April 1909

Thursday, April 1st, 1909.

Extract from Harrison’s diary © Scarborough Museums and Galleries

Left Ginga, at 4 a.m. Passed huge clouds of small flies. Reached Kesuinu at dusk about 6 p.m.

Friday, April 2nd, 1909.

Left Kesuinu at 9.30 - plenty of rain - nice clean travelling.

Saturday, April 3rd, 1909.

Reached Nairobi at 11.45. Just met Litchfield, Sampson & Dominique. Found McMillian on tour - stayed at the Bungalow.

Festo Bunja, c/o Revd.E.Millar, Namirembi, Kampala.

Horace Leakey, c/o Dr. Leakey, 84, Pine Rd., Cricklewood.

Baron F. Nicolics, Jockey Club, Vienna, Austria.

P. Farinelli, Gt.Gust., Minim, Near Kasinde.

Le.Sous. Lieut.Ferimand Gendarme, 1st Ry.Chasseurs, Charleroi, Belgium.

Mr. and Mrs. L. Van Meroke, 15, Rue de la Villa, Batsfort, Bruxelles.

R. J. Cunningham, S.B.Gosling, R. Donald.

Sunday, April 4th, 1909.

Called on Jackson. Longdens came to call - she was a Miss Craigie Halhett. Hobleye also came to tea.

Wrote:

E.W.Leakey. Mrs. Monokton. Vi Hollom. Mrs. McAllister. Lady Mowbray. L.City & Mid.Bank. Mrs. Broadley. Lily. Ld.Rothers. Lady Glover. Mrs. Preston. Mrs. C. Constable. George. Mrs. Wrohan. Wills. Phyllis. v. Healey. Rokie. B. Fowler. Mrs. Collister. G. Cathcart. W. Burton. K. Aepinell. Dean. Miss Brice. A. G. Stern. G. J. Keane. W. Gillett. Miss Litchfield.

Letters from:

Wills. Miss Litchfield. Lily, 2. Phyllis. Bank Statement. Miss Pamefoti.

Monday, April 5th, 1909.

Mr. McMillan and I left at 9.30 in the buck-board - stopped for photos and lunch at the Falls - reached Juga about 3 o'clock. Had a walk round the place.

Tuesday, April 6th, 1909.

Duers and I started out at 6. Went over towards Long Juga. Found a large troop of vilderbeeste, but all on the gallop. Later on saw a solitary one standing in between the boundary fence and ostrich pens, so I suggested a drive - sent the boys round while I laid low behind a little bush - answered splendidly, for he came up within about 60 yards, when I dropped him dead. Soon after I also shot a Congoni - photos of both. Returned then & was busy skinning heads.

1 Congoni.

1 Wilderbeeste.

Wednesday, April 7th, 1909.

Got up early and found myself feeling very bad - had to retire to bed - laid down nearly all day.

Thursday, April 8th, 1909.

Felt better so went out about 6.30 and soon dropped a good zebra - then killed a fair good congoni. This 350 rifle of C. Bulpitt's is a ripper. McMillan and I went over to stay night at Long Juga.

1 Zebra.

1 Congoni.

Friday, April 9th, 1909.

Up at 5 o'clock and had a long round after lion, but found no fresh traces. I shot a warthog on Como. Rode back to Juga for lunch & found rest of the party had arrived from Nairobi.

1 warthog

Saturday, April 10th, 1909.

I was off at 4.45 over the drift & towards the Athi. Just at daylight I shot a nice Grant & shortly after an impala - both long running shots. Later on I killed a vilderbeeste, so had a good day. We played tennis in afternoon.

1 Grant.

1 Impala.

1 Vilderbeeste.

Sunday, April 11th, 1909.

Out again at dawn. Shot two nice zebras - ruined long shots at pig and Thomsons. Heatley came over at lunch - played tennis after tea.

2 Zebras.

Monday, April 12th, 1909.

Went out of garden gate - right side of kitchen garden valley - then crossed river - shooting two Thomson's gazelle. Worked away after pig to the other valley & came on a small bunch of Chanler's Reedbuck - made a fine long shot 300 yards and bagged the only male. Owing to boys playing the fool I missed bagging a good pig.

2 Thomson's Gazelle.

1 Chanler's Reedbuck.

Tuesday, April 13th, 1909.

Started out at 5 o'clock - went over to the wood camp. Shot a nice impala - saw a lot of stuff but nothing else I wanted. Heatley went off home.

1 Impala.

Wednesday, April 14th, 1909.

We all went over to camp out at Mackaka. Camped 18 miles off on foothills. Very late when baggage waggons came in.

1 Thomson's Gazelle.

Thursday, April 15th, 1909.

I went out early and came on a nice bunch of Grants, out of which I shot two - one 24 & 25. Very good in these parts. William got a pig. All rode up to the Farm - most lovely place.