The rhinos in the playground

This seems like a really whimsical title, but there really were rhinos in the playground at Mokolodi Nature Preserve during our trip to southern Africa in 2009. The rhinos, which are rescued from other areas where they are being poached, roam quite freely throughout the preserve. They're definitely not tame, but they're also much calmer than rhinos I've seen in other places.

Getting ready for summer solstice party-- a little late!

Our friend Pinguim is visiting from Sao Paolo, Brazil, so we delayed our summer solstice party and will have it on July 4th instead. It should be fun-- at least 5 bands, and Pinguim will play with all of them!

Garden is getting more mature this year. Nice day to be outside.

The crows on Tara

Our trip to Tara was also blustery and cold, even though it had been fairly warm earlier in the day when we went to Newgrange. By the time we got to Tara, although it wasn't raining, it was very windy, and overcast. The creaking hinges on the stiles to go into the site were enhanced considerably by the blowing wind. The crows in the trees over the old churchyard were haunting in their warnings to each other. You would think they would be used to people all around them by now.

But it wasn't just the cries of the crows that were haunting. The trees they live in were bare of leaves, and formed amazing shapes against the overcast sky.

This little video clip will give you a good sense of the atmosphere. The static is the wind whistling past continuously.

The rest of the hilltop is quite open and while there are many markers of various kinds, it feels completely unrestricted. By contrast, the stone fence-enclosed churchyard feels slightly claustrophobic, and the crows clearly do not appreciate the intrusion.

Matt's first trip to Stonehenge

We made the pilgrimage to Stonehenge on a blustery day in late March-- hour or so to Salisbury from Waterloo Station, a wait for the bus, then about 35 minutes from Salisbury to the site. Very cold in the wind.

ypsi house

There are some magnificent trees in the world. This is one, in the backyard of our new house in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

More Botswana pictures

The rhinos in the playground: we arrived at Mokolodi Game Preserve, about 20 km south of Gaborone, for a few nights of oneness with nature (punctuated by good food and drink at the restaurant) to find the playground inhabited... more about rhinos at Mokolodi in future posts

Africa Photos

We visited Brian and Elly Bailey in late June 2009, after our trip to Wales. Cate, Steve, Elly, and Lizzie Hilton were there, and surprisingly, John was in from Singapore. Elly died in August 2010. We were very fortunate to spend some time with her last year.