Is my dream country cottage gone up in smoke........

I am the proud owner of a small beautiful cottage in a pristine locale surrounded by nature, laden with all your daily needs of cool clean water, sunshine, fresh fruits and traditional foods. When the world around me goes all chaotic, this is the place where I seek refuge.

This cottage might as well be located in any of the following exotic places- Takaungu, Lamu, Kwale, Mathews Ranges, Kesses, Naivasha, Taita Hills, Nanyuki, Kikambala, Vipingo, Aberdares, Happy Valley, Nyambene Hills, Chyulus, Mfangano Islands, Isinya, or a thousand other such places in any direction you take in Kenya.

I could have moved in sooner, but I especially wish to turn the cottage into my retirement home. I have therefore started planning how I will put it up in the next five years.

However, in hindsight the problems we faced in January this year have forced me to re-think the whole concept. Will I be welcome or am I going to be a “foreigner” in my own country? Will I be a pawn when the next election comes by? I cannot enjoy the country air with an “alien” tag to my name.

Unless. I get a police post built right next to it. But then, that would spoil the serenity. Unwanted and unwelcome neighbours would stress the fragile environment and hey, where is the fun if you take away the exclusivity from it?

This cottage is found in my dreams, but the view from is worth dying for.

Images from South Africa