We were asked by the manager if we wanted to eat however they only had shrimps on the menu so no good for Abigail and Bradley, I think you probably have to book in advance. Before leaving we took a look at the lodges, they were situated between the mangroves and overlooking the river with there own little jetty. Although basic they looked very clean well worth a nights stay. They also do boat trips on the Bintang Bolon river and only last week they said they had some dolphins in the estuary. We walked out towards the village jetty hoping to find somewhere to eat our picnic lunch. Immediately we were surrounded by about twenty children all wanting to talk to us. They continued to follow us down a track passing a huge mound of empty oyster shells which then came to a dead end so we had to backtrack. They then offered to show us the crocodile pool so we followed them through the village to the pool which was practically dried up and had no sign of any crocodiles. As we headed back to the car I was greeted warmly by an elderly lady who offered me some groundnuts. Back at the car and leaving the locals at the restaurant gates we made our way back down the sand track stopping on route to eat our picnic lunch before heading back home. As we were driving the car didn’t seem to be driving as it should there seemed no acelarator I had visions of us breaking down in the middle of no where. As we entered Brikama Paul took the decision to stop off at Amy’s to let the engine cool down hoping it would do the trick. Amy wasn’t at home so we called in on Anne and had a coffee and chat with her until Amy arrived back. We got back on the road to head home, still the car was playing up it looks like another job for Molah our mechanic.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JULIE!

Pruning

On the morning Paul set about cutting out an orange tree which was growing in the middle of a plum tree for Aunty Lucy. When he had finished Abigail and Bradley were keen to climb the tree as it had some good branches and foot holds for them. After lunch (Domada supplied by Lucy) Paul took himself off to watch the rugby game England v Italy at Churchill’s whilst I took the children for an afternoon on the beach.

Recipe

For those who would like to try a Gambian local dish.

Beef Domada

Beef (or Chicken)
¼ Onion chopped
1 Garlic Clove crushed
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (Puree)
Fist size of Groundnuts (Jar Smooth Peanut Butter)
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Pinch Salt
Beef Stock cube
Rice

1. Fry the beef, onions and garlic until slightly browned.
2. Add the tomato paste, groundnuts and fry.

3. Add water, salt and pepper leave to boil.
4. Add the stock cube and simmer for about 1 hour until the meat is tender.
5. Serve with rice.

Denton to Tanji

We were up early eating a breakfast of porridge, Paul had arranged a walking trip with James as they are looking at walking the Gambia coast for charity. John had decided to accompany them some of the way as he didn’t think he was up to the distance they were hoping to cover. The plan today was to walk from Denton bridge to Tanji to check out the route. Within half an hour in to the walk they were faced with having to cross an estuary. Paul with rucksack held above his head went first the water proved to be up to his shoulders, James and John followed close behind. The walk was continued with wet clothes chaffing their legs until they dried in the heat from the sun. Whilst this was going on I was having a good spring clean of the house and washing all the bedding and clothes. I also had the carpenter turn up to fix the corridor roof yet again. This had collapsed after the electrician had been sorting out the electrics for Aunty Lucy it appears we have been on the same ring main as her. At around 11 o’clock John arrived home and told us of the morning events. He had left Paul and James at Senegambia and reckoned they should reach Tanji by about 2 o’clock as they were well a head of schedule. During the afternoon Aunty Lucy was having guests around so Abigail and Bradley were on their best behaviour they did receive a bottle of pop each from Aunty Lucy. By 4 o’clock Paul arrived home having really enjoyed the walk although it was hard for them walking on the sand.

Zenith Cross Country Race

After picking up Abigail and Bradley we went to La Parisienne to catch up on the internet. Mariella had the same idea and turned up shortly after us. The internet proved to be very quick so I was nearly finished when Paul arrived from college to collect Abigail and Bradley. They were competing in a cross country race today at the school so the plan was for Paul to get them changed and I would follow behind. We arrived at the school on time and witnessed the usual unorganised chaos as chairs were moved outside into the street for parents to sit in. By this time thirty minutes had been wasted and parents were still arriving with their children. Eventually the PE teacher rallied the first group to run. The children lined up including Bradley who had been looking forward to the races all week. The teacher set the group off running behind a rather large lady teacher around the block and back to the finish line. It wasn’t long before the group rounded the corner and Bradley was way out in front which he held taking first place. As for the teacher she was gasping for breath and looked as if she was going to keel over at any time. Bradley was given a set of coloured pencils and pencil sharpener as his prize. The second group lined up and Bradley decided he wanted to run again, this would have been a farer race for him as he is the oldest within his class. They set off round the block taking a much longer route, when they rounded the corner Bradley was in third position and sprinted to the finish line. We did make sure he didn’t go through the barriers to collect another prize. Abigail on the other hand had not been looking forward to her race, she reluctantly lined up and had a slow start. We watched as children from her group passed the finish line then we saw Abigail coming around the corner with a few older girls behind her. She did manage to take thirteenth place which wasn’t bad considering she was running against girls and boys aged nine. We stayed and watched the older children run finally leaving at 5.30pm.

This week has been a quiet week so far, Sunday was spent at home as we decided not to do our usual trip to the beach. We did get out the paddling pool for Abigail and Bradley to play in pulling it into the shade from the trees. I even managed to sit reading a book with my feet cooling off in the pool very relaxing.

On Wednesday Paul had set off to work his plan was to do some teacher observations on route. He had just got back on a Gelleh after completing one observation when he received a phone call from Ebrima to let him know to bring his car to the office as they were doing all VSO vehicle car taxes and would get his done at the same time. So he jumped of the Gelleh to get on another for his return trip home. Apparently here they have to test the vehicles they are taxing. Paul arrived at the office and he followed a couple of the VSO drivers to the station where this would take place. He was expecting the car to get the once over however a police officer checked over his documents then asked to see his breakdown triangle. He looked at this ignored the two VSO vehicles and passed all three cars through, what a joke of a test.

On Thursday Abigail went on her school trip, when she arrived home she was full of beans at least it had proved to be more interesting than Bradley’s school trip last week. Her day had consisted of a visit to Katchikali crocodile pool and museum and rounded off by a picnic on the beach.