Happy Birthday Dad!

Thursday 21st April


It’s my Dad’s birthday today – he’s 81. So sat here on my balcony thinking about him, and of the wonderful time we had last year celebrating his 80th. There are times like this when I really miss my nearest and dearest back home, and feel rather selfish that I have decided to stay here, and only see my family and pals once/twice a year at best. I know Dad you read my blogs so a big, big hug and kiss to you, and I really hope that you have a lovely day. XX.

My ten days with Anne proved to be whirlwind but oh, how we laughed, talked and had a lot of fun together. She became good friends with my two great friends out here on the project, Bekks and Chris and the four of us had a ball together. To carry on the golf saga, we dutifully went to watch the South Africans play golf on the Thursday…..causing quite a stir amongst the teams as we were the only females there and were dutifully following and supporting the SA’s. Didn’t quite know where to look on the fairways ( can only liken it to being a new country and not knowing which way to look when crossing a road or being at a junction!). Had some real near misses when we were looking the wrong way, and got told off for cheering when the opposition didn’t down the putt – oops! Anyway, overall we were great golf groupies for the day, thoroughly spoilt by the team yet again, and thankfully the South Africans won the tournament so we partied with them on the Friday night….. eventually getting in at about 4.30am!! We are invited to Malawi next year to support them again…… not sure whether they will pay our flights though!

Anne was an absolute trouper all week and worked alongside me throughout. For someone who professes she doesn’t like kids, she was amazing and I know thoroughly enjoyed being part of my world out here and getting to know these kids that have captured my energies (apart from being nearly drowned by one my panicked standard 6 kids who was using her head as a means of getting herself up to the surface…. Beautifully rescued by yours truly! She even came to the choir I accompany on the Monday and played the flute in the little ‘ensemble’ I now play the piano in every Thursday (can’t remember whether I’ve told you about that….. a group from the choir all play various instruments and wanted a pianist, so currently rehearsing Les Miserables, Bach and Haydn). Philippe, head honcho of choir and ensemble is planning a concert late May…… so grabbing practice time round at Cherry’s as much as I can but thankfully fingers are coming back to life, as is my love of great music. Talking of music, have to tell you about me and Anne on Saturday night…… decided to go with the crowd to local bar/nightclub… oh my…boam, boam music blasting out .. actually not sure it can be described as music, just noise! We spent the first five minutes looking at each other thinking we’re too old for this lark, but then decended into the crazy noise and didn’t disgrace ourselves (too much!). In fact we were mistaken for being ‘crew’ by some others there …. Which made us laugh even more as we then dutifully managed to incorporate all the hand signals of a trolley dolly into our dancing!

This week at work continues to be the holiday programme which is exhausting! Can’t wait to get back to just teaching again. Yesterday we did a bit on the environment, then went litter picking in the village (not quite sure of the point of all of this as there is no litter collection services for this type of place, so it was all burnt in the end and released copious amounts of gases into the atmosphere… sorry rest of the world, but Shauri Yako is looking very clean at the moment! ) After that we had a carnival with the kids then a few of us stayed on and painted one of the outside walls in the glaring heat of the afternoon sun. Mmm…. Was painting with three ‘young ‘uns’……. Who were all for giving up before wall finished, tired, hot, etc etc…… me, had started half an hour before them anyway (good move as started in the only patch of shade) and was still there geeing them on to the finish. Makes me wonder what they’ll be like when they’re my age? Anyway, job done!!

Had forgotten it was Easter this weekend and we’ve just been given tomorrow off which is a bonus. Am planning to spend all day in the internet café so I can skype with as many people as I can. Still trying to sort internet issues here at my flat – looks like will have to get box installed here, but it will be well worth it as feeling very cut off from everyone back home at the moment. Just been to Nakamatt to try to buy myself an Easter egg, or maybe even a Cadbury’s crème egg…… no chance, not an egg in sight. Oh the things I crave and miss!!

Happy Easter everyone, and Happy Birthday again Dad xxxxx