Weekending, 23rd October 2010

Fishing Trip

The highlight this week was a fishing trip on Sunday. Lynn organised the trip with Ray who she has met through the Fajara club. We were to be picked up at 8.30am to then be taken to Denton Bridge where a pirogue was already waiting to take us on the river. Unfortunately Ray was delayed at one of the check points by the police who made him empty his car. Twenty minutes later he turned up so we were on our way. We arrived at Denton Bridge which is where a number of pirogues and boats are moored. Ray loaded the barbeque and food onto the boat and we were soon sailing down one of the many tributaries to the river Gambia. On board were a few Gambian crew members as well as Brian and Dave from the Fajara club both of which have young Gambian girlfriends, Dean who is Gambian has lived in the UK most of his life he has come back because his father is ill. Finally there was a lady called Petra who was in her sixties and very much mutton dressed up as lamb. She was tall and slim with long blonde hair and wearing a miniscule mini skirt, we were all privy to a flash of her knickers. I thought she was a bit stuck up until we got chatting and she proved to be a very nice lady who has been coming to the Gambia for years. Her and her husband had decided to move out here only to then have him die last year. As for our gang only Tom had decided to come along as the others were having a scrabble competition at Brikama. As for the scenery there was not much to see other than a landscape of mangroves, however there were plenty of herrings on the riverbanks as well as a group of pelicans. After a thirty minute journey the boat was anchored and we started to fish, even Abigail was given her own fishing rod. Prawns were hooked on as bait and one of the Gambian crew members showed me how to cast the line over the side. I did find it a little difficult at first especially because there was not enough head room as we were on the lower deck. At one point I did manage to get my hook stuck in the hair braids of Dave’s girlfriend oops. We stayed in this spot and were having no luck so we moved on to another spot. Eventually the first fish was caught although it wasn’t very big. I was really enjoying myself as was Abigail although I think Bradley was getting a little bored because no fish were getting caught. Whilst we were fishing Ray, Brian and one of the crew were busy upstairs cooking fish on a barbeque for our lunch. We ate in two sittings and I must say the fish was very tasty served with salad and jacket potato. We went back to fishing whilst the others ate. As we sat there we noticed some very dark clouds heading our way, the anchor was quickly pulled up and we made our way to Lamin Lodge hoping to outrun the weather. No such luck the heavens opened and although we were on the lower deck the rain was running through the cracks and drenching us all. Along with the thunder and lightning which Lynn hates it was very scary. We arrived at Lamin Lodge only to have to wait until the weather front had eased. Eventually we moored and then had to climb over another two boats to get to the jetty. We were soaked to the skin so we went straight to the toilet where I took off all our clothes and rung them out including knickers Abigail was finding it a bit cold so we rapped her in one of Lynn’s towels. Lynn and I had a sneaky laugh when we saw Petra she had streaks of mascara running down her face and looked like Alice Cooper. I gave up on mascara a long time ago as it is just too hot. We sat down and ordered some drinks whilst the rain eased a little and watched a huge spider on a nearby table. Within the hour we were back on the boat and set off to find another spot to fish at. This proved to be a good spot as we were soon hooking fish. Lynn managed to catch five fish and was able to feel them biting at the bait. As for me I just kept on looking at the end of the rod to see if it was bending. I suddenly felt a pull so tried to reel the line in thinking this feels pretty heavy. I had only caught a sea snake this was cut free by the crew and thrown back in. I then managed to catch another couple of small fish. As for Paul and Tom they didn’t catch anything but overall thirty fish were caught. We set off for Denton Bridge arriving back in the dark, but what a good day we had all had and is definitely something we all want to try again. We took four of the fish home and ate them the following evening tasty just not enough meat.

A BIG HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY TO DALE!

Weekending, 16th October 2010

We have had a very quite week with the usual lack of power. On Sunday we decided to go for a walk and asked Lynn if she would like to accompany us. We wanted to check out a new pizza restaurant we have been told about so were looking to head off in that direction. We walked via the beach and then crossed Kotu Bridge and headed along the path to Palma Rima. Paul decided to show Lynn where Dunes Hotel was so we headed back to the beach again. We had been discussing all the rubbish that is on the beach at Fajara and that it wouldn’t take much to clean it up. So we were very surprised when we saw groups of children and adults actually doing just that at Palma Rima what a difference it made. We spoke to one of the adults who were working for Peace Corps and she told us they were trying to get the children involved with global warming issues and had decided to have a clean up day. We headed off the beach and towards Palma Rima junction and crossed the road passing the Commin Bar to start looking for the pizza shop. It didn’t take us long to locate it however there were signs saying closed on Sunday’s. I decided to buy some bread from the Turkish bakery opposite whilst Lynn treated us all to a Danish pastry which we sat and ate outside it was delicious. We set off for home passing Jackie’s house and hoping to show Lynn the mud houses near to Kotu Power station, unfortunately the path had been blocked off with some corrugated fencing so we had to back track putting distance onto our walk. By now we were all very hot and tired and in need of a sit down we returned home via the fields and road which was the quickest route. Whilst everyone crashed out and slept I had dinner to prepare so by 8 o’clock I was so tired that I went off to bed.

Then on Monday I invited Marielle and Max over for a fish curry dinner, I fed the children earlier so we were able to have a chat and a drink before putting the children to bed and sitting down to eat. Luckily the evening was spent with power so no looking for lighters to light the candles.

A BIG HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY TO RYAN!

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LEWIS!

Weekending, 9th October 2010

Bijilo Monkey Park

On Sunday we took Lynn off to Bijilo Monkey Park which is where we visited last October near to Senegambia. As we were walking down the road towards the park Abigail suddenly shouted monkey’s and as we looked in the trees there were loads off them just sat with their babies walking along the telegraph wires it looked as if they were heading for the park. We paid our entrance fee and then started walking it was nice to be shaded from the sun overhead. We reached the end of the track and headed back along the beach I was unaware that we were actually taking a different route back to last time which ran along the edge of the sand dunes. We eventually arrived at the seated area and a little further along we saw an abundance of Green Vervet Monkeys lazing around in nearby trees or grooming each other, unfortunately we didn’t see the Red Colobus Monkeys this time.

It's A Hard Life

On Monday we received a phone call from school saying Abigail was unwell again. I picked her and Bradley up as on seeing her I decided to take her off to Africmed. She was very unwilling to go as she just wanted to sleep and was scared about any needles. When we arrived at Africmed it was very busy people were sat outside on benches waiting their turn. Luckily there was a hospital bed up against one of the walls so I laid Abigail down whilst we waited to be seen. At one stage one of the male nurses showed some concern by checking her temperature it was showing 39.9 very hot. After another wait we were seen by another nurse who took details of her symptoms and did another temperature check. We then waited again to have some blood and urine tests done before actually seeing the doctor. Two and a half hours later we were called to see the doctor, although no malarial parasites had shown up in her blood he was confident that she had malaria so prescribed her a course of coartime as well as some amoxicillin for a chest infection. Once home Abigail went straight off to bed and slept for the rest of the day. On the evening I went off with Lynn to do my yoga class whilst there Paul experienced some funny yet concerning noises from Abigail she was feverish and delirious which resulted in her making animal noises. She spent the rest off the week off school on Tuesday I took the day off work, on Wednesday Paul looked after her and on Thursday I took her to school with me. She seemed okay however at about 11 o’clock she started to feel tired so I laid her down in the library to rest. On the afternoon Abigail was in a fighting mood with Bradley mainly because she was so tired an early night was called for. By Friday she was back to normal and able to take a dip in the pool at safari garden. She does look very skinny after her illness as she had no appetite to eat anything all week.

Marielle's Welcome Back Party

On Saturday evening Max held a welcome party for Marielle who arrived back last night for a weeks holiday. It was nice to see her again and catch up with her life back in the Netherlands. She produced some little presents for us all, hello kitty purse and watch for Abigail, colouring book and felt tips for Bradley, a football lolly for Paul, clogs fridge magnet and waffle biscuits which were yummy and reluctantly I had to share them with the family for me. Max as usual gave us all a supper party with plenty of good food and drink. He had also invited a group of Cubans who put on some salsa music so they were up dancing it was great to watch them move. Jane is good at salsa dancing so her and max were also up having a boogie. Abigail started to get tired around 8 o’clock so she laid down on Max’s bed and fell asleep. Bradley was well up for a party and showing no signs of flagging so by 10.30pm we decided to make a move for home. We later found out the party went on until 5am Max having crashed out on the bed whilst others carried on partying.

Weekending, 2nd October 2010

On Monday Bradley woke up ill yet again he had had a restless night with high temperature and cough. Paul was still off work so he took Bradley off to Africmed, after a long wait he was diagnosed with a chest infection and was put on a nebuliser to help with his breathing. He arrived home with the usual amoxicillin to clear up his chest infection.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Paul attended college for a meeting and the registering of the new students he is due back lecturing next week. He also found out that he has been getting underpaid since starting the college so he is due quite a bit of back pay. As for myself I am now back into the swing of school and enjoying teaching. Year one are still proving to be a problem for us so much that we now have Mr Ndoy the PE teacher sitting in the class with us. He is a very imposing character if you can imagine a six foot plus Senegalese man who doesn’t put up with any nonsense. However I still feel that we need another assistant to help with the less able children who are constantly calling out for assistance so you are getting pulled backwards and forwards. I am going home with a headache most days from their constant chattering.

On Thursday Abigail had her first day off school she was complaining of a stomach ache and sore throat, however she still went off to school on Friday feeling much better.

On Friday we had a surprise visit from Alpha so Paul decided to take him to some other company’s to try to get them involved with their cultural centre in Kanuma. As we were eating lunch Lynn arrived home so we introduced her to Alpha and then she joined us. Alpha showed us his latest batik work and Lynn decided to buy a couple off him as she is very much into art. Once Alpha had left for home we quickly changed and went to Safari Garden as Paul has been asked by one of the Ugandan VSO recruits also called Paul to teach him how to swim. By the end of the day Paul was actually able to swim the length of the pool although his technique needed improving we were really pleased with how well he had done.

On Saturday we walked to Kariba shopping centre and then spent the rest of the day in the compound. Paul helped me with some lesson plans so we sat outside in the shade. The weather this week has been so hot with high humidity levels this has resulted in three showers a day for me and the kids and the fact that the electricity is off is only adding to our misery as we are unable to put on a fan. It has also resulted in a couple of toadstools sprouting up out of the wood near the sink over night.

Weekending, 25th September 2010

Teo's Birthday Party

On Sunday we were invited to Teo’s 7th birthday party at Cape Point Beach. Jenny had asked us to meet at the house and then we would walk round to the beach. We arrived at the house just after 2 o’clock and Paul helped Jenny load up the car as Mick is still in the UK and will be arriving back tomorrow. We gave Teo his present which was a large water blaster he was pleased and went off to fill it up with water to give it a try. It had three nozzles so we all got caught with some of the water. Whilst Jenny drove around in the car to the beach we set off walking with Teo, Mia and a few Gambian kids who had turned up. We helped unload the car and found a spot under one of the beach umbrellas. As we were getting the barbeque lit one of the staff from Calypso said we would have to move as the umbrellas were for customers only. It was a bit annoying as there were no customers as it was out of season and Jenny remarked about all the money she usually spends in Calypso’s. We moved further along the beach and the barbeque was lit. A few more children turned up then Mick and Jenny’s boss Peter and finally a young lad called Daniel who is helping them with their project. The Gambian children stripped off to go in the sea whilst Abigail, Bradley, Teo and Mia started to build a giant sandcastle. Jenny handed out some beers and then set about putting beef sausages on the barbeque for the Gambians and then pork for the rest. I helped making hotdog sandwich’s once they were cooked and handed them around with the ketchup and salad. This was followed by watermelon, popcorn and peanut brittle. After lunch we decided to all go for a dip in the sea with the Gambian children. They ended up hanging off us and splashing water at us, one little girl called Fenda at one point was going a bit too far in and Jenny had to rescue her. We then went back up for some birthday cake. Jenny put the candles on and tried to light it in our tent which we had brought. This would have been okay however all the Gambian kids decided to push there way in as they wanted to blow the candles out themselves. We eventually got them back out to the entrance so Teo could blow his candles out. We ate the cake and chatted for a while before packing everything back in the car as it was now nearly 7 o’clock. We set off walking back to Jenny’s were we unpacked the car and then she took us home.

Mia & Teo

Fenda Complete With Juju Around Her Waist

Jenny Dishing Out Watermelon

Water, Water Everywhere

On Monday I had my worst day ever, on entering year one class the floor was covered in food the children had had their break in the classroom due to it raining outside. We then had to wait for the cleaner to sweep up all the rubbish so sent the children outside as it had now stopped raining. This resulted in the lesson starting fifteen minutes late, we eventually got the children back into the classroom and Aunty Ken started the lesson. The children were still hyper and Aunty Ken was having trouble controlling them I was glad when it was 1 o’clock and I could go home however on entering the house I was in for a nasty shock. As I opened the door I could hear running water, on investigating I found the kitchen tap turned on with the plug still in, water had spilled out over the sink and onto the floor. This wouldn’t have been so bad only it had been running all morning so the water was nearly up to the second step and my knees. I could have cried I’d had such a bad day at school so this just topped it off. I quickly got into the water, sod my trousers and started to bail out the water with a bucket into the sink. Paul arrived with Bradley to the shock that it was him who had left the tap running he quickly started to help out. Two hours later after sorting through food which had also been damaged we left the room and cupboards to dry out.

Naming Ceremony

On Wednesday when I arrived home from school the compound was full of people as Aunty Lucy is having a naming ceremony for her nephews baby. At the back of the compound women were busy preparing the food in huge pots and over open fires of lighted wood. I asked if I could take some photos of the cooking and they showed me what they were making, benechin, yassa, dumplings and rice pudding. They all had there own jobs to do one was stirring the benechin with the biggest wooden spoon I’ve ever seen about the size of a boat oar. Another was taking the chicken out of a pan with a holed ladle the size of a dinner plate. I took some photos and then went for Abigail and Bradley. When we got back I sat on Lynn’s porch chatting to Tessa as she has had to come down from Bassa to do her resident permit. Whilst sat there Paul arrived home followed by Lynn. We sat discussing work as Lynn is finding it hard to find things to do at work. We had a good laugh as she explained what it is like in her office and how she keeps asking for a little project to do. Whilst sat there Abigail and Bradley were busy playing with a couple of children who were with the naming ceremony guests, and Tessa had a little girl who joined us and decided to sit on her knee. Aunty Lucy then sent one of the women over with bags of doughnuts and a bowls of benechin for us all, the benechin was gorgeous although I have the recipe it never tastes the same.

Adding Abergines To The Benechin

Taking The Chicken Yassa Out Of The Pot

Saturday was cleaning day and it proved to be a very hot and sweaty day. After lunch we decided to have a couple of hours on the beach. The water was lovely and the children played with their body boards in the surf. We were back home for 6 o’clock and ready for our dinner of pizza, salad followed by the yummiest water melon as they are now in season. The mango season has been a bit disappointing this year as when we have cut into them they have been bad so we have given up buying them or picking them from the tree.

Weekending, 18th September 2010

First Day Back At School

Monday was my first day back at work I arrived on time and then spent the next four hours looking for something to do. The teachers had not been issued with a lesson rota so they just sat chatting whilst the children got disruptive, no wonder they must have been so bored. I ended up sorting out the children’s exercise books by writing their names and class subjects on the front cover. I then went into year 1 and did the same anything to keep myself busy. A new English teacher has started called Rosemary, she is a retired secondary teacher who now lives out here and is running a hotel business. Due to business being poor this year she needed to get an income so decided to go back into teaching for a while.

On Tuesday morning the school rotas were issued, I will be working with Aunty Ken who is the sister of Mary who owns the school. We will be covering year two and year one or grande section as they have been called. As for Rosemary she is working alongside Mr Jadama who I was with last year. I spent the day very much as yesterday trying to keep busy.

On Wednesday after two boring days the teachers finally started to actually teach some of their subjects. Some of the pupils were still absent from school however over the coarse of the week they started to turn up. I spent my first lesson in year one with Aunty Ken gosh have we got a job to do. The class has about twenty two children who are aged about five years old and it became obvious from the start that they are a very disruptive group.

On the afternoon we took Lynn to Wishes Gift Shop. Whilst Paul and the children looked for a present for Teo we went to have a look around upstairs. It is like Aladdin’s cave full of lovely vases, candles and wooden mirrors. We then did some shopping in Kariba before setting off for home. We decided to walk via the path way at Palma Rima. The fields on either side were very flooded with water due to all the rain we have been having for September. When we arrived at Kotu bridge the mud flats were free from the stream and looked quite dry so we decided to take a shortcut across to the golf course. It soon became apparent that it wasn’t as dry as we thought so we ended up with very sticky, squelchy shoes and feet. Lynn didn’t seem bothered I think she now knows what Paul’s walks are like so once home we quickly washed our feet under the outside tap.

On Thursday it was the children’s first day back at Zenith. They were both a bit grumpy about going however Paul took them off whilst I went to Diana Mariam. When I picked Abigail up she said she had done nothing all day so was very bored and didn’t want to go in on Friday. On the afternoon me and Lynn had a treat we went off to take a look around Coco Ocean Hotel at Senegambia. The hotel is one of the poshest in the Gambia and very Moroccan in appearance with white washed walls and outside gardens. We took a taxi to the entrance where we walked down a short driveway and through security into the grounds. There were lots of pathways leading off in different directions with lush vegetation of fruit trees dotted about the grounds. We arrived at the reception and Lynn enquired about looking at some rooms as her sister and husband are looking to come over in February. The receptionist took us by golf buggy around the resort to look at a couple of the rooms. The rooms were very luxurious with sea views one of which had a huge covered terrace area with wicker settees. He then dropped us off outside the hotel spa. We entered the spa and were greeted by a small Asian lady, we enquired about treatments and prices. The lady gave us a brochure and directed us to a seated area beside a plunge pool and then offered us something to drink. On enquiring about the hair salon we were told the hairdresser was off and would be back next week however we were given another brochure to look at. I was surprised at the prices of the treatments very reasonable compared to the UK. As for the salon the highlights were cheaper than what Sewell charges at Yok Hair Salon so I might just treat myself before Christmas.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICHELLE!

On Saturday I had to attend a workshop at the school to do with lesson planning. As usual it was supposed to be 9 o’clock start however we didn’t start until thirty minutes later and there were still a couple who turned up late. Aunty Ken explained the format we would be using in the primary section and the importance of having some visual aids for the children. We then saw a lesson plan which Mr Touray uses in reception it was agreed that this would be trialled by the other reception teachers. We broke for breakfast for fifteen minutes and were provided with bread, beef luncheon meat and tea. After break we were split up into groups and had to devise our own lesson plan around one of the subjects, our group chose English comprehension. Each group then had to present their lesson plan to the others. Aunty Alberta ended up teaching us an actual nursery Maths lesson instead of the lesson plan. At 1 o’clock the workshop came to a close much to my relief I felt we could have completed the workshop in half the time if only some of the teachers hadn’t waffled on about how they teach.