January 2022 - green Malawi

 I hope things in the UK are feeling better and the nights are getting shorter again. 

As you know our return journey was relatively uneventful and, the issue with the bag was the only down side. A's new favourite boots and some other Christmas presents, quite a bit of BigA;s stuff and our washing while at Premier Inn. But we all got one full suitcase of our things each, so it could have been worse. 

Julia met us at the airport and so home we went, looking at just how green the rains have made Blantyre, including our garden. More chillies than I know what to do with and mangos ready to eat. The grapefruit tree seems to suddenly have a huge number of fruit almost ready too.

We were also very happy that the power was on so we had hot water, light, a writing fridge freezer and could put the fan on while we unpacked. They are doing works on the main power plant which means the next few weeks will be uncertain. 
We couldn't get much washing done as the majority of that was in the missing suitcase but still two loads was good. Happily both mum's had been doing our washing for us while we were in the UK. Premier Inn, not so keen! 

Then our neighbour T, dropped off the last box from home. And we had our mini Christmas. I can happily say that I'm not going to run out of shampoo any time soon. It was so good to feel loved all over again! 

And so after that long two days of very little sleep we watched a bit of TV and I couldn't keep my eyes open. 
I slept for about 12 hours that first night back. 

The cats had missed us, K and J, who liked after them, had some good adventures, they seemed to have taken a liking to biting K.

Work this week has been very strange, mainly replying to emails, sorting through the pile of job applications and replying to staff. I always feel bad being off, I'm not sure I've ever been off like this before. I'm not ill, I don't have any medical scans or treatment. I'm working from home while everyone is just a few meters away. I don't like the fact that staff are having to cover for me though, and I don't like knowing the classes might feel a bit let down. Although I'm sure they almost don't notice a lot of the time. 

I've cooked a bit and been watching Downtown Abbey. 

A has been her usual self disciplined self. We let her friends pop over for a few minutes a couple of times. Which helped. 

No sign of the suitcase sadly. 

And now a long weekend at it's a public holiday on Monday. 

Missing you lots of course

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