Sleeping in the Somerset shepherds hut imported from th UK was the best nights sleep I’ve had for several weeks, actually a couple of months! It probably had something to do with knowing the ‘box’ was entirely secure from rodents and a size that could be monitored, as well as feeling familiar to the caravan in Norfolk. Jay also started his 3 weeks of leave so we were able to spend the whole of our days together.
Set back from the road and opposite the Nanyuki landing strip One Stop was definatly the noisiest place we had stayed so far but was interesting to watch the small comercial and private helicopters and planes come and go (it is possible to fly in from Wilson in Nairobi to Nanyuki although theu are are booked well in advance (unless you have many US dollars to spend). As the hut had limited catering facilities we had breakfast in Barneys located next to the landing strip. We were not the only people enjoying the free show, many people, adults and children alike lined the fence to watch the aircraft as they took off and landed before sqeezing into mini buses and driving off. I recalled Dad taking us kids to an airport as children to watch larger aircraft take off and land. As a child I did not consider where the planes were going to, or came from, but now as an adult and especially as we consider the best location for our furture plans it is a crucial element.
Soames was a 20 minute walk away according to Google maps. Described as a boutique hotel and restaurant we decided to go for lunch there the next day. I convinced Jay a cab was not necessary and we should walk. Considering this to be a crazy idea Jay decided we should first consult the management at one stop who agreed with him, the sun was far too hot! but the area was safe. Mad dogs and English men…we walked. Walking against the traffic, so we are not touted by matatu’s we passed kiosks and small clusters of shambas with dwellings built mainly of concrete and corrugated sheets. There were a few larger and grander properties which were just visable over very high walls with mature trees obscuring them, as well as a new housing estate being built. Similar to what I experienced in Naivasha, people were friendly once the ice was broken and we greeted them (again we were obvious foreigners and no doubt the locals were curious why two muzugos were walking along a perfectly good road). I took is just under an hour to walk along the dirt track running parallel to the road then up the track to Soames. The food and service were good and there was plenty of bird life to watch, we observed what we decided was a snake eagle scouting the surrounding bush for a meal. Snakes are the creatures I worry about most in this country, most will bite and some are deadly. In the walk back to one stop we stopped at a kiosk and bought water, bread, weetabix (sold in a double pack) and some peanuts which came to the grand total of 200ksh. Bringing out a 1000ksh more the proprietor shook her head as she did not have change. I was able to pay her with Mpesa as an agent which incurred a small cast to me. Jay and I estimated the same items would have cost 3 or 4 times as much in the supermarket.
Our next stop is Kidogo cottage where we will be for 9 days, time enough to kick back and relax and explore Nanyuki properly.
ElixirKenya 