Passage from Naivasha to Kampala

Guy Fawkes Day - Andy and Cheryl kindly gave us a lift to Naivasha where we camped at Fish Eagle Camp next door to Fisherman's Camp (where we were originally going to stay - so didn't meet up with Isaac in the end, mum). Did a mini pub crawl and ended up at Fisherman's Camp - lovely bar - and the evening was finished off nicely with a magnificent fireworks display by the lake (poor hippos!). 6th Nov - Dave has now ran out of clean knickers!! thought you'd be interested... Had a lazy morning and wandered over to Fisherman's Camp for great cooked brekkie (OK so we're still not completely roughing it Em, but read on!). More lazing around then walked along the South lake Road for a few kms to Elsamere, former home of Joy Adamson. What an amazing place! I want to live here - gorgoeus gardens looking out onto the lake, fish eagles flying overhead, hundreds of starlings, and these are no ordinary starlings either, bright blue, green and red/orange. There was very interesting museum too with lots of photos of Joy and George rolling around with Lions - wonderful. We saw a film about their lives, interviews with them both which was good then outside for afternoon tea, comprising of a huge spread of different cakes and mini quiches and pizzas. Needless to say we had seconds and thirds (and I think Andy had fourths as well as finishing off Cheryl's left overs). 7th Nov - Early start waved goodbye to Andy to Cheryl. Now, the last we heard they were going to drive to Ethiopia, checking along the way how things were there. Apparently it's been a bit dodgy recently. This was about the 10th time their plan had changed so we'll see! It was great to spend a few days with them at the start of our travels. Soon after they left a hippo wandered into the campsite! Luckily it was just in Fisherman's Camp next door so we were separated by a fence. I managed to get quite close and took some cool pics. We could hear them at night in our tent - great sound - Andy does a v. good impression. Dave is now resoting to wearing a pair of stockings I brought with me as he's out of socks! Also going commando.I might stress that I wans't planning on wearing tights, they are for flitering water if we ever leave the beaten track! Caught the matatu (broken down mini-bus, rattle a lot, but seem to get us over the biggest pot holes) into Naivasha Town where we were mega hassled by matatu touts. Finally got in one after Dave had managed to wangle the price down to what we knew was local price and we were off to Nakuru. Passed another smaller lake onthe way covered in pink Flamingos! We'd thought we may try to visit Lake Nakuru which is famous for it's flamingos but in the end it was too much hassle once we arrived in the town, so we caught another matatu to Kisumu and arrived about 3.30pm. Our goal is Kampala and then Gorilla safari so we needed to push on. On the way we drove through amazing countryside, so green and hilly and the tea plantations of Kericho with the lines of tea pickers. Really lovely. Our friendly matatu driver a rranged a taxi for us at a better price and we were taken to a run down campsite. It was empty at first but gradually a few other people emerged although no other campers. Location was beautiful though, right on Lake Victoria, so we got a couple of beers and chilled by the lake, after which the camp didn't look so bad. Ate paneer with tomato crisp sarnies in our tent, yummy (Dean, you should try this - sorry Lisa!). Another early night (we tend to be asleep by 9pm, sometimes in the tent at 7.30!). 8th Nov - Up early (usually awake before 6 due to lots of birds and insects chirping and singing their hearts out) and caught a matatu back into Kisumu town Have just booked bus tickets to Kampala and we need to be back at the bus station by midday, to leave at 1pm. Should make it to Kampala by 6pm and we're heading to Kampala Backpackers Campsite which is well eastablished and Dave hopes to be able to clean his pants (so do I :-). Also need a good shower as the last camp site had a dribbly shower so haven't washed my hair in a while. Thought this would be a bonus as we'd look more like hard core travellers and wouldn't be hassled so much. Hasn't worked so far though! All showers except a couple have been cold which I actually enjoy. Right now we need to find a coffee and will probably sit in the nice green bit in the middle of the 'Mega Mart' we are in to eat another paneer and tomato crisp sarnie for breakfast. Josie we most certainly will keep an ear out for good African boys' names - hope all goes smoothly in Feb! Dean you'd like it here because they all love football, especially Manchester United (I hope you are practicing those ball skills to keep the ball in the garden!!). Tray and Tarela - what a magnificent update on the Mittens/Romeo situation - we laughed lots. Sounds like you're doing a grand job sorting the two battlers out. GO MITTENS MITTENS GO!!