Road trip

John and I have just driven from Francistown in northern Botswana, 1300 kms through to Windhoek in central Namibia ... and it was fantastic. In a few short weeks we will be leaving Africa so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to enjoy the fabulous scenery once more. The drive was a lot less taxing than I remembered from when we did it 3 years ago.

Courtesy of Danielle and my trusty Ali-Pod, I listened to 'Confessions of an Economic Hitman' for much of the journey ... VERY interesting book - looking forward to finishing that on the way home. It talks about all the nefarious goings-on at the World Bank and other Bretton Woods organisations - gives me all sorts of new things to think about. I had time to listen to some great toons too!

Windhoek is a lovely as ever ... even though I haven't lived here for 3 years, I'm going to miss this place. We are staying at the Windhoek Country Club - and it's pretty good! I have many happy memories of Sunday afternoons spent by the Lazy River here when Boot was a wee boy... and great meals we had in the Chez Wou Chinese restaurant. The winter light on the Auas Mountains is as beautiful as ever. I shall be sad to leave. Also managed to catch up with a few friends - which is always a good thing.

We'll be going back to Botswana by the end of the week and then I'm returning to Honiara next week ... more airmiles!

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from ...

...Mars! I just got a really exciting message saying Mars is going to be spectacularly close to earth in August - from a friend not known for her frivolity. I was just about to share it with you all because I thought it was pretty cool - when I decided to check it out.

unfortunately - it's 6 years old and was true only in 2003!

if you get messages like this and want to check your facts before you forward them (please) then try
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/mars-earth-close.html

You'll get the full story if you follow the link

shame - I was looking forward to it.

hectic, hectic, hectic

Packing, selling stuff, writing reports, finishing projects, planning to go to Honiara, getting medicals ... it's all go here. We are driving to Namibia today - have to take the cars back to sell them, but then we need a car here ... hmm ... conundrum! We also have to clear out our huge garage in Windhoek as we left it full of stuff we thought we would need when we went back!

I'm due to go to Honiara next week and will be away till mid-August. In that time, John has to get rid of all our electrical equipment (which won't work in Canada), organise the move, visit his gran, see his doctor in Cape Town, drive to Windhoek again, close bank accounts, get medical records, find a new home for the maid - and possibly for the dogs as we might not take them with us - very upsetting :-( I think I'd rather be me than him! He's in court right now, trying to post bail for a Zimbabwean guy who works for us and got caught up in a work permit scam at the local Immigration office. It's fun in Africa!

Was hoping to see Sharon in Windhoek but have just spoken to her in Tuscany where she is on a family holiday with ben and laurence! but I will see Rachel and Jacquie - looking forward to that.

Better go - things to do and I have one more cool thing to share with you in the next post.

Way to go Sally!

My friend Sally (single mum, 2 teenage daughters, gave up a lifelong career in FCO to go to university and study social work) has just told me that she's completed her second year at Bangor Uni and is on track for a first class honours degree!

I just want to acknowledge the great achievement of this remarkable woman and say - well done ... so you're only blonde on the outside Sal :-)

Sally's news led me to thinking about my own rather pathetic 2.ii gained (dare I say it) nearly 30 years ago. The older I get, the more I think that education is wasted on the young. I went into university thinking that I could get a 2.ii .. and hey, guess what - that's what I got. There are a few youngsters who are dedicated and focused (like Laurence, thankfully) but most of us just went to uni to have a good time and coming out with a degree was a bit of a by-product. Yes, we worked ... but not with the drive and determination that people like Sally have.

Big hand clap for Sally - bravissimo!