Malawi & More

Onto the week and it's been just lovely seeing my mum each day, being able to get as many hugs as possible.  Following on from another khonde morning with plenty of cups of tea we set out to Zomba, an easy hour and a bit away. In DAPP carpark we met up with a man who Lynne gave photos and a suitcase to. All very spy like, and as we repeatedly said 'no thank you' to the numerous offers of fruit, cards and a like we then headed further into town to go to Kefie, the best and probably only Greek restaurant in Malawi.  There we met two old friends of the family, Mary and Andrew and had a thoroughly nice catch up and meal.  On the way back we once again stopped to rescue a man who needed to get to Limbe, which was on our way. The spare seat at the back of the car proving useful.  On Sunday mum and I got up earlyish and headed to the Limbe catholic cathedral. Masses are either in English or Chechwa and we picked to go to the English one. It was familiar and different all at...

  It's been so lovely this week having mum here.  Once packed and in the car we set off for our adventure. The radio in the car we were in doesn't work but we chatted all the way, mum and Lynne asking various questions of what they could see of Malawi. Before we knew it we were at Liwonde gate. I guess if you've recently traveled from UK to Malawi then a 4 hour drive would seem speedy. We took the short drive from the gate to the Shire river and hopped in a boat to get to our lodge. None of us have been to this lodge, quickly moving past the more familiar Mvu lodge. The 20 minute ride didn't disappoint, before we even set off the hippos made themselves known with the familiar grunting huffs and odd bark like laugh. Not far along a small family if elephants caught our attention. It was so lovely to see mum and Lynne's reaction. It makes seeing the animals feel like the first time again.  The location was very special, beautiful tent rooms looking out over the river w...

I had a very sociable Saturday, all on campus. Morning cuppa with Kelsey, braai for lunch with Keith and an evening meal with the Bennet's. And I managed to half sort my assembly out too. Which, I'm happy to say, went very well. Lots of positive feedback. Staring at one point my mum's face.  Sunday morning with no ESCOM - I'd forgotten they were turning the power off. But it came back on and we have mostly had power all week.  It's been a relatively uneventful week with the usual joys and frustrations. Some good lessons and progress on some processes. No sign of a change to the fuel crisis. But we're told it should be a bit better this week. As long as we have enough for when mum is here I'll be happy. A and I said a little prayer together about it. She isn't religious but I explained that didn't matter. A has been mainly doing school stuff. Some fun stuff. She came out with us last night when we had a meal at a place called Bistro with two of the ne...

  I had my first swim in the school pool for a very long time at the weekend. It was really refreshing and, as always, I thought, why don't I do this more often.  I had a good morning in the garden too, really pleased with my chilli seedlings and if they are as good as my batch last year we'll get a great harvest. I'm excited that Margaret, you will be here in December to give me some advice on what more I can do with it and it should be really flourishing with the rains by then too.  BigA and I cleared a whole load of things out of the spare room which has made it look big enough for guests. In the week we sorted the mosquito net and moved his desk, all set and looking good.  The Bennet's invited people over for drinks and chats too. Conor played guitar as did his son, just turned 10 and so talented. Then the two of us made a horror movie. Well I provided scary noises and my scary face. He did the rest! I woke up on Sunday to a sore throat though, caught from my hus...

  My Saturday morning involved logging onto my online learning platform and I started to go through the induction- not particularly inspiring so far, all very 'this is how you need to do it' But at least I've now started and feel like the journey has begun.  Then we got dressed and ready for a 'carnival' that was in aid of making money for a the breast cancer care charity that my mate Tabitha runs. It was very warm and I had a lovely day, I did drop my phone in the toilet just after I'd weed in it. But happily I still had speedy reaction skills and fished it out before it was damaged. Phew. I also had a lady help me rearrange my top half of my outfit when I was trying to cover up my bra, having taken off the vest because I was so hot.  Home and asleep by 8pm!  We've been carrying out a review of boarding which involved me spending a day shadowing the bits of boarding life I rarely see. Very interesting and good to see the love and care they all have for each...

  I'm hoping all this awful news about interest rates and pension pots is not having an adverse effect on any of you.  I had a very sociable Saturday, all on campus. Morning cuppa with Kelsey, braai for lunch with Keith and an evening meal with the Bennet's. And I managed to half sort my assembly out too. Which, I'm happy to say, went very well. Lots of positive feedback. Staring at one point my mum's face.  Sunday morning with no ESCOM - I'd forgotten they were turning the power off. But it came back on and we have mostly had power all week.  It's been a relatively uneventful week with the usual joys and frustrations. Some good lessons and progress on some processes. No sign of a change to the fuel crisis. But we're told it should be a bit better this week. As long as we have enough for when mum is here I'll be happy. A and I said a little prayer together about it. She isn't religious but I explained that didn't matter. A has been mainly doing s...