Posh party for a baby

It seems there is nothing like being overseas when something happens in your home country. I remember sitting in Jo'berg airport on my way back to the UK in 2011 on the weekend of the Royal Wedding as Kate and Wills geared up to say their vows and watched the worlds media focused on London and the rest of the UK. I sat in the airport lounge and thought about what a funny little country Britain really is, with all our traditions and Royal red coated soldiers and how the masses turn out and go loopy for royalty and such occasions.

"I couldn't be a royal. It's like living in a supersonic goldfish bowl." - Ozzy Osbourne
 

So facebook told me of the announcement of the birth of Prince George - with status updates of 'how exciting', 'It's only a flippin baby' and 'Leave them alone people should be happy for them.' Personally I think its great news for them, but as I don't know them on a one to one basis so for me the babies born of my friends have been much more exciting, but its nice to see most of the world celebrating this birth. 

"People think I hate the Royal Family, but that's not true." - John Lydon 

So, coming back to being a quaint little country - its amazing to see the UK celebrate - its even stranger to be in another country and invited to celebrate such an event. One of the ladies who I work with has contacts to the Brit High Commission and the next thing we were invited to a garden party in honour of the new prince. With far too many ladies in hats and scones and clotted cream with the British Flag flying high we felt like we were in some sort of strange 1970's colonial movie. It was all a bit awkward at first as we had gone in jeans (smart ones with no rips or baboon poo on). We saw the hatted ladies and suited gents and were very relieved when a few more jean cladded invitees arrived. All in all we did have a lovely afternoon, and I think it was a good excuse for Brits to get together and also network. Having met the commissioner I also successfully managed to get a new business contact and we also met a rather attractive masseur / personal trainer who I am sure we might need to work with again at some point! 

Strange to think if I were in the UK or another country (perhaps) I don't think I would have been on such an invite list!! 

We have been having some fun recently with the porcupines digging into the junior and senior baboon camps at night, which means on occasion we have had marauding baboons running around by the morning, grass from thatched roofs everywhere and on one occasion Marlon one of the juniors was found in the office sat at the desk typing on the computer! 

"There once was a brainy baboon who always breathed down a bassoon, for he said, "It appears that in billions of years I shall certainly hit on a tune." - Ezra Pound

Perhaps he was testing the theory about eventually a baboon writing the entire works of Shakespeare if sat at a computer long enough. However, I am more convinced left long enough baboons would delete (not write) the entire works of Shakespeare.

We have ended up putting a low electrical wire on the outside of the camp to put off the porcupines who are keen on discarded oranges left in the baboon camp. 

“If you start throwing hedgehogs under me, I shall throw a couple of porcupines under you.” Nikita Khrushchev

In other baboon antics little Sheela has grown quite a lot and got to the age where she is testing people and seeing what she can get away with. Her usual morning cuddles that she comes to the office for have now extended into her coming to the offices rather than going on baby baboon walks, she finds it hilarious to run around and not go out with the others and tries to escape whenever she can. Like a teenager with a note from mum refusing to do PE at school.

"Actors are the best and the worst of people. They're like kids. When they're good, they're very very good. When they're bad they're very very naughty." - Kenneth Branagh 

[or should that be baboons]

I have been lucky enough to see my babies the other night. I ended up going on one of our night-time security drives (checking for poachers and putting them off) and they came pottering out of the bush. We had lovely cuddles even if they were very confused as to why I was there in the middle of the night. Donsie had her nose pressed up against the glass as we drove off   - Frankie is too cool for all that (or too wild)! 

Apparently they also came to the house the other day and Donsie has worked out the handle to the back door and pottered in with Frankie behind her. She got an apple as a reward for her efforts so I am sure she will be back!

"The terrorist uses surprise and stealth, and the only way to defeat that is by having accurate and timely intelligence." - Bill Nelson 

Ok, ok it was just an apple!