Malawi & More

  A slow and indulgent Saturday, I began to watch the most recent series of The Crown with out worry of interruption or disdain, A has that teenager eye roll down. I also looked up some things for an application. Did a bit of gardening and a lovely nap. I was invited out for a meal and enjoyed a very nice bit of beef with a glorious gravy. Sunday was not dissimilar but A came home with her victory and scabbed knee and we watched 2 films, one very silly one and one more highbrow.  I got a rejection email on Monday, which I wasn't completely surprised by. A place that I suspect is after a well established Head who wants to stay there until they retire. Came with a House too, and they had a lot of applications. The next day I got an invite for another chat, which I was a bit confused by as I'd already had one chat with that agency but it linked to job I really fancy. It went ok, I didn't feel very positive by the end. I don't know if I'm going to be taken through to th...

I haven't quite gotten used to mum not being here. It was so lovely to have her here that I wish she could come again. To compensate I cracked open a jigsaw that she brought and spent some of my weekend with that. I love a good jigsaw and a cup of tea.  It was the Hillview Christmas bazaar last Saturday and A was keen to go. It was more of a social event for her. We all went along seeing lots of people we know and BigA bought me some lovely earrings. The traffic back was terrible all due to petrol tankers and the queues that come with them.  Sunday morning I woke up knowing that 7 years before I had brain surgery and the importance of that journey will never leave me. I think it shaped me in a way that is partly why we're here now and why we will leave in July. A couple of weeks before, while in the school pool with my mum talking thoughts and through what we should do I said how comfortable I am here, how easy it is. My mum, knowing me well and wants that for me. Less stress,...

  As you know I told boss) that we have decided to leave and I've been applying for jobs already. There have been 3 that look ok so far. I've got 2 meetings with someone at the school, governor or similar. I didn't write expect to get that so I'm feeling very pleased about that. Still top secret here but I'm sure it will get out soon. Funny how people want to know what we're doing. I remember Julia saying how lots of people want your stuff. That will be annoying but I can feel it bubbling already.  Here's the email The party prep was simple, A and her friends got cakes made and put up decorations. We begun to hear the rumble of thunder and after an extremely hot week we hoped it would rain. Big A confidently telling mum and Lynne it would only last an hour if it came. It suddenly seemed unlikely as only a few spots dropped. We continued with our lunch, me bemoaning that we might be missed. Oh how we needed to clear the air of dust and be refreshed, but at la...

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...