Being a worst case scenario type of person when Jamie and I agreed we would apply for work in a remote bush camp in Africa I wanted to prepare for as I say “worse case situations”. This sounds negative though I do like to take responsibility for myself and people around me and felt this was crucial for us to move to Africa.
After seeking advice from my cherished African friends in the industry who have personally worked or own bush camps in Africa we had a list of three.
First Aid and Trauma Course for remote locations, Game Lodge Management Course and a four wheel drive course all of which Jamie and I competed together in late 2015.
As it turns out all three courses were not only highly educational and empowering as adults they have given us great life skills as humans including the role of being grandparents to our gorgeous Emily, Kaylah and Hugh.
The test…..this week on our day off Jamie and I went out on afternoon safari with Geoffrey our guide, Albert our spotter and 4 fun camp guests. After the all-important sundowners where you have a glass of wine and watch the African sunset into the distance we set off to find the nocturnal animals in the area with the assistance of Albert (Will Smith) as spotter.
Sun downers in Zambia
It had rained very heavy the night before and unfortunately a section of the dirt road had become deep mud. As you can see our 4×4 became bogged.
Jamie and I being responsible managers ensured the guests were safe and Geoffrey and Albert set about getting us out of the mud. It was incredible to feel I assisted the experienced safari guides eventually drive out of the bog in the dark.
We both understood the situation and restrictions and Jamie and I were big on theory though small on personal driving experience we did contribute to a achieving a great outcome….Geoffrey drove the 4×4 out YEH! Actually Jamie claims to fame it was his last push that did it….too many carbs!
As for the game lodge management course, we both use sections of this course daily around the camp and hope to never have to use the first aid course though feel better we have the knowledge. They did look good on our work permit applications with the Zambian Government.
Love to all my followers and I appreciate all your comments, if there is anything you would like to know just drop a comment and I will reply. Off to work now
Well done and thanks to Wendy and Jamie for helping ensure our guests were safe and enjoyed the experience. All these things are part of the experience of being in the bush. Although we obviously don’t try to get guests stuck, most look back and count it as part of the experience if it does happen.
To all the friends and family of Wendy and Jamie, let me tell you they are both very well, being an incredible help and (I hope) enjoying the whole experience. We hope you don’t want them back too soon!!
All the best from Zambia
Ade
Thanks Ade for your supportive and kind comments. Team Buckley have made quite a few “rookie” mistakes over the past 7 weeks though we assure you, Jess and the whole team at Flatdogs we are loving the experience including the daily love and attention from the local wildlife – mostly the elephants in person. Now all our friends and family have to come and see for themselves the “real bush experience” in Africa with Jamie and Wendy to care for them at our new home in Africa. I still cannot believe Jamie and I live in Zambia !!! xxx Wendy
Glad to hear the guide and trackers didn’t have to walk out for help as we discussed at your farewell at Balmain
I’d love to get a schedule of what an average day looks like…
Have fun!
P.S – Jamie does look like he has lost some weight. Looking good!
so true about our Game Lodge Management course…I did tell the guide and spotter what the course had taught us though fortunately our radio was working. I will do a day in the life of Camp Managers and yes Bucko has lost his 50’s belly due to portion control and he cant find peanuts in the Valley….he keeps asking
HI Wendiiii and Jamie
Its so good to read what you guys have been doing over the past few weeks – love reading about the ‘detox’. I guess we just don’t realise what a life we do have here in Oz, its just so refreshing to hear how you are both living. I just would love to look at the night sky every night, at least you’re in the same hemisphere as we are, hope you are reading up on astronomy. If you get this before Wednesday evening (its Monday now, nearly 12 noon), there will be a show in the night sky (east) around 11pm or 12 midnight Sydney Time) of the tails of Hayley’s Comet go wizzing around, I will find a bit more about it and let you know – apparently supposed to be fantastic. Keep up with the blog, love reading and sounds like the guests are wonderful!
xxx
Hi Wendi and Jim, that is lovely to read you enjoy our blogs and thanks for the info on spotting Hayley’s comet breaking up , we will look out tonight being Wednesday. I plan on my next update as shopping in Mfuwe subject to the Telco company uploading my vidoes of our experiences. love to you both Wendy and Jamie