It seems like only yesterday I first sat on the veranda chez Foot and looked out at the Thamalakane river flowing past. I have sat in the same spot on many occasions since then and revelled in the fact that I most definitely landed on my feet (excuse the pun!) with this adventure into the unknown. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when I first stepped off the plane in Maun but the people, the horses and the place have exceeded all expectations – and believe me they were pretty high to begin with!
I guess the easiest way to express how much I have loved my time with the Feet is to state that my original flight home was booked for October 14th. It is now booked for June 7th 2016…! I couldn’t bear leaving just yet – the African bug has well and truly taken over. I am going to be ridiculously sad to say goodbye, but I know I have made some unforgettable memories and friends for life. However, the African adventure is not over just yet. Robyn has been an absolute hero in helping me with the next step and I am very excited to say that I will be heading off to Malawi to help out at Kande Horse Safaris!
I am also happy in the knowledge that the stables and the horses are being left in the very safe hands of Liz Sopwith. Liz arrived from the UK about 4 weeks ago to reclaim her job with Ride Botswana and turf the new intruder out. Little did she know that I was refusing to leave! Its been so much fun working on the horses together and Liz is awesome.
Liz is from the depths of North Wales, up high in the hills (not the valleys I’m told!) She’s been riding all her life and her family own Springhill Farm Riding and Trekking Centre. She first stepped onto African soil in 2009 and in fact rode with the Foots across the Makgadikgadi in 2012. She knew she was hooked and, as is the way with Africa, left stating “I will be back”. Sure enough at the beginning of 2015 she revisited the Feet and was offered the opportunity to take up the permanent role as yard manager. Liz eagerly accepted and will be swapping misty rides to Welsh pubs for dusk rides to sun-downer spots, lush green hills for flat Kalahari acacia and scarcely populated landscapes for… oh wait no, that’s the same. Her set up here is going to be pretty swish as she moves into the newly built ‘horse manager’s cottage’ at the Royal Tree Lodge. I have a feeling she’s going to love it.
I wish her all the luck in the world (not that she’ll need it) and warn her that the spare bed in her new house already has my name on it. I might be heading off further into the depths of Africa but as usual “I will be back!”