This morning we put the roast in the oven and went out for a short walk planning to call at the shops on the way back. We walked towards the rice fields and crossed over the road and continued on down a sandy track, which lead us to some local streets and compounds. We decided to follow a couple of guy’s only to find that we had to cross a small stream by the way of standing on tyres and rocks. Across the first part without any problems we came to another deeper stream, Paul first took Bradley then came back for Abigail helping them to balance on the rocks whilst he waded up to his knee’s in the stream. I followed just behind, the stream was very cold and clear safely at the other side Paul pointed to a couple of leeches swimming about, we had a quick check to make sure none were attached to us. Passing Emily’s house we came out at Kariba Avenue and quickly called at the shops before heading back for our roast lunch.

On the afternoon Paul joined all the lads to watch the Liverpool game at one of the local pubs dropping us off at Dunes so I could do some emails and Abigail and Bradley could play in the Pool. When we arrived the other girls had had the same idea as Amy, Cathy and Sukey were already there and Emily joined us not long after, she had just got back from visiting Emma up country at Kerewan. Abigail and Bradley played in the pool I decided not to join them as the sky has been very overcast for a couple of days so the pool was very cold. At 5.00pm we walked to the pub with Cathy and Sukey, Paul was just finishing a pint and the football had finished so we left for home.

Toll Point

We were up early as we had decided to go for a walk to an area called Toll Point just across from Denton Bridge on the road towards Banjul. We parked up at Wadner Beach just outside a hotel which was now closed and derelict and walked onto the beach. Making our way around the edge of a saltwater lagoon and picking our way around the mangroves we saw some Cormorants, Egrets, Herons Terns and a couple of kingfishers which were gliding over the water looking for a meal. In the distance we could see a group of Pelicans on the beach as we approached they took to the lagoon and eventually took flight and headed out to sea. We headed around the toll point and back towards the groundnut factory hoping we would be able to find the forest path as detailed in the guide book. As we passed some flowers we saw four Beautiful Sunbirds flitting amongst them looking for nectar.

Pink-backed Pelicans

Scarring the Birds

Sacred Ibis

We were unable to find anything which looked like a forest path as mounds of empty groundnut shells had been discarded everywhere. We did find another lagoon though and were pleased to see a Sacred Ibis and African Darter Bird. We decided the best thing was to head for the road walking over mud flats and ducking under the large spiders webs which were in abundance. We walked back to the car and suddenly spotted in a tree within the hotel grounds a Bearded Bardet which is a funny looking goggle eyed bird, Abigail was pleased to be able to tick off a few more birds in her book. On the way back we called at Denton Bridge to check out prices to go to Basse by river as we plan to visit Tom and Lynne at some point. We decided not to go all the way by river as very expensive over £200 each and would take over three days to get there. The best option is to go by road stopping off on route and maybe doing a boat trip to see the Hippos near Janjanbureh

Tobasky Celebrations

We were up early and dressed and waiting for the call from Adam to meet up with him for the Tobasky Celebrations at his home in Serrekunda. When he called we quickly jumped in the car and picked him up at the Africel junction. He then directed us to his home in the heart of the market area which we were very surprised at. His home was behind a tailors shop in a large compound area littered with rubbish which seems the norm here. After been shown into the house we were introduced to Adam’s mother, younger sister, daughter and niece all of which were very slim and pretty. Then his brothers and sister in laws came to say hello they all live within the compound. We sat down and were offered bananas to eat Adam then asked us if we wanted to see the Ram being cut up as it had already been killed. Leaving Abigail and Bradley in the lounge we headed through the house into a very narrow yard area, within the yard was a shower, toilet and kitchen area. The ram was on a tin sheet and in the process of getting skinned by two guy’s from the tailors shop who had come to help. Adam’s nephew’s aged seven and ten were happy to watch and hold a leg whilst the other was busy playing with the rams testicles. With the skin removed they then set about cutting off the legs before opening it up and removing the liver, kidney, and heart, these were passed to the two sister in laws who started chopping them into small pieces. The whole process must of took about an hour, I was surprised at how little blood there was although its throat had been cut elsewhere so the blood was probably drained off then. However there was still some pooh carlings up its bum and undigested food in its intestines which did spill out otherwise not gruesome at all. Adam explained that the skin of the ram will be taken to the mosque and also half of the ram will be given away to the poor.

Shortly after we were served a lunch of onions fried with rams liver and heart with bread it was absolutely gorgeous even the kids enjoyed it followed by grilled ram with onions which was a bit tough. Abigail was pleased to be given watermelon for dessert which she seems to have acquired a taste for since being out here. We ate from a communal bowl with Adams younger sister luckily we were given forks so we didn’t have to eat with our hands. We then sat in the compound and drank some ataya tea with Adam and a couple of his friends whilst Abigail and Bradley played with Adam's daughter, niece and nephews. After a lot of sitting around we were just going to leave at around 4.00pm only to be told that dinner would be ready soon. So waiting a bit longer we ate ram in a sauce with vegetables and rice, a bit too spicy for the kids but Paul and I enjoyed it.

Adam's Daughter Fatima

Adama's Niece & Daughter