Not me the cat. Poor Harry went under the knife when the VSO vet visited. Gordon works with the dairy farmers in Malawi and was working close to Malosa. We struck a deal, Harry's hysterectomy for dinner, bed and breakfast, can't be bad. Without consent Harry was anaesthetised, tied to the coffee table and had her uterus, tubes and ovaries removed and put in the domestic waste. The coffee table was placed on the dining table and thankfully it was too high for me to assist in the operation. Debbie acted as scrub nurse and I shone the light on the proceedings. Harry was quite dopey after it but back to her normal self within 24 hours. I also stole her babies and distributed them to cat lovers. I was really gutted when the last one had to go, I kept it for an extra week but knew I had to do the last dirty deed and give it away.
The poultry farming is going well. I now have 10 chicks from the first 2 clutches of eggs and one of the hens is sitting on another clutch. In a couple of months there will be a lot of chicken on the menu. I'm assured, by the boy who helps with the chickens, that this clutch will hatch but I'm not so sure. I gave away the cockerel because he was standing on the chicks and killing them. I'm told because he was there they eggs will hatch. I'm not sure of the biology of this but time will tell. My knowledge of animal reproductive health has failed me on several occasions here and may continue to do so. I still think its dodgy having fertilised eggs when there is no cockerel!
I've just has another great holiday with Jane and Mary Jess. We stayed in Malawi and it was a great opportunity for me to visit some of the places that I had hoped to see. We spent some time at the Lake where we chilled out, swam and snorkeled. We went on to Luwawa Forrest and visited the rose quartz mine, walked in the Forrest and relaxed. After that we came to Malosa for a few days. We visited Lake Chilwa and were taken out on the lake by someone from the wildlife and environmental society of Malawi. I did not describe the trip properly to Jane and Mary Jess. They thought that we were going to a marina and getting on a motorised boat. I missed telling them the bit about bad roads, dangerous bridges, walking through the fields and eventually wading out to a wooden boat. We were punted through the reeds to the lake, the boat was leaking and the bailing equipment was poor. I don't mind my feet getting wet but its when bits of dead fish and fish scales are sticking to my ankles I object. I could have kept on the wellies that the fisherman lent me but I was more concerned about the number of foot infections I could contract than of the bits of dead fish. However it all added to the ambience and the Malawi experience. We spent a night at Zomba Forrest Lodge where the famous chef who cooked for the Queen Mother works. Its reputedly the best food in Malawi and I wouldn't argue with that. We went on to Satemwa tea estate where we stayed in the old colonial house. Some of the rooms were bigger than my house. Again we were well catered for. We were invited to the owners house for drinks and I had to get someone to drive the car back, after 1 gin I knew I couldn't drive. I had another gin and then speaking was almost beyond my capability. We spent a morning in Blantyre and then went on to Liwonde national park and stayed in Mvvu Lodge where we were totally spoilt. We saw a great variety of birds and animals. We had hippos and crocodiles in the river below our patios. The first night we were kept awake by elephants putting down branches and eating the bushes round our chalets and the second night one walked within 3 meters of us having an alfresco dinner. The holiday passed very quickly, as they always do, but we did a lot and really enjoyed it.
I had malaria again before the holiday. I was really washed out after it. I'm not looking forward to the wet season when the likelihood of malaria is greatly increased. I've decided to come home for a holiday at Christmas and I look forward to catching up with a lot of people. I am really wishing for snow, wind and sub zero temperatures, real Christmas trees and open fires. When I return I'll only have a few months of my placement left.
Thanks for all the comments, letters and cards. I hope everyone at home is OK. Keep in touch.
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4 comments:
HI Carol,
Wow I can't wait to see your PDP when you get home, you'll be able to do so many things....poultry farmer, gardener, vet, RSPCA the list will be endless! Niamh got her letter yesterday and really loved it! News from our front.....Mike has a three day contract at Canvas for a few months so that's fab, Brianna starts at Napier on the 30th Sept, I go back on the 29th to finish my Msc, Callum has just been offered another GBR cap for fencing, he goes to Halle in Germany on 25th Oct. He's also received a SportsAid merit award and is supposed to receive it at a gala dinner but he's in Halle so Bri and I are going instead! B can't wait as she'll be 18 and can have the Champagne reception! I can't believe she's nearly 18....god I feel old! Niamh is 11 now and growing up way too fast! She's in Guides now and going off to camp soon and can't wait. I'm still applying for jobs, waiting to hear about the latest one. Work is busy and in a state of perpetual flux such is the NHS though...change is the only constant! Was Mike and I's 19th wedding anniversary on Mon 22nd Sept can't believe it's been that length of time. It really does fly! I forgot to get the blankies to JB for your nephews to take out but he told me on the phone about you coming home so hopefully I can give them to you then. We've been to Bath for the UK School games for Cals fencing, Scotland beat England in the foil team, VERY unexpected...thought Mike and Brianna were going to have heart attacks. Babz could hardly speak from shouting so much but it was brilliant. Anyway I must pop off and get Niamhy to Guides, will write soon. take care, keep away from the fish! Lesley & C0
Hi Carol
Another exciting trip to add to your novel - sounds good. Hopefully we will see you when you come home and then I can't believe it will only be a few months after that - we'll have to get planning for New York and be organised for you coming home!
Rebecca has had three weeks at Stirling now - enjoying the night life such as pool parties at Bridge of allan! but was pleased with her first mark for maths - an A - as long as it doesn't go downhill from there. Kyle doing away fine - he will have prelims in November - will need some form of persuasion to get him to study!! We have had friends over from Australia so has been fab to see them and do a bit of socialising. My brother is doing away too - good days bad days and medium days he says but still good quality of life. Re-organisation changes at CHP so we will see what that will bring!
Speak to you soon! xx
HI Shorty, Sounds like the surgery I had not sure about the coffee table bit........hope harry is well. Your PDP will be second to none as Lesley says. Still working towards achieving all your outcomes I see. I was listening to Radio Scotland about a concert very soon on the shores of Lake Malawi, no mention of your name but no doubt you will be there. We have been enjoying fresh eggs but apparently they stop laying so many in the winter, must be the shorter days! I was in a great wee shop in Crieff a couple of weeks ago called Green Days, you would love it. Crieff is now off our list of campsites as John got into trouble for having 3 dogs, despite me telling the woman on the phone we had 3. Pity as I love a wee wander round the town there are so many Galleries and coffee shops. Last weekend we were at Aberfoyle with our great nephew Connor, it poured rain all Saturday morning we eventually donned our wet weather gear and headed into the village for some light relief from snakes and ladders and guess who! He was really good and now refers to Our Motorhome and has left his toothbrush and sunglasses for the next trip plus the dominos! Work is a total nightmare as Elaine says all change again so step back and watch. Liz is well and has a house in Spain, she is over there for the festive period so I will be around when you come home. Sorry to hear you have been unwell again, you really seem to be floored by the malaria bouts, try more gin! I think you will get your wish for a snowy Christmas it has been really cold here I had to scrape the windscreen last week plus we had not bought this year supply of de-icer. John is well although he had a nasty chest infection which then turned to a Man cold. I then caught his cold but since I had given him pelters for moaning about having a cold I had to soldier on and just survive on the sympathy I got at work! Mine only last 5 days. I was at a conference in Glasgow with Judith and some other HV's we found a pub near the bus station on the way home, we got back at 10pm had a greta laugh and sorted the world of HV's, CHP's and planned so much which luckily the next day we had forgotten 50% of, cheered me up no end. These unplanned soirées are the best. Hopefully we can meet up when you are home but I know you will be busy. Perhaps the NY Girls should try for a early evening session to discuss Nov 09. Let me know and I can arrange. Karen is well as is Susan. cardiac Anne has been a great support and fountain of info for me as my Dad has had an angiogram, we have yet to discuss the outcome as it was only yesterday but he is ok at the moment. I must go and iron something for work although if I go in my night wear would I get signed off with MH issues....I suspect it would take more than that, maybe need to be more off the wall. See you soon and I have a letter started! LOL Rhona x x
HI Carol,
Thanks SO much for the flowers! You have no idea how welcome they were. The latest O'Donnell disaster is that Mike's company has been forced into liquidation. Suffice to say it's a nightmare but we have nothing else for it but to pick ourselves up again and carry on. On the back of the last issue it's a lot to cope with! Anyway enough moaning, Bri and I were at the Gala dinner on Sat, black tie event, glad I went smart! We were piped in, goodie bags on the table etc etc. I had a long chat with Chris Hoy the olympic cyclist. He was so lovely built like half a house and really interesting. Got his autograph as well!! Niamh was fencing this weekend and won! SHe was so fab. Callum did ok in Halle but I think he was worried about Mike and they both felt a wee bit flat. Bri is loving Uni and enjoying student life. She's grown up so much in the last few months, it's amazing to watch. She's great company as well. ANyway I must pop off now, will write a wee letter soon.
Lesley & co xxxx
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