Just returned from a whirlwind trip home. I had a week in London with John then a week at home. It was all a bit surreal. Apologies to those I did not manage to catch up with. I had malaria again before I left but had just about recovered by the time I got to London. We had a great time there. We went to Kennsington Palace, the Jewel Tower, King Tut's exhibition, the original operating theatre in St Thomas Street and lots more. We also went to the theatre and cinema.
It was great catching up with friends and family and planning trips with people who are coming out to visit. My biggest trauma when I got to London was forgetting my VISA pin number it cramped my style a bit. I was told that shopping is really difficult after returning from very poor countries and having so little choice and access to goods. I'm pleased to report that I had no difficulties in that respect my ability to shop and spend money all day has not diminished. I nearly dislocated my shoulders carrying back goodies to enjoy over the next few months.
The rainy season continues here. The rain is more persistent, it is still heavy but not as bad as before. It is more prolonged and instead of flash floods it is like living in a swamp. My roof is leaking and everything feels damp. We only have another couple of months of rain them 6 months of sunshine. The damn at the reservoir that we get our water from burst so despite all the rain we have been unable to get water at times. Maintenance are trying to get water from the river but we get so much silt and rubbish in the water pipes they block and burst. The water is so muddy and gritty at times you can't use it.
Harry, my cat, is doing well. She is very skinny compared to my cats at home. She is now eating the geckos that she kills then vomits. My chickens are very fat but still not laying. They will be for the hotpot soon if they don't come up with the goods. I'm looking forward to getting back into work next week. I'm in college this week working on ward objectives for the students. We still don't have phone lines in Malosa so we have to come into Zomba to use the Internet. My social calendar is filling up. I was out for dinner within an hour of returning. It was lovely to have company that evening. I would have been pretty miserable on my own after returning from home.
I hope everyone is well. Keep in touch Carol
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Happy New Year
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year.
Mozambique was all I hoped for and more. The Isle of Mozambique was beautiful, our Christmas meal was superb and we spent Christmas day on an uninhabited desert island called Goa, no we didn't go to India. After a few days on the island we went to Pemba a busy costal town where all the flights and dhows for the Quirimba archipeligo leave. We stayed there for 3 days then flew on a 6 seated plane, over the archipeligo, to the island of Ibo which is in the Quirimba national park. We stayed in a luxury lodge where we were utterly spoilt and spent a fortune. The pilot refused to pay the landing fees on the return trip because there were too many bushes growing on the grass runway. We went snorkling on a wreck and off a sand bank in the ocean and had a cultural and historical tour of the island. We returned to Mozambique Island for new year and went to a party night then had a relaxing new years day. The journed back by road was beautiful. We took a different route to see other parts of the country. Some of the buildings damaged in the war are still standing in ruins, burnt out and marked with bullet holes and shells. The landmine teams were working to clear mines. When we stopped for a break we could not walk far off the road because of the mines. It was a fantastic trip made all the better by an abundance of excellent seafood.
On my return home there was no power. It returned for 3 hours then a tree fell on the power lines and we have been without power since then. The phone lines have not been replaced. so its much as I'm used to here. We are well into the rainy season. Within 10 minutes of the rain starting the garden is like a pond and the paths and roads turn into rivers. My wellies have been well used.
Its back to work next week. I'll be based at t Luke's for a while. Thanks for keeping in touch and thanks for all the kind Christmas parcels and cards.
Mozambique was all I hoped for and more. The Isle of Mozambique was beautiful, our Christmas meal was superb and we spent Christmas day on an uninhabited desert island called Goa, no we didn't go to India. After a few days on the island we went to Pemba a busy costal town where all the flights and dhows for the Quirimba archipeligo leave. We stayed there for 3 days then flew on a 6 seated plane, over the archipeligo, to the island of Ibo which is in the Quirimba national park. We stayed in a luxury lodge where we were utterly spoilt and spent a fortune. The pilot refused to pay the landing fees on the return trip because there were too many bushes growing on the grass runway. We went snorkling on a wreck and off a sand bank in the ocean and had a cultural and historical tour of the island. We returned to Mozambique Island for new year and went to a party night then had a relaxing new years day. The journed back by road was beautiful. We took a different route to see other parts of the country. Some of the buildings damaged in the war are still standing in ruins, burnt out and marked with bullet holes and shells. The landmine teams were working to clear mines. When we stopped for a break we could not walk far off the road because of the mines. It was a fantastic trip made all the better by an abundance of excellent seafood.
On my return home there was no power. It returned for 3 hours then a tree fell on the power lines and we have been without power since then. The phone lines have not been replaced. so its much as I'm used to here. We are well into the rainy season. Within 10 minutes of the rain starting the garden is like a pond and the paths and roads turn into rivers. My wellies have been well used.
Its back to work next week. I'll be based at t Luke's for a while. Thanks for keeping in touch and thanks for all the kind Christmas parcels and cards.
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