Nourlangie Safari Camp, Episode 17

Nourlangie Safari Camp, here is 9SLK
Is anybody listening? (My radio code)
From the Diaries of Flemming Jensen 1968-1969

Wednesday, February 12th

The other day it was over with the eggs at breakfast. Today it was the bread. Fortunately there are still four packs of cornflakes left so I can still do a little longer. But as I said yesterday, today it is the day for hunting. The dogs got the last meat this morning.The first track we followed ended as it has happened before. Out in the swamp we just saw the flock disappear into the water. The next we saw or more accurately, Patra saw it unfortunately first and drove it to hell, before I even got ready to shoot. When I have Patra with me it applies to me seeing the animal first, shoot and then let the dog run. When hunting with Allan it never runs before he gives the sign but it's also his dog! The third I saw first and after two shots it was down and only after the shot in the back of the head it was silent. It was my fifth ‘buff’ and the third which fell by only three shots. I feel almost entirely professional. Also this time I took two bags of meat! So I had to go one more time. Today I brought the bag with me from the start when I left the car. That saved me at least one trip. As soon as finished cutting the beast the birds of prey take over. From the moment the shot sounds they arrive and sit in the nearby trees and make a scary noise and in a few weeks there is nothing but bones left. Nature takes over cleaning up after us. My shoes are becoming a problem. My lovely foot-shaped shoes have seen their best days. It is understandable because I've had them on every day since June 1968. My plastic sandals are almost finished but I have to do without until I come to town. A pair of foot shoes from home would not be fine, I could cope with it for the rest of the trip. This evening there was no telegram. Maybe they have forgotten me. Weather is no excuse anymore. For two days we have had nice dry and sunny weather.

Thursday, February 13th

For the first time I overslept this morning so I did not hear the radio at 8.10 a.m. but I really do not care. If they come they come. I can do nothing about it. Nobody was coming anyway today. In the evening's broadcast they reiterated the earlier message from Pat to look after the refrigerators and a wish for good hunting. Thank you, I do survive! It was my intention to go fishing but I never made it. Before I got the boat from the shore the dogs got a little wild boar. They could not find out which of them should do away with the creature, so I did it. It howled like hell. I thought at first that it was a big one but it was a young one. After dinner I went sunbathing in a nice lounge bed. I might as well enjoy the time while I'm here. For supper I dismembered the animal but when I was finished there were only four legs left. There's not much meat on such a little guy. I grilled two of the legs an hour ago. It was certainly ‘good tucker’. I love the legs very much and it's nice to taste pork other than beef. But I miss a smart girl in the kitchen. Could it be said nicer?

Friday, February 14th

When the pensioners turned up this morning it was two days too early to get their rations. But getting nothing and returning completely empty handed from here, I did not like. So I gave them a large piece of meat and that made them very happy. Then I went up to the airstrip to cast another big hole made by the rain. After midday I had finished it and I made no more hard work today. I read and tried to repair my worn out shoes but I gave up. They are finished unfortunately. The dogs are everywhere where I go. Worst of all is when I go out to the water pump and I've gradually got used to the paddle while the five dogs vainly trying to swim by but it is not possible in the high sea grass. In the evening's broadcast there were no messages for me. However I have a feeling that something will happen this weekend

Saturday, February 15th

It was my hope that I would get a visit this weekend but it did not turn out from the positive side today. But tomorrow there's another day.  I honestly do not have anything against that but soon something will happen, because the days are getting a bit trivial and no one to talk with. Of course there are old fellows and dogs, but still. It's too hot to go fishing and start messing with the different things that do not work and they would discourage me from doing anything. I know Allan and Pat too well. Fortunately I can go hunting tomorrow as the refrigerator is empty. Then I can spend most of the day with that. I could not catch the radio tonight so I do not know if guests are arriving in the morning. One thing is for sure! Pensioners will come and pick up their rations because every Sunday their ration includes two beers each. Those I envy them. I have not tasted a beer in over a month.

Reproduced with permission: Kakadu National Park Cultural Heritage & Biodiversity Management Unit.