Camel racing

The long awaited camel derby......

On Friday morning we set off, all rather excited and very unsure as to what we'd signed up for and why! I heard about the camel derby a year ago, when my friend Zoe took part, and I was desperate to go, so we organised a "coach" and about 25 of us, ranging in age up to 65! It took us nearly ten hours....the roads were incredible, the worst I've ever seen. Some had huge holes in the middle, you really have to see it to believe it!

I miss tarmac

 We only got stuck once, and so the journey was pretty good! A truck passed by soon after and kindly pulled us out.

Our "luxury" coach stuck in the mud!

On Saturday morning we all registered, I was thrilled to be 01!! Felt it would be the nearest to first I'd ever get!

Meredith and I sporting out gorgeous camel derby racing shirts and our "positions"

We then had the interesting task of choosing camels. Hmmm.... where to start? It was difficult to know whether to go for a feisty, spitting and growling camel, or a more placid one, and then is it best to go for a huge one or a smaller one?!

Cute camels....when they're not spitting!

 My friend decided to go for one with a good saddle, she is a genius!! I went for a camel with a wooden saddle with strong stirrups and fortunately have no cuts or scratches on my legs (the same cannot be said for most of the group!). We had to practice getting on and off and standing up whilst the camel was also standing. It was lovely to have camera crews filing during this! I got interviewed by two different TV channels, and was on TV on Sunday night!

The race began with a countdown and camels wandering round and bumping into each other.

I was shocked at how fast the camels set off. I had a camel leader and then 4 children with sticks willing the camel to go faster. I cannot describe the pain! My tail bone is so bruised! 11km of sitting/standing (it was a weigh up between aching legs in an uncomfortable position or bouncing hard on the camel) whilst gripping on, my hands soon blistered! I wanted to give up pretty much the whole time! We raced through small villages and across the area. There were lots of onlookers and crowds cheering us on.

Cute kids excitedly cheering us on

When the finish line came into view I thought it was a mirage, I cannot describe the happiness and relief.

Woohoo!!

 I came third out of the women and 7th out of 35 overall-completely shocking! I got a lovely medal, with a classic misspelling of derby as deby! I now have aching shoulders, sore legs, a very painful bottom and cut, blistered hands. Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? No!

Meredith and I showing off our medals. Beer has never tasted so good!

We were on TV! Click to see!

In the evening there was an awards ceremony and a lot of speeches.....favourite quote: "Samburu (the county where the camel derby is held) is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but it does have its criminals." Ummmm.....ok.