Happy New Year!

Well, last night's dinner was rather good - the rumoured fresh crab, amongst other goodies. There has been a strong wind most days, which seems to build up each evening, and the restaurant part of the camp is open to the beach, and consequently, the wind. It does keep it cooler, and keeps flying bitey things away. But people, on the whole, prefer to eat food without it blowing off the table.

And so for last night's dinner, the tables were set up in the pool area, sheltered from the wind, and it was rather splendid, with twinkly lights reflecting in the pool and a big long table with about thirty guests.

Actually, the furniture is SO heavy, and SO huge, it must have been quite some job for the staff to move them all. The beds and seats are as if made for giants! Even the steps are larger than normal.

As predicted, I didn't make it to midnight. Didn't even attempt to, though some stalwarts did. The sea was particularly thunderous last night.

This morning I was awoken by a shout from JR - 'Sunrise!' But by the time I had got myself organised and staggered along the beach in my jammies for a vantage point, I had missed the best of it. The boat from yesterday just in the right place, but too far out, so I waded out nearer it, thereby filling my plastic shoes with sand and aggravating my sore foot (which now has a rather overkill big sticky bandage wrapped round it.)

Today has been spent lolloping by the pool, which is deserted during the day when the families are off pootling in the rock pools or kayaking. So luckily, there was no general public to be frightened at the sight of white overweight bodies with red bites all over.

The staff here have been great. A nice touch is that they arrive at your hut balcony about 7am with a thermos of coffee. Breakfast is leisurely - any time, really. I have discovered that three pancakes is just too greedy...

This is our last day. The long drive back to Arusha tomorrow, then packing and flying back to cold wet UK on Friday.

It sure has been a terrific start to 2014.

Will this be the Year of The Dog?