Africa Calls.

    Chapter 2.                                                 

                                                              

                                                                 
They had both woken up early to the snorting of the hippos which were wallowing around in the river that ran along the side of the camp.
                                                                       

Getting quickly washed and dressed they had both stood on their little veranda and looked out over the river.
Birds darted back and forth along the river bank, flashes of colour from the kingfisher, and the elegant walk of the stork along the banks in the reeds. There was no time to linger this morning, the dining room was open for a quick cuppa, so if they wanted one,
 they would have to get a move on. They would have breakfast after this early morning drive.
They joined up with two old ladies who had decided to join them for this trip out. Both carried hot water bottles, as their was a nip in the early morning dawn. They all made their way chattering, all excited about their first safari over to the guide who was waiting for them.
The old camouflaged small army truck, that had certainly seen years of life was parked under a jacaranda tree.
The tyres looked as if they had seen better days, but hopefully world stand up to the vigorous road and plentiful potholes that awaited it.
Rust showed in several places where paint had peeled away, and a few large dents gave it character.
Torn tarpaulin to act as a canopy to give shade from the heat of the sun flapped lazily in the slight breeze.
Wooden benches had bee fitted into the back and looking at it, Dawn unconsciously rubbed her bottom. They both could feel some aches and pains in muscles coming up in the next few days.
But, what was waiting for them out their in the wild, adventure, life, sadness maybe death.
Grasping onto the handholds on the back of the truck, and with a helping hand they hauled themselves up onto the seats. Dawn with a flutter of excitement and a trepidation of fear settled herself next to Nick. this was the start of an adventure she had dreamt of since a child. Now it was happening.
'We ready now?, Thomas the driver who had with a cheerful grin slapped the side of the truck. 'She my baby, she very good, no problem' We go see animals'
They settled themselves, binoculars at the ready, water bottles stashed in the bag, and the animal guide book ready..                  
                           

The wind picked up enough to whistle through the trees, leaves shivered and you could almost hear the whisper. 'We are waiting for you, but take care'

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Now on to the art side of things.

I have started filling in the fur with darker colours, 'Ratty' seems to have quite a mixture of them. Pity I could not have studied him longer, but like all wild things, they do not hang around while you try  and get closer and focus etc waving a camera around! It's take a photo or miss it!

I do hope you are enjoying the blog, see you next week.

Don't forget to click on any picture to make it bigger.