Hi Guys

Ive spent this week in malolotja nature park in the north of the country. I was helping an irish masters student research the use of lichens in the constrution of birds nests! Must admit i wasnt thrilled when i was told but ive had a blast! Malolotja is completly mountainous and hilly dont think there is a single flat spot. Which has meant rather a lot of hiking.

I set out on monday for our first walk to collect lichen samples from 10 trees i had know idea what they had in store! The walk turned into full on crazy hiking/rockclimbing all the way down into a valley. When we reached the bottom i told them to go on without me i needed a break or i would never reach the top again!

That was the worst hike but we did a good few hours every day before breakfast and then another long down then uphill one in the afternoon! I dont think my legs will ever forgive! My job was to photograph the trees and collect a branch to help ID it.

The scenery was stunning though. It also an amazing place to see birds. I got to see the critically endengered bald ibis and the blue swallow which is hardly found anywhere in souther africa. It made a nice change from the storks. Im heading back to Hlane royal park tommorrow to finish of the stork work. Cant believe its almost my final week in Swaziland!

It hasnt all been work though. Last week i headed into Manzini to hit the markets. managed to increase my overweight luggage charge by buying yet more stuff!! Spent Sunday at a wildlife park just chilling out getting sunburnt!

Well i better go again bye bye Dawn x;0)x

P.S Sorry if i havent replied to any txts for some reason i can sent them from my Swazi card but cant recieve any which is kinda annoying!!!