Blue Brooch and Peony Rose: September 2011

I must say that I make a deliberate effort not to be your stereotypical 'bush baby' or hunter for that matter. I really do try to break that mould. I want people to look at me and find it hard to imagine me with a .270 savage rifle in my hands.

Yes, living a different lifestyle than your average Joe does make it harder some days... I have these stunning strappy heels but no where to wear them to but on the other hand I just had my cheek exfoliated by a caracal ( I do hope his saliva has some anti-ageing properties too!)

I do not have manicure hands, it is just not practical but I do have bright teal toe nails (to go with those heels if I ever get to wear them!).

I do not wear camouflage underwear or sleep with a knife underneath my pillow, I do not have a crocodile tooth around my neck or alarmingly large muscles!

But I do live in an alternative world from your average city chick! My trendy Aviator sunglasses were chosen mainly to keep the African sun away, floaty dresses also hides the chicken legs and the very white skin that I am so careful to look after, my ever so envied scarves keep the wind out of my hair and Elizabeth Arden is chosen for her sunscreen!

I do not believe that all cooking should be done on an open fire but would much rather serve your wildebeest fillet with a mint and cherry tomato salsa, angel hair pasta and all that on a Maxwell & Williams plate! Or an impala curry, home made chapattis and lingering incense.

But I do believe that you should only kill what you will eat, that you should never let them suffer and that you should only lift a rifle to your shoulder if you are truly sure that you can take a clean shot. I believe you should take a man with to carry it for you and of course to take those photos!

I do believe that you should love the animals in your life with wild abandon, that you should shower them with affection and kisses ( I probably have a very good immune system) and that you should always be silently grateful that they allowed you to share in their lives. I do believe that you should mourn their loss like any other. That you should listen to what they teach you every day.

When they hug you ,you should not let go as you never know when that magic might come your way again, their kisses you should not wipe away ( remember those anti- ageing properties... if they claim that snails have it then anything's possible!)

I do believe that to live close to nature makes us more compassionate…