Friday 25th January, 2013.

A 6.15 a.m. start in the dark and cold.  Our 30 min. drive to Khichin took 5 mins.
instead.  We waited on the roof top of the feeders house for the first cries of the
Demoiselle cranes as they left their overnight roost.  At long last the first cries
were heard and then the first sighting of a flock approaching in the lightening
sky as they came towards us.  It is thought that there are between 15-20,000 cranes
here.  As the sun rose the flock became more frequent.  Their incessant call is very
raucous.  Their flying formations, the grace and ease as they dip and soar on the
thermal currents and the vast number were all worth the early rise.  It took some
time for the to pluck up the courage to enter the feeding ground but when they did
it gradually filled up with hundreds of them.
By now it was 9.30.  The sun was warm and we were beginning to thaw.  We had
also had breakfast and a hot drink.  We had the most delicious hot vegetable patties.
Now warm and fed we were happy to sit in the warming sun and just watch the
cranes feeding, dancing, a bit of pecking and the occasional display. 
It is not a good sight to see a crane with a broken leg.  The most common cause
of this is when they hit the power lines.
Cranes are easily spooked and any close noise will cause them to raise their long
necks, listen and when reassured will continue eating or if not fly away.
After lunch we set off via Jodhpur.

 Welcome breakfast.

 It was very cold indeed.

As there was a two day holiday one for a big Muslim Holy Feast and the second to
celebrate India's national day when we set off for Mirir Garh the roads were much
less congested.
We had a stop at the Hindu Osian Sun Temple and then on to Jodhpur. We were
taking the same route as we took up and soon the fun and games started.  We left
the agricultural section behind and encountered the traffic, road works, cows etc.
again.
As we drove through Jodhpur and looked up at the magnificent hotel where we
had stayed and the splendour of the fort it was disconcerting to see the squalor and
poverty all around it.
When we reached the turn of to Mihir Garh the track was of very fine sand and
the thought of getting bogged and having to get out and push was very real.
Anyway we were in for the most pleasant surprise. 
An oasis - First sight a very up-market tent set up and then as we rounded the corner
an impressive fort.  The staff was out of greet us and we were in for a very pleasant stay.

 A very ornate and busy temple

 Our for set in the desert where we were to have our last lovely stay.

Living conditions here are not too flash for many people at all.

Cheers!!!


Vivienne.