Crocodile

Today we made enquiries about visiting Jinack Island which is just across the river Gambia on the north bank, we were told to call at Calypso bar which is at Cape Point. We took the car and arrived at the bar where we made arrangements to stay at the Island for New Years evening. Whilst Paul was making the arrangements myself and the children looked around the little lagoon watching the fish darting in and out of the rocks, Abigail then pointed to the other side and sat on the grass bank there was a small crocodile. The lagoon is the same one we walked to from the Sand Plover and is feet away from the beach and sea as you can see from the picture.

Where the guy is walking is actually the beach!

Pirang Forest

After a couple of days spent close to home we decided to visit another forest situated at Pirang which is further on passed Brikama. Tom had decided to enjoy the trip with us leaving Lynne behind with back problems. We arrived early however did have some difficulty finding the track from the road as usual in Africa not sign posted for Pirang Forest. After quick directions from a local in a long coat bearing in mind this is the winter season to them we were in shorts and t-shirts we came of road and headed off down a track eventually arriving at a building which was the start of the forest. We set off walking along a well used track through some forest which then opened out into fields which the locals were busy working in. We were welcomed by them to take a look and could see healthy plants of Aubergine and bitter tomatoes growing. Tom and Paul decided that to visit the forest we would have to go off track and into the undergrowth so we jumped over a low wire fence and found a used single track. The track twisted and turned amongst the trees and bushes Tom occasionally placed an arrow on the floor so we knew which way we had come. As we were trying to find another path as ours had come to a dead end we noticed some locals so picked our way through and found a good path which came out to more vegetable fields. I watched one young girl bringing up water for the fields from a well by a bucket tied with string. We went back in the forest and bumped into three teenage boys all carrying machetes and asked them which way to the river, they decided to guide us there. After a good thirty minutes and crossing mangrove swamps we came into view of the river bank, Bradley had managed to get a carry most of the way by one of the young boys. We then turned back towards the car along a well used village track which took us through fields on either side and village compounds as well as the odd goat on route looking for a meal. Finally at the car we thanked the boys handing them some oranges and biscuits as well as a small tip.

The River Gambia

Boxing Day

Boxing day morning was spent Skyeping home to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and then the rest of the day was spent in the compound allowing the children some time to play with their toys. Tom and Lynne spent some time showing the children how to play with their plastic petanque set whilst they used their professional set (unknown to us at this point Tom had played for the UK) Abigail enjoyed the game especially when I joined in and we won a set against Lynne and Bradley. Paul during this time had been sat watching he then played against Tom and lost, then he challenged me and was winning 7 to 0 only to have me bounce back and win 13 to 7 much to his annoyance. Tom then showed me some skills with the balls and I did feel as if I had a very good throw and was really enjoying the game. I then went to prepare dinner as we have invited Tom and Lynne over for a roast chicken dinner with sprouts woo hoo followed by apple eves pudding and custard which Tom appreciated as he has a sweet tooth. After the children were in bed we shared a bottle of wine and some pleasant conversation with them.

Christmas Day

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIRSTY & JACK

At 6.30 we waited for the children to wake up finally at around 7.00pm Abigail woke up followed by a very tired Bradley however they were very excited to see their stockings full of presents from Santa. They carried them through to our bedroom where they then started unwrapping them, Abigail slowly taking of the paper and Bradley tearing and ripping the paper to get at the present inside. We then ate pancakes for breakfast before changing and sitting down to open the presents which were under the tree. The first thing they noticed were the body boards which we had placed under the settee, they quickly pulled them out and practised balancing on them. We managed to open a number of presents stopping to play with the Kid Knex and Polly Pocket presents before Tom and Lynne arrived with a couple of presents. Abigail and Bradley opened their present which was a set of Petanque balls Tom and Lynne both play this game so suggested a game later. They also gave me and Paul a picture of the compound opposite to them at Basse which Tom had drawn I must say I was very impressed with his drawing skills it will be a nice memory of our time spent in Gambia to take back home. After they had left we continued opening our presents Paul was pleased with his Gambian flag string vest as you can tell from the photo, I was pleased with the local sparkly shoes Paul had bought me. With all the presents under the tree open we told the children there were other presents outside for them to find They quickly put on their shoes and went outside to look Abigail was the first to spy the bikes under one of the bushes with both of them pleased with their bikes they quickly climbed on for a ride around the compound. We had to make a quick adjustment to Abigail’s bike and move the stabilisers up of the floor with the view to taking them off all together later.

Barbie On The Beach

With the time approaching midday we quickly got together what we would be taking to the beach and set off, we were the first to arrive followed by Greg, Sukey and Andrew with the Barbie and beers. Paul set about digging a couple of holes then putting the beers, soft drinks and ice into them to keep cool, the one mistake he made was to then fill them back in so all afternoon we were hunting for the drinks. The Barbie was lit by not one not two but five men, whilst we waited for it to warm up we chatted as others arrived. The girls enjoyed a baileys moment which was such a luxury and enjoyed by us all whilst the boys were happy with their julbrew. Unfortunately the sea was quite rough so Abigail and Bradley didn’t get the chance to test out their body boards but were happy to be buried in the sand. Eventually with the food cooked we ate a variety of Barbie food and side dishes however it was a bit gritty from the sand which had been blown into the food.. We had planned to do some games however the time just flew and at 6.30pm we packed up for home loading everything into a taxi and the boot of our car.

How Many Men Does It Take To Light A BBQ

Bradley Guarding The Julbrew

Christmas Blues Brother

The Gang

Christmas Eve

This week has been a busy week for us preparing for Christmas and managing to fit in some sight seeing of the local area. On Monday we visited Serrekunda market with the intention to buy presents for Paul and he to buy for me we decided to set a sum of only £25. Arriving early we parked up and walked the rest of the way into the main market area and were soon looking amongst the stalls at shoes, shirts and flip flops. Two hours later we had both bought a number of items for each other so we made our way home.

On Tuesday we decided to visit Kabafita forest near to Brikama we set off nice and early however this was hindered when we were pulled over by the police as Paul had answered his phone whilst driving something he never does back in the UK but here the locals do it all the time, it seems one rule for the Gambians another for the Europeans. The officer wanted us to pay a fine of 2000 dalasi and had taken Paul’s papers I was adamant that if we were to pay a fine we were doing it at the police station where we would receive a receipt. There are too many corrupt people and until people decide to do this instead of giving lower figure backhanders there will always be some corruption within the country. An hour later we were no further forward and Paul was now out of the car talking to the police officer at this point I decided to phone the VSO Office, after speaking to Nuha he said he was on his way. I decided to walk the short distance to Wishes gift store to keep the children amused, two hours later Paul turned up saying he had been let off after a lot of grovelling by Nuha. Back on route we finally arrived at Brikama just before midday we ate a picnic lunch and then started walking into the forest area hoping to see some wildlife. After a two hour walk and not having seen anything we arrived at the craft market we quickly looked around as Bradley wanted to buy Abigail a key ring for Christmas we then walked back to the car and headed for home.

Wednesday morning was spent at La Parissienne for me and Bradley whilst Paul and Abigail took Tom and Lynne out to Kotu stream to do some bird spotting. We were all back home for lunch the bird spotting had been very successful Abigail was able to tick off in her book some different birds.

Thursday morning was spent food shopping and finishing off final preparations for tomorrow however it wasn’t the usual mad rush like back at home. On the evening we have been invited to Max’s for Christmas evening celebrations along with other volunteers. We decided to take the car and gave a lift to Tom, Lynne and Emma, and guess what we were stopped by the police yet again. Following the car in front we thought the officer had waved us on however we had been mistaken he was giving right of way to the left so he was complaining that we had nearly caused an accident. After a lot of talking, Paul biting his lip and Tom being told to shut up by a sixteen year old officer as he could be arrested for interfering we were finally back on our way. As we passed the Africell building they had displayed outside a huge Christmas tree and banners. We arrived at Max’s and were welcomed with the usual array of food for us all to enjoy. Not all the volunteers were there as some had gone home for Christmas or had family visiting so were spending the evening at some plush hotel. The food was delicious as usual and Max had managed to get his landlady to make beef domada which was so tender however the bowl could have fed an army, it was huge. Max had also invited some Gambian family’s including some young children one of which decided to play with Bradley’s bat and ball set to his annoyance he set about following her waiting for it to be put down. Angela managed to pull out Abigail’s loose tooth much to her pleasure as now the tooth fairy would also be visiting this evening. We left for home at 8.30pm the children quickly changed into their pj’s and we put a plate of snowman biscuits we had made and a carrot out for Santa and Rudolf then it was off to bed for two very tired children. Once a sleep we started to put the presents around the tree and fill the stockings before we finally made our way to bed.