Yoga Safaris with a Difference.

It was about this time last year, just when it had started snowing, that I looked back over the year I realised what a roller coaster of the year it had been. The recession had hit me hard, there was little money in my bank account, I had had an emergency operation on my neck and there had been a bereavement in the family. So here I am sitting in my office, looking out of my window, and watching the predicted 8 inches of snow falling, and looking back over a completely different year. This year has been a great year for work, there is money in the bank, I am fighting fit and healthy and so are my family and friends.

So what makes this year different from all the others?

There are a number of things that have made 2010 a great year for myself. Firstly, the enforced timeout after my operation made me think about my priorities in my life, both personal and business, which I applied this year. It opened my mind to be able to identify opportunities when they revealed themselves, and not to go rushing around hunting those opportunities down. Instead I just let them come to me. It was inspiring how it all happened. Secondly, I spent a little bit more time with friends and family, although I have to admit I need to increase this in 2011 as the balance is still not quite right. Thirdly, I made more time for myself, me time is exceptionally important. And lastly, the most important thing of all, is that I had belief in myself and what I was doing, I had direction, I had focus.

Which is why I want to help others get back onto the right track and become successful too. Sense Africa has a Yoga Safari going to Malawi in May next year, where your holiday is combined with a time for self-discovery, a time for time out and a time to move forward. I do confess that I cannot provide all of this which is why Liz Foster, a professional coach and yoga instructor, is accompanying the trip. And you couldn't do this in a more inspiring location such as Malawi!

Sense Africa – restoration for the mind body and soul.

How To Use A Mosquito Net

At times it may seem a bit obvious on how to use a mosquito net but when you are trying to disengage yourself from the clutches of a rogue one, these tips may come in useful.

1. First make sure that the net has been tied up above your head in a knot, as this will prevent anything from crawling into it during the day.
2. More often than not your mosquito nets will be arranged for you, but if this is not the case make sure that when you untie it there are no friendly bugs in it!
3. Doublecheck there were no holes in the net as this will defeat the object. Tape of any kind is an instant fix.
4. Pull the net taught over your bed and tuck it firmly under the mattress. This prevents the net brushing against your face at night. It is best to do this before supper, because after supper and the superb wines that you've consumed, it may make things a little bit more complicated.
5. Spray inside the net with insect repellent to kill any rogue insects, just to double check there is nothing unwanted sharing your bed with me.

Sleep well!

Guns, Beds and Mozambique Spitting Cobras

My Land Rover was packed full of kit for living in the African bush. It was a short wheelbase Land Rover, had no windscreen, no roof and I'm not too sure whether it had any doors to begin with. It was certainly built for an African adventure.

I arrived late in the afternoon at Devuli Ranch where I had been told that a house had been put aside for me to use during my one year stay in Save Valley Conservancy. I drove into the compound with relief - I had pushed started my Land Rover twice on the way down. That was the first challenge over and done with. The compound consisted of about seven houses, dotted in the African bush, with a swimming pool as the central feature and all surrounded by secure fencing. This was to prevent wild animals from wondering into the area where we were living, making it a bit safer to walk around at night from one house to the next. It did not, however, exclude all the wildlife, which I was to later find out.

Derek Henning came to greet me and welcome me to the Save Valley Conservancy. He pointed out the house that I was going to use, and my eyes really popped out of my head. The entrance to the house had two vast wagon wheels either side of the gate and bright pink bougainvillea was growing over the wagon wheels. My house was enormous; there were five bedrooms, an enormous living area and the Veranda surrounding the whole building, it was a little bit more than I needed. It was the original house that had been built when the first white explorers came through the area and had not been lived in for a while.

"Jenny, how are you with snakes?" asked Derek.
"Well, not too bad," I murmured, nervously wondering where this conversation was going.
"Just that the house has not been lived in for a long time and Mozambique Spitting Cobras have been seen in the area. So what I would advise is that you take this and leave it in an accessible place."
I took the double barrelled shotgun from Derek rather gingerly. "Just fire from the hip", he continued, "because if you fire from your shoulder you will probably dislocate it. Do not worry about the house, it is fine if you pebble dashed the walls, just aim and fire."

My eyes were out on stalks by this time, this was certainly an interesting introduction to living in Africa.

For two years I slept with a loaded double barrelled shotgun under my bed.  I never used it, but was certainly aware of its location and it took me a few weeks to get used to the idea that I had a gun under my bed!

Life in Africa is often unpredictable, which is also the charm of the continent. Prepare for the unexpected and your life will be enriched.