Whilst there Abigail did manage to christen the outside toilet with a number 2 which to her horror was a pit latrine which she had to squat over however she did manage to hit the hole. The bad news was I had forgotten to bring any toilet paper so I had to use water and my hand to clean her bum like the Muslims do “ugh”. Overall the day was spent with a lot of sitting around for us and the men whilst the two step sisters busied themselves preparing the food. We did have an insight into how others live and although Adam is not poor its a million miles from how comfortable we are living in Fajara. On the evening as we were putting Abigail and Bradley to bed we had a nice surprise when Lucy arrived at our door to give us a whole ram’s leg as her brothers had given her too much. We cut it in to two freezing half to eat at a later date the thigh we plan to have as a Sunday roast.

National Beekeepers Association

The children are off school for a couple of days to celebrate Tobasky, we have decided to go with Paul to Brikama as he only has a two hour meeting to attend at 9.00am. The plan is for me and the children to look around the National Beekeepers Association and Craft Market then meet up with Paul after his meeting and take a look around the market.

Paul dropped us off just outside the Bee Centre, there was a small stall outside selling the three different types of honey found in the Gambia, Jungle Honey lightest in colour and the best tasting, Mahogany Honey and Palm Honey which have a stronger bitter taste. After making sure it was okay for us to take a look around we were first taken to an area where the bee’s come to drink, there was a small number of bee’s buzzing around us on asking if they sting the guide said yes but they are more aggressive at different times of the year. We were shown two different types of hives within a wooded area, a traditional wicker basket hive which is used more up country and a wooden hive which is manufactured at the farm. They are also in the process of producing a hive for viewing purposes so you can observe the bee’s at work making the honey.

We were taken into the processing hut and shown some wax candles which are made from the bee’s wax, wax sheets which bee farmers buy to attract the bee’s to set up home, wax blocks which are used by the Batik makers, soap and cream which you can apply to the skin. Then we were shown the honey making process and a large bucket of honey waiting to be processed. Apparently the farmers bring the honey there to be processed where it is bottled and sold on. Although only a small operation it was very interesting and the guide was very informative, as we left I bought a small pot of the jungle honey with the intention of giving it to Adam as a gift for Tobasky.

We walked along the road side heading towards Brikama keeping into the side as there was quite a lot of traffic including the occasional Gelleh with a ram riding on the roof top. As we were walking a truck pulled up and the driver asked if we would like a lift, I declined however it might have been an experience as we would have shared the back of the truck with a number of people as well as a couple of rams. Further on up the road a donkey was pulling a cart with three young children on top we crossed the road and I took a photo of Abigail and Bradley standing next to the donkey.

Rams for Sale

After walking about a mile we arrived at the Craft Market, opposite there were loads of rams for sale so we crossed over to take a look greeting some of the farmers. We were immediately approached by some young children all inquisitive to meet us and practise their English. One of which was holding a baby kid goat which he then placed in Bradley’s arms so I could take a photo. Gambians were busy purchasing the best ram for Tobasky and then herding them home along the road or loading them on top of Gelleh’s or even as one woman was trying to do was load a ram into the back of a taxi.

The Craft Market

We crossed back over to the Craft Market and as we approached the stalls the carvers were asking us to take a look. I asked one guy for Secco’s stall as he is married to Anne who works with Paul at the College. I was taken to his stall and after a quick introduction (Anne had already passed on the message that we may call in) I was offered a chief seat and we chatted whilst Bradley made for the balafon a type of xylophone instrument. Secco was a very friendly guy, Abigail and Bradley purchased a giraffe key ring and dolphin carving before leaving. As we walked past the other stalls we were warmly recognised by the carver where I had bought my thinking man back in August.

Brikama College

We arrived at the college just before 11.00am finally meeting Anne, unfortunately Paul had only just started his meeting as one of the lecturer’s had turned up late. Anne showed us into the VSO Office and the children amused themselves drawing some pictures of birds for Amy and Anne. We ate our picnic lunch then with Paul still not finished we went for a walk along a sandy path at the back of the college. As we approached the sports field area a beautiful turquoise bird flew over and perched itself in a tree, I managed to get a photo however not very clear on checking Abigail’s bird book we think it may have been a Blue-bellied Roller. We continued along a dusty track which was made worse by Bradley running and kicking up the sand, passing a few locals on bikes along the way who would stop for a quick chat. We headed back to the college managing to miss Paul who had gone looking for us, Bradley was filthy his clothes and face were covered in sand.

Blue-bellied Roller

Finally all together we jumped in the car and drove the rest of the way into the centre of Brikama and the market area. We had a quick look around as it was very busy Paul purchased some seeds for the vegetable garden. We paid a visit to Amy’s compound much to Abigail’s pleasure before leaving for home. On the way back Abigail wanted to spend some of her birthday money so we called into Wishes Gift Store where she bought a lovely little red handbag very grown up. Also whilst I took the kids to the car Paul quickly bought some Christmas Presents for them.