Feb 01 2009
Posted by Andy Malcolm
Hello from sunny South Africa !
And sunny it is- or was anyway. We’ve finally arrived at Tswalu and as I type this, it’s 9.30pm and still 33 degrees (where’s the little “degree” sign on this keyboard? I have a feeling I’ll be needing it often.)
The trip here was a long one but I shouldn’t have worried about Jack having ructions on the flights. The poor lad was catatonic with a fever all the way from Heathrow to here. We were getting more than a little concerned but after a 5 hour sleep under the air-conditioner he’s a lot more sprightly. Let’s just hope he’s over whatever bug he’s had. And talking of bugs…..... but I digress. First, the flight.
For many years the Oppenheimer family have spent time each year at Lord Dalhousie’s famous Invermark estate in Scotland. Invermark is acknowledged to be one of the greatest grouse and deer moors - an area of true wilderness. Jamie Dalhousie and Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer have, for some time, been discussing the idea of an exchange between Invermark and Tswalu to broaden the experience of the two management teams.
This year the first such exchange will be taking place - Dylan Smith, Tswalu’s Wildlife Projects Manager , will be going to Invermark for some two and a half months from the middle of January. This will be quite a cultural challenge, not least moving from the middle of summer with temperatures in the mid 30 c to Scotland where the temperature will mostly be below freezing.
Coming in the other direction from Invermark to Tswalu will be Andy Malcolm, one of Invermark’s senior keepers, and his family. Both parties are really looking forward to new experiences and will be writing a weekly blog to be posted on the Tswalu web.
