On Safari: good to go

Many months of preparation have brought us to the last days in the run up to our flights on the 18th of August. While I'm having trouble sleeping tonight, one week from now there won't be a chance of any rest...

For the Aussies out there who are familiar with the procedures at Australian Customs, you can appreciate that there's a fair bit of documentation to get the tools of the trade out and back into the country. Once it was all sorted, the hard part of organising an overseas safari was largely over. I think there's a separate post in the whole traveling with firearms procedure.

Ammunition is assembled and boxed - we're taking 20 rounds for the .450 Ackley Magnum and 40 rounds for the .300 Weatherby Magnum. Woodleigh projectiles all 'round with 500 grain and 180 grain projectiles respectively.

 I've picked up a few last minute items to complete our kit. It was very cold on our last hunt and with definite plans to hunt hyena, we thought it necessary to get past the short comings of our thermal gear. Although perfectly geared up for stalking and long walks, we needed more layers for still hunting from a blind. And a mate has loaned me a pair of Zeiss 10 x 40's for the hunt (thanks Sam), so we'll be glassing with style!

Camera bag is packed. Duffle bag will be sorted this weekend. I got caught out in the rain the other day with the .300 so I've stripped the rifle for a thorough clean and will have to put a few rounds through it this weekend to make sure it's still bang-on... there was dust in that rifle from Bourke and Limpopo...

Next week I might just gather all the paperwork into a neat little file and we're good to go. Not long now...