Colobus Monkey's

The park was layed out into four sections colour coded in Red, Green, Blue and Yellow and about half a square kilometre in size with benches situated at varies points on route. Bradley was happy to run off a head and pointing out things of interest. It didn’t take us long to hear the familiar noise of trees being moved and on looking up we could see a Colobus monkey with baby in a distant tree, however not in range for a good photo. We walked further passing large webs of spiders and then heard the familiar screeching noise of monkey’s fighting. We set off in that direction looking up in the trees and suddenly saw a group of Colobus monkeys jumping from palm to palm.

Vervet Monkey's

Managing to get some photos we continued on following the colour marked route looping around and following the edge of the beach heading back towards the entrance, Having been in the park for a couple of hours it was very hot and sticky and a welcome relief to have the shading of the palms overhead. We followed the path down some steps passing another visitor who told us there were lots of monkey’s further on. We then passed a thatched seated area with a guide relaxing on a bench and we were just about to carry on when on looking up we could see loads of Vervet Monkey’s within the surrounding trees. They were very inquisitive walking past us on the path and were quite happy to sit and have their photos taken, Abigail pointed out a baby suckling from it’s mother. With plenty of photos we continued on Abigail jumping when a monkey came strolling around the corner passing us just feet away.

Two Cheeky Monkey's

Peek-a-Boo

Bottoms Up

Further on the track led to a bird watching area so we decided to enter only to quickly run out when Paul shouted “Ow” as something had flew from the wall and bit his ear. We finally arrived back at the entrance passing another large group of monkey’s sat grooming each other with bums in the air and others sat on the path one of which gave Bradley a scare when it chased after him. Paul paid our fee and showed the guide the bite on his ear which he didn’t think it was anything to worry about we then headed back to the car. We were in need of a drink so we got out the frozen juice and some apples I had brought with us. No sooner had the bag rustled we had monkey’s around us trying to steal the apples Abigail and Bradley were getting a bit scarred so we quickly got into the car. On the way home we called at one of the Kariba Shopping Centres where I managed to get a few things for Abigail’s birthday making sure they were well hidden we left for home.

On the evening we were invited to Mariella’s, we arrived just before 7.00pm as we had also asked John to take a photo of us to forward onto the Gazette as they are looking at doing another article about our life in The Gambia. Some of Mariella’s Dutch friends were over visiting for the fortnight before Mariella finishes her volunteering in December. When Bradley fell a sleep on my lap we knew it was time to make our exit for home.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DALE

On taking the children to school this morning Isatou came running over telling me it was her birthday when I asked her how old she was she said nine which I was very surprised at. It appears that most of the children in Abigail’s class are a year or two older which may be why she is finding the work a little too advanced for her.

I then continued on through the side streets and headed for the VSO Office to drop of a letter which Paul wanted posting. As I was nearing the British High Commission my sandal strap came loose the guard noticed and came over to help he said he would fix it and offered to borrow me a pair of flip flops, I thanked him but said I would manage as I was still able to walk in them. On arriving at VSO I greeted everyone then Maimuna the receptionist gave me a pair of her spare shoes and we tried to glue my strap back into place. A parcel had arrived from Jenny which enclosed the croc shoes in for Abigail and Bradley so they will be pleased. I had a quick look in the local paper to see if there were any jobs, there were a few some of which were for company directors etc a bit too high flying for me, however there was an admin job which would have been ideal only they were asking for Gambian National’s only.

I set of for home unfortunately my sandal strap soon came loose, calling at the butchers on the way, again no mince I wouldn’t care I have already bought the burger buns I may have to put them in the freezer if I don’t get any tomorrow.

I arrived at La Parisienne for about 11.00pm and set about answering emails and updating my blog, managing to get most of it posted which I was pleased about. Then I set off to pick up Abigail and Bradley from school at 3.00pm, Isatou asked if Abigail was staying for extra curricula classes until 4.00pm, this is getting really confusing as we were told it was 3.00pm they don’t seem to be very good at communicating. Abigail and Bradley have had another good day at school which was pleasing we were offered a lift back with Lina and Joseph who was very tired and curled up in the foot well and went to sleep.

This morning the plan is to get some shopping from Kariba Centre as we are out of quite a few things, first I had to call at the bank to get some money. We have been trying to stick to a budget of 1500d a week however this has already been increased from 1000d a week. We have found that living in The Gambia is not cheap so we are substituting some of our savings from England as Paul’s volunteer allowance does not stretch far enough. This has meant that items such as ice-cream, chocolate and crisps will be a rare luxury for Abigail and Bradley.

I flagged down a five, five taxi and jumped in with a couple of other people, myself ending up sitting in the middle. The elderly lady then started a conversation with me in Wolof fortunately I managed to answer her back with the usual greetings. She was very pleased and laughed welcoming me to The Gambia, this seems the norm here if you show you are trying to speak the language they are very friendly towards you. I was dropped off outside Right Choice and Kariba Centre, calling in both stores to get all the items which I needed. Just about spent up and waited down with bags I jumped in a Gelleh Gelleh for my return trip home calling for bread and fruit and veg on the way.

On arriving home Awa was busy mopping the floors with Louise straddling her back in a sling. Awa was telling me about her malaria and that she hasn’t had it for three years until last week and how ill she felt. I packed away the shopping and went to pick up Bradley first calling to get some mince from the butchers as I had promised Abigail and Bradley some beef burgers for dinner only to find they didn’t have any left. I quickly called at Safeway and they had no meat on display due to a fridge breakdown so I will have to try again tomorrow.

Bradley and Abigail were happy playing with Louise who is now pulling herself up around the furniture and has managed to climb up onto the settee. Awa is looking forward to the day when she starts to walk so she won’t have to carry her around on her back.

I had a strange conversation with a guy when I went to pick up Bradley from school today. I could hear him singing behind me and when he was next to me he asked are you picking the children up from school to which I replied yes. He continued to walk with me asking my name and saying he was Nigerian and called Steven. He then asked me if I was a Christian and if I go to church. He then started talking about religion and asked me to tell him something uplifting about the bible. He then quoted a psalm from one of the chapters of the bible he was definitely trying to spread the word.

On arriving home Bradley practised some of his letter formations from his jolly phonics workbook before picking Abigail up from School. When we arrived home Abigail practiced some spellings on Space as we know this is what Westgarth have been learning about this term. We also plan to call at Timbooktu some time next week to see if there are any children’s books about space.

On picking up Abigail with Bradley from school we went to Safari Garden as I have been promising them a dip in the pool for a week now. We bought some drinks and changed, the water was lovely and cool as it was another hot day. They played for a couple of hours before we finally headed for home. Whilst walking home through the streets it was very humbling to see a couple of Gambian kids using some imagination. They were playing horse’s galloping around with a branch between their legs and holding onto a piece of rope. We also saw a pretty black finch playing alongside a group of Red-Fire Finches and Cordon-Bleu’s.