Boat Trip

Feeling much better I made it on the boat we went up river and managed to see some crocodiles, baboons water bucks, dykes, and other antelopes grazing at the waters edge. We then turned to go down river, after a good thirty minutes we spotted four Hippopotami’s in the water up a head, the driver turned the engine off so we could sit and watch. They kept popping up from the water to take a breath so mostly submerged. I managed to get some photos but the sickness had returned so I decided to lay down and rest. We arrived back at the hotel two hours later and in time to have a drink before sitting down to dinner. I just craved a fruit salad to eat so passed all my dinner across to Paul. I decided to go off to bed hoping I would feel better in the morning and annoyed that I had missed most of the day.

A Very Long Day

This morning we were up at 5 o’clock as we were going on our trek into Senegal to the Nickola Koba National Park. Our taxi arrived and we set off to Barra ferry dropping John off on route in Banjul. We bought our ferry tickets and then met up with Marielle and her sister Heleen who would be accompanying us on the trip. Francis arrived with our tour guide who just happened to be the same guy who took us to Fatala game reserve. Once across the ferry Francis took us to our land rover jeep and we were introduced to our driver. We climbed in and headed straight to the petrol station to fill up the tank the deal was we brought it back full. As the tank was filling Francis and the guys from the station were looking underneath Paul got out and quickly asked us all to get out and move away as petrol was spilling onto the floor. They finally found a small hole at the top of the tank where the petrol had overflowed. My thoughts were not again however once the tank had got below the hole it was okay so we were finally on our way to Farafeni where we were to pick up one of the new volunteers Kanti. On route Paul received a call from Kanti to say she had still not got across the river so we decided to drive to the ferry at Bambatenda putting an extra forty minutes onto our time. Back in Farafeni Paul then took Kanti to get some CFA as she had not yet purchased any Senegalese currency. Marielle, Heleen and the guides went looking for some breakfast. Myself and the children watched the luggage and as usual became the centre of attention with the Gambian children and locals trying to sell us boiled eggs, cashew nuts, peanuts or asking for pens or minty’s from us.

Heleen, Marielle's sister

Bambetenda Ferry Port

Back on route we had wanted to head straight to the Senegalese border after Farafeni however Francis was unsure on what state the road would be in so suggested we stay in Gambia until reaching Basse and cross at the border there. This meant crossing back to the south side at Bansang. The road up to now had been very good but we new it wouldn’t last forever as we left the tarmac behind replacing it for dusty red sand. This felt more like the Africa you see on TV as we passed little African thatched hut villages. We reached the ferry at Bansang at around 1 o’clock in the afternoon. The ferry was only big enough for two vehicles and was pulled across by hand to the other side. Once on the other side we picked up the south road which was very bad, although tarmac we had to manoeuvre on and off road to miss the potholes.

Bansang Ferry Crossing

We reached Basse at around 3 o’clock it was much larger than I thought with plenty of stalls and shops, asking directions we drove along a dirt track to the border post where passports were stamped. We then had to get them stamped again once at the Senegalese border post which was in the town of Badiara. We crossed a tributary of the river Gambia again and asked a police officer for the distance and directions to Tambacounda which is the third largest city within Senegal. After explaining where we were going he told us to take a shorter route to the village of Missira. We decided to go for it as time was against us it was already past 5 o’clock and the game reserve gates close at 6.30pm. We took the route shown and headed down a dirt track through small villages. After thrity minutes we stopped to ask directions and were told we had missed our turning so we had to turn back. Eventually asking directions again we were put on the right track. With hopes dashed of reaching the park before closing we decided to head for another camp at Missira. As night time was drawing in we were driving down a one vehicle track in the middle of no where over very rough ground and having to occasionally duck to avoid getting hit by branches. By 7.30pm as we passed through a couple of villages I was starting to get a little concerned, if anything happens to the vehicle now we would be stuck. All I was thinking was It’s a good job Gambia and Senegal are both safe countries as the thought of bandits did cross my mind. By now the children had managed to fall a sleep. As we entered the outskirts of Missira village up ahead we could see lights which belonged to a camp. We were so pleased to be at the camp, we asked if they had any rooms and were given the answer we did not want to hear No. We had no option but to continue on to the next camp. Finally finding the main tarmac road and heading towards the game reserve we passed a sign for a camp 35 kilometres off track, we took the decision to stay on the main road and head for Dar Salam camp at the reserve gates. This turned out to be the right decision as they had rooms available. It was now 10 o’clock in the evening. We quickly settled the children down then had a quick lager before retiring ourselves after a very tiring sixteen hours on the road.

End Of Term Party

This week at school we have had some fun activities for the children at Diana Mariam on Monday they had a game of football for girls and boys. Then on Tuesday we held an end of term party. The children arrived dressed in their traditional or party clothes. Mr Conateh brought in a hifi system and some cd’s and started playing some very catchy Gambian music. The children here love their music and took no time getting up to dance on the platform area. A model contest was then held for the girls and boys so they were strutting their stuff to the music as if on a catwalk. At break the children produced different Gambian dishes of which I managed to try some. The school closed early at 1 o ‘clock with parents arriving to pick them up.

My favourite year 1 pupils the brightest at the back Fatou in blue and white western dress, in front Nina, Sarah, Fatomatta and tiny Isatou who often comes over for a cuddle from me, plus year 3 girls.

At the back in year 1 Sheriff dressed in gold, in front Momadou in light blue, Abdoulie in western clothes and Omadi in brown, plus year 2 and 3 boys.

On Wednesday it was parents open day for Zenith and Diana Mariam, Paul went to speak to Abigail and Bradley’s teachers whilst I went off to Diana Mariam to help out there. At midday Paul then dropped off Abigail and Bradley with me so he could go to work. They amused themselves drawing or playing on the swings and trampoline. By 2 o’clock most parents had been to pick up their child’s report so we ate a communal bowl of benechin before we left for home and the Easter break.

Casino Fatale, Murder Mystery Night

This evening as a farewell party to Sukey, Gregg and Andrew a murder mystery party was held at Gregg’s compound. The host was Amy who would be making sure everything ran smoothly. We had all been given our character names and roles prior to the party. My name was Eva Goodbody (I wish) and I was acting as a freelance reporter. Paul’s name was Matt Bond the names Bond, debonair, devilish and disgustingly handsome. His character was as a shipping agent who was a bit of a womaniser. Some of the other characters consisted of a poet, ex army bodyguard, jewellery designer, countess, lord, business man, croupier, police detective, racing driver, dancer and scientist. We arrived for 6.30pm and were given an envelope by our host Amy. Within the envelope were chips and extra details about our character and what our mission was for the evening and we were told it was top secret and not to be shown to anyone. This is when I discovered I was really an undercover CIA agent, I was also given information that Matt Bond was really and undercover British agent. We both read our character instructions and then waited for others to arrive. Sukey and Gregg were already in character, Sukey was a young starlet and dancer at the casino and was wearing a black wig and speaking in a French accent. Gregg was an ex racing driver come celebrity and had shaved the top of his head so he had a bald spot, grown a moustache and he was smoking a cigar. Rachael was an award winning scientist so she had come dressed up in a 30 dalasi black dress with hair pinned up. Felix and Georgia arrived, Felix was a poet so had a twirly moustache and a beret. Georgia was his army bodyguard so had donned green army clothes and cap. Mariella arrived and changed into character as a Swedish tourist donning a black wig. Unfortunately her part had to be changed as Max had cancelled and his part needed to be in the game so Mariella became a business man in drag. Last to arrive was Courtney and Paul, Courtney was Countess Deville and had a black dress and wide brimmed floppy hat. With all guests having arrived at Casino Fatale the host gave us our instructions and the game began. We had thirty minutes to talk to as many people as possible to find out clues relating to our character instructions, mine was to find out who Mr X was, get information from Matt Bond as to why he was really here and stop the scientist from selling nuclear plans to someone. I first thought I had better corner Rachael the scientist trying to get her to agree to sell me the plans unfortunately she wasn’t having any of it. The host then announced the auction which was taking place, so Katie started to get bids in for a poem from the poet, diamond necklace and drinks with the countess. We got into the swing of it Paul being the womaniser was bidding for a drink with the countess. The host then informed a murder had taken place this was the casino manager and actually one of the people I was supposed to speak to who had been missing from the party all evening. We broke up to eat some chilli con carne and jacket potatoes, Abigail and Bradley were busy amusing themselves with their Nintendo games however they did keep on disturbing me asking for drinks and nibbles which was frustrating. We continued on with the game with more murders taking place, I finally managed to persuade the scientist to sell me the plans, only then to be told my life was in danger. I was cornered at one point by the poet (Mr X) which was when Amy handed me a piece of paper telling me to dispose of him as soon as possible. I new I had a gun in my envelope so with the game of hands, paper, scissors (which decided who would be killed) I won so the poet was shot. The evening came to a close after the diamond necklace was stolen more murders were committed and the detectives held interviews with guests, very far fetched. We were then told by our host who had killed the casino manager and who everyone really was. We woke Abigail and Bradley up having put them to bed earlier on to go home.

Rachael, Gregg, Mariella & Sukey

Georgia & Felix

Emma & John

Katie

Mama's Restaurant

On the evening as an extra birthday treat we had a meal out at Mama’s restaurant as requested by Bradley, I think he chose it because of the African animal theme.

Sheriff's Fairytale Mansion

Abigail and Bradley have both been very bored this week, due to them having exams last week the teachers have spent this week writing their reports this has meant that they have not been taught anything all week. The same has happened at Diana Mariam, however at least the children were given some games and pictures to colour to keep them occupied. Also on Monday and Wednesday the Diana Mariam children were taken to a pool to swim, I accompanied them on both days managing to get a dip in the pool myself on the Wednesday. The pool is owned by Sheriff’s father one of the children in year 1. Sheriff was adopted from a poor family and as you can see from the photos it is very much a fairytale come true. We all jumped in a couple of cars and were taken along Atlantic road passing the VSO office and stopped outside a large white gate where it was then opened by a security guard. As the gates were opened I was amazed the house was huge with many pillars and windows, and set in a large garden area. We walked along a path at the side of the house to the pool which was set out on a balcony overlooking the sea with its own flight of stairs to the beach. The children were quick to get in the pool and all seemed to enjoy themselves. I took a few photos then joined them, as soon as I did they were all around me wanting to splash me or hold onto me. Sarah the little Lebanese girl from year 1 could swim so we both climbed into the deep pool to enjoy a couple of lengths swimming together. When the children had to get out of the pool it was a mad scramble trying to find their clothes before returning back to the school for the boys then to have a turn at the pool.

Aunty Alberta

Year 2 & 3 Girls

Sarah & Kumba Year 1

Sports Day

Then on Friday we held a sports day event which I thoroughly enjoyed much better than Abigail’s back in October. All the children were in coloured houses, red, green, yellow and blue. I was placed in the red house along with Mr Conateh. From the start the teachers and children seemed very competitive running around shouting their team colour. The children were given Rambo house coloured head ties and then we all seated ourselves around the grassed area to await the events. Aunty Alberta had organised all the events catering for the reception and primary sections. The first event was for the reception children they had to get as many bricks in a basket as possible and then run to the finish line. The event was quickly won by the red house with more bricks than the others. This was followed by threading beads onto a string of which we came second. Then sorting out blocks into house colours, within this event two houses were disqualified for not sorting them correctly so again we took first place. We then entered the bursting a balloon running race. The children had to burst a balloon between their hands then run to the finish line. As the whistle was blown for the girls to start our team just stood there so we ended up being disqualified. Unfortunately the same happened with the boys hence we lost some valuable points knocking us off top spot.

It was then time for the primary section the first event was a potato basket race. The potatoes were positioned at various stages of the track and they had to pick all three up one at a time and place them in the basket then run to the finish line. Fatou for the girls and Sheriff for the boys both won for the red team. These were then followed by a filling bottles with water event then running to the finish line, passing water along a line of children with cupped hands to a bucket event, hanging out washing race, lime and spoon race, and picking up a lime in your mouth with hands tied behind your back race. As we were nearing the end of the day the red and blue house were competing for first position. The next event was the tug of war event each team competed until a knock out was reached and overall team winner. We first competed against the green team winning easily and then won overall against the blue team taking first, the red house were so excited as we were now back in the lead. As the last event one legged race finished with us taking second place we thought we must be overall winners for the day and were all cheering. Unfortunately due to us falling down in the one legged race we were disqualified so we ended up taking second position two points behind the blue team. Mr Conateh was quite upset by this result asking for a rematch event. However all the children seemed to enjoy the day with everyone getting into the fun aspect including myself who at first thought Oh No when teachers were running around shouting however by the end of the day I was doing the same, cheering on our red team Brilliant day.

Fatou

Sheriff

James, Sheriff, Awa & Fatou