Sop what has been happening here. Loads. Last Thursday was probably the best day so far. We saw so many animals. Antelope, monkeys, including a type I have never seen before, loads of birds (there are so many birds here, apparently most of the ones found in this region can be seen in the park), lots of zebra, warthogs, lions, buffalo, 4 white rhino, elephants. In fact one day, it may have been Thursday I can’t remember, we saw three breeding herds and a bull elephant at the water hole all at the same time, thats a total of twenty eight elephants all in one place!

Other cool things I’ve seen are a suni, also known as a Livingstone’s antelope, the smallest one in the park and very endangered, two side-striped jackals, a crocodile, several different types of mongoose, wild dogs and puppies, and on Saturday we saw a lion that the park had no record of. It had been missed when they logged all the others.

For those asking I have taken loads of pictures, over 400 so far and wil upload some as soon as I can, this computer doesn’t seem to want to let me. Miss you all and wish you could have come too. This place is simply amazing

I have seen loads of wildlife here. Not just lions and elephants but mongooses, warthogs, buffalo, black and white rhino, giraffe, zebra as well as the aforementioned antelope. Also yesterday saw some monkeys hanging around camp. I made the mistake of leaving some oranges on the puicnic table outside and came back out to find one of them tucking in!

Also seen loads of birds. This place is a bird watchers paradise. Hornbills (like Zazu from the lion king), doves, rollers, kingfishers. Some of them are just the most amazing colours.

Oh and I just wanted to let you know that the park I am staying in has a webcam in one of the hides. I have seen loads of animals from there; I can’t remember the URL currently but is you google Tembe Elephant Park you’ll find it.

Journey here was good though incredably long. Dispite leaving home by 3 on Thursday afternoon, I didn’t get to the park until 6 on Friday evening. Partly due to a 5 hour drive from the airport to the park. We ae in the middle of nowhere. Though that is not a bad thing. the drive was actally quie nice, I got to see quite a lot of the local country side which is a lot different to back home. Though I was reminded of Dartmoor as the local villages just let their cows and goats roam freely, even if that means across the roads. Was most amused when we got nearer to Tembe and found a road sign, ‘Beware hippo’ now theres definately something you don’t get in England!

Made it into the research camp just as it was getting dark so didn’t really see anything of the park, except some nyala, a type of antelope just as we got through the gate. I was reliably informed they are like sheep and it appears they really are. Everywhere you go in t6he park there are hundreds of them.

Went out for my first monitoring session the next morning, exciting. Several of the lions in the park have radio collars fitted to help track their movements. Picked up a few beeps but didn’t see any lions, however did see a huge bull elephant. He was just standing calmly at the side of the road and didn’t seem  bothered by us at all. Really wish I’d thought to grab my camera before going out. Also saw lots of antelope of several different varieties and a black rhino. the more endangered of the two types.

More soon…

Firstly another trainer slipped and fell into his pool where he and another orca grabbed hold of her and dragged her under. It is unclear whether they meant to kill her or were just playing. Then in 1999 a body was found floating in his pool. It is believed the man in question had snuck into the park after hours though what he was planning is unclear. He was found minus his shorts and had suffered one bite to his groin.

Now I don’t know about you but I would say this should tell us something. I do feel for the woman concerned and her family, but surely you can now see that these animals should never be kept in captivity in the first place. In fact according to the BBC there have been 24 attacks on people by captive orcas and although wild attacks do occur no one has yet been hurt.

I will admit I have been against the keeping of large marine mammals in captivity for a while, believing that there is no way we can possibly give them the life they deserve, either space wise or in regards to keeping them entertained, they are clearly far more intelligent than we give them credit for. This has just made me even more determined to my cause.

We were only at it for an hour but it was a really good work out, I get the feeling I am going to be pretty stiff tomorrow, but I think it was worth it.

Number 58 will become; take a new book out of the library each month and return it on time. Sounds simple enough but I am notoriously bad for returning library books on time. Got my first one out yesterday so lets see how long I can keep this up for.

Now I think my feelings on Twilight are well known to all. This book on the other hand is brilliant. It somehow manges to take everything we all hate about Twilight and make it funny. Well after all who would not laugh at characters such as Wanda Mensional and Chip Board.

To be honest I have never managed to get around to reading Twilight. Something I do intend to change. Just to confirm my opinions. However I still found this book hilarious. Very much reccomended

100+ Reading Challenge

Heard about this from Glowstars, who did it last year, but this sounds like just my sort of challenge.

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn’t count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

My list

1. 1001 ridiculus ways to die
2. New Moan – Stephordy Mayo
3. The Accidental Vampire – Lyndsy Sands
4. Miscreation – Stefan Jakubowski

For those who are wondering my 50,00-th word is; rules (or to if you take nano’s counting)

I won

People say the stupidest things on their first date
Like “What’s your real name?” – Voltaire – Future Ex-girlfriend

Why do people have this obsession with knowing peoples ‘Real’ names. Surely if a person gives you a nickname that is what they would prefer that you called them, what does it matter if its not the one on their birth certificate. In fact the only time I have ever asked anyone what their real name is was when meeting people off an internet forum for the first time who may not want to be know by their aliases in real life.

Ok, I will admit there are times when it is appropriate to use your legal name, for instance I would not introduce myself as Loupie at a job interview. But in everyday life does it really matter what we are called, names are just a useful way of distinguishing us from the masses around us. If we find our nickname suits our personality better then why shouldn’t we use it. To use an example from Voltaire, as quoted above, what self respecting goth would want to be known as Bernie Weinstien?

Finally where do you draw the line as to what constitutes a ‘real’ name. Is it what you are born, what you change it to via deed-poll, or should it be what you are most commonly known as? Two quick examples; what about the girl christened Tallulah does the hula from Hawaii, or my friend who changed his name to Thunder. Those are both their legal names, but are they their real names?