As this is a very dry area, we needed a house with a huge roof surface - to collect rain water - and so the idea of a large courtyard garden surrounded by a rough oval of connected buildings came into being. We also obviously needed a croquet lawn, so that had to be enclosed as well. The idea was to create a great big comfortable home that would simply disappear into the original untouched, rugged landscape. Even now, as the trees continue to grow, the house becomes less visible. And it’s becoming more of a home too as we bring up more things from our previous house. The sitting room is filling up with framed photos and some wonderful old family bronzes – mainly of horses and dogs. We love paintings and you will find quite a collection of different styles – from delicate flower prints of Mouse's grandmother's, to huge oil paintings by Timothy Brooke, a great friend and one of Kenya’s most talented artists.
Rooms
BEDROOMS
There are seven bedrooms available for guests, five doubles and two twins, scattered in a rough circle surrounding the gardens. Each bedroom is ensuite. All have fine views away to distant hills, with closer views of the valley in front, with the occasional browsing dikdik or impala closer still. The area to the front of the house is unfenced.
DRAWING ROOM
The measurements of this room came from a lovely manor house in Ireland, however we do find less need for the fireplace than they do.
DINING ROOM
If we eat in here is it only at night and very often we choose instead the adjacent courtyard - perfect on moonlit nights.
VERANDAH
When we don’t have much to do this is where we spend most of our time, perched above the sandy river bed. Breakfast and lunches are had here where it’s cool and breezy.
CHAPEL
A room of many uses, but predominantly a place to sit and think; or just sit. Ideal for meditation or simple serene contemplation. When feeling more down to earth, it’s a great place for yoga, cinema or putting on old-fashioned children’s plays.
THE STABLES
This is where the horses live and was the very first part of the house to be built. A few ducks and cows also live here and the odd honey badger or leopard sometimes passes by to say hello.