Slowly the sun started to rise up above the mountain ahead. They had been driving for about half an hour, all eagerly looking for movement behind bushes or under trees, or just in one of the shallow depressions in the earth.
Thomas was carefully trying to miss the large ruts in the road whilst keeping an eye out for animals.
Pinks and golds streaked the sky as the huge orange ball rose up. Mist hung in the air and steam drifted up from the hard baked earth.
Within what seemed like a few minutes, the warmth of the sun was all around. The two elderly ladies,who had introduced themselves as Joan and Sarah, shed the hot water bottles they had brought with them,"It's a bit nippy first thing in the morning for our old bones", they had explained, then donned wide brimmed floppy hats, and made sure their arms were covered up in loose cotton shirts.They all had their cameras at the ready, and Nick had his binoculars slung around his neck.
Dawn helped Nick to rub some suntan lotion onto the back of his neck, and rubbed her arms in the stuff. Yes, it stopped you getting sunburned, but with the grease and the dust around left you feeling grimy. Thankfully she had bought a pack of wet wipes at the little gift shop at the camp.
The truck slowed down and came to a standstill. "Lion, whispered Thomas, as he pointed to a small hillock. They shaded their eyes against the glare of the rising sun. "Look", slowly a head rose from the longish grass, and then another form appeared.
The lion gave a big yawn and flopped down to lick it's paw. There was remnants of a meal they had had. Bloody strands of flattened grass with flies starting to buzz on bits of skin and hair. This would all soon be picked clean by any other scavengers around and also the vultures which were sitting in a nearby tree looking down at the lions. They sat in the truck and gazed in awe at the lion. Another one slowly rose up, it had been so hidden away nobody had seen it. Cameras clicked away. The lions rose up and started to walk off. "They have got tired of us' remarked Thomas."We will see some more I am sure'.
"Fantastic, what a sight, especially as it was our first animal. "To think we were that close' They spoke in hushed tones to each other, until the excitement got the better of them and normal chatter started.
Everybody was now determined to spot the next animal, a round of drinks back at camp for the next sighting.
Dawn saw a flicker of a tail and nudged nick, but it turned out to be a small branch dangling down. She stood up supporting herself against the never ending bumps to try and get a better look at the land in front of them.
"I see a donkey in pyjama's ' whispered Joan, with a little giggle. 'That's Zebra replied Nick, 'Well done, you have just earned the first drink' Soon they were seeing a fairly large herd of them mixed with buck and wildebeest, with their shaggy looks.
All were looking forward to breakfast, all this fresh air had made them hungry, and Sarah was looking forward to a large pot of tea. Unfortunately this was their last day at the camp, they had to pack as they were travelling back later that morning. "Sorry we are not here for that drink, maybe we will meet again' Both were talking of saving up for another holiday out here, but at their age, well, 'we shall have to see' remarked Joan.
With a hug to them both Dawn followed Nick to their tent for a quick wash before going to breakfast. She felt ravenous, and was sure she could smell cooking in the air.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have filled in some more fur and started on the eyes. These will nee some more work on them, but so far so good. He is starting to look a little cute, even for a carob rat.
Hope you enjoy the story, the adventure is still to come, and catching up on some artwork. Have a good week.
No comments:
Post a Comment