119 illegal African clawed frogs seized in Nevada

Sitting in the section of the library known as the fishbowl with bilateral sore quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, intermedius and lateralis) - it's delayed muscle ache from the Salybia 5K charity run I completed yesterday. Although it was more like a charity half-n-half (about 50% running and 50% walking) for me, I'm actually quite impressed with myself, not only for doing it in the first place but for finishing in 34 minutes [official time: 33:30.5]. Not bad for a former asthmatic who didn't take up running until last year. The run, from the gates of campus through Portsmouth to Cabrits National Park wasn't exactly easy but I was able to appreciate some of the beauty of the island as the path took me along the coastline. Sun-dappled asphalt snaked along to separate vast blue ocean and lush green jungle, natural splendor on either side.

It's the penultimate week of classes and I needed a distraction from the massive amount of coursework that will be crammed into the final fortnight before the end-of-term exams. Today, we had the DPS practical exam, worth 10% of the final grade. It was actually a treat for me, another chance to show off my skill as a writer as well as exhibit my panache for the the personal side of medicine. I won't count the chickens before they've hatched but I expect to pull a decent score on it...maybe a high A.

The toughest part of the semester is ahead of us and it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep my motivation up and not burn out. I suppose it's not unlike the last leg of a race - lungs filled with dry fire, muscles like meat and acid, sweat pouring into your eyes, all you want to do is stop and rest for a minute, but you can see the finish line, it's so very close....time to take a deep breath, give it all you've got and run! Any encouragement, however, would be much appreciated.

This has been a hot and sultry July. No hurricanes nor tropical storms to speak of yet, just heat and clear blue skies.

Yesterday the Boiling Lake trail was exceptionally beautiful. There was not the merest hint of rain and a high cloud ceiling over the volcanoes meant that we were treated to stunning views right across the island. The sunlight brought out the wonderful greens of the rainforest and both cold and hot rivers just sparkled like liquid jewels.

At the summit of Morne Nicholls, the sheer scale of Dominica’s awe-inspiring landscape was quite breathtaking. Morne Watt was cloud-free, a real rarity. The peaks of Morne Anglais, Morne Micotrin and Morne Trois Pitons were also visible, the steam of the boiling lake drifted lazily from a valley in the distance and a heat haze shimmered over the bright rooftops of Roseau.

Often I arrive at the lake and have to wait a little while for the steam to clear. But not on this day. Even the Boiling Lake seemed to be basking in the sun.

On the way home, we bathed in the hot springs of the Valley of Desolation and found it almost impossible to get out. The mineral rich water soothed our muscles and warm water cascades conjured up simply the best head and neck massage you could imagine.

Back at TiTou Gorge, we cooled off by swimming in the cold river of the canyon up to the waterfall at the end.

Sitting in the sun, we broke out a picnic of freshly baked banana muffins and beer and all agreed it had been just a truly perfect Sunday.

My good friend Ali is a Kalinago who lives in Bataca in the Carib Territory. We had been planning on hiking through the bush to the Mahaut River Waterfall for about a year and finally got round to it this weekend.

It was good to see Ali. I love his enthusiasm for his Kalinago heritage and I think that with people like him, it must surely survive and even flourish.

We drove my 4x4 up a steep vehicle track behind the small village of Mahaut River at the southern end of the Carib Territory, near Sineku. Once we were as far as we could go, we got out and walked. Cutting our way through tall grass, we crossed an abandoned banana plantation until we came across a narrow trail that climbed along a steep ridge. On our left, the views of the Mahaut River Valley and the mythical Madjini Mountain were quite breathtaking.

The trail was rough and steep. We scrambled up and over loose rocks, creeping bush, fallen trees and snaking tree roots. We came across a patch of larouma reeds (the material used for weaving traditional Kalinago basketware) and climbed through thickets of mahaut and gommier trees. Criss-crossing several gulleys and rocky river beds, we continued a tough ascent.

After about an hour of very challenging bush hiking, crawling under fallen trees and branches, climbing over tall, wet boulders and almost losing ourselves once or twice as we slipped down debris-covered holes and mudslides, we finally reached our destination. In front of us was a small pool with a sheer rock face, easily 100 ft in height. There was just one problem, though. No water.

Well, actually there was some water trickling down, but a waterfall it wasn’t. Ali shook his head in disbelief. The last time he had been here, water had been gushing down. Oh well. It seemed it had simply decided not to turn up today.

Not to be outdone by the absent waterfall, we decided to make a detour on the return leg and find some pools and cascades along the Gaulette River. Back-tracking along our route for a stretch, we cut right through the bush to the top of another tall ridge. A steep descent of mud and tree roots brought us crashing and sliding to the bottom, parched, tired and absolutely filthy. We picked up the Gaulette River and followed it downstream for a short distance until we reached the higher of three pools. We eased our way down to the second where there was a beautiful water cascade and a wonderfully cool bath waiting for us. We let ourselves fall in. It was tough to get out as the water was so refreshing. Below us it fell down another cascade to the third pool, also very pretty.

Feeling invigorated we began our ascent of the steep ridge, once again grasping hold of tree roots and trying not to slide right back down to the bottom. Ali told me how a local man had once taken shelter in a cave near these pools during a hurricane. He was a banana farmer but stopped working the area the day after he saw the biggest boa constrictor he had seen in his life. In his terror, he had killed it with his machete but, as the boa is a revered and mythical creature to the Kalinago people, he had feared that his actions would bring him bad luck. He never returned.

Ali and I made it to the top of the ridge and walked the final leg across the field to the car. Though our waterfall had not kept its appointment with us, the river pools, the hike, the company and conversation had been a fantastic and enjoyable morning out.

The Spanny Waterfalls are a real gem – especially if you go there in the wet season when they are full, the pools are deep and the cruise ships are a fading memory. Catch a really perfect day with the sun shining down through the rainforest onto the water and the place really takes some beating.

A big plus for the Spanny Falls is that if you are not really much of a hiker or you fancy something quite sedate, you can make it to the first of these twin falls after a short, easy walk of some 20 minutes or so from the roadside. For those looking for a little more challenge, the route to the second pool is loads of fun. Pull yourself up ropes, grab hold of tree roots and scramble your way up a steep ridge. Walk the narrow track along its summit and then use more ropes to get yourself down the other side. The second waterfall is often fuller than the first, though the pools are similar in size and appearance.

To enjoy the Spanny falls, take a drive towards Bells from Pond Casse and pull up outside Spanny’s Disco just before you enter the village proper. Pop into the bar and pay Spanny a small fee to cross his land and use the trail he has set up and maintains. He charges just EC$5 for visitors and EC$2.50 for locals. Backtrack from the bar about 20 yards and you will see a semi-paved vehicle track going into the woods. This is the start of the walk.

The vehicle track passes through a farm where you may encounter some very muddy looking ducks, and it ends after around 10 minutes of easy walking (though watch out you don’t slip when it is wet). Take the spur trail on the very left when you reach the end of the track. Follow it through the woods and then down some steps – use the hand rail – to the first waterfall. The track to the second waterfall starts on the right-hand-side of the pool – just look for the steep hill and the ropes !

I took some family and friends to the Spanny Waterfalls at the weekend and it was a wonderful place for everyone to relax, take a refreshing bathe, cool off and enjoy a picnic. Highly recommended and also great for kids.