK7Y4gfYAAREVDFlU0xqs7gN6n2ODSITatk-UBMPMCFbtxlhTZAECG9LVtSk0xrP7DiaYTtuugOm3SIT5Xf4P/s1511/IMG_3182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1511" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zr-U93hUVopF02Qy2GN5Uq-EzqLLv8pn6Z7AnBKJ9xwX6vcjkRH3LoPW6C7ib3-s7MgUlrJ0Wg9vmsR6kyJdNL0P06PhDVDndRj_LTCVK7Y4gfYAAREVDFlU0xqs7gN6n2ODSITatk-UBMPMCFbtxlhTZAECG9LVtSk0xrP7DiaYTtuugOm3SIT5Xf4P/w640-h462/IMG_3182.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The enviable view from my tent is just the thing to make a studio special.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have to admit that I am feeling a little depressed. If you consider that I am on my African adventure then that statement is even more depressing. (Not to worry it does brighten up in a bit).</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am not sure if the reason for my depression is the unrelenting heat or the realization that there are some unrelenting 21st-century “things” I am not sure I can accept as part of who I am.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The main reason, of course, for the African adventure is to get into the bush (that I so passionately love) and hopefully steep myself in its magic and peace. However, the reality is far from that, especially here at Etosha.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first shock, I think, was the sheer number of tourists in the park on a daily basis. I will add that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am on the western side of the pan at the very popular Anderson Gate entrance. Due to the fact that I only go into the park every second day I have to go and pay entrance fees each time (bureaucratic red tape and a story for another day). Each day my receipt number has been around no 150. That indicator points to the fact that 150 plus new vehicles enter the park each day, some of them carrying anything from 8 to 20 guests. This number does not include those who have paid for multiple-day entries and entries at the other two gates.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then, this park, in their wisdom allows you to drive at 60kph. It is mind-boggling that the roads aren’t scattered with dead springbok who love to nibble on the bushes at the roadside. It also kicks up so much dust, and of course, if you are driving at 60kph and you drive past a black rhino, then that’s the last of the rhino you will see who hightails it in the opposite direction.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But there is something else that is really bugging me. It is the tourist. More specifically, here it is the European and American tourists. I rarely see them smiling, they do not have a friendly demeanour and they don’t look as if they are happy to be here. In contrast, on the Facebook Namibia group pages I follow, you will see multiple posts about how excited they are to be coming here. So, I then have a question. Why do they look so sour?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This translates to impatience and irritation at gates and sightings. And so it was, two days ago that at the gate someone had parked and left his car blocking the way. We waited a couple of minutes, saw the car was driverless, and then proceeded to go around him. He emerged from the Gate office stood in the middle of the road and proceeded to call us “ashlog”. Very complimentary and such a pleasure to hear.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Later that afternoon, at the Nebrowni waterhole, another European tourist approached us. There was a lioness at the waterhole but from our position, she could not be seen as she was lying in the shade of the wall. We were occupying ourselves by observing some Zebra in the distance who were indicating some more lions. Eventually, two more lionesses emerged from the bush but they were really far off. We were then asked if we were watching the lions. We answered and said yes, we could see two lionesses in the distance. Said tourists then pulled away to the other side of the parking area to see if they could see. Around 30 minutes later the lioness at the waterhole decided it was time to have a drink of water and she stood up. The next minute, said tourist returned to our car window and shouted “Thank you for nothing!!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My deduction was that she was under the impression we had deliberately misled her.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now, I sit and reflect on all these people. The reason we took off for far-flung destinations was to get away from the hustle and bustle and the depressing world out there, but we seem to have picked the wrong destination. Etosha, in my opinion, is not the place to “get away from it all”. All you are doing is getting to see all these people kidding themselves they are “getting away from it all” and littering the bush with their “city personas”.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But, then, this morning, as I was trying to get myself into a better frame of mind. I had Pavarotti blasting in my ears and a giraffe on the drawing board when I was alerted to the elephant at the waterhole.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My whole attitude changed. This is the reason I came so far. The distraction was a good one that made all those unpleasant little people disappear from my mind. I could sit at my easel doing what I love and at the same time, seeing what I love.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A winning combination that inspires me to create more and relax into this rustic lifestyle.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Elephantastic Greetings to you all.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christine</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Don't forget that these inspirational moments lead to my works on paper that you can see on my website at <a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com">www.christinelamberth.com. </a></span></span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-22246422616603745322023-10-24T12:56:00.003+02:002023-10-24T12:56:43.216+02:00Angels of Death Revisited<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn2em95i4MfMtV_dCWGrdxKrbkH0c4U60oaDuQKdfajZHcHMPiuxrSACjaNopLKHckmT2wLB4BPDVh5wf33G2nVcTR-UD7zspHB7cPkSjK4v0-t62Nd-75pae4o0ADjlLTPklULAaeOUz-mGYiO1OjZHtm-5VRyRhyphenhyphen3F6xO5rOyfzQjd_IEKNTgQ72Ro0/s1600/CL012.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn2em95i4MfMtV_dCWGrdxKrbkH0c4U60oaDuQKdfajZHcHMPiuxrSACjaNopLKHckmT2wLB4BPDVh5wf33G2nVcTR-UD7zspHB7cPkSjK4v0-t62Nd-75pae4o0ADjlLTPklULAaeOUz-mGYiO1OjZHtm-5VRyRhyphenhyphen3F6xO5rOyfzQjd_IEKNTgQ72Ro0/s400/CL012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rüppels Griffon vulture coming in to land.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJaDNOQnuRkt24kxvi2iJs5kc3wVph8H198F3sK3QhONz-7ougazmnMMOTibiKtOUMAaKllU5sPcHVBuu5yeKDGZ1jiO-p2FU1PJoYPg09qI_0XLfbVX1LaZPL81mz31xOlEWeyGMUnfBEKC9MOPyKk8nyAHqtKgoF4PbqN-W3XU4Hnz78FllFxBj1geJ/s1600/IMG_9927.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJaDNOQnuRkt24kxvi2iJs5kc3wVph8H198F3sK3QhONz-7ougazmnMMOTibiKtOUMAaKllU5sPcHVBuu5yeKDGZ1jiO-p2FU1PJoYPg09qI_0XLfbVX1LaZPL81mz31xOlEWeyGMUnfBEKC9MOPyKk8nyAHqtKgoF4PbqN-W3XU4Hnz78FllFxBj1geJ/s400/IMG_9927.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lappet-Faced Vulture up close.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">
Sometimes, one writes something and uses references from personal experience only to find out later that perhaps what you said isn’t quite accurate. And so it was pointed out to me that the information I had been given about Africa’s vultures was not quite correct. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This set me off on a research binge and then I discovered that the correction to my information was not quite correct either, or should I say, it could not be set in stone as the only behaviour of certain vultures.
I will explain. The incorrect information I was given is that the Hooded Vulture is the vulture first on the scene at a kill/carcass and that they will open up the carcass if there is no predator already doing the job.
The correction I was given is that it is the Lappet Faced Vulture, with its strong beak will be first on the scene and will open up the carcass. However, there is a danger in generalizations and of course, I think, Google misleads one. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In an Africa Geographic article Kerri Wolter, South Africa’s foremost vulture expert states that the Lappet-Faced Vulture, with its strong, sharp beak will open up the carcass.
However, she goes on to state that the Hooded Vulture, the smallest African vulture has the sharpest eyes, and is almost always first on the scene. However, it will stand back and wait for the other larger species to eat their fill and then it will move in. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now, as a lay person, or let’s just say a person who is a bit obsessed with vultures, I have photographed many vulture conglomerations at various carcasses. My own experience ranges from vultures on a “lion kill”, so that means they get the scraps. Vultures on various dead carcasses where no predators were involved and those are quite numerous. Things like lightning strikes, snakebite deaths, etc. And then, the biggest fest I witnessed was when 60-odd wildebeest drowned in a Mara River crossing and the carcasses were caught in an eddy with no crocodiles in sight.
At this juncture I then went and looked at The Roberts as I refer to it, to double check this information and it is there that I found that generalizations cannot be made with regards to what happens as it will depend on the circumstances of the carcass being presented for consumption. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Hooded Vulture </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Usually first at the food source but it does stand back waiting for the other vultures to scrap it out. Its primary target is the eye, offal, and bones of a carcass. It also will scratch in moist lion droppings. On old carcasses, it will eat maggots and other insects. It will also eat fish stranded in drying pools. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Lappet-Faced Vulture </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will arrive singly or in pairs at a carcass. It is often the last of the species to arrive. However, it will dominate all the other species, but it usually waits for the other vultures to stop their scrapping. It eats primarily, skin, tendons, ligaments, and elements other vultures aren’t physically equipped to handle. It seldom takes meat, organs, or intestines. It will steal food if it’s hungry. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cape Vulture </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will search aerially in large numbers and when a carcass is discovered they will arrive rapidly in numbers. The Cape Vulture dominates all other species except the Lappet-Faced Vulture. It will also wait for other scavengers to open the carcass. The Cape Vulture is a flesh eater consuming muscle tissue, organs, and viscera of medium to large size carcasses.
White Headed Vulture
is a scavenger, predator, and pirate. It is frequently first on the scene at a carcass but it hunts more than it scavenges. They are most prone to being poisoned by farmers. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">White Back Vulture </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Is a highly aggressive vulture. It will fly in and land on top of other vultures. It will even jump on the backs of other vultures. The White Back Vulture’s diet comprises almost solely flesh and organs and sometimes the trachea and eyes. It rarely kills its own prey.
My Personal Experience
I have spent many hours photographing vultures in Southern Africa and East Africa much to the boredom of those around me and my experience tells me that there are no absolutes. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On a Dead Carcass </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have witnessed many vulture conglomerations around a dead carcass. The reason the carcasses were there in the first place varies. Anything from lightning strikes to electrocutions.
My first observation was that the Lappet-faced Vulture was not always around (they’re an endangered species and the numbers are really low). In the case of the floating carcasses of wildebeest (referred to above) that had drowned in a crossing a few days before, the Rüppels Griffons were the only species duking it out on the carcasses and they had started without either predators or the Lappet Faced Vulture being in sight. The eyes I think may have been the first target then they headed to the rear end of the beast and were ripping away at what must have been where the skin was softest because they had succeeded in tearing away openings so that they could get to the flesh, which is their preference. There were no crocodiles around at the time, but I daresay this feast would not have gone unnoticed for too long. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Also in the Mara, I came across two zebras that had been hit by lightning. This time it was the spotted hyena that did the honours and then left the blackjack jackals to fight it out with the vultures once they had had their fill. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My conclusion, after personal observation, is that the behaviour of most animals cannot be set in stone, cannot be accurately predicted due to the changing circumstances and we should not ever assume that we are experts just simply because we know a little more than someone else. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Africa has a little knack for making fools of us all when we become either too complacent or too superior. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with love from Africa </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christine </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Don't forget if you are looking for exceptional artwork my work is available online at www.christinelamberth.com</span>.
</p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-44279734027633652432023-09-28T15:17:00.001+02:002023-10-20T09:01:54.520+02:00TOURISM VS CONSERVATION<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP99m0k61D3c4xV4u6pghy0W-cCLKLCM1SnMyBTRMXFjPu8UANeyxjBXi0qgBdOWR-DijcnNp-9_iRpZakbl4Jes6XLlxCjXkoEWENwELyPZblpnmjII0LsOeus0-EbjNyR4TfMxKpxuwuNltCXATcwIeUNEUU4T9HKQdhIa2gd64LFXOn9TjLZ9Nm22WR/s4392/The%20Desert%20Dome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2128" data-original-width="4392" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP99m0k61D3c4xV4u6pghy0W-cCLKLCM1SnMyBTRMXFjPu8UANeyxjBXi0qgBdOWR-DijcnNp-9_iRpZakbl4Jes6XLlxCjXkoEWENwELyPZblpnmjII0LsOeus0-EbjNyR4TfMxKpxuwuNltCXATcwIeUNEUU4T9HKQdhIa2gd64LFXOn9TjLZ9Nm22WR/w640-h310/The%20Desert%20Dome.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A leopard tortoise on a dusty road. Would you see it if you were travelling at 60kph?<br />Desert Dome, is available at Fine Art Gallery in Swakopmund.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This morning the wildlife gods gave me a visit by a huge bull elephant at the waterhole just in front of my mobile studio. And while it was a breathtaking moment in the many moments Africa has to offer it brought on another train of thought.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Etosha, I have to say, is not a shining example of conservation at work against the odds. It would seem, here, there is a far greater emphasis on tourism as opposed to conservation. It is such a great pity that we are losing the plot, so to speak.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the greater scheme of things, I would really like us to sit back and take stock of what we are doing. If, as we all say, we are supporting these initiatives, such as Etosha and many others, then we, as tourists should be more mindful, more educated, and more caring about what we are doing.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Etosha, or should I rather say, NWR, in their wisdom, have decided that the speed limit in the Reserve should be 60kph. While 60kph is a great speed in suburbia where tarred roads are the norm, in a Game Reserve this is too fast.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At 60kph you cannot possibly see anything next to the road, especially the little things.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A while back, when on a game drive in the Kruger National Park we came across an army of ants marching across a road. They were those mean Matabele ants and they were moving house. We stopped the car and let them cross watching in fascination.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If we were driving 60kph we’d have driven right over them killing I don’t know how many and scattering them to the wind.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What chance do you think a little springbok stands if it steps out of the bush next to the road in front of your car?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then, let’s discuss the Etosha roads. What a mess! The corrugations are just too appalling for words. It’s a huge wonder there aren’t many wrecks scattered next to the roadside. Many studies have been done on this subject the most notable being those in Australia where there are km and km of dirt roads and those huge trucks that move at high speed to get from A to B. There are many conclusions that have been reached due to these studies, the most notable being that traffic is the cause of road deterioration and traffic at speed is the biggest culprit. You would think therefore that in an African landscape, we’d take note of those who have done their due diligence and perhaps just take heed of the findings.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What has happened in Etosha is that the animals have retreated from the areas where the traffic is at its highest and fastest. Who, really, would be happy eating dust all day and as a result, there are fewer good sightings to be had.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As a result of fewer sightings, the tourist, in his fast 4x4 has taken to racing from waterhole to waterhole in a desperate attempt to get to see the big five in the short space of time they have allocated to their visit to Etosha. And so, the never-ending circle of faster cars, more dust, more damaged roads and fewer animals to be seen plays out every day before our very eyes.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tourism is winning. Conservation is taking second place or maybe even last place. There is little understanding of the needs of the animals and in this 21st Century where man has so many rights and demands, the animals are retreating further and further away.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In a perfect world, where I could play King, I would decree that the top speed in a game reserve is 30kph, and then of course, roads would be in a far better condition because the cars wouldn’t be damaging them and the experience of spending time, leisurely, in the bush would return. The wildlife would have first place and the tourists would be last in line.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wouldn’t that just be PERFECT?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With leisure on my mind, let’s be mindful.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christine</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I travel to these destinations to find inspiration for my work. You can see all my work on my website at <a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com">https://www.christinelamberth.com </a></span></span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Etosha National Park, Namibia-18.8555909 16.3293197-47.165824736178848 -18.8269303 9.4546429361788462 51.4855697tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-9978102766866834512023-09-24T08:21:00.002+02:002023-09-24T08:21:41.929+02:00THE LION'S ROAR<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eQ7bux0LkwBejBPE254VXKxmRJYcLCFLP_N_Vu9rrDmZPi9Z3IKnjqVwQ6AeoCrcws1Q1J2DAwzyd6fm_B0VIxpCnyqw7dmIsfVgINegWwAyzOnvoALJTOO1BImJ1puSAvhYibd-T_S0YuNBicIXRBXSMbjSfmM1498j9moNwEk-u7H7ybh5U2ILwSep/s4032/IMG_4210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="4032" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eQ7bux0LkwBejBPE254VXKxmRJYcLCFLP_N_Vu9rrDmZPi9Z3IKnjqVwQ6AeoCrcws1Q1J2DAwzyd6fm_B0VIxpCnyqw7dmIsfVgINegWwAyzOnvoALJTOO1BImJ1puSAvhYibd-T_S0YuNBicIXRBXSMbjSfmM1498j9moNwEk-u7H7ybh5U2ILwSep/w640-h406/IMG_4210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Direction from which the Lion's Roar floats over the plains.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It was cooler today, and as I sit here at the end of the day enjoying a sundowner, there is a lion roaring in the distance.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What a privilege to be able to sit and simply listen to the sounds of Africa.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The day started out with a drive into the Park (Etosha) and once again the poor car was put to the test over the corrugated roads. We headed for a waterhole called Salvadora, famous for its lion sightings, but alas, no lions today.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Instead, we moved onto Rietfontein, a natural spring area, and settled in for a few hours.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Within minutes the few zebras that were there grew to about 100 and then 200 as they moved to the water to slake their thirst.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Then the wildebeest arrived followed by a rather large kudu herd. Africa was, once again, not disappointing.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then, suddenly, the zebras gave a few snorts of disgust, and low and behold a spotted hyena appeared as if from nowhere. That took care of all the plains animals who moved off into the bush and the hyena had the vast water source all to herself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She drank copious amounts of water and then decided to have a quick lie down in the water to cool herself off.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And then, of course, some tour vehicles arrived with some noisy passengers and the hyena gave them one look of disgust, got up, and moved off into the bush.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The long drive over teeth-rattling terrain took us back to Okakeujo where the power was still off after the quick thunderstorm of last night. Yes, we actually had some rain last night. I expect that by next week we will see some new growth on the trees and hopefully, more animals will move to where we can see them.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As the day ends, we are sitting in camp, surrounded by the League of Nations, who apparently do not know what the sound of a lion roar is as they go about setting up camp.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But, I am content, listening to the sounds of Africa while mellowing out at the end of my day.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I hope your day ends as sublimely as mine.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Greetings from Etosha</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christine</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">P.S. I am here to be inspired by the African bush, and if you want to see what I create when inspired you can go to <span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com">https://www.christinelamberth.com</a></span> where I post all my latest work. Any work posted in My Studio gallery is available with shipping FREE to anywhere in the world.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Etosha National Park, Namibia-18.8555909 16.3293197-47.165824736178848 -18.8269303 9.4546429361788462 51.4855697tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-66446723261411819552023-09-21T17:25:00.001+02:002023-10-20T08:58:08.541+02:00Etosha - Place of Dreams<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55plsyyebDO8jpzPIHQAq0EVpkVbCsCKCcSuJoUP-dIkmQ_j8G8iPOKwHR4BrAPUi3cKNIhqXCW3dqMG2ZHgAgSBczkmRt7k7t-b4EcAYdXzmOa2_vpWM-gZCcb6kG97U-nYS8y15BM4enz-gLUHxDA5Q8H4XzAo1LmZbYyj8LzpKdX0imNWVo5VwigTW/s3239/etosha%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="3239" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55plsyyebDO8jpzPIHQAq0EVpkVbCsCKCcSuJoUP-dIkmQ_j8G8iPOKwHR4BrAPUi3cKNIhqXCW3dqMG2ZHgAgSBczkmRt7k7t-b4EcAYdXzmOa2_vpWM-gZCcb6kG97U-nYS8y15BM4enz-gLUHxDA5Q8H4XzAo1LmZbYyj8LzpKdX0imNWVo5VwigTW/w640-h294/etosha%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Welcome to Etosha National Park, where disappointment and dust go hand in hand! As you arrive at this renowned destination, you might find yourself wondering if you've stumbled upon a car race rather than a peaceful wildlife sanctuary. With cars zooming by at 60kph, it's no wonder that the air is constantly filled with a cloud of dust. Forget about having a picturesque safari experience - here, it's all about dodging dust particles!</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But wait, there's more! The facilities at Etosha National Park are not exactly top-notch. In fact, they might leave you feeling less than impressed. Prepare yourself for encounters with public toilets that could easily be mistaken for scenes from a horror movie. Yes, they are that disgusting! It seems like the park management missed the memo on cleanliness and basic hygiene.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And if you were hoping to enjoy a lovely picnic amidst nature's beauty, think again. Etosha National Park seems to have forgotten the importance of providing ample picnic spots for its visitors. You'll be lucky to find even just a handful of them scattered around.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All in all, it appears that bad management is the culprit behind these disappointing experiences. But hey, look on the bright side - at least you'll have some amusing stories to share once you escape the clutches of Etosha's dusty chaos!</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cheers for now from a dusty and very hot Etosha, I hope the next blog will be filled with exciting animal action.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christine</span></span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Etosha National Park, Namibia-18.8555909 16.3293197-47.165824736178848 -18.8269303 9.4546429361788462 51.4855697tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-567254196539724492023-08-11T16:36:00.002+02:002023-08-11T16:38:04.456+02:00WORLD LION DAY - 10 August<h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1500" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuGp5NFc7ztrwXC9HK0cmHDRl3gxhaBldPOgl8cTp4pNfQZg5A6SsthW40AcJ-VmqCqkE_are1tMrLQ67CFDddGi5nb6KpGYDR4DXTBtIMJO3JbcCj7EtYaE9US8Gjf8eDQ70PHJZqIrv0P4YMpNhMl_IeQDNh54TapkSoBLAxIDivKdQVm2wZf006mFW/s320/IMG_9769.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1500" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0uTu3e5m5O8Zg91jNfoPzsWnHvc9EUkds7k7z4KGKxup-H-Cljyk0T7oV7L4FoydGAa3KVCdYYyIr_GIoNGnW_9NJi5IPLr8uRs821hQ6US3pSqgdtb4gzTYMSeeY6_Mm8k4V53VS7U32-nc3-S7D1Uar5BL3gfbqsJoGwA4rpdqnBTYLIvAmO-PFAHt/s320/IMG_9823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">World Lion Day: </span></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Celebration of the Majestic King of the Savannah.</span></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">Its been a bit of a Lion-fest here at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park these past two days. I went off searching for a leopard yesterday and instead found a sleeping lion (after driving a couple of kms). I only had about an hour with him when along came a maintenance crew whose presence he disdainfully observed by moving off out of sight. Luckily I had got a couple of photos which will soon become new artworks! Then the long drive back started out only to be interrupted by another sighting of a lion, this one had managed to nab himself an Oryx and he was lying in the bush cooling down next to his precious meal. The end of the day came and we had to hotfoot it out of the park. So, this morning, off we set again and there he was, still next to his kill but luckily this time, in the perfect morning light, he was visible. And much to our surprise we spied a 3 cheetah coalition on the opposite side of the riverbed observing the view of the lion. What a morning! Just the most fantastic way to spend a day inamongst the dunes of the Kalahari.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">But, back to the business of Lions and where they are in todays cruel world.</span></span></div><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Introduction</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every year on August 10th, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists from around the world come together to celebrate World Lion Day. This special day is dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation and protection of lions, as well as highlighting the significance of these magnificent creatures in our ecosystem. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of World Lion Day and the efforts being made to preserve the lion population.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The Importance of Lions</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lions hold a special place in our hearts and imagination. Lions represent power, strength, and courage. They are not only iconic symbols of wildlife but also play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. As apex predators, lions help control herbivore populations, which in turn affects vegetation and overall biodiversity.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Threats to Lions</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While lions once roamed across vast territories in Africa, their populations have been steadily declining over the past few decades. Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict are some of the main threats facing these majestic animals. As a result, lions are now classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">World Lion Day: A Call to Action</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">World Lion Day serves as a powerful platform to rally support for lion conservation. It aims to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect lions and their habitats. On this day, several organizations, wildlife parks, and individuals come together to organize various events and educational campaigns to spread the message of lion conservation.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Conservation Efforts</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Several conservation initiatives have been implemented to safeguard lions and their habitats. These efforts include establishing protected areas, promoting sustainable tourism, and implementing anti-poaching measures. Furthermore, educational programs are being conducted to foster greater understanding and appreciation for lions among local communities.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Get Involved</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You don't have to be a wildlife expert or conservationist to make a difference. There are many ways to get involved and contribute to lion conservation. You can support organizations working towards lion protection, spread awareness on social media, or even participate in volunteer programs that focus on lion conservation. My favourite organization to support is the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. They support many different programmes and I know that funds given to them are fully directed to the projects they support. <a href="https://davidshepherd.org/">David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation</a></span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Conclusion</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">World Lion Day provides a unique opportunity to celebrate and protect these magnificent creatures. By coming together and raising awareness about the importance of lions in our ecosystem, we can ensure a future where these majestic animals continue to thrive. Let us unite in our efforts to safeguard the King of the Savannah and secure a brighter future for lions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The artworks featured above are two brand new works I have just completed. Both are available and you can find them on my website <a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com/">Click Here</a></span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-20508149981882367752023-07-05T15:44:00.003+02:002023-07-05T15:50:11.069+02:00MORE ABOUT THE LIBERTY CRUISER <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Our new home is a caravan and we have taken off into the savannahs of Africa. I have not finished the tale of what is in our home away from home and I'm sure that although this all sounds very romantic, some must think I have taken leave of my senses. So let me share some more about how we've set about making a nomadic existence (for a while at least) more comfortable.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">One thing was clear from the start. I was not returning to my days of Bachelor Flats for anything. Kitchens and bedrooms should never be in one space. And so, we searched for an alternative which of course <a href="https://libertycaravans.co.za">Liberty Caravans</a> provided.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_zNDnKu4D1-lpbnmKVgUYGy605aod0aH-PHbyrToJoz1Z8PDUieg9j4KlioMyyWPLo54eYC8cTGClpVyrWyv8DETKsDRijNyx4SaT_nYpj4qF9N23qdVWzNFs9XSY3meJeKPSYoC5aU29eWmoqFdem50FR-bjM079sKugxbkoxkFIJj7HG_UiopsV9oK/s4032/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_zNDnKu4D1-lpbnmKVgUYGy605aod0aH-PHbyrToJoz1Z8PDUieg9j4KlioMyyWPLo54eYC8cTGClpVyrWyv8DETKsDRijNyx4SaT_nYpj4qF9N23qdVWzNFs9XSY3meJeKPSYoC5aU29eWmoqFdem50FR-bjM079sKugxbkoxkFIJj7HG_UiopsV9oK/w200-h150/IMG_3969.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxWwoAnqM8ugHYTLaKgmbI9kGLV7GP9PjpSe2iCBspKOCCuh8aO4G28A7IkZMbxeHd9K7NtYN00WGKO3KlMJbC8V7VAYTfDP9eeFiH8FEAKq_tvreChXWKB1xkVCU7loafDnFLZLc0jK_AWnMlXq8wSScjobf8y5kQV3wxpx22DytMSiUhdtVo5Rr7uqs/s4032/IMG_4032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxWwoAnqM8ugHYTLaKgmbI9kGLV7GP9PjpSe2iCBspKOCCuh8aO4G28A7IkZMbxeHd9K7NtYN00WGKO3KlMJbC8V7VAYTfDP9eeFiH8FEAKq_tvreChXWKB1xkVCU7loafDnFLZLc0jK_AWnMlXq8wSScjobf8y5kQV3wxpx22DytMSiUhdtVo5Rr7uqs/w200-h150/IMG_4032.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgEJQRc4yuyrYV48tWQRiLxW1xlpd_2KiJefDD2HbcTMm_wDwS2yOJNXqDbwXgXjw7r7pTvi2iPVh_ZYbilz7a9dWNXPIG_TZ3G8QD28RA0YYI6uBkxCAbsFNacX8qTHY8oNggCtCbd0FE3cbXc-CoIDCCf-v0f3ywqcFtAmaEu9gd9BxIOaR3tELtnwl/s1600/a9c5bd40-43d0-488d-bfca-7d63e26371e4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgEJQRc4yuyrYV48tWQRiLxW1xlpd_2KiJefDD2HbcTMm_wDwS2yOJNXqDbwXgXjw7r7pTvi2iPVh_ZYbilz7a9dWNXPIG_TZ3G8QD28RA0YYI6uBkxCAbsFNacX8qTHY8oNggCtCbd0FE3cbXc-CoIDCCf-v0f3ywqcFtAmaEu9gd9BxIOaR3tELtnwl/w200-h150/a9c5bd40-43d0-488d-bfca-7d63e26371e4.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6KoRGMXVoZixxnVdblW6marI_V6f7U2h4DWREeuLkogNNfrGuoh1UENtVuylTcVuY5dmC48pX7SNyZulkuDU7b2foK7EiiDQ4L1Jan7KiF5ms0ixotYcBmQz2QPQD75Fb658eWpRVi1C1x6_U3c4KZVl4FWegCDdQSWTzr4q2p3keZTJhHiwSi60xD_K/s1600/c711b6e2-6fba-4962-945b-b75305d93d24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6KoRGMXVoZixxnVdblW6marI_V6f7U2h4DWREeuLkogNNfrGuoh1UENtVuylTcVuY5dmC48pX7SNyZulkuDU7b2foK7EiiDQ4L1Jan7KiF5ms0ixotYcBmQz2QPQD75Fb658eWpRVi1C1x6_U3c4KZVl4FWegCDdQSWTzr4q2p3keZTJhHiwSi60xD_K/w200-h150/c711b6e2-6fba-4962-945b-b75305d93d24.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUb_82rcUW88R2iw1SBGLpeBSgS6yi0IylQt-W9Z74e3BRSwYi2DEoa88flwhMV28EEhXvSa24sNaBLjzbGfrG_xDblB3CJaKJ-ZRRtyNUNIYVaPYbHREkqY18nkhhgfAfPssOkiTV3gMHcHH7kRYKCX9MfNzwzh_nnmhBOb_LmoZXHLoknOhS5DaFrBs/s1600/dfc3f2cb-655a-40c6-a130-775e24ee3ba3%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUb_82rcUW88R2iw1SBGLpeBSgS6yi0IylQt-W9Z74e3BRSwYi2DEoa88flwhMV28EEhXvSa24sNaBLjzbGfrG_xDblB3CJaKJ-ZRRtyNUNIYVaPYbHREkqY18nkhhgfAfPssOkiTV3gMHcHH7kRYKCX9MfNzwzh_nnmhBOb_LmoZXHLoknOhS5DaFrBs/w200-h150/dfc3f2cb-655a-40c6-a130-775e24ee3ba3%202.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Its a very functional space and is on the outside of the caravan as I just cannot abide the smell of food in a bedroom. There are two nifty fold out doors that reveal the cooking area and the fridge area. In the cooking area all tucked away into lightweight steel drawers is a <a href="https://www.snappychef.co.za">Snappy Chef</a> 2 plate gas stove. There is also a <a href="https://www.miele.co.za">Miele </a>12l Air Fryer and then a couple of drawers and shelves all neatly storing crockery, cutlery and cooking equipment. The fold out door is on cables and acts as a work top when open. The drawers have been fitted with foam inserts that protect the crockery and wine glasses (it was very necessary to ensure safe passage for wine glasses!). The fridge/freezer is a 66 litre 12v DC/220v AC fridge that easily keeps us in meat for a month at a time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IVKerkx0rNblJTtb_iVFMVrkWA1SJHhfAVWbn6cDzODtODTy5nATs_d5yRBSUFT6n6m3S7H_ODT6HEFWQqhA5FMADzRmTP3utYImOp2ggtl_qKeHUAqa7jNL9b0gYyv-D1CPoAfxlpyaftpOmOZ-4PJtAlaz87v0Hyz3D3ZT8YIykT2SBhBeaeVr9C_C/s1280/1d06b24e-044d-4c11-84bf-f1f9c2f322a4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IVKerkx0rNblJTtb_iVFMVrkWA1SJHhfAVWbn6cDzODtODTy5nATs_d5yRBSUFT6n6m3S7H_ODT6HEFWQqhA5FMADzRmTP3utYImOp2ggtl_qKeHUAqa7jNL9b0gYyv-D1CPoAfxlpyaftpOmOZ-4PJtAlaz87v0Hyz3D3ZT8YIykT2SBhBeaeVr9C_C/w150-h200/1d06b24e-044d-4c11-84bf-f1f9c2f322a4.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The inside of the caravan, then, is the bedroom, lounge area and bathroom. The bedroom was fitted with two very comfortable single beds to optimise the space available and because of that choice we gained two spacious cupboards for clothes as well as a cupboard above the beds into which linen etc is packed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPJv-pNGbOxjzroFigV8STXGEu-xuX0dOs3LqpRW5WEKCJHB8W8bx0b5TOHMSxFkoogO0MDC9LvbiN30r2X_MhAJsdGYN2UdIcnNKMzWjCjXMNFI4xcU6lRcBkxweylJNzmqlPYFw8edzDKglDn6M5FDk_qT7DVzKAuPbna6mCQyzzRbGquWnZpjV2qqr/s4032/IMG_4033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPJv-pNGbOxjzroFigV8STXGEu-xuX0dOs3LqpRW5WEKCJHB8W8bx0b5TOHMSxFkoogO0MDC9LvbiN30r2X_MhAJsdGYN2UdIcnNKMzWjCjXMNFI4xcU6lRcBkxweylJNzmqlPYFw8edzDKglDn6M5FDk_qT7DVzKAuPbna6mCQyzzRbGquWnZpjV2qqr/w200-h150/IMG_4033.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8cNqsawclHyrOFU3EdBZeZPxxZm4zdOf_TZtHz_r5kvZpkUYL2Nff8X-YPrVEc6k_Nu6c-EDNWVSTDbyEHUoDvC-wwQQoYWdlR7X2WlPHP1RzeXkvCbR80GB-Mmz_nysuAyftwoxGgjc-jg6eRiAWk1X30aDD_ysrqBbWWZFil_TuJlPexw7cyCWWTPS/s1600/PHOTO-2022-11-10-10-06-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8cNqsawclHyrOFU3EdBZeZPxxZm4zdOf_TZtHz_r5kvZpkUYL2Nff8X-YPrVEc6k_Nu6c-EDNWVSTDbyEHUoDvC-wwQQoYWdlR7X2WlPHP1RzeXkvCbR80GB-Mmz_nysuAyftwoxGgjc-jg6eRiAWk1X30aDD_ysrqBbWWZFil_TuJlPexw7cyCWWTPS/w200-h150/PHOTO-2022-11-10-10-06-37.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The lounge area has a couch that I designed myself with storage in the arm rests and ottomans tucked into the bottom that give even more storage. Opposite the couch is a TV and some more cupboards. The only challenge with the TV is connectivity and so DVDs are now a part of our entertainment.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick_VXUeHWEiiQ_uxtafoTUtDxB5nEneBVWnXCag2UG1gZscS0iVdb9ifBBCpcGaj8NG38agwiAAWTZpOPX1lkRixqGWcRuBAJql4J9Kxx0Prd12QyU8W887T3JE830IwT48lTeSB2qSLELSFYeBNaC8693HhxxnjtEORT1by12XxB3p7WcvqPpDBNbc-w/s4032/IMG_4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick_VXUeHWEiiQ_uxtafoTUtDxB5nEneBVWnXCag2UG1gZscS0iVdb9ifBBCpcGaj8NG38agwiAAWTZpOPX1lkRixqGWcRuBAJql4J9Kxx0Prd12QyU8W887T3JE830IwT48lTeSB2qSLELSFYeBNaC8693HhxxnjtEORT1by12XxB3p7WcvqPpDBNbc-w/w150-h200/IMG_4034.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR4c-jMJF3nQ3w33moZMk9jaBRPSo-eP32QGiRowR_dMETcvuaDOQXeuJCgsnV1gQFD668oVv7bIHhSPeANdQSLpnXoaXux9UI3V1JfT4hrjM0FEFZcvSKt3gImaxGVEKi5idIALjpiI1yzJ-hK7fcreXsPOQJMY22CBxHE3zDBnRKjZUTlaaA0L7IRtl/s4032/IMG_4035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR4c-jMJF3nQ3w33moZMk9jaBRPSo-eP32QGiRowR_dMETcvuaDOQXeuJCgsnV1gQFD668oVv7bIHhSPeANdQSLpnXoaXux9UI3V1JfT4hrjM0FEFZcvSKt3gImaxGVEKi5idIALjpiI1yzJ-hK7fcreXsPOQJMY22CBxHE3zDBnRKjZUTlaaA0L7IRtl/w150-h200/IMG_4035.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The bathroom is the piece d'resistance. A full shower, basin and </span><a href="https://www.thetford.com" style="text-align: left;">Thetford</a><span style="text-align: left;"> loo with even more cupboards. In the event of being in the bundu all we need is water and access to a septic tank system to empty the loo casette. All very civilised and I have to declare that after spending two months in our mobile home I am quite comfortable thank you. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We are currently in the Kalahari now and even the freezing night time temperatures have not made life uncomfortable. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We'll talk more about the outside of the caravan next to wrap up the complete Liberty Cruiser Lamberth Edition that is now home.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Blessings till next time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Christine</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-83163712861850127272023-06-29T14:52:00.001+02:002023-06-29T17:05:21.031+02:00The Day of the Jackal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJhOCklW_zupV62cnhRZk7fJ6Z9EyIspIVfkAk4lACMK2MpmNR7bHaVvl2QHOliN08yp509ypydENFcZQvMy0tAfLMeTWJb2gKUyZQJtoF8Ttq12KeR_nnkoKghTT6yO5exHQwABrwlnZedhnKvPuJueVnWIdPRcTe64sRAaHZePu1UwE-vAU3vCIToFf/s1500/IMG_3209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1500" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJhOCklW_zupV62cnhRZk7fJ6Z9EyIspIVfkAk4lACMK2MpmNR7bHaVvl2QHOliN08yp509ypydENFcZQvMy0tAfLMeTWJb2gKUyZQJtoF8Ttq12KeR_nnkoKghTT6yO5exHQwABrwlnZedhnKvPuJueVnWIdPRcTe64sRAaHZePu1UwE-vAU3vCIToFf/s320/IMG_3209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINiZbp5mgXJW-0dVB0hjceFYycVPDYpZykq2rxsxyBfpjQd3B8xjpSy5Y4Lr6uYV6GcswuIY3s7tQ0ZCyJTg9va_QX9SttqKu-r4AsqiYp783YVRWdasgj4l6NokOuvpdgUHthBB7o2t3-rafzFwEA7mcl-wIyPSfNp4coW0SU91NGo-HNqIqUSzYGLk5/s1500/IMG_3228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1500" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINiZbp5mgXJW-0dVB0hjceFYycVPDYpZykq2rxsxyBfpjQd3B8xjpSy5Y4Lr6uYV6GcswuIY3s7tQ0ZCyJTg9va_QX9SttqKu-r4AsqiYp783YVRWdasgj4l6NokOuvpdgUHthBB7o2t3-rafzFwEA7mcl-wIyPSfNp4coW0SU91NGo-HNqIqUSzYGLk5/s320/IMG_3228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I have now been in the Kalahari for three weeks and sadly I have not done one blog entry, despite the fact that every day there is something new to show. This has to stop and from now there will be more about my travels each week.</p><p>I'll just jump in with yesterday but may end up reflecting a little more on days gone by. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a very different kind of game viewing experience. Distances are long and the roads are not always the best in the world but each and every day there is something else.</p><p>Yesterday, despite the fact that I did not see too many animals of the feline persuasion that I could photograph there were many other opportunities. And the oddest one so far, was the black back jackal. We came upon 5 individuals who were looking a little testy with each other. After much looking through binoculars and camera lenses I finally worked out what the reason was for the gathering. There was a bundle of fur lying under a tree. Despite desperately trying to work out what it all was I was left slightly perplexed. Until, of course, the main keeper of the skin, stood up and gathered up his bundle. It was an animal skin. The jury is still out as to what animal but the strongest contender as a Red Hartebeest, but I won't be staking my life on the accuracy of that. The jackal managed to gather up the ends of the blanket and then run off with it. The assumption at this stage is that it had been stolen from a kill that was still fresh and it was being guarded jealously. </p><p>We eventually left the five pursuing jackals as they moved further and further away from the kill site that was obviously somewhere in the dunes away from our prying eyes. </p><p>During the day we encountered many more individual jackals throughout the parts of the reserve that we drove. It seems it was indeed The Day of the Jackal.</p><p>One more encounter with Africa that left more questions than answers but left me knowing that the mysteries of Africa are sometimes unexplained and that is what keeps the magic alive.</p><p>Till next time.</p><p><br /></p><p>Christine</p><p>P.S. While travelling I am still working in my Studio Tent. So if you're looking for a special artwork for a special occasion you can still get it! Just drop me a comment here or send me an email or even a Whatsapp will do. </p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-5045861633712038632023-05-16T15:55:00.001+02:002023-05-16T15:55:17.432+02:00An Ant Bit me on my Bum!<p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTpSHYqr4ItaSjCWhFI9CSNRu8e5tWXjcJkxwytdlisdvsDf0QWJBPC8ciSR6-nVMKTlNomy6RMlykRx36SMY_Yi6ypw9-lBQkfoHuONtej214wiMji2cs4xm8jKKt13nuU0cDZ8p5FGPWEWBssD5jVtpta43rbAwuGVhcKbcDqSx11Cwuxh68BFAPQ/s3198/IMG_3875%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3198" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTpSHYqr4ItaSjCWhFI9CSNRu8e5tWXjcJkxwytdlisdvsDf0QWJBPC8ciSR6-nVMKTlNomy6RMlykRx36SMY_Yi6ypw9-lBQkfoHuONtej214wiMji2cs4xm8jKKt13nuU0cDZ8p5FGPWEWBssD5jVtpta43rbAwuGVhcKbcDqSx11Cwuxh68BFAPQ/w400-h379/IMG_3875%202.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Burchell's Zebra posing with their friend the Red Billed Oxpecker. <br />Size 50cm x 45cm</span></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An ant bit me on my bum! A tiny little black ant that had no business being in my bed. However, when you are camping in the “wilds” of Africa, ants are probably the lesser of the challenges you have to deal with.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Among others there are marauding Vervet monkeys who, it may be added, can open many devices such as zips to tents and clips on “ammo” boxes. And the list goes on.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My first foray of my African Adventure started in the Kruger National Park. A mild introduction to the “wild” bit. However, the list of visitors to our humble abode makes up quite a long list.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These are all chancers of another ilk. They have learned to navigate past the ignorance of the homo sapiens and rely completely on our naive natures. Smash and grab takes on another meaning in the Kruger Park where one is want to lose any number of food items.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During my stay of 33 days I learnt to open and close doors with more diligence than I would be doing in a high crime area in the city. I lost a packet of crisps, two nougat bars, a litre of Fruit Juice, a butternut and then the list gets murky because of my complacency.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At Letaba Rest Camp we didn’t put up our tent but only used the awning roof (a nifty roll out version that takes only a few minutes to put in place). And, then I thought an ammo box would do the trick. To my dismay the moment I left the campsite the marauders arrived. They efficiently negotiated the four clips holding the lid in place and the list then included a packet of apples, 4 different packets of pasta, dried fruit, almonds, instant yeast, sugar and I am sure there are some items I have missed.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I expect that in the next few months when I move onto the Kalahari and Namibia there will be some more interesting challenges but I hope that I have learnt my lesson with regards to securing food.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the meantime, I have managed to produce some work.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This piece is available and there is of course more at <a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com">www.christinelamberth.com</a>, so if you are interested in acquiring a little bit of Africa from my pen then drop me an email at <a href="mailto:art@christinelamberth.com"><span class="s1">art@christinelamberth.com</span></a> and I’ll be sure to respond ASAP.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> with love from Africa</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span>Christine</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Kruger National Park, South Africa-23.9883848 31.5547402-52.298618636178844 -3.6015097999999988 4.3218490361788469 66.7109902tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-85038672769797232102023-01-16T13:01:00.000+02:002023-01-16T13:01:14.102+02:00TODAY - ITS A MORE TECHNICAL AFFAIR<p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was asked to confirm the choice of colour of the floor and the caravan had not as yet got a roof on it I was a bit perplexed. However, soon after I received the photo below and it was all explained. A chassis with a floor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY79j98vOWyavm5hl62HCU6YVcOdBvfrRurKD7_IvpRTLO49k-_JGQOjRHopBwo1pxu4Aey02QbjVHdM1O4UUZueR_5zaPc7g9gtyrZMDv-ACcq6QtUVnvfFM0UcX7loKs4tEowKowbBVgRm2NowJYQvpTC_9MiXiS6adt1jsmL_hGmfEVdB4ylm70zg/s1600/58532eae-3475-4dbe-98db-3959953e8958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY79j98vOWyavm5hl62HCU6YVcOdBvfrRurKD7_IvpRTLO49k-_JGQOjRHopBwo1pxu4Aey02QbjVHdM1O4UUZueR_5zaPc7g9gtyrZMDv-ACcq6QtUVnvfFM0UcX7loKs4tEowKowbBVgRm2NowJYQvpTC_9MiXiS6adt1jsmL_hGmfEVdB4ylm70zg/w400-h163/58532eae-3475-4dbe-98db-3959953e8958.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I will not go into too many details about the actual “floor” but attached to it is a set of 4 Grip Aluminium Rims fitted with Dunlop Grandtrek MT2 and a spare (all to match the towing vehicles wheels so that we have 2 spares). 4 wheels give more stability as the floor plus its frame measures 7630mm. The other details for those who are interested is - Cabin space 5650mm, Width 2265mm and Height 2700mm.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In order to ensure that the caravan is stable when we park it, there are 4 stabilisers attached to the frame. Two in the front and two at the back just behind the axles installed so that, should you need to change the wheels at any time (I believe this may happen in inconvenient places) these back two stabilisers have been installed so that they can be employed to assist in the process of changing the wheel. Of course, I sincerely hope that this does not happen too often. The chassis also has HD leaf springs with shock absorbers.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For those of us who are not used to manoeuvring a rather large trailer we have opted for the luxury of caravan movers which I hope will obviate any arguments that may ensue about getting the caravan to just the right spot.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other additions include the HD jockey wheel, a lockable hand brake (as I believe some caravaners have experienced people pulling up their handbrake for them when they go through dodgy towns), drum brakes, and 2 x 20l jerry cans for some lifesaving extra fuel.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The side walls are attached to an aluminium frame, selected for its weight, and then covered with 1.6mm glass fibre sheets. This ensures that the caravan is water tight and you will never suffer woodrot or unexpected drips on your head in heavy rain. Added to this is a Black Raptor lining on the bottom sections of the caravan that is scratch resistant, in case you really go deep into the bush.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BL1u2G4LYxwr9_rkm2U05SpxUpp-7KqCW31GfkzGcICjuF7LsiUy8l3i2nSj_GbFwm4PZuu9p_XeJhZl575yjjMhG9GAfxBtPZK_8ucJb1A59yd3PnSbvM471vcCuN9TbHjd3isRCXjrYndpJZc7nlV10a-Vjf4yQk7IydX_YQuhEvLsWdR2OwShcQ/s1600/5%20PHOTO-2022-10-19-15-00-02%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BL1u2G4LYxwr9_rkm2U05SpxUpp-7KqCW31GfkzGcICjuF7LsiUy8l3i2nSj_GbFwm4PZuu9p_XeJhZl575yjjMhG9GAfxBtPZK_8ucJb1A59yd3PnSbvM471vcCuN9TbHjd3isRCXjrYndpJZc7nlV10a-Vjf4yQk7IydX_YQuhEvLsWdR2OwShcQ/w400-h300/5%20PHOTO-2022-10-19-15-00-02%202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPv-rBemBv08QYJFMR8-gf88UqLpKkuTu7IZpy1WOXxau7ZKP9wTnB5fiHidklz1F1M1kC0BHBA8PQO-K4_mjg0o6JOdpTFjFpw-n6qhyU8D7FJXAuwtStbtufe7cGp3pKVDglhzMCV9lTqYq1TSj3eDNSE9inxos0BxlruKXDn36Se58iVnt4P1TRA/s1600/9%20PHOTO-2022-10-19-15-00-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPv-rBemBv08QYJFMR8-gf88UqLpKkuTu7IZpy1WOXxau7ZKP9wTnB5fiHidklz1F1M1kC0BHBA8PQO-K4_mjg0o6JOdpTFjFpw-n6qhyU8D7FJXAuwtStbtufe7cGp3pKVDglhzMCV9lTqYq1TSj3eDNSE9inxos0BxlruKXDn36Se58iVnt4P1TRA/w400-h300/9%20PHOTO-2022-10-19-15-00-01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog if you want to read more about my travels that are imminent. My feet are itching and I’m ready to go.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Many blessings.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Christine</span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-63007302873007984212022-12-29T15:44:00.001+02:002022-12-29T15:44:12.084+02:00CHAPTER ONE <p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ADVENTURE INTO AFRICA</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It all started with an off-the-cuff remark. We had just sold our property in which we had lived for 18 years. Although I knew we were in the market to sell, I had always just replied to people who asked what my plans were, that I would cross that bridge when I came to it. Suddenly, the bridge appeared and of course, I had no plans. The remark was, “let’s buy a caravan and head off into the bush for two years or so”.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The reality, however, is that I am a working artist, and heading off into the bush in a standard on-road caravan is simply not a viable option. My expectations far exceeded the designer's imagination and the search was on. It took three months to track down someone willing to meet my expectations, and then another 9 months of waiting. When you find someone as special as Dawid Barnard of <a href="https://libertycaravans.co.za/" target="_blank">Liberty Caravans</a>, you must expect that there will be a long waiting list.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first floorplan set the ball rolling.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEK1hSzsqI59tkji6CTrqhO1CvOt2gMMP5NLWUjwjP0_FNv6O3CkpRzdW_hY8nHayyYNjVbnQuZD1yo9Qei4s9DsA1NWQDHiJpecnOAwJkV7_gh8rVZ8D4EaDB1S61Ni2WyEA78-v-WQDH-mWvCpbHu45NzEEsXMmLsbnvfJoe8cOeRmAtCuEe_7L0w/s1960/van%20ver%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1960" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEK1hSzsqI59tkji6CTrqhO1CvOt2gMMP5NLWUjwjP0_FNv6O3CkpRzdW_hY8nHayyYNjVbnQuZD1yo9Qei4s9DsA1NWQDHiJpecnOAwJkV7_gh8rVZ8D4EaDB1S61Ni2WyEA78-v-WQDH-mWvCpbHu45NzEEsXMmLsbnvfJoe8cOeRmAtCuEe_7L0w/w400-h288/van%20ver%201.JPG" width="400" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I have been involved in vetting what should go into the caravan when it comes to aesthetics and some practicalities I have not been the one to do the research. My other half has spent most of this year tracking down the best options for off-grid living in Southern Africa. Although I am going to mention some of these things in this story, please don’t expect too much technical detail. Details like that are just a little too much for me. I have an ethic by which I live, as long as it works and does what it’s supposed to do, I don’t need to know how it works. I will however provide the supplier’s details for those who wish to know more (or like my other half, need to know more).</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first challenge started with three things. Firstly, I need a studio in which to work. The second is that I need a bathroom of my own as we are not sure of our destinations as yet and whether there will be ablutions that feel comfortable. And the third requirement is that I do not want a kitchen in my bedroom (going to sleep with the smell of cooked food in my bedroom is just too much to bear).</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With all of that in mind, the practical part of planning the layout was the next step. The island bed was the first thing to go. What a waste of precious space just for a double bed. So, two single beds with one aisle in the middle afforded us the option of two standard-size single beds and the bonus was that we then could both have cupboards at the end of our beds for our clothes. Of course, packing space in a caravan is the biggest challenge but we came up with some original ideas that have given us tons of packing space without having to make the caravan top-heavy with cupboards.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The two-seater couch has two ottomans underneath the seats that can roll out and be footrests while offering packing space. The armrests have cavities so that we can put all sorts of bits and pieces inside them. And a bit of an unplanned bonus has been an extra packing space between the beds on the floor so that we could make getting into bed a bit easier.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Under each bed, we have a cavity. One will have the fridge and the washbasin. The other will carry tents and fold-up furniture. Then we also have a tunnel under the top end of the beds - all have access from the outside so can be used for easy storage while we are camping.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The bathroom has a linen basket under the basin (this is a first I think for a caravan as it caused quite some discussion when the request was made) and there are various other cupboards strategically placed to house the workings of the electrical system etc.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Below, you can see more detail of the floor plan. I must explain at this stage that this is not a small hitch-and-go caravan. It is a tad large and as such we even had to change our car. I have been regaled as to the tare and gross weight requirements, but they have largely gone over my head. Suffice it to say, I have been reliably informed, that when you load your caravan it must not put more than 150kg weight onto the tow bar of the car otherwise you may end up with broken axles on the car.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXDYXzD4TzHnryqEueGRZdcPozPKRnOX4zXmUw8ARSHih1uwPE-d7S0NCfqzb75bDrnlmGRKViq-xkzfFCXaVZG___rUYJgkpncSI3yNcoI_xU9Qig4rWTaGmk4GqbgQO92OJFYA7xbVypi9mZqck1UyvxkwjHys1tRKJARqJPE04osS-BxD3K69IDA/s8448/van%20plan%202%20copy%204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4680" data-original-width="8448" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXDYXzD4TzHnryqEueGRZdcPozPKRnOX4zXmUw8ARSHih1uwPE-d7S0NCfqzb75bDrnlmGRKViq-xkzfFCXaVZG___rUYJgkpncSI3yNcoI_xU9Qig4rWTaGmk4GqbgQO92OJFYA7xbVypi9mZqck1UyvxkwjHys1tRKJARqJPE04osS-BxD3K69IDA/w400-h221/van%20plan%202%20copy%204.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the next chapter of this saga, I will go into more about the interior choices and maybe even a bit about the construction of the caravan. I even have pictures for you to see.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Till then, I hope you are going to join me on my adventure. Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss the next episode.</span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0South Africa-30.559482 22.937506-58.869715836178841 -12.218744000000001 -2.2492481638211537 58.093756tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-57094581324347417252022-10-21T14:36:00.007+02:002022-10-21T14:36:00.213+02:00ZEBRAS ...DID YOU KNOW?<p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk19lIY7SC_rgr3x-0UFz1ih1a8D8uzzyJcVjTAIunt46gaDCdtEQCGWAPEP9wSuqwSpq9XK2AZVy9eDtHg2GcgiXu-hqyzMr1tFaixiUd95xe0K1NQjkW3k4VuQtuSd6nxxa322bTS4mycyPxJqgcwl7TN6f4EcNJz9fzaoMYKduaOLQjl4909rhCMA/s2048/zeb%20species%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk19lIY7SC_rgr3x-0UFz1ih1a8D8uzzyJcVjTAIunt46gaDCdtEQCGWAPEP9wSuqwSpq9XK2AZVy9eDtHg2GcgiXu-hqyzMr1tFaixiUd95xe0K1NQjkW3k4VuQtuSd6nxxa322bTS4mycyPxJqgcwl7TN6f4EcNJz9fzaoMYKduaOLQjl4909rhCMA/w296-h400/zeb%20species%20pic.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This poster by Roger Hall can be purchased on his Etsy Shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com" target="_blank">WildlifeArtbyRoger</a><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">What started as a casual enquiry about some cheetahs took a very different turn in March this year at my exhibition titled Touch at </span><a href="http://www.art-in-namibia.com" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";" target="_blank">Fine Art Gallery</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> in Swakopmund.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">A collector of my work was weighing up whether to invest in my piece of a cheetah Mom with her cubs or to invest in some work of Zebras. (As her farm has zebras on it).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Little did I know at the time, that those zebras are in fact, Hartmann’s Zebras and are a rare mountain species of Zebras.<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In fact, I did not know, just how many different Zebra species and sub-species there are. So, I pose the question to you, my reader, did you know how many Zebras there are spread throughout the African continent.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I think I’ll start with the one that is no more. May the lesson of the Quagga serve to ignite in us the forethought to ensure that no more species ever go extinct due to the greed and ignorance of man.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Then, let’s look at Zebra numbers of the various species and where they are found:</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Burchell’s Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus quagga burchelli</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now 663 000</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in Southern Africa, and a small area of Tanzania and Kenya.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus zebra harmannac</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now 13 000</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found only in Namibia and Southern Angola</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Maneless Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus quagga borensisi</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now 200 - 300</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in South Sudan and Uganda</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Selous Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus quagga selousi</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now 50</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in Mozambique</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Chapman’s Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus quagga chapmani</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now (part of the plains zebra counts)</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Grant’s Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus quagga boehmi</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now 50 000</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and Zimbabwe</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Crawshay’s Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus quagga crawshayi</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now (part of the plains zebra counts)</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Grevy’s Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus grevyi</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated Count now 3000</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in Northern Kenya and Ethiopia</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Cape Mountain Zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Equus zebra zebra</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Estimated count now</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Found in South Africa 1500</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">According to the information I could garner with regards to Zebras, (which may or may not be accurate, given the fickleness of the www) the Zebra we have to worry about the most is the Selous Zebra, followed by the Maneless Zebra and the Cape Mountain Zebra.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And of course, my question now to the greater world is - can we afford the hunting of Hartmann’s Zebras when there are a mere 13 000 individuals left?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Methinks not!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I will leave this age old question out there…to what purpose do we hunt an animal when the only reward is a skin to hang on a wall or walk on as a carpet?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">I will be producing a whole host of new work - all of these gorgeous Hartmann's Zebras in the next few weeks. If you'd like to see them first - drop me an email <a href="mailto:art@christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">And as I complete them they will be posted on my website <a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-19097545250682289762022-10-14T14:16:00.010+02:002022-10-14T14:16:00.165+02:00When a Dog Adopts You.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83cQSzBqaU8I0RS14y9cDXM2S6o2qFXQA4zR1Kg_MUr_ETLbAmyseBDdsJ9IhMrZ4V3qgfOMerUkwdfTgai3yRt9Y-xSZEQ2zjQOn1cALIMFFw_q9EpueGy1pUTCB0lH5YUb14QYIonJnNb_hkI98W9ptNsa0esvt2s8j1NYmcwUdHfvmDKjmqQ1YWw/s4032/Dog%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83cQSzBqaU8I0RS14y9cDXM2S6o2qFXQA4zR1Kg_MUr_ETLbAmyseBDdsJ9IhMrZ4V3qgfOMerUkwdfTgai3yRt9Y-xSZEQ2zjQOn1cALIMFFw_q9EpueGy1pUTCB0lH5YUb14QYIonJnNb_hkI98W9ptNsa0esvt2s8j1NYmcwUdHfvmDKjmqQ1YWw/s320/Dog%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf35O6FlG-18apVMKzjY2Po59_FUAkXYxS61U31Edi-leBIEvhYCfMJtZmCGTmADHmd7_aGZEwl5hBfP-pQFLn0JwgnxqA69mu03VppqsJDTVnTnI_6ry8wGJgy2fgrQESzA0sq-hXVXdaQU6XEKL4FwI76LI6ip-Og2bVG4Yrbl2SeB0dItkfVC1gw/s4032/Dog%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf35O6FlG-18apVMKzjY2Po59_FUAkXYxS61U31Edi-leBIEvhYCfMJtZmCGTmADHmd7_aGZEwl5hBfP-pQFLn0JwgnxqA69mu03VppqsJDTVnTnI_6ry8wGJgy2fgrQESzA0sq-hXVXdaQU6XEKL4FwI76LI6ip-Og2bVG4Yrbl2SeB0dItkfVC1gw/s4032/Dog%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf35O6FlG-18apVMKzjY2Po59_FUAkXYxS61U31Edi-leBIEvhYCfMJtZmCGTmADHmd7_aGZEwl5hBfP-pQFLn0JwgnxqA69mu03VppqsJDTVnTnI_6ry8wGJgy2fgrQESzA0sq-hXVXdaQU6XEKL4FwI76LI6ip-Og2bVG4Yrbl2SeB0dItkfVC1gw/s320/Dog%202.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLZuqHGxPI4kr3umulFcDKE9XbvyxA4AkY5uQfpzNcu-VjgveEEJbgDLOcFxRZmftwZ0AMYHtCZwlD1iEtRSK3rFUFK5rabfd9vrOmbZeySgsvlGvEUCrQUDikjMTaMBa7HUPF9kjVxW4OmE-wLQjHPMymbx7vNN5KBZ0wpZK4L5E3J2jylmyfhUZ_w/s4032/When%20a%20Dog%20Adopts%20You.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLZuqHGxPI4kr3umulFcDKE9XbvyxA4AkY5uQfpzNcu-VjgveEEJbgDLOcFxRZmftwZ0AMYHtCZwlD1iEtRSK3rFUFK5rabfd9vrOmbZeySgsvlGvEUCrQUDikjMTaMBa7HUPF9kjVxW4OmE-wLQjHPMymbx7vNN5KBZ0wpZK4L5E3J2jylmyfhUZ_w/s320/When%20a%20Dog%20Adopts%20You.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">We arrived at Schliessen on Wednesday afternoon. We’d been given clear instructions on where to go and arrived in front of a set of gates flanked by two cheetahs. However, the gate was locked, and per kind favour or Vodacom (who lie through their teeth when they advertise that International Roaming is available - we sat with our fingers you know where!</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">By some miraculous power of deduction Paul worked out how to open the gate (I won’t reveal how) and we were wending our way over a 4x4 track that would have enthusiasts drooling. Slowly and inexorably we made our way towards the house which we could see in the distance atop a very high hill, maybe even a mountain.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, we were there and the first to greet us was a scruffy looking black dog who enthusiastically greeted us. When his human caretakers made an appearance and after all the introductions were made I enquired as to whether the dog was one of theirs. It appears that they misunderstood my question - directed in Afrikaans and not Ovambo as is their home language.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, we were escorted to our absolutely wonderful digs with views to die for and every luxury you could think of.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Then, our guide made his way back down the mountain path with “his” dog on the back of his Polaris - a nifty little 4x4 vehicle (golf cart). We settled in and started unpacking. I had craftily taken a “doggy bag” from the restaurant in Mariental and so we could relax and take in the view.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It wasn’t even 30 minutes later when a panting scruffy four legged chappy joined us on the deck. He had, it seemed, run back the 3kms to join us.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I have to say, i was a bit taken aback by his appearance, and then noticed he was wearing a collar. However, Jan, as we learned his name was not daunted at all. He made himself at home and even though we were warned he shouldn’t go inside he seemed a little too much at home. However, I was slightly stressed out by the journey of three days and so probably missed a lot of the signs.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">That night, Jan did not go home and as per instruction, we did not let him sleep inside and he spent the night on the outdoor bed that had been made up for us if we wanted to sleep outside. More missed signals.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The following morning, there he was at the door wagging his tail and flapping his eyelashes. But, being an obedient little chappy he stayed outside after being admonished that he was not allowed inside.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We still had to take our vehicle back down the mountain and exchange it for the nifty little 4x4. As I got into the car Jan made to jump in too but I said NO (how bad was I?). Then in true doggy fashion he ran back down the track behind the car making me feel like the heel I actually am.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I was prompted then to double check on my facts about Jan. It would appear that Jan belongs to the owner of the property and his bed that was brought up for him to sleep in is testament to that fact. Next, the food arrived as it would seem Jan has his own ideas on what he does with his life.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">He now slavishly follows Paul’s every move, and carefully watches me. If I had for the Polaris he is at my heels. He not only drives in the back but on the front seat where he keeps a close watch on what I do. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I realised today, that after only a week of staying at the top of the world, I have been adopted. Jan expects me to feed him, he expects me to call him in at night so that he can sleep inside because there are leopards in the area and he expects me to allow him to sit on the seat next to me.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I can see, when it comes time to take to the road again, there will be more than just a few tears shed in the parting.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Don't forget that you can see my work that I am doing while on my epic adventure <a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> and remember my work is always for sale and you can drop me an email <a href="mailto:art@christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you'd like to add a piece to your collection.</span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-28042142524065572672022-10-10T11:30:00.015+02:002022-10-10T11:30:00.164+02:00The Journey Has Started<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5aNkEjFJnavrmaexY_IgmElLJOJmg2llRMSMvpuEYGmsEUsUpgHtP3P5fzbN56BR9mfQ6lcUStEmDb0HneH1G0qti6y9Xliq_T4sAsYewbmP-AHREdovp--zqIolsLXbESt_dMMMZb3SqR4_LcDZ6lUjOktgiQ91-6TuzC89zkmD9mb4ggrPr3xe3g/s4032/the%20journey%20pic2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5aNkEjFJnavrmaexY_IgmElLJOJmg2llRMSMvpuEYGmsEUsUpgHtP3P5fzbN56BR9mfQ6lcUStEmDb0HneH1G0qti6y9Xliq_T4sAsYewbmP-AHREdovp--zqIolsLXbESt_dMMMZb3SqR4_LcDZ6lUjOktgiQ91-6TuzC89zkmD9mb4ggrPr3xe3g/w400-h300/the%20journey%20pic2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQkrp8EnmJgSptp7Uroo-bEQl7iyZ7M6PKD0Md7qGJyocP4bP2uOv0O4ecqmJSGQOVKrPIqxdO9o-_hbzwkoP4XVEjUznAq81FCW_3o7pdklWrVxfkwZCYqDakZ9qG5pNKf9ZVbZwl4ZPj-MOd0rseF8OI4PBybB8mAvyEbTHG7RjYCiQsgyOkvbTtw/s6846/the%20journey%20pic%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3890" data-original-width="6846" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQkrp8EnmJgSptp7Uroo-bEQl7iyZ7M6PKD0Md7qGJyocP4bP2uOv0O4ecqmJSGQOVKrPIqxdO9o-_hbzwkoP4XVEjUznAq81FCW_3o7pdklWrVxfkwZCYqDakZ9qG5pNKf9ZVbZwl4ZPj-MOd0rseF8OI4PBybB8mAvyEbTHG7RjYCiQsgyOkvbTtw/w400-h228/the%20journey%20pic%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTTZm1MyEFGLMMjXxci3thE0IHkNqMlltc0NcGMw1KsrRLB32GfhfoPkSf9qMdheTLxqhSBvmd2acFqPzuRzTwhc9nzKipQNOn9hsZj0vpQG3jFpxw6ze1NiAPZSEGtL2If2yJkX0kcyZNuIp80TIgv_sjBV9o2ObmwrDyKu7teD2U48Q45TJV62nNw/s11400/The%20journey%20pic%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3754" data-original-width="11400" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTTZm1MyEFGLMMjXxci3thE0IHkNqMlltc0NcGMw1KsrRLB32GfhfoPkSf9qMdheTLxqhSBvmd2acFqPzuRzTwhc9nzKipQNOn9hsZj0vpQG3jFpxw6ze1NiAPZSEGtL2If2yJkX0kcyZNuIp80TIgv_sjBV9o2ObmwrDyKu7teD2U48Q45TJV62nNw/w400-h131/The%20journey%20pic%203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHyJRiJBJh3kTGAKyf0KzVGNkrZ4d6D8_S7BSKlyxHq7_4KCAsuDJVpaUvMmCf0dWwNnsEYZWbioFVPGjOo1UR9nPZkERNVx4sLbLHxnvonHwd8ww0mo0JEvdkOjmxwL0_YV1ntncNmDDnbT41gYIAzpYeqcpdKS4VN2gClrGiprpBpNByyn1K-0nsA/s11022/The%20journey%20pic%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3790" data-original-width="11022" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHyJRiJBJh3kTGAKyf0KzVGNkrZ4d6D8_S7BSKlyxHq7_4KCAsuDJVpaUvMmCf0dWwNnsEYZWbioFVPGjOo1UR9nPZkERNVx4sLbLHxnvonHwd8ww0mo0JEvdkOjmxwL0_YV1ntncNmDDnbT41gYIAzpYeqcpdKS4VN2gClrGiprpBpNByyn1K-0nsA/w400-h138/The%20journey%20pic%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">It all happened so quickly. One minute, we were still the owners of a Lodge and then suddenly we weren’t.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">In December 2021 we were packed up. Our possessions landed in a container and we were officially “homeless”.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">After being pinned down in one place for 17 years we were reluctant to make a hasty decision regarding the future. In a moment of contemplation I suggested that we buy a caravan, travel from Game Reserve to Game Reserve throughout Southern Africa for the next couple of years and then we make our decision as to where we would like to settle.<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">This decision was to have a few repercussions. Caravans, in South Africa, it seems all fancy the idea of cooking in your bedroom. I, for one, cannot abide the thought of going to sleep amidst the smells of cooking food and so the journey began.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">After much searching and disappointments along the way we finally found someone who could tailor-make a caravan to specification. However, due to his willingness to design the caravan around the client, he is in high demand and we had to go onto a waiting list. December seemed a far way off.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Fast forward to now and the build has begun but in the meantime I have had an exhibition in Namibia, travelled to Ireland for a family break, travelled to Port Elizabeth to check on the caravan specs, travelled back to Rorke’s Drift (or to be more specific, Dresden, a farm just down the road) to house-sit for my youngest we are now finally doing some of that travelling we envisaged many moons ago.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The brief is to study the Hartmann’s Zebra and to commit its image to paper. In order to do this I am now ensconced in one of the most magical places on this earth. Just a stone’s throw from the famous Sossusvlei of Namibia a farm called Schliesen is where I’m resting my head.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Atop a mountain with an awe inspiring view I now write this while gazing off into the blue yonder. The country of big skies, bluer than you can imagine and only the silence interrupted by bird song to intrude on my thoughts.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">For six weeks I will be chasing Zebras, contemplating the universe and reflecting on life. I hope you will join me for the journey.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Please remember if you want to see some of the work I am doing while on my epic adventure please check out my website <a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> and if you'd like to hang some of that work on your walls then click <a href="mailto:art@christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> and drop me an email.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-15027190588128257882022-10-08T16:00:00.014+02:002022-10-08T16:00:00.162+02:00A Parallel Universe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPvFPQlcclPT5qNe-bsD1CexbJWLtu8cjauRwGxRbBOU9ABawqbc8_oO32kylbuyyopopv-PRQ-NHmvP00uC9gIjOKIQPgxjE_rYyDu0pdAsB3YDRkVKn448FyI5aarPj4SpGkEFaX9qsTEHqWfXjMGr-lJt1lUFusNVKw1KR5uhr18FiPBvSzqjUCQ/s4032/image0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPvFPQlcclPT5qNe-bsD1CexbJWLtu8cjauRwGxRbBOU9ABawqbc8_oO32kylbuyyopopv-PRQ-NHmvP00uC9gIjOKIQPgxjE_rYyDu0pdAsB3YDRkVKn448FyI5aarPj4SpGkEFaX9qsTEHqWfXjMGr-lJt1lUFusNVKw1KR5uhr18FiPBvSzqjUCQ/w400-h300/image0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVReGUA38IH_0n0EstA_peVj9rkf_aa2xp7hLvaj_m7CeGWKYnL6vfJtShEEsPFIjvL4mO_2YbScBD0s27FX8e-PBxtHT8njyeyx0PBR4dyh910gEWVLOYawK4aOgJ-JN9YlXp1k2zvAdB9qdI9swZYyQViSgwC9AH7kPZAnu1_AxatHr8Y62vTpvOUg/s4032/orange%20river%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVReGUA38IH_0n0EstA_peVj9rkf_aa2xp7hLvaj_m7CeGWKYnL6vfJtShEEsPFIjvL4mO_2YbScBD0s27FX8e-PBxtHT8njyeyx0PBR4dyh910gEWVLOYawK4aOgJ-JN9YlXp1k2zvAdB9qdI9swZYyQViSgwC9AH7kPZAnu1_AxatHr8Y62vTpvOUg/w400-h300/orange%20river%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></span></p>I have to admit that I am as close to a Dinosaur as one can be. My bones creak and my attitudes to life have been shaped by a time that appears to be long gone.</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In my day, before the era of a phone in a pocket, there was a certain etiquette that went along with the telephone. No calls after 8pm, no calls during meal times and a call was a private affair not listened to, by all and sundry.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I remember a story of a relative, a surly farmer who, when technology reached his farm, had a telephone installed. However, as he did not fancy the idea of an intrusive device, had his telephone installed in the barn. His reasoning was that when he needed it he would go and use it, but he certainly didn’t want it intruding on his life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Fast forward to 2022 and this etiquette that made life and technology quite tolerable, has just disappeared in a cloud of smoke.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">On the road for the first time, forging our way North towards Namibia we landed in Upington at a beautiful lodge on the banks of the Orange River. But, as with many accommodation establishments, the dreaded COVID has taken its toll and so the owners no longer run the in-house restaurant. So, off into the streets of Upington we went looking for some fare for the night.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The recommendation was a restaurant just around the corner, also on the banks of the mighty Orange. The Red Ox turned out to be a beautiful venue. Soft lighting, moody music and a table overlooking the river with attentive serving staff held much promise.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A bottle of Alto Rouge lent itself to the occasion and I leaned back in my chair soaking in the atmosphere.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, this was not destined to last long.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The table next to us was vacated and a new group of four took their place. Three women and a man who obviously was enjoying being féted by a group of adoring women. Before he even sat down he posed in front of the window with the darkened river in the background while one of the women obligingly took a photo of him. Unfortunately, he was in direct line of sight for my chair, and I had to gaze upon his image for at least ten minutes while many more photos were taken, until it appeared that he was satisfied that he looked stately enough.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While that was going on, I suddenly became aware of the fact that another couple had joined the table just behind me as I heard, in German, a very loud conversation about “eating’. Then, the voices behind me quietened down and we all started enjoying the delicious meals in front of us.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">However, back to Adonis and his three admirers. I noticed that they all had ordered burgers and everyone tucked in. I had ordered a fillet on the bone, a first for me, and was intent on enjoying the rare fare. However, while taking in the views outside and the relaxed atmosphere of the establishment, I couldn’t help but notice that Adonis was not eating his burger. Instead, he was photographing his companions and they him. It seemed there were 3 cell phones on the table and each one was being used in turn. Next, Adonis’ burger was whipped away and returned in a “doggy bag” to be followed by a freshly cooked steak. Bemusedly, I contemplated the variations of what would have prompted this. Perhaps a story for another day. But, needless to say, the noise and constant jumping up around the table for the best angle for photographs was, to put it mildly, ruining my feeling of bon vivre!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Then, the German started up. A conversation on speaker phone with someone back in Germany. I tried as best I could to shut it out, but what with dancing Adonis and loudmouthed Gertrude the atmosphere was gone.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">As I left the restaurant I couldn’t help feeling that l was in a parallel universe and I don’t really like it much. I have long heard all the talk about people not talking to each other while being occupied on phones. But, please, let’s get back to that. By far preferable to being trapped between technological progress and the desire to head off to a quieter life somewhere in Africa.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Remember if you want to see some of my artwork completed while on this adventure ... please <a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> and if you fancy a piece you can drop me an email <a href="mailto:art@christinelamberth.com" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-2933418068097717272021-02-23T17:58:00.000+02:002021-02-23T17:58:05.479+02:00ECHOES OF THE DUNES - THE MANTIS AND THE HARTEBEES<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KcrkxuNwFljB4XCo167Jbvk5B1oaYXy69ORh10TaLqzcU6flzF1SVOPfTTe2mUVS3e75xdlhpnx-AhtRqe-SEWdAkdAZoZ3EgUoxfBDHTsF4bdvP-cXwfv2AhN7E1Kl3fQLBbAJjcAkZ/s2048/IMG_9904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KcrkxuNwFljB4XCo167Jbvk5B1oaYXy69ORh10TaLqzcU6flzF1SVOPfTTe2mUVS3e75xdlhpnx-AhtRqe-SEWdAkdAZoZ3EgUoxfBDHTsF4bdvP-cXwfv2AhN7E1Kl3fQLBbAJjcAkZ/s320/IMG_9904.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While out searching for gambroo (a wild plant resembling a cucumber) a group of sisters of the desert came across a wily old Mantis. Knowing that children are curious and could possibly try to capture him the old Mantis used his magic powers to transform himself into a Hartebees. The Mantis also knew that these children would not be carrying knives and therefore would not be able to dismember his body with the flint knives that they knew how to fashion out of stone.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">However, when the children straw him stretched out on the sand they saw that his horns were turned backwards. They jumped for joy at the sight of this great animal just lying there and knew that there would be great celebration that night if they took home the meat. The older children had learned how to strike the stone in just the right way to make a knife and they set about it with great fervour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As they were skinning the Hartebeest the Mantis snatched back his skin and the children had to work together and hold the skin very tightly in order to get the skin removed. All the time the Mantis kept snatching back his skin and one of the children cried that the hartebeest skin was trying to pull her.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Her elder sister examined the hartebeest more closely and observed that there were no wounds on the beast. She told the group, “The hartebeest has no wound and must have died by itself. But, the hartebeest is fat”. This puzzled the sisters.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The elder sister managed to cut a shoulder of the hartebeest and put it down on a bush to prevent it from getting full of sand. Suddenly the hartebeest’s shoulder lifted itself up and sat down on the other side of the bush. The elder sister continued to cut up the hartebeest into pieces and as she placed each piece on the bush the piece would rise up and move to a place where it was more comfortable as the bush was thorny and was pricking the flesh.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Another elder sister cut off the other thigh but as she did so, she felt the flesh of the hartebeest move. It was moving in the same way a man’s flesh moved. And so they dismembered the whole animal. Then they organised who would carry each piece back to their home. The biggest of the elder children was selected by the group to carry the head all the while they felt the flesh of the hartebeest moving.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">All the children helped to put the head of the hartebeest on the elder sister’s back as it was very heavy. Then they all set off home each girl carrying a part of the hartebeest. Suddenly the hartebeest’s head slips downwards because the Mantis’ head wished to stand on the ground. The hartebeest head was squirming on the back of the girl trying to loosen the ropes that were holding it tight. It whispered to the elder sister, “O Child, the rope is covering my eye, please take the rope off so that I may see”. The girl turned around and the Mantis winked at her. She whimpered and her elder sister admonished her and hurried her along so that they could get home and their father could roast the hartebeest for dinner that night.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The child exclaimed “the Hartebeest’s head is able to speak”. But her elder sister accused her of lying and trying to deceive them.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">But the little girl insisted that the hartebeest winked at her and asked her to remove the rope. She turned around and as she looked back the hartebeest opened and shut its eyes. She declared “The hartebeest’s head must be alive, for it is opening and shutting its eyes”.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">As they trudged through the sand heading home the child loosened the rope and the hartebeest’s head fell to the ground. The Mantis berated the child “Oh! Oh! my head! Oh! bad little person! hurting me in my head.”</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The sisters ,all amazed at the talking head, let go of the other parts of the Hartebeest. Suddenly the flesh of the Mantis sprang together. In a flurry, the legs and arms joined themselves to the spine and the head fixed itself back onto the top of the spine.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>petrified children, seeing the Mantis in its real form, went hurtling off home. The Mantis now took on the form of a man and started chasing after the children.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">When the Mantis saw that the children had reached home he quickly turned around and descended into the nearby river. He descended onto the river bed, his footsteps could be heard in the soft sand. He then passed in front of his own house and emerged from the river on the other side of the house.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The out of breath and distraught children found their father and recounted to him the strange story of the hartebeest and its talking head. The wide eyed child who had seen the hartebeest talking asked her father if she had been imagining things.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The father sat contemplating while surrounded by his daughters. He said to them “Did you go and cut up the old Man, The Mantis, while he lay pretending to be dead in front of you?”</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The frightened children assured him that they had seen a hartebeest, as they had seen the horns and the hair. But they did see that the hartebeest did not have a wound. Then after they had cut it up while the flesh kept moving they had carried the pieces home. But along the way the Mantis had reappeared, his body parts had welded themselves back together and then he had transformed himself into a man and chased them all the way home.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The children, who had been so deceived by the wild old Mantis, decided that they would never more go in search of food but would stay at home with their parents as they had been scared to death by this evil being.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Rorke's Drift, South Africa-28.3491854 30.5350899-56.659419236178849 -4.6211601000000009 -0.038951563821154167 65.6913399tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-78531336900914487482020-06-22T14:02:00.000+02:002020-06-22T14:02:21.126+02:00Elephants and Auctions<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88Y07BvXhes/XvBmXhcEcbI/AAAAAAAACdI/2zqtlQGzzyA1iakMkGuVhL9St-CjfViRACK4BGAsYHg/s1600/CL_082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Voortrekker, elephant, Ugab River, Damaraland, auction" border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88Y07BvXhes/XvBmXhcEcbI/AAAAAAAACdI/2zqtlQGzzyA1iakMkGuVhL9St-CjfViRACK4BGAsYHg/w640-h386/CL_082.jpg" title="Voortrekker - Legend of the Ugab" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">It’s time to talk about elephants and auctions. I have been banging on a bit about it in the last few weeks and I thought it was appropriate to join the dots.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My journey with Voortrekker began a year ago now. Splashed all over social media was the damning evidence that a gentle giant, an African spirit, was no more.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">At the time I was working on another exhibition that was entrenched in the desert sands of Africa. It was called Echoes in the Dunes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps it was that connection that drove me to decide to do more, however, that is where the journey had its origins.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Now, we are where I set the target. One year later, the anniversary of the death of Voortrekker and I’m looking for a whole bunch of people to open their hearts, minds and purses to help the Desert Elephants of Damaraland.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In the meantime, the world has changed in a way that none of us ever imagined it could. We’re hunkered down, moaning and groaning. Each of us more concerned about our economic viability than we are about the lives around us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And while we fret and moan we must take cognisance of the fact that charities are at breaking point.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">So, the decision I took a year ago has taken on much more significance than I could have imagined and the success of the auction has become that much more important. While we cannot travel, perhaps we can take some of our travel budgets and help out.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">25 June 2020 at 10h00 is the all important date. Diarise it please.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Up for grabs -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">10 x A3 size (29.7cm x 42cm) prints of the image of Voortrekker - They’re a Limited Edition run with a Certificate of Authenticity.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">90 x A4 size (21cm x 29cm) prints of the image of Voortrekker - Also a Limited Edition run with a Certificate of Authenticity.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And should I mention that I’m the <a href="www.christinelamberth.com">artist</a>?</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The image above is the artwork used for the Limited Edition Prints.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to this - the first 5 prints each carry an extra bonus. We have been gifted FREE stays at two of Namibia’s top lodges, two stays at the EHRA camp and a weekend in Swakopmund. Worth a fantastic amount of money, mind you. The details of this will appear with each post of Facebook. We’re hoping and expecting that these first 5 prints will smash all records and bring us fantastic bids!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">We’d like to encourage everyone participating to go and look at the websites of each of these sponsors and see just how fantastic these little extras are. But then, don’t forget, the other prints need bids on them too. They will look fantastic on your wall or will make the most amazing gift for Christmas, birthdays etc. while helping out some Desert Elephants and communities in Namibia.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">You have to go and LIKE the Facebook page Art for Voortrekker - then on 25 June start watching the posts … we’re hoping to raise a ton of money that will ALL be going to EHRA so that they can build water defences around boreholes along the Ugab and Hoab Rivers.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Find out more through these links:</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Facebook - Art for Voortrekker <a href="https://facebook.com/ArtforVoortrekker"><span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;">https://facebook.com/ArtforVoortrekker</span></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">EHRA - <a href="http://www.ehranamibia.org"><span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;">www.ehranamibia.org</span></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">FineArt Gallery - <a href="http://www.art-in-nambia.com"><span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;">www.art-in-nambia.com</span></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Christine Lamberth - <a href="http://www.christinelamberth.com"><span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;">www.christinelamberth.com</span></a></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Sponsors</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Kambaku Lodges - <a href="http://www.kambaku.com"><span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;">www.kambaku.com</span></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Kifaru Lodge - <a href="http://www.kifarulodge.com"><span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;">www.kifarulodge.com</span></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">EHRA Desert Elephant Camp - <span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="http://www.ehranamibia.com">www.ehranamibia.com</a></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Cozy Corner B&B - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cozy-Corner-BB-360493484559372/">Facebook Page</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Swakopmund, Namibia-22.6467427 14.6004911-50.956976536178843 -20.5557589 5.6634911361788447 49.7567411tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-39933167994108043932020-06-02T12:49:00.002+02:002020-06-02T12:55:07.436+02:00Voortrekker - Legend of the Ugab<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ysIEdTs0MbyqVrc9MEU9zyEGly3j-9jVcJiz2j3ic6vM_t0HDZkuBz8okeN6libaiX7PMvwMM0q-rZ5KJpBpjQQip62NBY9ISv721xOk3jVCFEygr9jdlTlOya_dq7d_d7RAfXbKcO-l/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Voortrekker, desert elephant of Damaraland" border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="2660" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ysIEdTs0MbyqVrc9MEU9zyEGly3j-9jVcJiz2j3ic6vM_t0HDZkuBz8okeN6libaiX7PMvwMM0q-rZ5KJpBpjQQip62NBY9ISv721xOk3jVCFEygr9jdlTlOya_dq7d_d7RAfXbKcO-l/w640-h380/IMG_1730.JPG" title="Voortrekker - the finished drawing." width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">Voortrekker the pioneer elephant is no more. His footsteps now only an echo along the paths he once trod, his footprints have been devoured by the angry winds that whip their way along the Ugab River bed. Only his ghost still inhabits those sandy banks, the rumbles and the crack of breaking branches are now a whisper in the wind. His memory lives on only in the minds of those who loved him.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">Africa has given birth to many legends through the millennia, legends that are fireside stories that leave one wide-eyed and in awe of the deep knowledge entrenched in the valleys and plains and across the rolling hills. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">The answers to our questions can only be answered when we learn to listen. Questions like, how did Voortrekker know the way back to the Ugab? Where does the courage come from for an elephant to venture back into a dangerous place, a place he knew to leave in order to survive? What is the driving force behind him going back to where he had just come from and how did he communicate to the herds that he knew that the place they had fled was once more a safe place to go to?</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">We can only know the facts. The fact that some twenty odd years ago Voortrekker appeared on the banks of the Ugab River, then he disappeared again and when he finally returned he brought with him herds of desert elephants, and then they stayed.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">Now, they face a new danger. And once again, it is conflict with the people who have moved into their space. Occupying their lands and depending on the same resources to survive. Water is so very precious in a landscape where it is only buried deep below the soil and man has worked out how to bring it out of the ground so that uninhabitable places have now become habitable and the animals that know how to survive with very little water and know how to search it out are a threat to those new interlopers.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">Now, in order to survive these gentle giants have had to learn a new skill. They have to depend on people for their existence and they have to find a way to learn that the water buried in the sand is theirs while the water in the reservoirs is not. Now there is a new danger for them, for the people who have the water in the reservoirs also have guns and sticks and stones and they defend their water source so that they too don't die. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">Either way, there is no easy solution to this problem and it takes not only patience but diplomacy and tolerance from all concerned to come up with workable solutions that will satisfy everyone. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">Borehole protections are the only workable solution to date. Making the borehole water inaccessible to a six ton animal is no easy task. One advantage for the borehole owner is that the desert elephant has very "soft" feet and the pads cannot take the pressure exerted by rocks. This way, a walled defence around the borehole and a skirt of sharp rocks around the area is deterrent enough to keep both the borehole and its equipment safe from curious and thirsty elephants and the elephants do not learn to raid the water sources but to rely on their own entrenched knowledge to excavate the river beds for water.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">EHRA Namibia has been building these defences as fast as the funds they can gather allow them to. And thus, the artwork seen in the video above is about to be used in order to raise more funds to protect the elephants of Damaraland. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">An auction of a Limited Edition of the image will take place in June and the target is to raise enough funds for two borehole defences. We hope you will join us in this quest to help the herd that Voortrekker left behind live their days in peace along the banks of the Ugab River.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2">To join in the auction go to: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ARTforVoortrekker">ART for Voortrekker</a> and LIKE the page.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><a href="https://www.ehranamibia.org">EHRA</a> </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica" size="2"><a href="https://www.art-in-namibia.com">Fine Art Gallery</a></font></div>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Ugab River, Namibia-21.1571679 13.679229-49.467401736178843 -21.477021 7.1530659361788445 48.835479tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-43876778515288518012020-05-09T12:48:00.000+02:002020-05-09T12:48:05.341+02:00Meerkat Mania<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.christinelamberth.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Meerkat" border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqOMY8Bw7Oc/XraG-msWEbI/AAAAAAAACaM/bQuCOO7tOHsO_2YCLWSNy1ZBQygWmxBlgCK4BGAsYHg/w640-h430/CL0038.jpg" title="Kalahari Kreetures I" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalahari Kreetures I</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnA7rS0FTP0/XraG_PbPnwI/AAAAAAAACaQ/e6VqgWBvL6km9IlwhICnTsujPTwDIivrQCK4BGAsYHg/CL0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Meerkat" border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnA7rS0FTP0/XraG_PbPnwI/AAAAAAAACaQ/e6VqgWBvL6km9IlwhICnTsujPTwDIivrQCK4BGAsYHg/w640-h418/CL0039.jpg" title="Kalahari Kreetures II" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalahari Kreetures II</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDt5SU7O25E/XraG_hINJWI/AAAAAAAACaU/X53-br2kP7Ac8kvIbN1i_Urn4R2fEoFPQCK4BGAsYHg/CL0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Meerkat" border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDt5SU7O25E/XraG_hINJWI/AAAAAAAACaU/X53-br2kP7Ac8kvIbN1i_Urn4R2fEoFPQCK4BGAsYHg/w640-h410/CL0040.jpg" title="Kalahari Kreetures III" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalahari Kreetures III</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">It is 5.30am and the sun is edging its way onto the Eastern horizon of the Makgadigadi Pans. We do not have far to drive. Just a couple of kilometres from Jack’s Camp is a group of habituated Meerkats, the reason for the trip to Makgadigadi.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Finding a Meerkat in the wilds of Africa, or more specifically, Southern Africa is not an easy task when time is limited and expectations are high. Certainly there are Meerkats spread all over the Western climes of Southern Africa but the crucial factor determining a trip dedicated to them is that they should at least sit still long enough to be photographed and not be hightailing it off in the opposite direction at the approach of a vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Each time I explore for a new experience the dilemma of my impact on the intended target has to be considered. Habituation of wild animals is a hot topic with the decision of when exactly is habituation taming and when is it not. It is the dilemma facing all wild animals today. The more they see humans the more habituated they become and therefore lose at least some of their hunting instincts with regard to people inside vehicles. This habituation process makes animals so much more vulnerable to poachers and takes away from the true wilderness experience. In the Makgadigadi Pans they have their own version of habituation and they seem to have found the tenuous balance between conservation and human invasion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">There is a minder for each little group of Meerkats. This in itself deters harassment of the animal as well as keeping tabs on the group so that guests to the area are able to easily access the group. The minder has a bicycle and he spends his days simply moving with the group as it forages for food. He will be there when they emerge from the burrow and he will only leave once they have disappeared underground for the night. Tomorrow morning he will return to start the whole process again. For someone who has limited time and has travelled only to see the Meerkats, as I have, this is very advantageous.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">It is therefore, with great excitement that I alight the vehicle outside of the burrow to follow this first group on its foraging expedition. Scorpions are being excavated from the ground and being crunched up deliciously. Whoever knew there were quite so many scorpions around? A fat green frog bites the dust as an adult does the catching and then hands over the prize to a diminutive sibling. It is not a pretty sight. In fact, if this were amplified it would be far more revolting than any of the Lion or Cheetah kills that I have witnessed. Gore, blood and guts of note accompany the frenzied feeding.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">As each new catch is accomplished I have to gingerly step around so as not to look as though I am a hungry, marauding intruder. The lucky recipient of a tasty morsel instantly turns his or her back on me and vigorously defends the meal from me. To make things even more difficult from a photographic point of view the group is foraging in an area that is covered in a very spiny grass that stands almost as high as they are. I finally give up as I realise the burn I feel on the back of my neck is the sun beating down informing me that it’s time for breakfast..<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Bumping along the dusty track the following day we visit another group that is foraging along the road and I am able to get down to the level of a Meerkat without being impaled by the very spiny leaves of the grass. It is great that I am not bound to a vehicle where I have to sit and look for the best angle or have the poor Ranger move the vehicle every few minutes because the animals have moved on. The fading sunset puts an end to my euphoria as the group heads off to their burrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">It is our last day and I am determined to be sitting outside the burrow when the Meerkats emerge this morning. I am awake even before the wake-up call and we briskly head for the vehicle. Gentle rays of sunshine are painting the landscape and at the burrow there is no sign of the Meerkats as yet. A quick recce of the burrow reveals the entrances to be on the western side and I sit down and wait just metres away. I do not have long to wait before the first pert little face emerges cautiously from an entrance. The sharp little button eyes survey the landscape and determine the risks, then with a judicious approach the little furry creature sits down on the edge of the excavated burrow allowing the sun to warm his tummy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">One by one each member of the family emerges and an orgy of scratching, nibbling and preening ensues. The sun is now above the horizon and after the family bonding session the group head off for the grasslands to forage for breakfast. Dung beetles are dug up in their encasements only to be broken open and devoured in a flash. Scorpions are brought up from under the earth with a gnashing of teeth, a spattering of innards and a crunching of keratin and the scorpion is no more. Another frog hits the dust – it is a feast to behold. Accompanying this is the constant call from the baby Meerkats as they follow their minder.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Indeed it is a special privilege to be able to move among these captivating creatures without them regarding me as a threat to their existence and I reluctantly leave them to their foraging. They will forever be a part of the magic of the African Landscape.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">All the images used in this blog are available as Limited Edition Prints on Acid Free Paper in sizes A5 through to A1. </font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Orders can be placed at <a href="mailto:christine@christinelamberth.co.za">christine@christinelamberth.co.za</a></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Makadikadi Basin, Botswana-20.7913528 25.4733554-75.148425043408722 -44.8391446 33.565719443408724 95.7858554tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-83660767205109170902020-04-30T12:06:00.000+02:002020-04-30T12:06:12.867+02:00Baby's in Charge<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ngE0NuW2dc1YPCE3pLM9sOW325S5FuFkc6Tu5nPJrbub1_GJsDp2RFanvH0xeMLgsL4xhYcHjH2K9X-TR08GEvFWUA0EotRHaY2DUuzZnb0N8kNMm8xwCFepE-mUCaNI50gtjeVX2W5r/s1600/CL008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ngE0NuW2dc1YPCE3pLM9sOW325S5FuFkc6Tu5nPJrbub1_GJsDp2RFanvH0xeMLgsL4xhYcHjH2K9X-TR08GEvFWUA0EotRHaY2DUuzZnb0N8kNMm8xwCFepE-mUCaNI50gtjeVX2W5r/s640/CL008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby's in Charge<br />Charcoal on Paper<br />Available as Limited Edition Prints Size A5 - A1<br />Awarded 3rd Prize in The Golden Turtle 2015 (Russia)<br />Prints can be ordered from christine@christinelamberth.co.za<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a repost of a story previously published with the photographs I took as inspiration for my drawing. Hope you enjoy taking a little trip back down memory lane.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is our last day in the Etosha National Park today and we decide to only visit our favourite waterholes. After a quick visit to Blesbokfontein waterhole where we are lucky enough to get a black rhino out in the open we head off to Rietfontein, an active waterhole where we are guaranteed some action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now I even have a favourite spot to park to get the best shots on offer and we wait. We are not disappointed as wave after wave of elephants pass us by. Finally, the big herd arrives. Today, instead of going around the back of the waterhole they pass close by as there is a group of rambunctious young males splashing around on the far side of the pond. There is nothing more exciting than landing up in the middle of a group of elephants and their close proximity certainly heightens the experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The leader of the group today is the matriarch's youngest offspring. As the group quickly move forward with their measured steps the young elephant has difficulty in keeping up. His gargantuan mother moves deliberately forward without stopping and he has to keep running to keep in front. He stops every now and again and scratches the inside of his right hind leg with his left leg. Then he takes off again to catch up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly, the youngster swerves in front of his mother and comes to a complete halt. She patiently stops and waits for him. He starts sniffing around in the dust. The matriarch gently nudges him with her trunk trying to push him forward. He doesn't react and she gives him a bit of a boot. The line moves forward once again only to be stopped again a few paces further. This time the little elephant is sniffing at a rock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He drops to his knees over the white stone and rocks backwards and forwards giving himself a good old scratch. Patiently, the whole line of more than fifty elephants wait. The scratching goes on for quite a while when the mother starts pushing with her trunk again. The little elephant seems reluctant to move away from his rock and he falls over it seemingly hugging it. Gently his mother gives him a bit of a kick in the butt again and he only reacts when she starts moving around him and resumes her measured pace once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He jumps up and runs, ears and trunk flapping in the wind and takes his place in the front of the line again as they head towards the water.</span>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Etosha National Park, Namibia-18.8555909 16.3293197-46.6105564 -24.9792743 8.8993746000000016 57.6379137tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-67752533777948498552020-04-24T09:37:00.000+02:002020-04-24T09:37:41.458+02:00Echoes of the Dunes - The Young Man of the Ancient Race<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Title: The Gaze<br />Size: 70cm x 90cm<br />Charcoal on Paper<br />Framed in White Wood Frame<br />Available from Fine Art Gallery, Swakopmund, Namibia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px;">THE YOUNG MAN OF THE ANCIENT RACE, WHO WAS CARRIED OFF BY A LION; WHEN ASLEEP IN THE FIELD</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While out hunting a young man ascended a hill as this was the best lookout post where he could wait. The sun was beating down and as the young man waited patiently he suddenly started feeling very sleepy. He decided that as it was so very hot he would first lie down and sleep before he started out on his hunt.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While he was sleeping a lion came walking by heading to the nearby waterhole as he was very thirsty. The lion saw the man sleeping in the noonday sun and very carefully he picked up the man and carried him off.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The man awoke startled. He then realised that he was now in the grips of a lion.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He decided that it would be best to not to react and to pretend to be dead as the lion appeared to think that he was dead. Should he move, then the lion would realise that he was not dead and would most likely kill him anyway.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The lion carried the young man to a zwart-storm tree and laid him in it. The lion then decided to return to the waterhole as he was still very thirsty. He could not eat the man immediately as he realised that his thirst would then be far greater. He decided to eat the man once he had returned from the waterhole.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The lion checked that he had put the man into the tree properly that he may not fall out of it. With his paw he pushed hard on the man to make sure that he was well wedged into the tree. The branches of the tree stuck into the body of the man and he was very uncomfortable. He was still pretending to be dead but he needed to move his head just ever so slightly to stop the branches from hurting him. The lion looked back at him and thought that he had moved because he, the lion, had not wedged him carefully enough into the tree. He returned once again to the man and trod even harder on him to make sure that he did not fall out of the tree. A small branch from the tree stuck into the man’s back and caused him to shed some tears in pain. The lion licked the tears away but kept his eyes fixed on the man. The man then moved just ever so slightly again to try to relieve the pain without alerting the lion to the fact that he was still alive. The lion looked again at the man suspiciously as it looked as though he had moved. However, after staring intently at the man for a few minutes he decided that the man was not moving any longer and he struck off in the direction of the waterhole.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">He ascended the hill and then descended on the other side. But, he was still ever so slightly suspicious of the man and he therefore lay down just on the other side of the hill so that he could keep an eye on the man and see that he was definitely not moving. The man, very very slowly, moved his head and opened his eyes just ever so slightly so that he could see if the lion had moved away. But, he saw his head on the top of the hill and he kept very still in the tree.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">As the lion was very hungry he decided that he would quickly run to the waterhole, take a quick drink of water and then return to eat the man. But the lion remained suspicious. He would leave, take a few steps but then he would quickly go back to check if the man was still lying in the tree. The man kept looking to see if the lion would return and after a while the lion seemed satisfied that the man had not moved or fallen out of the tree and he finally moved off to the waterhole to drink.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Finally the man quickly rose from the tree and ran off in a zigzag manner trying to leave as little trace of his departure as possible so as to fool the lion so that he would not know where he had gone. He knew that the lion, when he got back, and realised that his food had disappeared would start tracking his footsteps.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Finally the man got back to his home and he called out to the people of his home. He told them what had happened and that the lion had taken hold of him and had put him into the tree. He explained to them how he had got away and then begged them to help him hide as he knew that the lion would start looking for him and would follow his tracks. Everyone knew that it is a lion’s nature not to leave his food and if his food moves off he then will set off looking for it until he finds it again.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The young man then asked that his people hide him by rolling him up in hartebeest skins and mats so that the lion could not get hold of him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This young man was well loved by his people and they did as he asked in order to protect him. They first wrapped him up in some mats and then they rolled him into some hartebeest skins. Once he was well wrapped up they then hid him under some bushes so that the lion would be deceived and think that he had disappeared.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While they were hiding the young man some of the other people went out looking for edible roots that they would bake at noon. An old Bushman who was out looking for wood for his wife so that his wife could bake the roots saw the lion as it came over the top of the hill and he ran back to the village to warn everyone that the lion was coming.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The young man’s mother then said “You must not allow the lion to come into the huts, you must shoot it when it comes near”.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">All the hunters then gathered up their quivers and they went out to meet the lion. When they got near enough to the lion they shot their arrows at it but it seemed as if the lion could evade their arrows and it did not die. The lion then approached the huts and demanded that he wanted the young man. One of the old women of the village then said to the other villagers, “we must give the lion another child so that he will leave us alone”. But the lion refused, he said he wanted the young man whose tears he had licked and he did not want any other child.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The people of the village then turned to the hunters and demanded to know why they had not killed the lion. One of the hunters then turned around and said “Do you not see that this is not really a lion? This is a sorcerer and it will not die even if we shoot all our arrows at it. That is why he is demanding the young man and no one else.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The people then threw other children at the lion to try to appease him that he might leave them alone. But the lion did not want the other children and he started off looking for the young man that he was seeking. The hunters started shooting their arrows at the lion again but they had no effect. They then took their assegais and stabbed at the lion but it was as if they were stabbing into the air and the lion was able to moved through and around them with impunity as he searched for the man whose tears he had licked.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The lion then broke into the peoples huts and scratched at everything while it was looking for the young man. The people were very confused and they panicked. They offered the lion a young girl but the lion refused and he continued to search for the young man. Finally, the people of the village decided that they would have to speak to the young man’s mother and tell her that although she loved her child very much she would have to give the young man to the lion as the lion would not leave the people alone.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The young man’s mother realised that she had no choice and she said to the people “I will agree to this but when you give my child to the lion you need to kill him so that my child does not die on his own”. She then went to the hartebeest skins and she unrolled her child from the skins.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The people then gave the lion what he wanted. The lion then proceeded to bite the young man and he killed him, but the people, at the same time then started stabbing the lion. The lion then spoke to the people and said “This is the one for which I will die”. And together the lion and the young man died.</span></div>
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Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Serengeti, Tanzania-1.8936005 34.6856509-2.9091880000000003 33.394757399999996 -0.87801299999999993 35.9765444tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-64508332118056274652020-04-20T16:45:00.002+02:002020-04-20T16:56:01.160+02:00Marsh Babies<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE MARSH BABIES</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Marsh Babies - a little glimpse of what Africa is all about.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">If you visit the Maasai Mara then you will more than likely hear the name Marsh Pride whispered with great reverence. A pride of lions whose tenacity and fierceness has earned them a place in the history books.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Not too long ago two females, Siena and Charm whose story was told over and over again roamed the plains of the North. Charm was the matriarch of the pride and she was the fiercest of all. In her time that she was with us she led her pride with courage and determination.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Our arrival in the Mara, coincided with the birth a few months before of 4 cubs who were Siena’s cubs. At the time I wasn’t really aware of the names of the lionesses as I tend to want to shy away from the practice we have of naming these wild animals who, I feel, deserve to live wild and free and naming them somehow, seems to reign in that freedom. As a result of this I don’t want to know the names of the prides or the names of individuals, but inevitably one becomes acquainted with them as you become more engaged with your surroundings.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In the crisp morning air we leave our camp in the south of the Mara just as the sun peeps out from behind the horizon. However, today the clouds are heavy above us and a soft rain descends all around us. We turn our vehicle towards the North and head off to where the Marsh Pride have their hangout. We arrive at the clearing where they normally spend their days but there is not a single lion in sight. We decide to take a slow drive through to where we can see some Thompson’s Gazelles grazing in the long grass. A lone cheetah is sitting next to a termite mound gazing determinedly at the antelope and we decide we should move back so as to give it room for a much anticipated hunt.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">As we head into the blue gum trees just to the North of the cheetah we head into a clearing where we decide that we can hunker down in the rain, have some breakfast and wait for the cheetah fun.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As we approach the clearing and position the vehicle near some fallen trees, Sammy, our guide smiles broadly and reveals in a hollowed out log four tiny little bundles of fluff tucked up close to each other.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">These are Siena’s cubs that she has stashed away while she and the rest of the pride head off to fill their bellies. Quite incredibly these cubs that can be so boisterous and playful are lying so still you would not see them if you do not possess the eagle eyes of a Mara guide. Sammy positions the vehicle to take the best opportunity for photographs and while I start clicking away my two companions organise breakfast around me.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">We spend the better part of about three or four hours, time does tend to slip away when you are having fun, the cubs hardly stir. One will reposition itself slightly and then another one will move, sometimes their eyes are open but for the most they sleep. This is one of those gooseflesh moments when you realise that you are participating in something only seen by a select few. Lion cubs, in the wild, all on their own, unprotected. But, they know just what to do to survive.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Reluctantly we have to head back to camp. We forget entirely about the cheetah and as we drive away I know that a little bit of my heart stays there with those vulnerable little creatures that have become part of my Africaness.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">We don’t return to the same spot but the grapevine allows us a further glimpse into this amazing event. Siena it would seem disappeared for a few weeks and Charm, the dedicated leader of the pack returns to the clearing and fetches the cubs. She then takes over the rearing of them and increases the size of her pride.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I often think back to that little interlude on the Mara plains and my admiration for Africa’s cats is boundless. Against all odds these beautiful creatures are surviving.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Title: Marsh Babies</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Size: 79cm x 156cm</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Framed in White Wood Frame</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Medium: Charcoal on 300gsm paper</span></div>
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We ship anywhere in the world, Credit Cards or Paypal accepted. </div>
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email <a href="mailto:christine@christinelamberth.co.za">christine@christinelamberth.co.za</a></div>
Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ngiro-are Road, Kenya-1.371912 34.9381095-29.142603 -6.3704844999999963 26.398778999999998 76.2467035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-82951120004850170122020-04-15T16:52:00.000+02:002020-04-15T16:52:00.741+02:00The Call of Africa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5MbnjDvkuo/Xpcc-hiKGfI/AAAAAAAACWc/Rh8oojdPoOEyMipWEjOBgG28VfU5P0sYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5MbnjDvkuo/Xpcc-hiKGfI/AAAAAAAACWc/Rh8oojdPoOEyMipWEjOBgG28VfU5P0sYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_9893.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lion Cubs waiting for their mother to return from hunting. </td></tr>
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When you've acquired a taste for dust,<br />
The scent of our first rain,<br />
You're hooked for life on Africa<br />
And you'll not be right again<br />
Till you can watch the setting moon<br />
And hear the jackals bark<br />
And know that they're around you,<br />
Waiting in the dark.<br />
<br />
When you long to see the elephants.<br />
Or hear the coucal's song,<br />
When the moonrise sets your blood on fire,<br />
You've been away too long<br />
Its time to cut the traces loose<br />
And let your heart go free<br />
Beyond that far horizon,<br />
Where your spirit yearns to be.<br />
<br />
Africa is waiting - come!<br />
Since you've touched the open sky<br />
And learned to love the rustling grass,<br />
The wild fish-eagles cry.<br />
You'll always hunger for the bush,<br />
For the lion's rasping roar,<br />
To camp at last beneath the stars<br />
And to be at peace once more.<br />
<br />
C. Emily Dibb<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Original art available.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><i>Marsh Babies</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Size <span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">79cm x 156cm</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Beautifully framed in a white wood frame</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Can be shipped anywhere in the world.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Enquiries at <a href="mailto:christine@christinelamberth.co.za">christine@christinelamberth.co.za </a></span></span></i>Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ngiro-are Road, Kenya-1.371912 34.9381095-26.8939465 -6.3704844999999963 24.150122500000002 76.2467035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361566513319661849.post-66454292832181991722015-12-02T16:59:00.000+02:002015-12-02T16:59:58.207+02:00SKOMER ISLAND WHERE YOU’LL FIND PUFFIN MAGIC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-SL_HXlLJs/Vl8EvDJHEQI/AAAAAAAACG0/4sTWQVrjiVg/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-SL_HXlLJs/Vl8EvDJHEQI/AAAAAAAACG0/4sTWQVrjiVg/s640/IMG_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stairway to heaven must look something like this</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">May of 2014 brings around an opportunity to do a little wildlife photography in the Great British Isles. A huge contrast to the plains of Africa, but nevertheless an opportunity to spread the proverbial African wings to distant shores.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Skomer Island lies off the coast of Wales. As such the priorities change somewhat when it comes to packing. Water can now be classed as the enemy instead of the usual African dust and clothing suddenly is a lot heavier.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_uByFHIeiY/Vl8Ew465XyI/AAAAAAAACG8/H8qgc2rYGOU/s1600/IMG_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_uByFHIeiY/Vl8Ew465XyI/AAAAAAAACG8/H8qgc2rYGOU/s640/IMG_0127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adorable little bunnies hide in the bluebells all over the island</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Travel from London along the motorway is thankfully quite swift once one breaks free of the confines of the M25 and before too long the narrow windy tracks of the Welsh countryside make for a new driving experience. I strike out onto the A40 and head towards Haverfordwest. My iPhone Maps suddenly becomes my very best friend when I hit those unmarked country lanes. An African in a teeny weeny little car picking its way through the hedgerows must be a sight for sore eyes. I have vision after vision of my mangled body being pulled from the hedges after a head-on collision with another car. I arrive at the meeting point, marked Dale Princess on Google maps where the island ferry embarks.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsDn_mCSgn47d64YY6WIkx12CDpr6mwkjlIGW54Thyphenhyphenf3QiTMWXJ5K1EDVg-erXTdvjs3mSrbZB6Xcc_aum-hl2RNcbaND65vCkHh7Pogime76NcAzu1xT30wU8mZK8CVy0NmYNVe4eMCG/s1600/IMG_0299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsDn_mCSgn47d64YY6WIkx12CDpr6mwkjlIGW54Thyphenhyphenf3QiTMWXJ5K1EDVg-erXTdvjs3mSrbZB6Xcc_aum-hl2RNcbaND65vCkHh7Pogime76NcAzu1xT30wU8mZK8CVy0NmYNVe4eMCG/s640/IMG_0299.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stretching my wings</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Carrying bags and gear along narrow steep paths is a new experience that reveals all too soon my non existent levels of fitness. A daisy chain gang to load the ferry is another new experience and soon we are on our way across icy seas.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6neoKg_PJhg5COnXqoWLzRW-5VgxNuEW__bu8MDygXxJ1yQpr7eajph93ypibGybCnvAE2TELMyWq6O1N9jeNp6KlFefei05Vd8-DqRbTSj0rb9_GC_HY3L6Y4UJVPOE9TJUtF1Pcuhm/s1600/IMG_0408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6neoKg_PJhg5COnXqoWLzRW-5VgxNuEW__bu8MDygXxJ1yQpr7eajph93ypibGybCnvAE2TELMyWq6O1N9jeNp6KlFefei05Vd8-DqRbTSj0rb9_GC_HY3L6Y4UJVPOE9TJUtF1Pcuhm/s640/IMG_0408.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little groups of Puffins congregated like this all over the island in some kind of ritual that definitely needed some explanations.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Skomer Island lies a couple of kilometres off the coast and the landing platform is another quick learning curve for the unfit. I decide I will not count the stairs but suffice it to say that if there weren’t some much younger healthier individuals helping to bring the luggage up to the top it would have taken more than just an hour or so for me to have hauled myself up the stairs with my gear. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLbe9hAuvwk/Vl8E5SDo4EI/AAAAAAAACHQ/dRbx5yBjt5E/s1600/IMG_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLbe9hAuvwk/Vl8E5SDo4EI/AAAAAAAACHQ/dRbx5yBjt5E/s640/IMG_0504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little puffs of white flowers translate into a cloud of magic.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Finally we arrive at our unexpectedly comfortable digs. No extra comforts but serviceable and the biggest comfort of all is hot water. That, on its own makes for comfortable living. Luggage is strewn around the room, cameras emerge along with all the rain gear and its off across the island to find the puffins. The ever present rain is looming on the horizon but just as I would ignore the rain in Africa I ignore the rain in Wales.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwJuVDTHHSVuGu3WJHxzDmsyauSUUV59SD4EeW0AWgydxylBZGiO5aHBu0Y8UhAwYZmcU-JFYfPqY9OJjw-Zkl2nlvW3VVsXu-Adwrg1iHTf3bU2kNspTcwNwGnmmE0yXuAKVh05d2aXm/s1600/IMG_0568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwJuVDTHHSVuGu3WJHxzDmsyauSUUV59SD4EeW0AWgydxylBZGiO5aHBu0Y8UhAwYZmcU-JFYfPqY9OJjw-Zkl2nlvW3VVsXu-Adwrg1iHTf3bU2kNspTcwNwGnmmE0yXuAKVh05d2aXm/s640/IMG_0568.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Puffins need to stretch their wings.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Finding the puffins is not an onerous task at all. The discovery of the phenomenon that almost the whole of the island aside from some bluebell fields and pathways is one giant nesting site leaves one to wonder at the marvels of nature.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xVNBgqhJBw7gEtqpokFatOTFISMdBLwx5zg-xAf2bIWmSEsuATNArbevc8QpDotLXrc4JgtolRp2WqxuLvGsbCAyTj3ElzATNYeng7noBUZqTAuw25BXSMv-9mSIpioP_9C1qTxsrjSw/s1600/IMG_0797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xVNBgqhJBw7gEtqpokFatOTFISMdBLwx5zg-xAf2bIWmSEsuATNArbevc8QpDotLXrc4JgtolRp2WqxuLvGsbCAyTj3ElzATNYeng7noBUZqTAuw25BXSMv-9mSIpioP_9C1qTxsrjSw/s640/IMG_0797.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we could see angels, this is what their wings would look like - on puffs of clouds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Day two on the island and the rain seems determined to set us back but braving the wind and rain at the insistence of one of the group we head out again. This time we find a different spot and we are privileged to see some of the other species that populate the island’s cliffs. By the afternoon we are not discouraged at all despite the inclement weather and the afternoon finds us in a field of flowers being thoroughly entertained and entranced by these singular little feathered folk who are impervious to our presence.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyXx3z-2z3gt2OX5hUysIVKlaKe2bwSTad3yZh3g_tUIouQAlsqIoCOAlwZkH4gODcB4BkQ_Q6o-H2AOm-4EgwhgamehM40_AKazHC-bovgQKc29uESiNcQyCR0BFLitIc783iRpnCtDL/s1600/IMG_0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyXx3z-2z3gt2OX5hUysIVKlaKe2bwSTad3yZh3g_tUIouQAlsqIoCOAlwZkH4gODcB4BkQ_Q6o-H2AOm-4EgwhgamehM40_AKazHC-bovgQKc29uESiNcQyCR0BFLitIc783iRpnCtDL/s640/IMG_0937.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bunny heaven</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hiking around the island lugging camera gear on your back is a new challenge for me. In Africa the norm is to be in a tin box on wheels and my fitness is seriously questioned on my quest. However, I find the bracing, cool air fuels my body to exceed its levels of activity. Limited time prevents me from exploring the whole island and indeed gives me cause to return once again. But in the meantime the thrill of spending time in nature with its creatures outside of a hide or a mechanical hide is quietly satisfying. I get time to study the birds behaviour and their interactions in the many little groups spread across the island. I desperately miss the British version of Roberts (which does not exist) but which I find fulfils such an important part in informing me of the intricacies of the African bush. Unfortunately, despite the island being overrun by researchers and bird counters no one seems to be able to answer those questions that we Africans can find at the flick of a page or the click of a button. I make a note to go in search of what I would call “The Roberts” of Europe.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ji9shZqbB0/Vl8FBSZhNhI/AAAAAAAACHw/5uAk-EgGnQk/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ji9shZqbB0/Vl8FBSZhNhI/AAAAAAAACHw/5uAk-EgGnQk/s640/IMG_1231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another little congregation of Puffins</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the end of the short trip draws closer I get to see the Manx Shearwater as it comes hurtling back to the island late at night. The experience of having to stumble along in the pitch dark with not a light in sight is faintly medieval in its nature and in sharp contrast to what I am used to where the dark presents clear danger. The island is also overrun with big fat bunnies who hop along the footpaths and appear to be in heaven as there are very few predators to send them scurrying.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxWq85mZkJ8/Vl8FFBMx6eI/AAAAAAAACH4/nncSwSBKoHg/s1600/IMG_1364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxWq85mZkJ8/Vl8FFBMx6eI/AAAAAAAACH4/nncSwSBKoHg/s640/IMG_1364.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think this is Puffins in love</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The sharp contrasts between an African bush experience and this relaxed back to nature expedition are expansive. Tranquility and peace reign on this little island and the quaint, quirky Puffin has nothing more than storms to fear (and maybe man in his careless way). I leave the island regretting of course that I did not plan to stay longer but know that at some stage I can do this again but I would have to make it soon as I am not sure how many more years I will be able to schlep a 500mm lens on my back.</span></div>
Christine Lamberthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12180234352360194715noreply@blogger.com0Skomer, United Kingdom51.7357733 -5.296388100000058351.7161068 -5.3367286000000584 51.7554398 -5.2560476000000582