Weekending, 28th August 2010

On Monday evening I went off with Lynne, Bernie and Pete to do a yoga class. We went to Jerry’s house opposite Safari Garden, this was the first time I have been in her house it was lovely. The lounge area was huge so we had a good area to lay down mats to sit on. Jerry is a qualified fitness instructor and has enjoyed doing yoga herself for a number of years although not qualified. Because quite a few volunteers were interested she said she would run a class on a Monday evening. We started the session doing stretching exercises on the mats some of which were quite hard to get into. By the end of the session I had fully enjoyed myself even the ummm wasn’t as embarrassing as I thought. I am hoping it will help with my back and sciatica problem which has been bothering me again over the last few months only time will tell.

On Tuesday evening we invited Courtney, Paul, Max and Lynne over to discuss the barbeque. We have decided to do a barbeque for the new volunteers before they depart for upcountry to their new placements. I had made us a couple of curry dishes chicken and vegetable as Courtney is a vegetarian. We sat down to eat phoning Max to find out where he was, he had only forgotten, arriving fifteen minutes later. The power was off as usual so after dinner we sat and discussed who was bringing what dish by candlelight. We also needed to agree on how much to ask the volunteers to contribute to the meal as meat etc is very expensive. We finally agreed on a 100 dalasi contribution.

On Friday Lynne had arranged to look at some furniture and wanted my opinion on it. Lynne had noticed a poster up in the Fajara club so had phoned to enquire on items for sale. It only turned out to be Anne and Elsie who were selling some furniture due to them having to move out of the small hotel which they had built up. Abigail was able to show us directions so we were soon heading out along the road behind the American Embassy once there we phoned Anne to gain access. Abigail was hoping to see Elsie but she had gone to a friends house to play. The house and hotel was built around a little central courtyard and was very nice although not as much care and attention had been put into it lately due to them moving. We looked around the rooms at the furniture with nothing much catching our eye other than a fan. In the last room we both spotted a lovely dark wood dresser with a large mirror above it. In total Lynne bought the dresser, fan, an iron, and some dishes. There is other items which may be for sale however until Ann moves she is unsure whether to sell them or not. We walked back fully laden with the items we could carry having arranged delivery of the dresser.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE !

Barbeque

On Saturday I woke up and started making preparations for the barbeque. I had marinaded some chicken the night before which I had decided to cook in the oven and then we would barbeque it later. I also cooked some wedges and prepared coleslaw and a couple of dips. Courtney was bringing along a vegetarian option of stuffed rice peppers and potato salad. Max was bringing along a mixed salad and Lynne had cooked a macaroni cheese dish. So with burgers and prawns on the menu we were all sorted and waiting for the volunteers to turn up at 2 o’clock. Paul dug a couple of holes in the ground in the shade to put the buckets in to fill up with ice, julbrew and soft drinks. Auntie Lucy had also borrowed us a settee which she sometimes uses in the garden we placed this in the shade under the plum tree along with more chairs. At 2 o’clock the volunteers started to arrive so Paul started to cook the meat. Once the meat was ready we brought out all the food to the table in the lounge. The flies must smell food because they just appeared from nowhere. It was lovely just to sit in the garden eating a nice meal (except for the flies) and drinking julbrew. What a good afternoon was had by all chatting and drinking, I must admit I had a few too many. It was also Tom’s birthday on Sunday so we had bought him a cake to celebrate. Just after 8 o’clock everyone started to pack up to leave they were planning on going onto Churchill’s for a bit of karaoke.

Pat, June, Lynne Tessa, Bernie, Marcus, Richard

Jane, Vicky, Tom, Pete, Anika

Weekending, 21st August 2010

On Sunday it was raining all day so we spent the day at home. I was very surprised to receive a phone call on the afternoon from Lucy to say that she had been at Africmed all day with Rachel who had been ill through the night with sickness and diahreah. We offered Lucy the option of staying here with us instead of going back to Brikama tonight. At around 9 o’clock we received a phone call from Lucy to say she couldn’t find our compound and her phone battery had died on her so she had continued on up to Safari Garden hoping that one of the volunteers could call us. Unfortunately they had all gone out for dinner. Eventually after explaining to one of the staff she managed to borrow their phone to call us. Paul went off to meet up with her on the road whilst I put the kettle on for a cup of tea. She was very tired when she arrived as she had been up since 6 o’clock with Rachel and she wasn’t feeling great herself. She told us that Rachel was in a very bad way and couldn’t stop being sick so they had given her some antibiotics via a drip as well as dehydration salts and quinine for malaria. Lucy settled down for the night on the settee and was surprised at how well she slept.

On Monday we were all woken to heavy rainfall I set the table for breakfast and then we sat and waited for the rain to stop. I had decided to call at Africmed with Lucy to see how Rachel was doing. I took a towel and a clean t-shirt for her to change into and Lucy called into a Bitiko to buy toothpaste and the most hardest toothbrush we’ve ever felt. When we arrived she was still wired up to a drip and was having some more quinine. Unfortunately she was still being sick the quinine wasn’t helping with this as it made her feel queasy. Whilst there Paul phoned me to say he was bringing Bradley for a check-up. He has been a bit off colour since Friday with on and off high temperature, headaches and feeling a bit lethargic. I went in with Bradley the usual blood tests were done for malaria with no parasites showing up in the blood. He was still prescribed a malaria medicine just in case.

On Tuesday Bradley woke up with a rash on his face which then appeared on his chest. I kept a close watch on him thinking it may be a reaction to the quinine. The afternoon was spent at Safari Garden in the pool and Bradley seemed okay not off colour or anything. Paul finished work early so by about 2 o’clock he also came to join us. We had a chat to the new volunteers when they arrived back from their training.

On Wednesday the new volunteers that will be living in the kombo area were moved into their new houses. As usual it wasn’t until gone 5 o’clock before Lynne arrived in our compound. I had agreed to take her shopping to buy some quick essentials which she will need for tonight. We set off calling at Harry’s, MP Trading and Minnas where we bought various pieces of kitchen ware, pillows and bed linen and some food items. We were back home fully laden a good hour later. It was just Lynne’s luck that we had another power cut so she was unable to get things sorted as she wanted to. The electricity has been a problem all month with every evening power cuts. Paul ended up making the bed for her whilst I emptied the food items and then went to warm up our dinner. I had invited Lynne to eat with us tonight to save her the trouble of cooking.

Lamin Lodge

On Thursday we decided to go to Lamin Lodge so we jumped in a taxi to Westfield and then a gelleh to Lamin. We had a thirty minute walk from the road up a sand track passing compounds and bitikos. It didn’t take long before a young local lad latched onto us saying he was going that way so would show us the way. It was a lovely walk I can understand why Mick and Jenny are rebuilding a house here to continue with there NGO bee keeping work. We spotted a few birds on route and received waves from the local women in their fields tending to their crops. We finally arrived at the river side and made our way along a bridge to the lodge. The lodge was completely made out of wood even the floor was uneven planks of wood so not easy to walk on. The lodge was set over three floors with carved booths for sitting at. We decided to go up to the top lookout room and once there ordered ourselves some drinks. Whilst sitting there was a group of monkeys which were getting a bit too interested in our drinks. There was another group on the next table and one of the monkeys suddenly snatched up a bottle of coke and started drinking from the bottle he obviously had a taste for fizzy pop. He then decided to try his luck at our table sitting near Dale and Bradley. Bradley was a bit scarred when we tried to shoo him away as he decided to show his teeth at us. When Dale tried to get rid off him he punched him on his shoulder leaving a couple of red marks. We sat for a while watching a couple of Broad-billed Rollers doing aerobatics in the sky. We then set off walking back a different route managing to get rid of our guide who was patiently waiting for us. We eventually found a tree trunk in a nice forest area to sit and eat our picnic lunch. As we sat we noticed the odd centipede on the trunk then when we looked at the tree it was covered in them. After eating our lunch we headed back to the roadside to pick up a gelleh for home.

Local Internet Tree (more like graffiti)

Lamin Lodge

On the evening we took Dale out for dinner to the Blue Kitchen which is probably our favourite restaurant here as the cost is reasonable and they have a good variety of meat dishes.

Katchikali Sacred Crocodile Pool

On Friday we went off to Katchikali sacred crocodile pool to see Charlie. We paid our entrance fee and first looked around the museum area. Bradley made a little friend who followed him around banging on the drums I was expecting the attendant to come and tell us off as it said no touching. We then made our way to the pool side where there was a smallish crocodile up on the side. Dale managed to stroke him whilst we took some photos. There were a lot more crocodiles there than last year you could see them submerged in the pool. We walked on further with one of the guides telling us not to get too close to a large female crocodile which was up on the bank side. Most of the paths were flooded so we were unable to walk all the way around however our guide took us a different way to see the large elephant tree. As we passed we spotted a large monitor lizard trying to catch some rays and a couple of large blue kingfishers sat in a tree. Bradley’s little friend was still with us as we left the pool to head out to Cape Point beach. Paul was taking us via the fields so I managed to send the little boy back to the pool to his mother. This way proved to be a bad idea as we soon hit pools of water so finally gave up and turned around to go back via the road. Once at Cape Point we walked along the beach and then back to Bakau where we picked up a gelleh to return home. Dale was due to leave for the airport at 2 o’clock so we said our goodbyes and Paul jumped in the taxi with him to take him to the airport. We have really enjoyed Dale being here he has even managed to get up and eat breakfast with us everyday. Paul carried on to coach his scout rugby group however they didn’t turn up so he was back home by 4 o’ clock feeling a bit down now that Dale had gone home.

Kingfisher

Mick & Jenny's

On Saturday afternoon Mick and Jenny had invited us over for lunch. We made our way to Bakau by gelleh and then walked to Cape Point as they are currently house sitting for a friend. I had made a carrot cake to give them, luckily it travelled well it was still in one piece and not melting. The house was lovely and very private within its own compound. Abigail and Bradley were soon playing hide and seek with Teo and Mia. This then turned into a water fight with a hose pipe as they all stripped off to their underwear. As for the adults we sat on the terrace drinking julbrew and chatting. Jenny prepared a lovely lunch of beef with eggs, salad and fried potatoes, followed by the carrot cake. The rest of the afternoon we sat drinking and talking, they are such a lovely couple and so easy to get on with. We thought it best to make tracks for home as Mick is travelling back home tonight for a month to sort out a few things and it was gone 6.30pm.

Weekending, 14th August 2010

Abuko Nature Reserve

On Friday we decided to make an early morning trip to Abuko Nature Reserve. We arrived just before 9 o’clock so were hoping to see plenty of birdlife around the lookout lodge. Unfortunately all we saw were a group of swifts darting over the water. We moved on to the next look out hive only to find a huge tree had fallen onto it damaging the roof and surrounding fence. We headed out for the last hive on the way we spotted a Red Colubus Monkey high up in the trees. At the hive there was not a single bird in sight so very disappointing. Bradley and I made our way back to try to spot the monkey again, we suddenly heard a loud screeching sound from some birds so followed them trying to get a good view as they were high up in a tree. It was when they took flight to the next tree that I saw there wing tips which where a bright red and realised it was a group of Turacco’s. Luckily Paul and Dale caught up with us so managed to get a short glance at them. We continued on letting Dale go in front this was the best position to spot any monitor lizards on the path sunning them selves. Dale managed to spot quite a few monitors which scurried off for cover in the vegetation. As we continued on we could here a rustling so we stopped to watch and suddenly saw a group of colubus monkeys in the surrounding trees. One of which suddenly ran out at Dale making him jump as it cut across his path. It then came back sitting up ahead on the path before running back to the group. Before we arrived at the centre we managed to see quite a few of these monkeys one of which was happy to sit and watch us watching it and was very vocal. At the centre we looked in on the animals Hyenas, Baboons etc before we then continued on. We headed back to the first look out post to eat a tapalapa sandwich hoping to see some more wildlife before making our way to the exit. Once at the exit we crossed the road to get a gelleh back to Serrekunda as Dale wanted to look for some material to have another couple of trouser pants made. At the market we looked around a few shops before he finally agreed on a fish pattern and then a rather loud red hut and African men design. With me bartering a price we finally agreed on 20 and 25 dalasi per metre. Hot and tired we headed back home.

Red-Colubus Monkeys

New Volunteer Welcome Meeting - One Year Today!

On Saturday Paul made his way to Safari Garden as he is helping to mentor the new group of volunteers which arrived on Thursday, I can’t believe we have been here for one year today it has gone so quick. We decided to spend the morning around the pool so followed behind making a quick call at the tailors to leave Dale’s trouser material. When we arrived they were all still sat chatting to the new volunteers so I quickly introduced myself before they left with Paul, Max, Rachel, Phil and Lucy. They were taking them off to Serrekunda to orientate them to some landmarks. We relaxed around the pool. A couple of hours later Paul returned with some of the volunteers some of the others had gone onto Bakau market. We made our way home for lunch as we would be returning to Safari Garden for the welcome meeting and meal with the new volunteers later this evening.

We were back at Safari Garden for 7 o’clock, Nuha and Alhadji were there from the office however no one else arrived, a very poor show of office staff which was blamed on Ramadan. On speaking to Tessa she told me that Lucy was in her room ill. I went to see how she was and found her lying on the bed she has been feeling a bit off colour for a while. She spent most off the evening lying down dozing. The evening was going well until the power went off, the generator kicked into action and then died so the evening was spent with a limited supply of candles and torches. We ate a lovely meal and then Dale took the children back to put them to bed so we could get to know everyone. We were all enjoying the evening until the heavens opened up and it started raining heavily this broke the party up and everyone decided to head for their beds.

Weekending, 7th August 2010

On Sunday Paul and Dale went to La Parisienne to catch up on some e mails, myself and the children stayed at home. On the afternoon we went out for a monitor lizards hunt as this time last year we did see quite a few on our walks. After crossing the golf course to the pig sty’s and with no monitor lizard sighting we decided to cross over the road and head off over the fields. It was a very hot day and we were all sweating even though it was gone 4 o’clock in the afternoon. We ended up walking past Koto power station and on to a sand track through a village of very basic mud huts, hearing the occasional toubab toubab shouted at us on our way. We then crossed back over the road to Kotu stream, as we neared the bridge Paul saw something moving in the field so we went to investigate. It was a four foot long black snake we think a cobra it quickly slithered away into the vegetation. We headed back home via the beach stopping to see Adama for a quick chat.

On Monday Dale started working for Maurice from Safari Garden at his building firm. Dale is doing his Duke of Edinburgh award back in the UK so needs to put in some hours of charity work. Abigail and Bradley spent the day playing with Elsie who we had invited over for a couple of hours. They enjoyed drawing and making some craft hanging elephants. This seemed like a good idea until we had glitter everywhere, Bradley was still sparkling days after. Dale arrived home just after 4 o’clock very tired with blistered hands from digging holes I think we can safely say he has ruled out building work as a future job.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACOB AND ISSAC FOR 4TH AUGUST

Jerreh Camp, Sittanunka

On Friday we were up early as we were visiting Jerreh camp at Sittanunka and plan to stay over and then onto Jinack Island for a night before returning home on Sunday afternoon. We decided to travel to Banjul by gelleh from Westfield. This proved to be a bad decision as the road side was very busy with locals waiting for transport and rushing for the first available gelleh. Eventually we managed to get on one of the local luxury coaches for a mere cost of 5 dalasi each no charge for children. We managed to push our way onto the coach and find some standing room. Bradley was helped by a Gambian who sat him on the edge of his seat whilst the rest of us stood precariously hanging onto handrails. If it had been in the UK this would not have been allowed as people were just about sitting on the driver and standing close to the doors which kept opening to let off passengers on route. The apprendi had to make his way down the aisle to collect fares some of which didn’t have the correct change so he had to remember who he owed money to. We arrived safely at the port and were just in time to catch the next ferry. When we arrived at the other side we made our way to the police station to await Fakaba who had rung to say he would be delayed in picking us up. Paul decided to get a couple of lamb tapalapas for Dale to try. Thirty minutes later Fakaba arrived, with us all in the jeep he set off only to then stop five minutes later to pick up a few bits from the market. We finally set off for Sittanunka passing through villages and fields growing crops of groundnuts and rice. After an hour of driving on a much better road than last year as they have filled in the holes with laterite we were at Jerreh camp and quickly unpacked. We were just in time for lunch a rich beef domada, rice, salad and a baobab dessert very much like a pear puree. The afternoon was spent taking a dip in the river and reading. Later on in the afternoon Aleu one of the young staff took us for a walk in the forest and to the peninsula opposite Dog Island. The route was a bit muddy Abigail managed to slip over ending up with mud on her dress and all the way up one of her legs. Unfortunately we didn’t see any wildlife on route. Just opposite Dog Island Farkaba’s brother is in the process of building a new resort. I took a look in one of the finished lodges they were very nice however I still think Jerreh camp is in a better location. We made our way back along the beach and mangroves to the resort. We ate a late dinner of breaded fish and rice before having an early night.

On The Road To Sittanunka & Jerreh Camp

Jerreh Camp Lodges

Bradley A Good Distance Out From Shore And Still Only Knee Deep

Dog Island

On Saturday we were woken early by the many birds singing outside our lodge. We sat for a while on the step watching them foraging for food Abigail was hoping to see a different bird to add to her list. We decided to take a dip in the river before breakfast it was lovely, the tide was in so much deeper than yesterday. Bradley was getting very brave jumping off the jetty into the water he loved it Abigail went off to wake Dale to get him to join us. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing on the jetty reading. Due to it being cleaning day we ate chicken yassa for lunch at the camp before Fakaba took us back to the ferry terminal.

Jinnack Island

At the terminal we made our way to the restaurant where we were to await our transport for Jinack Island. An hour later we were in another jeep heading towards Jinack. Once at the island we waded out to the awaiting boat which was to take us across the island. Paul managed to get a good price agreed for the crossing of only 15 dalasi mush better than our 50 dalasi fee last time. We then had a short walk to Coco Lodge this is situated in the village not on the beach where we stayed last time. We were shown our rooms this was when I wished we had stayed at Jerreh Camp another night. The rooms were very run down and in need of a good clean. We were supplied with a bucket of water for showering. As for the toilet it was a long drop and situated outside up a few steps and was pretty filthy. To top it off there was no generator as it was being used back at the restaurant so we would have no electricity. Paul and Dale were to sleep in one lodge with myself and the children next door. We quickly sorted out a few clothes and then went out to investigate where the drumming sound was coming from. We headed towards the village to an open area where we could see a group of villagers under a baobab tree with a group of drummers. There was a kafo of woman all dressed in the same clothes. The kafo then came forward to give the drummers 5 dalasi and then they started to dance to the drums. The children watching were quick to join in. We watched for a while enjoying the dancing and then made our way to a field where a football match was being held. Sanney was there the waiter who we met when we came last time to the island. We arrived back at Coco Lodge just before the time which we had asked for our dinner. We sat and waited an hour went by finally a lamp was placed on our table and another table was brought close to ours this was then laid with a couple of pans containing our chicken benichin. It was now 9 o’clock and we were all very hungry and tired it didn’t help that the lamp was attracting lots of flying insects one of which landed in Abigail’s food much to her horror. We ate quickly to avoid eating any extra protein (insects) the benichin was very tasty however we were just too tired to appreciate it, I took Abigail and Bradley off to bed. We were supplied with a candle which I left all night burning. The only good thing about the room was the mosquito net Abigail and Bradley were soon fast a sleep. Paul and Dale even had an early night as there is not a lot you can do when it is pitch black.

Road From Kenuma To Jinack Island

Jinack Island Crossing

Jinack Island Kafo Dancers

The night for me was spent candle watching as I just couldn’t get to sleep I was glad when I heard the call for prayer at 5 o’clock. We ate a mismatch of a breakfast of sardine’s an omelette and bananas in tapalapa the cook could only get two eggs on the island. After breakfast Paul took us for a walk which turned out to be longer than we expected. The guy who had brought us across the river in his boat had latched onto us so he ended up walking with us to show us the way. We walked in the sea and then headed back to Coco Lodge we were walking for about three hours in total our water had all gone so we were very hot, tired and thirsty when we arrived back. We had decided not to lunch at the resort and had booked the jeep to pick us up at 12 o’clock. The jeep arrived at 1 o’clock and although it was hired by us three other people from the island also jumped on for a lift. We had arranged to stop at Kenuma cultural centre to see Alpha so our passengers, there was now only two of them would have to wait. Paul took a few photos of a toilet for the school which had been funded by Oxford Brooks University so he could send them some photos. We eventually said our goodbye’s and continued onto the ferry terminal. We had a long wait as we had just missed a ferry. Once at Banjul we made our way to the gelleh station where with help from some locals we agreed a good deal for a taxi home. We arrived home just after 4 o’clock and in need of a shower.

Spiritual Prayer And Meeting Mosque Across The Border In Senegal

Marijuana Field