Desert Training begins with some very affectionate Camels!

To undertake a crossing of a formidable desert on the other side of the world is one thing. To plan on doing it on foot is another, but to do it knowing absolutely nothing about camels is something else entirely!

The team and I have set out on our latest mission which is to acquaint ourselves with the four legged species and better prepare ourselves for the journey ahead. I managed to get in contact with a local camel milk farm by the name of QCamel and they have been incredibly helpful. I'm currently volunteering (reread: playing with baby camels) out there whenever I have the opportunity and am loving getting up close and personal with these guys. 

They are absolutely nothing like what I expected. They are incredibly social and cuddly animals that are only too eager to come interact and nuzzle me. They are so very different to horses (which is what I have grown up with), they're more placid, a bunch more vocal and they just never ever stop chewing. I'm learning more and more everyday, from their unique digestive systems, to them always pointing into the sun to minimise their heat absorption to how best worm and look after these beautiful animals.

I cannot say thank you enough to all of the crew at QCamel for having me along and taking the time to teach a blonde surf bum all they can about camels!