Sunday -Day off, five off us hired Mathew the guide who took us to Kruger. He picked us up with volunteers from Riverside, an animal rescue centre run by his dad. We went to a place called Graskop about 2 hour drive from here. Various sightseeing stops on the way, a beautiful waterfall, rock formations and deep crevices and potholes made by water errosion. Final stop was the swing gorge. Free fell 240ft into gorge attached to a peice of string, when rope ran out swung back and forth across ravine. Worse than the fall was the 800 steps back up again. Everybody did it except Miranda. By the time we were all harnessed up it had got really cloudy which was probably a good thing as you could'nt see what you were jumping into. Most scary thing I have ever done but so glad I did it.

Monday-Couple from Peterborough left today. Had a chance to groom a monkey today he is very old in an intro cage on his own, also very few teeth so somebody has to groom him everyday. He comes and sits on your knee. Never thought I'd be that close to an adult monkey. All night baby shift to night. Sleep depravation! five babies sleeping at different times from 7.00pm to 7.00am feeding and trying to make bottles in the dark. In a special baby cabin which is running alive with mosquitos.

Tuesday.-Braveheart nearly got stolen by bandits monkeys today. He was screaming and calling for his mum near the side of the cage. Two bandits came and tried to grab him, a very close call.

Wednesday-Eddy, Luka and Grace left sickbay and went back to their enclosure. Vervet monkeys have the ability to heal broken bones and other injuries incredibly quickly. With babies in intro cage again. All doing really well, jumping climbing and going into feeding cage on their own. As soon as they can drink from feeding cage they can be adopted by foster mum and go into big enclosure. If this does'nt happen after three months foster mothers won't accept the babies and they won't be able to join a troop until they are two years old.

Thursday-Most of the day spent with babies again. Also groomed Ghosty again, he was a bit grumpy because I was'nt concentrating and bit me with his one tooth. At the top of one of the enclosures is a big flat rock called Camelot rock. We went up there this evening to see the sunset. Took camera but left battery on charge so no stunning sunset pictures I'm afraid.

Friday-Winding down now, day off spent at lodge, eating, drinking, sunbathing. Nearly did'nt make it as bakki got puncture. Everything here is hanging on by a thread. Washing machine, fridge freezer, microwave, toaster, internet and bakki (truck). One set of showers only has cold water. Party night tomorrow with black workers at their shack (AKA Sammy's bar) for six of us leaving Sun/Mon. Probably be my last post due to trauma of internet connection.

To sum up, I have had the experience of a life time, mostly very hard, dirty work but at the same time enjoyable and rewarding. Have met some lovely people, New Zealand, American, Dutch, German, French and English. As always in life some jobs-worth d*** heads but learned to deal with them with humour and deaf ears.

Feel so privaliged to have experienced at first hand nursing 2/3 week old babies as well as grooming, preparing food, cleaning and assisting integration of older monkeys. Apart from VMF, the trips to Kruger, Waterfalls, Baobab Tree and Graskop were truly special. South Africa is a very beautiful place as are its people and I would Like to return some day to see more of it but maybe 5* next time.

Hope you have enjoyed sharing my experience, apologies for typos and grammer xxxxxxx