Words from Willow Pond: Uganda

Welcome to Words from Willow Pond

Willow Pond is the home of Deb and husband, Ian, their three adult children, Jossy, Kimmy & Dylan, Joss' husband, Chris, two lippizzaners, Dutchy & Obie, an Old English Sheepdog called Mitzi, the cutest Cavoodle ever, called Oscar, two orphaned Ringtail Possums, named Tamigotchi and Saori, two brush tail orphans, named Penny and Sheldon and other resident ringtail and brush tail possums and many geckos and frogs. Otis our rainbow lorikeet, whom we looked after for over 11 years, finally flew the coop and is enjoying the freedom of the skies.

Deb and her family have lived at Willow Pond for the past fourteen years.

Deb & Ian can sometimes be found down by the willow tree on a hot afternoon sharing a cold beer after spending the day gardening and mowing lawns.

Deb & Ian planted a young Willow tree about ten years ago down near their pond in the back paddock, and it has grown into a very fine specimen. They have since planted four more Willow saplings, which are growing well. The Willows inspired Deb to name the property Willow Pond. It is their hope that native wildlife will find shelter and a haven here like the characters from the children's classic, Wind in the Willows.

Deb enjoys creating ideas and writing here at Willow Pond. She intends to dedicate this blog to the adventures at Willow Pond with her family.

If you have found us by accident, or intentionally, then - Welcome and thank you for dropping by. We hope you enjoy your visit.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Armchair Travel with Joss & Chris - Day 5 & 6 @ Kibale Forest National Park

Joss and Chris have ventured onto the Kibale Forest National Park where they got to walk with the chimps in equatorial rainforest in Kibale Forest National Park. We received a text from them saying were just 2 metres away from the chimps...and as Joss said...'it is freaking awesome'. Meeting the chimps were one of the highlights for them and it sounds like the promise was fulfilled.

Below is a link that shows something of what they experienced.

http://www.ugandansafari.com/uganda-national-parks/kibale-forest-national-park.html

Here is another link from youtube showing the chimps in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5IyqnbAT0E
We were so glad to hear their news and know that they are safe.

So, until next time...
cheers

Monday, October 10, 2011

Armchair Travel with Joss & Chris - Day 3 & 4 @ Kariandusi School Project

Joss & Chris head into their third and fourth day of their trip. This sees them travel to Eldoret and Kampala. They are set to visit the Kariandusi School Trust project where they will spend time either helping teach the children or help with some construction work. Click on the link to find out more about this project.

http://www.kariandusi.co.uk/

What a privilege to visit and mingle with these special children. I'm sure this experience will be life changing.

After their visit to Kariandusi, they will travel and enter Uganda and camp at Kampala. Below is a link for those of you who are interested in seeing what Uganda is like according to their tourism bureau.

http://www.visituganda.com/

Here are a couple of interesting video stories about gorillas and witch doctors...showing wide diversity throughout this country. Click link for story on gorillas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM5FI1D36hM

Click link for story on witch doctors...sadly, yes...they actually do exist. Sometimes this link goes to the newspaper version. If it does this, come back here and try again. The video is quite interesting...and scary.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8441813.stm

Next and final link shows a variety of photos from other explorers of what Joss and Chris may experience.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotos-g293841-w4-Kampala.html

It would be great to be a fly on the wall to see all the wonderful things they are seeing and experiencing. Our family back home are really hoping they are having a blast.

So, until next time...
from the Armchair Traveller...
cheers.