Hi from Swakopmund. I'm just about to leave civilisation again to head back up to Base camp- hence the picture of the bar- very fitting I think. Anyway i hope all's well with all of you and I understand from those in the UK that it's pretty miserable there... hope the sun shines a bit for you.

Wow! It's been another fantastic 2 weeks in the desert with the group of 9 of us all working very hard and very well. The group got along superbly well but it's all change today as I'm the only one staying and the new group will be 12 of us. The first afternoon when I got back to Base Camp two weeks ago was fantastic as very shortly after arriving we had a visit from the Ugab small herd of 5 elephants. we managed to creep up onto the rocks and watch them from a few feet away as they came to check out the place and to drink. That was very special particularly for all the new volunteers. then during the night just by where i was sleeping a lone bull elephant came to eat from the tree- to say I was very still and silent in my sleeping bag is a bit of an understatement! The following morning as we were getting ready to leave for building week another bull turned up to eat off the trees around the sleeping platforms, delaying our departure slightly. Fortunately all the eles were very relaxed.

During the last few weeks there has been a bit of friction between EHRA and Ministry of Environment and Tourism which resulted in them stating that EHRA was an unlawful organisation. It is partially resolved now but for a few days we were all proud to be outlaws! EHRA have been given permission to buy the last licence for a bull that was due to be shot thus securing his future- thankfully.

Building week was very tough and getting very hot. We started a new wall around a windmill and are about half way through it at the moment (back to it tomorrow to hopefully finish this week). I've got some large bruises from rock carrying-nice! Patrol week was excellent again and this time we headed north towards Twyfelfontein. The scenery was stunning with Brandberg initially then very old dunes. We were lucky enough to see quite a bit of wildlife including oryx and red hartebeest but the highlight as well as the elephants was the 5 cheetah in the wild- 4 one morning and another the next morning. We also managed to watch the H2 herd of 12 elephants for several hours- this was again very special as not only were there 4 babies but one was just a week old- so cute. The patrol week was eventful also in that there were a few problems with one of the vehicles in that it wouldn't start without a push or being towed- sometimes quite difficult in the sand of the river bed. Needless to say one lunchtime after siesta in the baking heat we had to make a stone road out of the river so that one vehicle couls tow the other out- it worked but it was very hot work.

You'll be pleased to know that it hasn';t all been hard work and I've still been enjoying gin and tonic most evening and the occassional mug of wine and bottle of cider! I'm trying to give up chocolate but sometimes it's hard to resist. (Ash, Kate, Helen and Nic that's for you). Last weekend in Base Camp Hubert a Swiss guy that looked and sounded like Arnold Schwazneiger (sorry about the spelling) had his birthday. We had such fun making his card out of a wine box and a travel magazine and then totally surprised him with a chocolate and amurala cake which I made over hot coals- It turned out quite well slightly overdone on the bottom but I'm sure I can improve on it if there's another birthday. Oh and I also baked apple crumble over the fire! How domesticated?

This weekend has been quite civilised as well but far too much alcohol and food. I managed to fit in a massage though but the highlight was the paragliding off the dunes. 4 solo flights- fantastic and so much so that I'll do it again in two weeks time.

Anyway just about to run out of time so best wishes to everyone and I'll be in touch in a couple of weeks :-)