I've had an eventful fortnight. The ballcock on my water tank failed and flooded my house. The ceiling in my hall is caving in and my wellies have come in really handy. My kitten was defiled by the cat next door and aborted 3 almost full term kittens. I'll probably have to adjust my perceptions of her sexual behaviour having seen her rolling about in the garden this morning inviting all the local toms to sample her services, maybe she is not so innocent. I did go to the so called vet only to find tht it was more of a butchers than a vet and the practitioner was not trained.
I was informed that there was a crocodile in the garden trying to get my chickens. The locals believe that there are land crocodiles. They think that they just don't make it to the water and spend their lives on land. In fact they are huge monitor lizards and have a liking for chickens. I have seen it in the garden and I've called it shoes. If the chickens don't start laying soon it can have the chickens and I'll call it shoes and handbag.
I've got malaria again third time lucky, hopefully its the last. The rainy season is coming to an end so there should be less mosquios around and less malaria. Debbie next door has had it 3 times as well. There is a lot of it in the area.
I suspect a rat has raided the cat food in my larder. The bags were ripped open and food eaten. If it wasn't a rat it was something quite large and I really don't want to know.
4 Christmas parcels have arrived this month. Thanks to Lesley, Jo, Jean and Elsie. Its been great having an extended Christmas. I still put the cards and decorations up when they arrive. Some of the parcels have taken nearly 3 months by airmail. My surface mail has still not arrived. We have quite a good system here of sending mail home with friends and getting people to bring things over for us. Its a lot quicker and safer.
I'm as busy as ever socially and now that the rains are lessening we are planning a trip to the lake at the end of the month. We have a VSO meeting at Mulangie mountain the first weekend in March and we hope to have another trip to the lake at Easter. Time continues to fly and my first visitors from home will be here before I know it. Jane and Mary Jess, who went down the Grand Canyon with me, have also booked flights and are vising in September. Its going to be a very busy year.
The students have ben sitting exams and we have been marking the papers. Its an education in itself. Some of the questions are as flawed as the answers. I have had to refuse to mark some of the papers because of the misinformed questions. Its a real concern for me but does not bother the tutors. You can tell by the questions and marking guides that there is no real understanding of mental illness. However it was the diabetes question that really upset me.
I hope everyone at home is well. Keep in touch.
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5 comments:
Oh dear, not so good news about the flooding. Water is horrid - hope you are getting cleaned up. Will write soon, but looks as if birthday pressies might arrive in June if thats the time the parcels are taking - sorry - not even posted them yet. Have fun on your trips - not good news about the exams - hope you can help them a bit. Watch out for Shoes - surely the hens will lay soon - they are hens aren't they???? Much love Jeanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Oh my goodness Carol, what a nightmare you're having. I hope you're ok! Our ceiling caved in in the living room after the water store leaked but I don't think we got as wet as you by the sounds of it. Just as well really as I can't get wellies to fit over my fat calfs....of course I blame all my dancing in my younger years rather than the biscuits in my older years! I got your lovely card, I'll write back soon. My Brownies have knitted squares for about four blankets now so I'll tell them to stop soon or I'll never be able to get them out to you. I hope you're taking care of yourself as malaria x3 sounds pretty rough. I'm watching a Life on Earth programme with monitor lizards, they're HUGE and I'm not sure that they'd make that great handbags either! Still no eggs, are you sure that they can lay???? I wouldn't be surprised if they're not cats with coats on......! Anyway take care of yourself and I'll write my Feb/Mar letter soon as Feb has caught me unawares with the speed it's gone by at. Keep dry! lesley & Co
Hi Carol hope you're well.
My mum Carol-Anne McFarlane said I should leave you a wee comment to see how you're getting on in Malawi. I've just been reading some of your blog there, it sounds like you're having an absolutely fantastic time!! :)
I'm planning to come across in July for 2 months and just had a few questions about Lilongwe and the hospitals in it that I was wondering if you'd be able to answer. I'm not sure if you were ever in any of the hospitals in the capital or mainly St. Lukes in Zomba but if you have any information on the hospitals there I'd very much appreciate it as I hope to sort out my placement soon :)
My email address is 'squiggles_321@hotmail.com' Thanks very much & I hope you continue to have an amazing adventure!!
Lindy
Water, Water every where.... sounds like you've had alot of mopping up to do in more ways than one Carol!! Good to hear you managed a trip home!!Enjoy your holis! Will write soon.
Judxx
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