Dry, dusty Lewa

I noticed when I logged on to the internet today that Britain is set for lots of snow. That seems quite unimaginable to me here on Lewa as it is getting drier and dustier each day. The grass is dying quickly and you cannot drive anywhere without clouds of dust following you. When you stop to open a gate, you are simply engulfed in the dust the vehicle has kicked up. I would choose this over the cold any day though!

Well, it has been very quiet here on the guest front for a few days (I say that looking out of the office window at ten new guests that have just arrived so not for much longer..). Had lots of time to go for some nice rides and find some new routes. The game is fabulous right now. 12 rhinos on this morning's ride alone, and the other morning we just sat quietly on our horses watching 50+ elephants crossing the river ahead of us and then headed up the hill where we saw 8 rhino, not to mention the stunning views across Lewa to Mount Kenya.

Speaking of Mount Kenya, a few of us took a day trip up to the lower slopes. The landscape is dramatically different from Lewa. First you head up through beautiful farm land and crops which is very reminiscent of a large arable farm in the UK with lots of the bright yellow oilseed rape crops. Then through the forest and out onto shrubby moorland. We drove up to a place called Rotundu where we then trekked down into a gorge - quite a scramble actually - to reach a beautiful stream full of trout. Some of the group fished. I chose just to relax on a rock and listen to the sound of the water and take the occasional paddle in the ice cold water.

Also been to the school in Isiolo again. I find Isiolo a very depressing place. Something about the air, the heat and the dryness really gets to you and you feel completely drained within five minutes of arriving. Isiolo is not a very settled place right now. Lots of tribal fighting going on to the north with warring groups killing each others animals and arguing over land. Best avoided for the time being..

Nanyuki (to the south of Lewa) by contrast is quite a nice place to go for shopping or lunch. Found a restaurant with free wifi the other day which was nice.

Still waiting for foal number three to arrive. Coco (the mare) is huge so it can't be too much longer. Santa is growing very well and I think his brain may even be catching up as he seems much brighter and sharper. He even skips, canters and bucks now. He will never be as smart as Champagne but that is just as well - he is a lot easier to handle than she is!