Someone asked if we could feel the ground vibrate when some elephants wandered through our camp. No, is the answer, and they were actually surprisingly quiet. I’m sure they knew we were parked up in their food bowl, long before we were aware they were around. The first alert to their presence was hearing branches breaking as they went about their destructive endeavours to find a tasty leaf. This went on for a while and then suddenly one then two elephants appeared, flapping their ears a little as they wandered through the camp. We kept ourselves very discrete (for this, read tucked behind the camper), and they walked in under their terms and walked off again. Apart the small noises made while reaching high to grab a trunkful of some particular delicacy, scratching on the ground for fruits and so forth, and rubbing their hide against a suitable tree, they made almost no noise. Now, if a herd of elephants were running through the camp … that would be a different matter. But otherwise, their large feet – and they are very large indeed – made a very gentle footfall.
parrygraphs 
magic….😁
Hello Karen, Thank you for your delightful updates of your travels, you sure are experiencing another adventure! I love the photo’s, how amazing to experience an elephant and other, for us foreign, animals in their own homely habitat. Thank you for sharing. I had a great chuckle the other day as I imaged your adventure to ‘the toilet/bathroom’ facilities. I bet, your body got a lick and a promise and no time wasting in that facility! All is well here, never a dull moment. Last week I attended the ARIIA (Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia) conference, titled Living Well, Ageing Well and Dying Well, at the Adelaide Oval. I was invited to be a Panel speaker on the topic: ‘How can we enhance community and social based care to benefit all generations?’ It was an interesting (and nerve wrecking) experience and I am pleased to say, I received some very positive comments. Today is a big filming day. Elja’s friend Dave Robertson is setting up a new business. He likes to do story telling of people’s lived experiences (life stories) and I must say he does a fabulous job! He is doing 3 short (12-15 mins) films to use as promotional material. He showed us the two films he has done so far and we are most impressed. So, as I am typing this Graeme is in the ‘hot’ seat and is sharing parts of his life story, his interests and his adventures and this afternoon I will be in the hot seat and to tell my story. I think I would like the focus of my story to be around the themes of family, friendships, community and home and belonging. We’ll see where it will take us. We hope that these promotional films will be of interest to people and that people/families will hire Dave to tell their life and family stories. Further focus is on the writing of an eight week program titled ‘Friendship and Connection’. I am writing this program with my youngest daughter Elja and it is part of ‘The Loneliness’ project I am involved in with Rosemary Bryantt AO Institute UniSA, and The Hut Community Centre. The focus of this program is to eliminate loneliness – ‘How do we support people in our communities to overcome loneliness, make new friends and connections and live a fulfilled life in our townships?The focus group is women age 40-65. Elja and i have nearly completed the program and when grant funding becomes available (The Hut CC is applying) we will test this program twice in the community. Interesting and exciting! How is work going for you? What’s news, what’s the learning and developing? Enjoy all that is on offer! You are in my thoughts. Chris and I will have a ‘girls’ weekend or sleepover at your place early next month. I look forward to a catch up with Chris as I have not seen her for a looooooooong time. Say hello to Greg and enjoy your time together. With love, Lia xx
wow what a privilege keep safe xx
What an incredible experience to have elephants wander through your camp so quietly! It’s fascinating how such large creatures can move with such grace and stealth. Your detailed description really captures the magic and awe of the moment. Thank you for sharing this unforgettable encounter!🥰💕🌈😽