Abuko Nature Reserve
On Friday we decided to make an early morning trip to Abuko Nature Reserve. We arrived just before 9 o’clock so were hoping to see plenty of birdlife around the lookout lodge. Unfortunately all we saw were a group of swifts darting over the water. We moved on to the next look out hive only to find a huge tree had fallen onto it damaging the roof and surrounding fence. We headed out for the last hive on the way we spotted a Red Colubus Monkey high up in the trees. At the hive there was not a single bird in sight so very disappointing. Bradley and I made our way back to try to spot the monkey again, we suddenly heard a loud screeching sound from some birds so followed them trying to get a good view as they were high up in a tree. It was when they took flight to the next tree that I saw there wing tips which where a bright red and realised it was a group of Turacco’s. Luckily Paul and Dale caught up with us so managed to get a short glance at them. We continued on letting Dale go in front this was the best position to spot any monitor lizards on the path sunning them selves. Dale managed to spot quite a few monitors which scurried off for cover in the vegetation. As we continued on we could here a rustling so we stopped to watch and suddenly saw a group of colubus monkeys in the surrounding trees. One of which suddenly ran out at Dale making him jump as it cut across his path. It then came back sitting up ahead on the path before running back to the group. Before we arrived at the centre we managed to see quite a few of these monkeys one of which was happy to sit and watch us watching it and was very vocal. At the centre we looked in on the animals Hyenas, Baboons etc before we then continued on. We headed back to the first look out post to eat a tapalapa sandwich hoping to see some more wildlife before making our way to the exit. Once at the exit we crossed the road to get a gelleh back to Serrekunda as Dale wanted to look for some material to have another couple of trouser pants made. At the market we looked around a few shops before he finally agreed on a fish pattern and then a rather loud red hut and African men design. With me bartering a price we finally agreed on 20 and 25 dalasi per metre. Hot and tired we headed back home.
Red-Colubus Monkeys
New Volunteer Welcome Meeting - One Year Today!
On Saturday Paul made his way to Safari Garden as he is helping to mentor the new group of volunteers which arrived on Thursday, I can’t believe we have been here for one year today it has gone so quick. We decided to spend the morning around the pool so followed behind making a quick call at the tailors to leave Dale’s trouser material. When we arrived they were all still sat chatting to the new volunteers so I quickly introduced myself before they left with Paul, Max, Rachel, Phil and Lucy. They were taking them off to Serrekunda to orientate them to some landmarks. We relaxed around the pool. A couple of hours later Paul returned with some of the volunteers some of the others had gone onto Bakau market. We made our way home for lunch as we would be returning to Safari Garden for the welcome meeting and meal with the new volunteers later this evening.
We were back at Safari Garden for 7 o’clock, Nuha and Alhadji were there from the office however no one else arrived, a very poor show of office staff which was blamed on Ramadan. On speaking to Tessa she told me that Lucy was in her room ill. I went to see how she was and found her lying on the bed she has been feeling a bit off colour for a while. She spent most off the evening lying down dozing. The evening was going well until the power went off, the generator kicked into action and then died so the evening was spent with a limited supply of candles and torches. We ate a lovely meal and then Dale took the children back to put them to bed so we could get to know everyone. We were all enjoying the evening until the heavens opened up and it started raining heavily this broke the party up and everyone decided to head for their beds.
We were back at Safari Garden for 7 o’clock, Nuha and Alhadji were there from the office however no one else arrived, a very poor show of office staff which was blamed on Ramadan. On speaking to Tessa she told me that Lucy was in her room ill. I went to see how she was and found her lying on the bed she has been feeling a bit off colour for a while. She spent most off the evening lying down dozing. The evening was going well until the power went off, the generator kicked into action and then died so the evening was spent with a limited supply of candles and torches. We ate a lovely meal and then Dale took the children back to put them to bed so we could get to know everyone. We were all enjoying the evening until the heavens opened up and it started raining heavily this broke the party up and everyone decided to head for their beds.
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