Early morning visits

On Sunday morning I was up and dressed at the same time Grant was off to the office. (Normally I'm in the shower when he leaves). He asked if I'd like to take an early morning ride around the mine with him. I had time to pull on a pair of khaki shorts and tee, grab my binoculars and camera and we were off. 

The sun only rises around 7am here in Tanzania and as we're relatively close to the Equator, there is normally only a ten minute difference between seasons. So when we pulled out of the yard at 6.30am, it was still quite dark outside.

Clockwise from top : down in the mining pit; another glorious African sunrise and an early-morning domestic squabble between a pair of Pied Crows

 

Top left to right: a show of white blooms after the rains; Agama lizards warming up for the day; Bottom left: the base of a huge baobab tree on the mine and a Dik Dik watches us warily from a safe distance

 

 An hour later, Grant dropped me at home only to fetch me for a spot of birding at 10.30. We also went out again at 4.30. We saw and photographed an interesting selection of birds over the weekend. More about this in tomorrow's post.

When we came home after the last outing, the garden looked very inviting with the last rays of the sun playing across the newly cut lawn. My small brood of chickens scratched in the soft greenery for grubs and other yummy insects. 

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Update

  Thanks to all who visited my blog on Thursday when I posted about the little blind boy in town. If you'd like to read it, please click here . You all understood and had empathy for the little boy.   But two readers actually put into words what I didn't manage to do! I've highlighted the words that hit the nail on the head.

 

Arija said... 

You never disappoint me Jo. You care and do something to help the people around you. We none of us know what this little person's life lesson is, but whatever it is, helping him to recognize the world and his surroundings now, may lead to many good things in the future. I'm in with the prayers. 

  
Joyful said...

 

Dear Jo, thank you for posting this story about little Baraka. I am so touched by his story and by the love you and Amanda have shown to him.

The poor child sounds like he is suffering from sensory overload, what with the blaring television and all the people coming and going, and no help to make sense of everything going on around him.
Thank God for his grandmother and now for you, Amanda and Linda. I'm sure Baraka will be doing much better if he has this chance to learn. I will certainly keep him and his family in my prayers. Love and hugs. xx 

Thanks, Arija, I was trying to say exactly what you worded so perfectly. And, Penny, yes, the term "sensory overload"  is one I wracked my brains to remember;  you came up with it. Thank you! 

Instead of waiting for Tuesday, Amanda took Linda to the child's house on Friday. She also phoned Janet and asked her ensure that Baraka's mother is at home when they arrive. 

She says when they arrived, the first thing that struck her was the silence. The television had been turned off! Halleluiah! The next thing that gave her great pleasure, was that Baraka was sitting quietly on the sofa. His mother was sitting beside him. As Amanda arrived, Baraka jumped off the chair and walked towards her. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. 

After they'd all sat down (with Baraka standing quietly between Amanda's knees - unbelievable) Amanda introduced Linda to the mother and between the three women they made arrangements to help the little boy.  Linda is going to buy Swahili pacers/readers from Shinyanga and will read to Baraka. Meanwhile, she's researching via the Internet exactly what is available at the Institute for the Blind in Pretoria, South Africa. If there is suitable material available, Amanda collect it when she is in SA later this week. 

My son, Angus read the post and suggested that once the little boy is settled and has mastered the mouth organ, we should buy him a guitar. It's a well-known fact that people who are visually impaired, make excellent musicians. 

One of my favorite opera singers is Andrea Bocelli.  He became blind at 12, after a football accident. He grew up exposed to [opera] music because it calmed him down. He needs no introduction, but I just love his duet with Sarah Brightman - "Time to say goodbye"  - and have uploaded it here.  

 

So thanks to everyone who's offered up prayers and encouragement for little Baraka and his carers.  

I wish you all a wonderful week again.  (It's stopped raining here, yay!)  

 

Shadow reflection

Blacksmith lapwing (Plover) shadow in reflection

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