Had my first game of golf Malawi style. I played with men's clubs and had a caddy carry them round for me (when you find your ball the caddy automatically picks the ball up and re sites it for you in a better position). The golf course is not quite like home, the fairways are like the rough, the bunkers are full of saw dust and the greens are called browns and are full of sand. You don't go into the real rough because of snakes but the caddy goes in! You have to avoid the people wandering through the course and lying in the shade reading. The naked men washing in the river can put you off a bit but otherwise it was an OK game of golf. I did not humiliate myself as I often do for the first couple of holes, the ground is so hard the ball goes for miles. I might make golf a regular event if I can find a regular golf mate.
The music festival was a bit surreal, sitting on the beach or swimming in the lake listening to live music. The camping facilities were not the best but that's music festivals. We had a good time but I won't go next year. I have another couple of weekend trips planned to the tea estates and another safari. I still don't know what is happening with the car but hope to know soon. Making Christmas holiday plans is difficult not knowing if I will have the car or need to hire one.
I'm finishing at the mental hospital this week and I'm glad to say I have not got used to some of the sights, sounds or environment. I hope never to accept that level of care as normal. I will be on another big learning curve when I start at St Luke's next week. I really enjoy teaching the students and there was a huge difference in the student's results during my time at the mental hospital. Hopefully I can achieve similar results at St Luke's.
We seem to be having a lot of religious holidays its great being in a country where you get all the holidays. We had Id last week and we have a day for prayers this week. I'll give the prayers a miss and go to the pool instead. My kitten is getting bigger and has made a few spider kills at home. The gecko and cockroach count has gone down but I've not found any remains and I have made snake excluders for the doors. My garden is looking good with loads of veg coming up, I'm also growing cape gooseberries and melons. I will probably buy my chickens this weekend. I delayed getting them until after my holidays.
I've just about reached melting point. I don't know exactly how hot it is but I believe this is the worst month and the rains should start in November. I'm really looking forward to seeing the rain and the skies during storms. I've seen mini tornadoes and dust storms.
Keep the comments coming its great to hear from everyone.
9 comments:
Hi Carol
Naked men, can handle that.
Caddie, no problem with that
Moving ball, wish i could do that.
Snakes in grass, ok with that.
You hitting for miles, now THAT i need to see.
Helen Todd
Hiya Shorty,
How are you? The golf sounds great...maybe even I could get round in under 100 with that caddy! My dad used to do the same for my brother and it used to drive Niall wild! The "scenery" sounds interesting though! I'm dotting along quite nicely. Brianna has just started her driving lessons and has already hit three black bins and a bollard. I keep telling her it's not like snooker, there are no points attached to the black! Callum has been selected for the GB under 17 fencing team...which is brilliant BUT his first comp is in Marseilles! Yes the one in France! Certainly hadn't budgeted for that a month before Xmas. Car Boot sales here I come!! Mike's business is still up and down, well down mostly! Plenty work just people taking 5/6 months to pay. Thank God I'm working full time for a wee while. He's started applying for permie jobs, I think he's tired of it all to be honest. NIamh is just ticking along as she always does. I've sent you a wee picture that she's done for you, hope it makes it to you. Glad to hear the kitten is earning his keep! I don't know how you cope with creepy crawlies, I hate them but I suppose you get a wee bit more used to them. I am bit disappointed that you're body swerving the prayers Carol!! I'll save you a seat in the bad fire, we can toast marshmallows together! Anyway you take care, letter on it's way to you! Lesley
PS Love the notelets that you send, not even a whiff of elephant poo!
Hi Carol
Have been enjoying all your news for months but couldn't possibly compete with your descriptions of life in Malawi! However, feel compelled to write to question this life you're leading! G & Ts, music festivals, golf, safaris, secluded beaches! Think the Dunfermline Press and the Scotsman should be informed! Seriously though, keep up the good work - it sounds terrific. I'm very envious - maybe when the boys have left home...! Your menagerie sounds fun - good luck with the chickens! Missing seeing you when I pop into Carnegie! xx
Dear All,
Apologies if my comments on previous comments have offended anyone. I was in pre-holiday mode and will have thoe two previous comments removed.
ps. Carol can you removed my two previous comments?
Many thanks.
Hi Carol, I don't know which is more exciting, your blog or the subsequent correspondance! You sound on good form, or if not you're definitely putting up a brave fron. life in malawi just sounds so much more exotic and exciting than being here. Mind you, I'm sure your Malawi colleagues would find our climate, customs and wildlife pretty exotic. How would you explain the coutship rituals of the native scottish ned? Or for that matter the predatory, slightly p****d matron. There's a wee card on it's way, couldn't resist the hens on the front! Take care, Fiona D
Hi Carol,
Life sounds goooooood!! Glad you are keeping up your interest on the golf course & getting on with the wild life especially the snakes! I'm sure you will have encountered many new challenges. Enjoyed having fiends over from OZ recentl. We spent sometime down in the Lake District. The weather was fab a real Indian Summer.
Take Care, Judx
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