The Big Forest, Makasutu Culture Forest, The Gambia
Sat 24th Oct 09
We are aclimatising to the 90+ degree heat, watching the sun rise over Mandina Balong and learning how to take a donkeys temperature!
After an evening of catching up with great old friends, James and Lawrence, at Makasutu and a cold Julbrew (local Gambian beer) or 3 (for some!), we collapsed into bed around 1am……exhausted more from the heat than anything (I forgot how hot and humid it can get down here right after the rainy season) doors flung wide open in the hope of catching some semblance of a breeze from the balong (river).
Woke around 6.30am just in time to see the sun rising over the balong and to watch the oyster ladies and the fisherman glide effortlessly through the mangroves in their dug-out canoes, hardly causing a ripple in their expertness of nagivating the river. We’ve each of us tried those dug-outs a 100 times over the years of coming here and it never seems (or feels) as effortless as they make it out to be!
We were told this morning, much to our disappointment, that Mohammed could no longer take part on the expedition (at least not all of it) as his expertise as a guide here at Makasutu is needed for the new season. He may, however, be able to join us nearer to the end of the journey. However, his replacement, Samba Lee, will be an asset to us all as he has not only travelled extensively throughout The Gambia, but he is deeply involved in the Balabu Conservation project, which emcompasses the Gardens for Life programme. His maturity and knowledge will be invaluable. So, we welcome Samba Lee 
After a whole morning of reams of paperwork in order to get a couple of bags of camping equipment and medical supplies released from Redcoat couriers (that we had flown down courtesy of Gambia Experience due to excess weight issues. Thank you!) we began to slowly accept the fact that we are now on GMT – Gambia Mean Time (or Gambia Maybe Time, depending on who you speak to!) – again. Which basically means, danka danka…….slowly slowly. Nothing happens quickly in this heat so the sooner you can accept that and shift into GMT mode, the better. Otherwise, you will end up feeling completely frustrated all the time. The voice of experience speaks!
The highlight of the day had to be meeting the very spirited and inquisitive Neil and the oh-so-timid Paddy. They were very kindly brought down the 100 miles of so from The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust by Gibril and Momadou. As none of us know a thing about donkeys – aside from holidays as a kid, paying to ride one with a ‘Kiss Me Kwik’ hat on (the donkey that is, not me!), on Blackpool beach - the very patient Gibril spent the afternoon teaching us a thing or two about these extrremely intelligent and beautiful creatures which included how to adminster colic medication, watching their weight, cleaning their hooves and taking their temperature (themometer up the rear end kinda thing!) We felt as if we were on the set of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’! Thankdully though, Florio does have some experience from keeping horses when he lived in Dallas, Texas, so I think we’ll be ok. However, he does seem loath to learn taking their temperature for some reason! 
Updates incoming as and when we can get a good connection.
Stay with us!
Jones & Florio x
Image: Jones2009
Related posts:
- Getting together with the Gambian ‘Short Walk…….’ team members, haggling for the best deals on equipment (and ground nut grass for Neil & Paddy!) in the markets of Brikama, Serrekunda and Banjul, interviews with Gambia TV………. Sat 31st Nov 09 Its been a whirlwind of a...
- Visting Neil and Paddy’s home – The Gambian Horse and Donkey Trust, Sambel Kunda; a sad goodbye to Paddy and a hello to Hadley Sunday 15th November We arrived at the Horse and Donkey...
- Update on Neil and (p)Hadley, the donkeys from The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust – our trusty steeds on A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush, West Africa A whole post dedicated to the beautiful donkeys that accompanied...
- A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush team member, Janneh, on the road with (p)Hadley the donkey Donkeys are notoriously scared of water – and that includes...
- Meeting The Eden Project and The Gambia Experience Teams, In the Tropical Biome at The Eden Project, Cornwall, UK Our first official (and very exciting!) meeting with Eden Project...
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October 31st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Hey guys – sounds like you are now in another zone totally – GMT will soon become second nature – just breathe deeply and see what happens! Dying to hear more – will keep on checking lossa love Noreen x
October 31st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Haha!!! we are getting into the swing of it already!! thanks sweets for coming to ’see us’ here
hope all is well in London. We did Gambian TV today which was great fun! Will write an email to you soon.
Lots of love, H & Flo xxxx
April 20th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
hahaha. that’s a funny picture. love the gambia!