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November 30 2006 - It's A Long Way From Byfleet
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Well, I'm back, but just before I left I received some very sad news from Sandy. During the week prior to my arrival, Charlie Brown had been found lying in tent village obviously very ill. He was rushed up to Arthur but it was too late, and a few hours later he died. Everybody here was deeply affected by the loss of that little person: he was such a special monkey, and I feel so sad every time I walk past his enclosure knowing he won't be popping out demanding treats. We don't know why he died. It happens sometimes, that a monkey who had previously been in excellent health, suddenly for no apparent reason becomes sick and dies soon afterwards. Dear Charlie Brown, you are much missed. Fortunately all my babies have survived, and Ms Felix thudded onto my head as soon as she saw me, then dropped down and cuddled my legs and kissed them before finally settling on my lap with her head on my shoulder and a blissful smile on her face. I have to confess I was pretty blissed out too! I was right to feel concerned about the heat! It's been around 40 degrees since I arrived, and the heat combined with the humidity is awesome. It's impossible to remain in ones tent during the day, and it's not much better at night. So, we're all praying for rain as it will clear the air for a short time at least, and I may even feel human again. The other impediment which I hadn't experienced before is flying bugs, which I DETEST! So as soon as it gets dark, I huddle in my tent - dripping sweat - and hear them smashing into the canvas, drawn by the light from my oil lamp but fortunately unable to penetrate my refuge. Hopefully, they'll disappear soon; to be replaced by scorpions, and huge spiders that appear after it rains. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that!!! Yesterday, I was sitting outside my tent with Sandy having a cup of coffee, gazing out at the landscape, surrounded by chattering monkeys, when Sandy said, 'Africa, did you ever imagine you'd find yourself here? 'No babes', I replied, 'I didn't, it's a long way from Byfleet.' I then explained that Byfleet was where I had spent the first 18 years of my life, and during that time it had been a small village surrounded by farmland, which supplied all our fruit, vegetables, meat and chicken. And it was all organic. But now, because of its close proximity to London, the fields and rivers that dominated the landscape during the 40's and 50's have been replaced by motorways, and what had previously been organic food is now the chemically grown rubbish that despite it's enticing appearance is filling our bodies with poison and slowly killing us on a daily basis. And they call it progress... I am SO HAPPY to be out of it. Urban life I mean. It's the constant bombardment on my senses that I am unable to cope with. As soon as I close my front door, it starts: traffic, police cars and ambulances, their sirens screaming, hurtling along on roads choked with fumes and the detritus of madness. Massive hoardings shout their obscene messages to me. Obscene because they lie. No, Prince Charming will not magically appear due to my using the correct brand of deodorant/washing-up-liquid/make-up, etc; etc. Nor will I be guaranteed the complete, fulfilling and joyous life that I'm assured owning my own home/2nd home in the country/villa in the South of France and a loft in New York will confer on me. I know people who have all those possessions and are not the happy bunnies they thought they would be. We are judged by our possessions, our achievements, our financial clout and frequently found wanting. By others and ourselves. I think I was having a little rant and I decided to stop. I'm sitting on the patio outside the house - where we have dinner, recharge our batteries (both literal and metaphorical), and generally meet up with each other at the end of the day and hit the bar - and I looked up and on the stone wall opposite me is a lizard whose tail is a vivid turquoise blue. The markings on his body are so intricate I'm reminded of Egyptian friezes I've seen in the British Museum. He's moved down from the wall onto the stone seating area of the patio and is now quietly snoozing in the heat. The only sounds I can hear are the buzzing of languorous bees, songs from birds whose names I've yet to learn and a gentle rustling of leaves as a soft wind whispers through the trees. Everywhere I look, there are trees whose boughs are covered in butter coloured blossoms which bear a great resemblance to magnolias but I don't think are. (Magnolias I mean). Other trees have eruptions of scarlet, huge flowers that have a dozen or more blooms sitting atop a single stem. The flowers are just beginning to unfurl and as each petal surrenders itself to the sun the landscape expands it's beauty daily and changes constantly. Finally this morning (I began this blog yesterday) the rains came: I was having a glorious time with the babies when suddenly the heavens opened and it came down in bucket loads. Felix and Almond promptly disappeared inside my top, Amber dived onto my lap swiftly followed by Lily, Monks, Jaspar and Sammy and we all cuddled up and remained both dry and warm for the duration. It's amazing: now the weather has turned quite chilly and I'm wearing a thick sweater to keep warm and can't wait to leap into a hot bush shower: I feel chilled through to my bones. But, hey! It's a long way from Byfleet!
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