Xmas Party Planning

This morning Paul took Abigail and Bradley off for a walk around the golf course and onto the beach hoping to see Adam to accept his offer of Tabasky. I stayed at home and washed some clothes, then managed to get a bit of sun whilst reading in the compound.

This afternoon we have been invited to a bring your own food barbeque at Sokey and Greg’s to discuss the office xmas party. We left early as we wanted to have a look around Serekunda Market for blankets. Parking the car in our usual spot we headed into the main market area, we noticed a stall selling quilt covers so asked for blankets. They didn’t sell them but a young lad ended up taking us past various stalls to one which sold blankets on asking the price we were told 400 dalasi after a lot of bartering I managed to get three blankets for 200 dalasi each half what they were asking. We then asked about groundnut paste and we were taken to another stall which sold it in small fist size food bags. We made for the exit passing chickens in small cages awaiting their fate. Paul noticed some string vests in the Gambian flag colours which he likes so we agreed a price then we were ushered to another stall to be shown more vests which they were hoping to also sell to us. Finally spent up we made our way to the car and started driving away from the market the road went on for ages. The road didn’t end up where Paul thought so we had to turn back on ourselves down another long road. We made it to the main Serrekunda road only to have one side of the carriage way blocked off as is the norm when the president is travelling. So we then had to sit behind Gelleh’s and Taxis at a snails pace waiting for them to drop and pick up passengers before we finally saw the side street we needed for Greg and Sokey’s very frustrating.

We arrived at Sokey’s, Bradley changed into his trunks as they had the paddling pool out so he spent the next two hours splashing about. With the barbeque ready for the meat Paul set about putting on our burgers and sausages as Abigail and Bradley were getting hungry, then others took over cooking their own meat. During this time the girls got together to discuss the xmas party writing down a list of volunteer’s, what food to cook and working out costings. We are looking at hosting it around the 12th December so those volunteer’s who are going home for xmas will be able to attend. With everything sorted as who would be making what we left for home dropping off Emma and Emily on route.

Meeting Jenny and Mick

Paul was having to work today so we decided to have a crafty morning making spiral snakes and making flutter rings which was one of Abigail’s present’s she had received. Abigail and Bradley decided which colour body and beads they would like for the butterfly’s and we set about applying the glitter glue, whilst they were drying we painted our snakes and then left them to dry. With the glue on the flutter rings dry we added the beads and measured them against Abigail’s fingers and tied them in a knot she was really pleased with the end result, we just have another three to make from the pack. Once dry we cut out the spiral snakes and hung them up in the bedroom then it was time for lunch.

After lunch we made our way to Safari Garden as we had arranged to meet Jenny and Mick with their two young children Teo and Mia. They are out here for a year doing voluntary work with organisation’s and local’s on bee’s and are living at a small village called Lamin which is on the way to Brikama. Felix, Sam and Georgia’s sister who is here visiting were at Safari Garden so Abigail ended up sitting with them getting her toe nail’s painted. I then had Lause introduce himself to me as Paul had mentioned I was going there with the children I chatted to him for a while he seems a really nice guy.

Jenny and Mick arrived so after quick introductions we ordered some drinks and sat talking whilst the children played in the pool. Apparently they originate from Taunton which is very near to where Paul’s Mum lives in Devon, however they have lived in France for the last ten years running a small farm with sheep, chickens and cows. Paul had hoped to meet them but the workshops went on until 4.00pm, we plan to meet up again at a later date they seem a really nice couple.

Barbeque at Emily's

This evening we have been invited to Emily’s for a barbeque, at 3.30pm we were changed and ready to go however Paul was still not in from work so I quickly texted Emily to say we would be late. Paul has been in workshops all day with the other lecturer’s, he finally arrived at 4.00pm telling me he had managed to finish early as he gave one of the guest speakers a lift back to Kotu where he was staying. Lause is from Sweden and runs an Art, Graphics and Media College he offered us a visit to the Casamance area of Senegal as he is going to stay with a friend and meet up with some of his students who are also staying there. We had to turn down the offer as VSO do not want volunteer’s going to the Casamance area as there has been trouble there in the past.

Finally we set off walking to Emily’s on arrival we could see two people on the roof terrace so we shouted to try to catch their attention, unable to we phoned to say we were outside. Emily lives in a small two bed block of flats, we were taken up a private flight of stairs to the top flat and into a small lounge area. We continued up a couple of steps to a passage where two bedrooms and bathroom were situated then leading of to a small kitchen with table and chairs we made our way to the terraced roof which is ideal for sitting in the sun. Emma was there which was a nice surprise as she hasn’t been to the Kombo for the last four weeks.

Emma and Emily were having trouble lighting the barbeque so Paul went to investigate it was already lit and ready for the meat. With the skewers of chicken kebabs and sausages cooking we sat and chatted, Abigail and Bradley amused them selves drawing some pictures. With the meat cooked we tucked into Kebabs, hotdogs and rice we then toasted some marshmallows and ate them between waffle biscuits with melted dairy milk chocolate yummy. Emily had suggested we bring Uno to play so once the dishes were cleared away we had a couple of games helping Emma along with the rules of the game. We left for home at about 8.00pm, the side streets have no lighting so having come prepared we put on our torches and headed for Kariba Avenue for better lighting. On route we passed a van selling rotisserie chickens we have seen the van before but he must only sell them on an evening, we will have to try them sometime.