Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for your wishes. We appreciate the support and interest in our travels.
Tonight we are spending our last night on Soysambu before striking out into the unknown, aiming for the Eburru Forest. First stop on the way out is Delemere's Nose. From here we can look out across Lake Elementeita and where we've come from. And where we're headed.
We had a good walk today following the edge of the lake, then striking up onto the plains. Lots of beautiful flamingos and circling pelicans. And some belligerent buffalo who wasn't keen to budge out of the shade we wanted. I think this is a case of human/wildlife conflict? And almost gored one of our lost female camels that were hanging out with another group of fat, stroppy chaps who weren't impressed with our party.
The rumbling of thunder began over the eastern escarpment as we were feeling the energy of an ancient mbao game on a convenient lookout over the plains. The pits were hard to find as they had largely filled up with silt, so we relished cleaning them out and Barabara played a very one-sided demonstration of how it was played. I was interested, and slightly saddened, to learn that the younger millennials, Simon and Barabara's brother Mwamed, in our team had no idea how to play it!
Karasha explained that the Maasai had passed here on their way north to Laikipia in the mid 1800s, to beat up the Samburus. We had found a very heavy rounded spear head on a previous trip in this area, which he said is what the Maasai had used pre 1850 on their way north. Apparently when a warrior died he was left out with his spear. It did have a few to it. He said they would have used this lookout game while watching for prey or hostile tribes.
Rory has made us a delicious spag bol for supper, and just announced it's ready. We were fortunate with the rain which only drizzled lightly, and there's a lovely warming fire burning with a whisky to round off a satisfyingly tiring day. Only mad dogs and Englishmen walking through the midday heat. And our happily chewing camels behind the tent.
