Animals and People

I have decided to update the blog every Tuesday, it is easier that way and you then know when to check it, for those of you still reading (hello Mum!).

 

So this week, well Pam had to work Sunday due to an argument between the government and the college of medicine that has resulted in all consultants striking out of hours. The registrars have agreed amongst themselves to cover it to support each other. Unfortunately it was an horrific shift with several deaths. She is having to come to terms with the mortality rate and not necessarily being able to help those she might have been able to back in the UK.  But she is still enjoying it and is glad of the experience.

 

My work is plodding along with various office politics as with any job. Also I have to produce the budget for next year’s spending by the end of next week. As for the book I have crashed through 80 thousand words. Hopefully someone will want to publish this one!

 

 

 

On a lighter note we went to one of the game reserves here. Above is the lovely people went with. So at the top is Chris who works in the hospital with Pam, them coming down the tree we have Pamela (architect who works with me) Thia (goes to Beehive nursery), Natalie and Claire (work at the children centre) and Helen (Children centre manager and Thia’s mum!)  It boasted lions and leopards and rhinos. We saw none. Although we did see elephants (one tried unsuccefully to hide behind a tree), hippos, water buffalo, and lots of deer type stuff. It was self drive as well, so I got to pretend to be in Top Gear Christmas Special with a 25 year old car. The Rav4 was great up and down the dips although we think we may need to change the tyres before the rainy season. Some tread would be nice!

 

Speaking of rainy season it appears to have come a month and a half too early. Hot and dry October hmmmmm. It started on Friday and has absolutely bucketed it down every afternoon since. And when I say rain I mean rain. It’s like standing in a shower with your clothes on. The lightning is pretty impressive that comes with it as well.

 

We also had our first night out. Doogles on Thursday night. It was a bit of an expat place with either lots of elder Europeans who have been here for years or students on year outs. The music was entertaining as well. It was interesting to hear a Malawian reggae band playing Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and UB40 all in the same set. We are undecided whether we shall be going this Thursday.

 Also washing machine has broken so all clothes are being washed by hand. But don’t worry we have the patented ‘Dawson double wringing’ technique!

 The insects just keep getting bigger and bigger. Ants the size of wasps, and flying too.

Here is a typical Malawian landscape as well. I am tempted to return to the same spot after the rainy season to see the difference....if I remember.

 

STATMAN

 

Number of geckos living in our house: 2

Sick days Pam has needed: 3 (she is not used to Malawian childrens germs)

Number of permissions slips I sign  each day: Around 25

Cakes baked: 0

Cakes eaten: 9

My gym sessions: 4 grrrr