I'm still recovering from nearly 3 weeks with my nephews, Joe, Allan and Kevin. We had a superb holiday and I think we were all knackered at the end of it. If saying goodbye to friends is bad its worse saying goodbye to family, that is the downside of having visitors. However my next visitors arrive in 4 weeks and I'm really looking forward to seeing them. I'm planning that trip at present and hope to spend all the time in Malawi.
When the boys arrived we went to the Lake to one of the more lively places, although it was only us and a VSO friend and her Dad and his friend that were there. Meeting the others was unplanned but great fun. We went snorkeling, watched the fish eagles and the boys jumped off the boulders at Otter Point into the water. It was Kate's birthday so we had cocktails, I had to tell the barman how to make them, and birthday cake. The place we stayed was Cape McClear which was where Livingstone set up his first mission in Malawi. They had to move from there because of the malaria.
We went to my home after the Lake where we had a BBQ with other friends and the boys sampled the delights of a Malawian night club "G String". I acted as chauffeur that night. We returned to Lilongwe, our departure point for a trip to Zambia. David, a fellow VSO, and his sister came on the trip. Although I did almost the same trip 6 weeks before it was a totally different experience. We were camping or staying in basic chalets this time and the food was not as good but it was 35% of the cost of the other trip so no complaints. The road journey is long and hard but worth it. We saw most of the animals that we wanted to see and had an action packed time a Victoria Falls. 2 of the boys did a free fall jump from 6,000 feet, 2 of us did a microlite flight and we all nearly died rafting down the Zambezi. Of course we were not rafting at the point we nearly drowned we had been thrown from our raft and were being pulled down into the whirlpools, even being caught under the raft was preferable to the whirlpools. We had booked a helicopter to take us back which flew inside the gorge and zig zagged above the river. That night we went on a boat safari that was a bit more sedate.
On our return to Malawi we spent another night in Lilongwe then returned to Malosa before the boys had to leave. It was all over too quickly. I've been back at work for a week, I thought that the students were going to the mental hospital last week but it has been delayed for a week, so I'll be working there for the next 3 months.
The flights to CapeTown from the UK over the festive period are crazy. I think Jean and I can make other holiday plans when I get back at less than half the price. That will also have the advantage of including my other school mates. So I'm re thinking Christmas and the New Year, the sales are very tempting, I dream of a real shopathon.
The kittens are over 6 weeks now and absolutely gorgeous. They are making for the door every time it opens. They can now climb up onto the chairs and may be able to get out of the window. I have become part of the apparatus in the playground that my living room has become. They scatter any paper that they find, that includes clearing shelves, the paper is great for playing with, they play fight all the time then all crash out simultaneously.
My poultry farming is not so good, how could it be when I initially bought cockerels as opposed to layer? Some of the eggs have hatched but the cockerel has been damaging the eggs by standing on them and killing the chicks by standing on them. I don't think he means to he is just trying to shag the chickens. I have tried to separate them. I had 4 live chick yesterday but only 1 this morning hopefully there will be more.
I received 3 boxes from home, 1 had taken 10 months and 2 had taken 9 months. There is still one missing from last July. There were seeds in one of the boxes so there is a lot more planting going on. I am very happy to share my harvests with people but recently most of the veg has been taken before I get a chance to sample it, hopefully that will change.
I'm still working on the Internet project in the college. It would help if I was not so retarded in that area but it would appear that I am best informed in the college. I keep trying and the college keep hoping. All the letters and cards from home keep me going. I really appreciate all the contact. I hope everyone is well, keep in touch.
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4 comments:
hi Carol,
Do your holidays never end? sounds absolutely fantastic and I am sure the boys had the holiday of a lifetime! the near death experience will be something they can relay in detail to their friends - although must have been very scary at the time!
George, Kyle and I are just back from 10 days in Spain - was lovely - lots of sunshine - just chilled out - George lost 4lbs as he said we weren't eating much - but I managed to put on 4lbs - I must have been eating his share too!
Kyle and drama group do their play at the fringe on Wednseday in Edinburgh so there are 8 of us going through to be his fans for the evening!
Rebecca passed her highers so will be going to Stirling to do maths teaching all going well! just hope she likes the course when she starts in September! her biggest worry will probably be what clothes and shoes to take with her!
Must go as 135 e-mails to catch up with! but I love reading your stories!
p.s. (Anne is saving up for NY 2009)
Luv Elaine D
Hi Carol,
Good to hear about your adventures & safaris in Africa!! Glad you are making the most of your time in Malawi. I'm just back from Krakow with one of my pals....a fab city as you know! Weather was a bonus blue sky & sunshine making the pavement cafes an attractive place to be. A real bonus given the wet, wet, wet spell we have had at home. My niece Katherine came up last week so we spent sometime enjoying being around Edinburgh & soaking up the Festival. I would love to try & get out to see you before you finish next year but not sure if this is feasible? Glad to here you continue to enjoy the 'good life'. Hope your faimly of kittens are thriving. Pleased to say my allotment is flourishing this year presently harvesting beans, beetroot, onions, pots.
Take Care, Love & Hugs,
Judithxx
HI Shorty, Been very busy at work but about to go on holiday, as no doubt you will be if not already. John and I are off to Spain with my parents for a peaceful week of sun, wine and reading trashy novels. Hope the parents are quiet when they come in after the pub. Your holiday with the boys sounded great. I did write to you a couple of weeks ago but it did not save it probably just as well! Betty is on holiday this week so quick handover then off. Spoke to Cardiac Anne las t week ended up discussing New York, I have a couple of hotels to check out so will do that. Have you sorted the Internet at work or are you still reading the Dummy's guide. I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. The golf ladies were asking for you, that is the season finished for me at least. I am going for surgery on the shoulder so will need to go for lessons to learn how to swing the club for full effect. John and I will play in Spain give Mum a chance to get the ironing etc done in peace! Hope she does not read this or anyone tell her I will be in trouble again! Started a letter to you but have it on the laptop so will try and post it before I go. the new puppy Archie is still as naughty, he chewed through the electrics on the motorhome and all 3 ropes that we have to use while away, lucky he was tangled round the tyre as well the other 2 just lay there not noticing the potential freedom. I will go as I am on call. off to see Trotter tomorrow night as she is in her latest flat in strathearn rd near the sick kids in Edinburgh. Take care and I will write soon. love Rhona
x
HI,Carol, can you believe i have tracked down your email and finally managed to set up an email account, that didn't take me long now then did it? Well i am trying...anyway glad to hear all about your travels and experiences it has really been wonderful to read all about it..glad you had a good holiday. Imagine the fun you will have coming back to go on a shopathon...it just sounds like heaven...can i come too??? Work is fine, very busy and stressful at mo but hey there is always wine to come home to!!! I can't wait until you are back so we can go for lunch on a Saturday again and have too many drinks....oh just lookign forward to the day...
Anyway shall i email again or has this all been too much, you know how i love to go on...
I have put together a few bags of clothes and stuff (! techy term) for a collection for Zimbabwe, the woman is coming on Saturday for all the stuff, don't know who she is but i will invite her in for a cup of tea.
I will email you soon and can't wait to hear back from you, love and hugs, Dianne x x x x
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