T H E C O V E N A N T E R
acquaintance in Buxtehude. I approached was mostly tented with the exception of
him at the ships rail and asked for his all three messes; Officers, Sergeants, Other
advice. He perused the form minutely, Ranks and the Church - all had been
and then said “get another form and put a built by a squad of Engineers of an earlier
depreciation value on all my goods”. Straight Regiment so there were some comforts.
away I realised that none of the luggage was The tarmac road wound its way past two or
brand new, except the clothes which didn’t three Kikuyu Villages - just mud plastered
count. Thanking him I breathed a huge sigh into conical shapes.
of relief. In any event I paid nothing and We passed the entrance to the Camp and
they didn’t open my boxes. Most of the turned off onto a red murram track. (this
officers had their boxes opened so I suppose red dust was to be the bane of my stay).
the tax was collected somewhere. The car drew up in front of what I could
Ian and Marion were getting excited, only think of was a wild-west homestead.
expecting to see their Dad, but John was Five of these homes in a row in the middle
meeting us at Nairobi, a twelve hour train of a field, nothing else in sight, except the
journey away, so I had to calm them back end of the tented area about 150 yards
down. away.
The Mombassa to Nairobi train is famed It was a bungalow made by engineers
for its services, food and decor - all well already mentioned, the front facing north
deserved. We were shown to our couchette had a long wide veranda, very cool in hot
all to ourselves, lots of sitting room. At weather.
night the Somali steward came in while we On entering - the main room was very
were having dinner and made up two beds spacious and had a huge fireplace and
and one bunk. windows the full length of the room. Three
The dining salon was something to behold, bedrooms and a bathroom - all large and
draped velvet red curtains - Victorian style, all the floors were paving stones which
white tablecloths and napkins, vases of kept the place cool. The rooms were in
exotic flowers. The glassware sparkled in hardboard - ceiling and walls. With the
the lamplight and the waiters - all Somali exception of the kitchen which although
- dressed in crisp white jackets. We or within the building allowed all the heat to
rather I was served a five course meal and go into the corrugated roof and the wood
they catered for the children as well so we stove pipe went right up through the roof.
staggered back to our beds. The kitchen also had a gas stove, but not
Only one more night to go. On waking, much else - a sink, draining board, meat
we dressed and packed the cases and safe, no fridges in those days, not for us. But
were summoned to breakfast by a gong the messes probably had them.
sounding along the corridor. Breakfast was Nairobi was 5,000ft above sea level so it
just as plentiful, one could have had about took some time to adjust to the climate, a
seven courses! Juices, grapefruit, cereals, half hour’s housework and you had to sit
porridge, eggs, bacon, sausage, scrambled down till your heart stopped racing. The
egg, poached egg and kedgeree or kippers. same thing happened to John - he was
How they cook all that in their small galley running up the hockey pitch and his legs
is a mystery. began to feel like walking through treacle
At least we have arrived a new chapter and he had to stop. No-one seemed to
begins. advise on this kind of effect, you just had
John was waiting for us, and the kids went to find out by trial and error. After a few
wild. I had to wait my turn for a decent hug weeks we became accustomed and carried
and kiss. John had purchased a car on his on as normal.
arrival and when I saw it, I was astounded, The previous occupant of my bungalow
it was an American car a Plymouth. It was departed for the UK and I inherited a
huge and guzzled petrol, after a few weeks Kikuyu house boy. I didn’t like the idea
he traded it back to the Indian dealer for a of him doing the cooking, because he was
smaller model. none too clean, so I employed him as a
We left Nairobi Station in stately fashion - Shamba boy at the same pay. This kept him
I was dying to laugh, but didn’t dare - John outside - keeping the grass down round the
would have been upset, the kids just about area of the houses.
sunk out of sight in the back seat. Every night for two weeks I’d turn the
Our destination was Muthaiga Camp, light out in the kitchen and wait about 15
about 5 miles south of Nairobi. The camp minutes, then, armed with an insect spray

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