Heading south into the Namib Desert yesterday we came down from the central plateau through the Spreetshoogte Pass and onto the desert plain. The landscapes are brightly coloured canvases of deep blue and ochre and our rustic camp lies on the edge of one of the cauldron valleys scattered about this part of Namibia. Last night and tonight we spend at Camp Gecko which lies some 60 km NE of the great sand dunes at Soussesvlei.
There is a water hole two hundred yards from the camp and yesterday evening Sophie saw her first Warthog, tail in the air, running at full tilt for a drink. It’s general demeanour resembled a small armoured tank going into battle doing a full Henry V at Agincourt.
I want to say a few words about the Soil Fertility Project. When we first arrived in Windhoek much of the first five days was taken up with various meetings with stakeholders, such Dr Simon Angombe, Dean of the Agricultural and Environmental Faculty at the University of Namibia, who I am delighted to report is setting up a new department this year to study biochar, it’s uses and application in Namibia. He has asked me to give a lecture and demonstration on the 10th November at the new Biochar centre. Help, where are the slides when you need them!
As serendipity would have it, Robbin Uatoka from Porus was also in Windhoek and we were able to come up with a plan to develop the biochar garden on his land. At the moment they are digging the well which will supply water to the experimental garden. This will be finished in about six weeks time, ready for planting a new crop of tomatoes, chilli and water melons. This has proved to be a difficult task, because the last experimental crop was destroyed by elephant. So we have to build a bigger and stronger defence. We also started the transport of charcoal dust to the site. This too requires a committed logistical effort. The roads, tracks and riverbeds leading to Porus are getting worn and are very rough, making travel hazardous and expensive.
I look forward to returning there when the work has progressed further.
In the meantime Sophie and I head south in search of the Southern Cross.
Below is a picture of our Camp Gecko lodge which as Sophie said looks like a beach hut in the desert.
Don't forget to follow Sophie's log on www.sophiefriese-greene.com
This image was taken when Sophie and I went for a walk in the bush around sunset.
This image shows the design for a solar powered water pump Robbin is going to install in the Porus water bore hole.
Thank you so much for your comments. You have inspired us to do more. Sophie has been filming but we don't have the bandwidth or know how to post them. Will keep trying.
Lovely weather here, very hot, at 1500 today it was above 50 deg C in the sun, about 42 in the shade! Will try frying egg on Tilly's bonnet when we get back to camp after posting this. DFG special tonight for supper - corned beef tomato hash with pineapple chunks and Worcestershire sauce, followed by prunes - just in case!