Hi folks..just thought I'd put up some pics from my recent Kenya trip..for those of you who don't know, I went there in March for 2 weeks to record an album with songwriter Ayub Ogada and it turned into a bit of an adventure. I will write it up for the album sleeve notes so you can read about it in more detail but for now here are a few snaps that I took and also there are some more taken by a lovely lady named Julia (they are the good quality ones at the end).

Above is the first picture I took there, snapped from a car in Nairobi..as you can see these ladies saw me taking it and smiled beautifully for the occassion.

From the airport we went out to look at where we would be recording..this is the view from the pool house at the African Heritage House, owned by Alan Donovan..an amazing place built by an amazing man ( see more here: http://www.africanheritagebook.com), and to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. Behind in the distance is the Nairobi National Park.

This is one of the many works of art there..more later.

This the first day of recording setting up..Ayub on the right and Isaac Gem  (fantastic musician, film maker, engineer, you-name-it). Together we three formed the basis of the musicians on the forthcoming album probably to be entitled Kodhi ( Seed ).

Above is Ayub with Masai shields and spears behind him..all authentic and probably very old.

This is a bigger and much older version of the instrument played by Ayub (called the Nyatiti, sorry can't remember what this older one is called).

Ayub waiting patiently for me to come up with something worth recording...

ah..finally ! You can see me here through the strings of the Nyatiti..

Recording the track 'Dero' with Alan relaxing behind.

Alan Donovan

More artwork..

sunset over the Ngong hills..beyond lies the Rift Valley...

While in Kenya the hospitality of Ayub and his family was fantastic..this is the lovely Yvonne and baby Taslin.

more recording...

and Ayub in ceremonial gear..necklace designed by Alan Donovan.

Isaac creating another masterpiece.

Taslin..'who is this weird looking white man?'

This Hamerkop bird visited us whilst recording and joined in..it can be heard on the song 'Conversation'.

Nairobi wooden scaffolding...

And Gary Barlow came to visit..long story...sorry these are in random order..

another nice sunset...

and more sculpture at the African Heritage House.

Above is a comment on Africa and the technological world..

This is Mlolongo..a town just outside Nairobi which is a very tough place to make a living..assuming you can..

 ...but of course mobile phones are still everywhere...

below, our trusty driver Dan

This tune has groove...  

Mlolongo

Nairobi National Park

 from Alan´s garden

Nairobi street boy, hidden in his hand is glue which he is sniffing.

And on to Nivasha in the Rift Valley..this is a Marabou Stork, the beak is a about a foot long..

Fishermans at Nivasha.. a great place for camping or just staying and doing some vocals..:)

Ok these are photos (including the above) by Julia, wife of our excellent host Sean Ross at Fishermans camp, Lake Nivasha..Sean and his family really saved our bacon when things went a bit pear-shaped..is that a mixed metaphor?

Kiraka the local pet dog..or bear

below: Sean with his pet bear..

 

left to right: Hugo, Me, Isaac, Ayub, Sean, Kiraka the beardog..taking the foto, Julia..
a huge thanks to the Ross family, Alan Donovan, Rob Bozas, Alex Hall..the people of Kenya
 Trev hyena  x