Two weeks in mad-land: glimpses from the 1st 3 days

I thought I'd get back and put together a series of blogs on Madagascar. It's not easy. One must make up for time away. And before you blink two more weeks will be gone. I thought of doing themes. But I'm not sure. Maybe it's easier just working through the days. Maybe today will be a small selection from 19th to 21st July. And maybe I'll double back later. Maybe. Here goes.

Early morning: I wake up and walk outside finding two sweet Madagascan White Eyes in the tree nearest the house. A great way to start a bird walk!

Early morning: I wake up and walk outside finding two sweet Madagascan White Eyes in the tree nearest the house. A great way to start a bird walk!

Mid morning: Diesel is in the tower. There's probably only one thing on Diesel's mind. White eyes. Ok, two things, White Eyes and Fody's and the warmth of the sun. Wait that's three. And come to think of it, since Diesel is female, I think She shoul…

Mid morning: Diesel is in the tower. There's probably only one thing on Diesel's mind. White eyes. Ok, two things, White Eyes and Fody's and the warmth of the sun. Wait that's three. And come to think of it, since Diesel is female, I think She should probably be re-named Dieseline!

Mid-day: Justin and I took a walk with our cameras. Ouma and Joelle followed a few minutes later. So we photographed them.

Mid-day: Justin and I took a walk with our cameras. Ouma and Joelle followed a few minutes later. So we photographed them.

Justin hoping his young model approves. I think she did. I was playing paparazzi hiding behind the bushes :-)

Justin hoping his young model approves. I think she did. I was playing paparazzi hiding behind the bushes :-)

Stuff you photograph when you're slightly bored. And it's good to just have some time sometimes. It did have amazing eyes though. It's hopefully since been eaten by one of the amazing Madagascan Bee-eaters or many Stonechats that worked the neighbou…

Stuff you photograph when you're slightly bored. And it's good to just have some time sometimes. It did have amazing eyes though. It's hopefully since been eaten by one of the amazing Madagascan Bee-eaters or many Stonechats that worked the neighbourhood. We'll feature some of those another day.

Burning off energy outdoors. Sometimes literally. Boys will be boys.

Burning off energy outdoors. Sometimes literally. Boys will be boys.

Evan would spot this Raptor almost every morning maybe around 11. He'd come running and I'd do my best to shoot it. Which wasn't good enough as it was always too far by then. We think it's either a Red Kite or a Black Kite.

Evan would spot this Raptor almost every morning maybe around 11. He'd come running and I'd do my best to shoot it. Which wasn't good enough as it was always too far by then. We think it's either a Red Kite or a Black Kite.

Burning off more energy indoors. Fortunately I don't think they've really discovered Fortnite. The flavour of the holidays was good "old" Mario Cart on the Wii.

Burning off more energy indoors. Fortunately I don't think they've really discovered Fortnite. The flavour of the holidays was good "old" Mario Cart on the Wii.

Speaking of Forts... 

Speaking of Forts... 

Let me finish with one more beautiful moment. I can only imagine what she's saying.

Let me finish with one more beautiful moment. I can only imagine what she's saying.

Two weeks, eighty three candles

Two weeks in Madagascar went by too quickly. I turned fifty a day after R turned fourteen and eleven days before A's 19th. Three cakes, huge thanks to Sue, and plenty of other goodies too. Ok we didn't use eighty three candles. Maybe fourteen.

But before we get to pictures of cakes, just want to write there's no way to write a short blog about two weeks of madness in the Midgley household in Madagascar. A photo book will be made. In the meantime I may share an extract here or there from time to time.

I wish I could say I came away with a pack of amazing images to share. But I don't think so. And that's not the point. I left with a bunch of beautiful memories to treasure. You (in Madagascar) have no idea how precious you all are. Wow, just wow, how the years have gone by, and the last two weeks have been such a blessing. So I'll be back soon. But right now I just need to shake the jet lag and maybe an extra kg ... where's that bicycle.

Now, a handful of pics from a special birthday party.

Delicious cake! 

Delicious cake! 

Fourteen candles smoked!

Fourteen candles smoked!

Cake being cut while the guys shout a unique version of Happy Birthday!

Cake being cut while the guys shout a unique version of Happy Birthday!

An empty plate is an opportunity :-)

An empty plate is an opportunity :-)

Cake needs to be consumed!

Cake needs to be consumed!

Savouring number 77?

Savouring number 77?

Feeling a little left out?

Feeling a little left out?