Fun in the Sun

(Note: This is a response to a group exercise for which we all volunteered a word or phrase, then wrote a piece which included them. The words were: there, ninny, fast,Timbuktu, Oh my Lord, amble, horse, doggedly, run, lousy)

I stood ankle deep in the hot sand and looked at the camel.
"You've got to be joking! How am I supposed to get up there?"
The man spoke slowly, as if I was a complete ninny, "He lies down for you," he explained, tapping the beast into compliance.
"Are you sure this is the fastest way to Timbuktu?" I asked as I climbed onto the animal's back. "Oh my Lord!" The camel lurched to its feet and ambled forward. It was a long way down.
"Haven't you got a horse?" I hung on with dogged determination and prayed that the thing wouldn't break into a run. My skin was burning and the combination of heat and camel odour was making me queasy. This was turning out to be the lousiet holiday ever.