So trying to get pictures onto the blog with the equipment I had with us was totally frustrating, but for any of you that have persisted, here are links to Google+ where I have posted two albums of pictures. One of Kenya and one of my family trip in England.
Enjoy!
https://plus.google.com/photos/109172804109717855008/albums/5841467717374749441?sqi&sqsi
https://plus.google.com/photos/109172804109717855008/albums/5845192275662522433
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Merry England
Back to civilization now. Had a great flight through Amsterdam. It a a lovely, clean airport but we only had an hour and a half to change planes. We both managed to doze a little through the flight so we decided to stay awake for the day so we could sleep well for the night.
Margaret and Eddie were waiting as soon as we passed customs. We found our way out of London and headed for Huddersfield. The sun was shining and we got to see all the green countryside.
We' ve had a chance to go through old family pictures of when my Mom and Dad came here to visit them and when Margaret and Eddie had visited Arizona.
After a WONDERFUL meal and shower and a good night's sleep, we are refreshed and ready for the day.
Today we went to town and visited the open market, a yarn shop(of course!) and a flea market. This afternoon we are going to the coal mines were many of my worked. We've had our first spritz of rain but we have come prepared for it.
Off to the coal mines. More later.
Margaret and Eddie were waiting as soon as we passed customs. We found our way out of London and headed for Huddersfield. The sun was shining and we got to see all the green countryside.
We' ve had a chance to go through old family pictures of when my Mom and Dad came here to visit them and when Margaret and Eddie had visited Arizona.
After a WONDERFUL meal and shower and a good night's sleep, we are refreshed and ready for the day.
Today we went to town and visited the open market, a yarn shop(of course!) and a flea market. This afternoon we are going to the coal mines were many of my worked. We've had our first spritz of rain but we have come prepared for it.
Off to the coal mines. More later.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Our final balloon flight....
We again launched from the area in the bush called Treehouse this morning. We found winds that took us right up the coast of Lake Elementaita and got to see many birds. Unfortunately there are not many flamingos here this year because the water is so high . They say it has not been this high in forty or more years.
We did not do any excursions today but we all caught a nap and enjoyed the pool.
I don't think I have mentioned that our lodge is cliff side and our cottage is down 111 steps (yes, I counted them!) and then a gravel path. Between that and the 6000 ft elevation, I think I have burned off most of the delicious food they keep plying us with!
I'm still trying to wrap my tongue around many of the Swahili words and everyone is very patient in repeating them . I'll have to ask how to say HOT as it is 100 degrees today.
We did not do any excursions today but we all caught a nap and enjoyed the pool.
I don't think I have mentioned that our lodge is cliff side and our cottage is down 111 steps (yes, I counted them!) and then a gravel path. Between that and the 6000 ft elevation, I think I have burned off most of the delicious food they keep plying us with!
I'm still trying to wrap my tongue around many of the Swahili words and everyone is very patient in repeating them . I'll have to ask how to say HOT as it is 100 degrees today.
Friday, January 25, 2013
How can it get any better?
Jambo everyone! I still cannot load pictures onto the blog. I hope once we are in England I can get the right connection set up.
Thursday morning we had a beautiful flight. We went over a mile high in search of winds that would take us back to the west side of Lake Elementaita. We finally found the right current that would take us over the Bush. We again saw many animals and had a great landing. One of the local plane pilots buzzed our balloon as we were waiting for crew to get to us . It seems as though they got the Land Cruiser stuck in a Wilddog hole. Unhitch the trailer, Jack the truck up, put rocks under the wheels, rehitch and go!
We had breakfast at Monkey Bridge camp where we learned a new trick. As you walk the path to the river you throw sticks ahead of you into the bush in case the buffalo are sleeping there!
In the afternoon we went for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see birds and hippo.We saw so many different eagles, heron and pelicans. Then we got to see hippos! BIG animals, small boat!
This morning we launched from a spot in the Bush called Treehouse. It was a little further into the bush and away from the lake. We saw a lone giraffe and lots of zebra and gazelle. All of a sudden John says "I see a cat!" We spent the next several minutes watching him chase and catch a hare! Can' t wait to show you these pictures!
Just when I thought it could not get any better, we spotted three giraffes! They are quite used to seeing the balloon and did not move until we were within 100 feet of them. We landed right there and packed up. On the drive back to the lodge we saw Waterbuck and warthog very close up!
After breakfast we walked to the cliff edge to see the flamingos. There are small numbers of flamingo this year because the water is so high in the lake.
Tomorrow is our last flight. We leave Kenya late Sunday evening. I will try to post more after our flight.
Thursday morning we had a beautiful flight. We went over a mile high in search of winds that would take us back to the west side of Lake Elementaita. We finally found the right current that would take us over the Bush. We again saw many animals and had a great landing. One of the local plane pilots buzzed our balloon as we were waiting for crew to get to us . It seems as though they got the Land Cruiser stuck in a Wilddog hole. Unhitch the trailer, Jack the truck up, put rocks under the wheels, rehitch and go!
We had breakfast at Monkey Bridge camp where we learned a new trick. As you walk the path to the river you throw sticks ahead of you into the bush in case the buffalo are sleeping there!
In the afternoon we went for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see birds and hippo.We saw so many different eagles, heron and pelicans. Then we got to see hippos! BIG animals, small boat!
This morning we launched from a spot in the Bush called Treehouse. It was a little further into the bush and away from the lake. We saw a lone giraffe and lots of zebra and gazelle. All of a sudden John says "I see a cat!" We spent the next several minutes watching him chase and catch a hare! Can' t wait to show you these pictures!
Just when I thought it could not get any better, we spotted three giraffes! They are quite used to seeing the balloon and did not move until we were within 100 feet of them. We landed right there and packed up. On the drive back to the lodge we saw Waterbuck and warthog very close up!
After breakfast we walked to the cliff edge to see the flamingos. There are small numbers of flamingo this year because the water is so high in the lake.
Tomorrow is our last flight. We leave Kenya late Sunday evening. I will try to post more after our flight.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A chase and a flight
Well I am still trying to get pictures uploaded to the kindle but I can give you a preview of what is to come. On Monday we got everything cleared through the KCAA for our pilot to fly the balloon here then we went to Sunbird lodge .
We quickly discovered that "good" is a relative term if describing the roads in this country . Nairobi was crowded as most cities are. We were happy to be headed away from the city. The journey to Nakuru seemed long but we are delighted with the lodge and our cottage. We went out Tuesday morning to chase the balloon while Rick got familiar with the equipment and flew with the owner Othmar.
Jeff and I were thrilled to be on the chase and we saw MANY animals. Zebra`s by the hundreds, Thompson`s gazelle, Grants gazelle, Elan, Water bucks, Water Buffalo , Impala and so many beautiful birds and eagles.
In the afternoon we went to see a coffee and tea plantation. Then we took the obligatory trip to the equator.
This morning we took our first flight and it was beyond words! We were lucky enough to see giraffe and warthogs and baboons.
We then went back towards the Bush to find shade for our breakfast and our drivers took us to Simon's Camp. It was a slice of heaven!
I hope to be able to do pictures soon.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
We're taking a friend...
Monday, January 7, 2013
Getting ready
Getting ready for a vacation of a lifetime! We were invited to go to Kenya to do a week of Hot Air Ballooning with our friend Rick Jones. Soooooooo...we decided to make a stop on our way back home to visit my relatives in Huddersfield, England. We have been keeping in touch through the years and are REALLY looking forward to meeting everyone!
So we'll be in Kenya (right on the equator) for African Summer for a week and then going to England which will be more like our winter weather for a week. Should prove an interesting suitcase to pack!
Shots - check
Passports - check
Binoculars - check
Camera - check
Suitcase - check
(Love TJMaxx!)
Now to pack the suitcase. UGH!
So we'll be in Kenya (right on the equator) for African Summer for a week and then going to England which will be more like our winter weather for a week. Should prove an interesting suitcase to pack!
Shots - check
Passports - check
Binoculars - check
Camera - check
Suitcase - check
(Love TJMaxx!)
Now to pack the suitcase. UGH!
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