At the build site. Location unknown (somewhere near Okaumbaaha village). Camping near an open farm of cattle and goats in the middle of what is known as the central belt of Acacia Savannah that runs down central Namibia. The farm has a bore hole and 3 water towers that feed 14 local villages. Elephants have already tried to pierce the tanks and take the water.
EHRA had built half the surrounding wall with previous 3 volunteer groups. It was our job to complete the other half. A race against time.
Firstly. Set up camp. Next job, to organise camp and building duties. Camp duties a team rotation of cooking ( on an open fire) and washing up. Building duties a rotation of rock collection, cement making and wall building.
Days loosely have this structure. 6am wake. 6.30am breakfast of oats and toast. 7.30am stretching exercises. 8am at built site. 10am back to camp for tea, fruit and biscuits. Build again until 12.30pm. Lunch stop of ham, cheese and salad sandwiches and more fruit ( the most beautiful oranges from South Africa). Siesta until 2.30pm before the last slog of the day on the site under a 32 degree temperature. Finish at 4.30pm. Beers in the shade of the tree whilst dinner prepared ( highlights of the week Spag Bol’ and Chicken Stir fry). Chats around the campfire until 8.30-9.30pm until you are too exhausted to stay awake.
Slipping easily in to the routine, but the building work is gruelling. Pushing to the back of my mind the hernia on L2 with more positive thoughts of elephants and the possibility of losing a couple of kilos from my waistline.
Campsite security whilst we are out. Toffee. Named by one of the previous groups.
Sunrises and sunsets are famous in Africa but what I was wasn’t prepared for was the complete silence. Bar the occassional mating call of a Barking Gekco there was utter utter silence. I dont think I’ve ever heard this before.
Comments
5 responses to “Africa Unplugged Part 2”
Totally. Beautiful photos 🤩
How lovely Toffee can be a temporary River for a little bit of pet company 🐶. You just need a couple of cats now x
So lovely…
How amazing to experience silence
Sounds gruelling but an amazing experience
Beautiful pictures Kate. Sounds amazing, such an achievement. Hope the L2 is holding out.
I had been wondering how you were managing building walls! I don’t think I could do it now 🙁 Bloody well done that girl!