4

A typical day here started with a wake-up knock at 6.00am. The temperature was around 60° F (about 15° C) – just warm enough to be able to take a quick outside shower to get the blood flowing. Then a 6.30 continental breakfast before a 7.00 game drive. Now is the time to pay tribute to the camp's third great asset: the staff, led by manager Andrew, with the wonderful hostess Nyellie, and my great guide, Reggie; they looked after us superbly. Sadly, animals were not so plentiful. Many of those I was hoping to see here either don't like the thick bush with so few open areas, or they were visiting other watering holes (which would dry out later in the season), or they don't like the local soil, clay. I had never thought much about soil before, though I did on this trip. One of the great things about clay is that it absorbs heat very well, which is why it never got too cold at night, even in the middle of the southern hemisphere winter. Daytime highs were probably in the high 80s/90° F (at least 30° C), but without clouds or humidity. It was therefore always a pleasure to be out, seeing the animals that were in the area. Here are some Cape buffalo at a watering hole

See what I mean about the sun? You can't just nicely ask this herd to stand still and turn 180° while we drive round through impenetrable bush so that the sun is behind me. Trust me, they are not friendly: you do not want to be on the receiving end of a visit from their horns

A couple of Verdian sopranos convincing each other that their excessive poundage is absolutely necessary for great breath control

About to start a rehearsal for “The Dance of the Hours” from LA GIOCONDA

You could be forgiven for thinking that this was a hippo cooling himself in a pond covered in water lettuce. In fact it's our favourite bass in costume as the water-gnome in our next new RUSALKA

A tenor basking in the sun

And here is another, practicing his "ah" vowels

In fact I saw quite a few

Do you know the correct collective noun for tenors? In fact, do you know the collective nouns for all voice-types? If not, click here