Back in the desert 30.10.2009

Back in the desert.

Well I made it back to the desert after a very busy and short two weeks, in dear old Blighty.

The heat hit me like a blow dryer as I alighted from the little prop at Ups expanding airport. They are gearing up for an eagerly expected influx of tourists in 2010 and are expanding the airport by 50%.

In my 2 week absence the entire fascia has altered from a rather quaint and bumbling assortment of mismatched buildings to a disgusting concrete monster. Knowing Africa, I`m sure it has taken longer than two weeks to create this monster, but it has been under dusty

tarpaulines for months. In my opinion ..it looked far better before.

The flight from Heathrow was made more bearable by the three vacant seats by me and I was able to raise one of the arms and "stretch" my torso out, and weave my legs through the fixed arm of the next one, managing sporadic sleep . I had found in the recesses of my cupboard one of those blow up pillows that you strap around your neck.

I have often seen people wearing them on long haul flights and thought rather cruelly, that they must be rather precious...well these devices really do work...as long as you ensure that they are not overly blown up...as then you ricochet from every hard surface you attempt to rest against...so if you leave them slightly under blown, although they look extraordinary...they do work.

I would still have much preferred to have David and Taz sitting next to me as was planned. But Taz`s back is now so bad [she now has two prolapsed discs] that any thoughts of three weeks in the sun has had to be abandoned pending a recovery. But it WILL happen.

Poor David and Taz..they work incredibly hard and have not managed to get away at all this year,and are both in desperate need of relaxation time. Tazz`s enforced "rest" on the sofa at home, really does not qualify as a break, when every movement she makes has her in the most extreme agony. watching her sneezing was enough to make me weep in sympathy.

I missed out on seeing a number of people: Trudie, Adrienne, Kim, Loops ,Pam and Aunty,all very regrettable omissions.

But I did manage to catch Lucy and Quentin in London, whilst Jessie was tripping the light fantastic with her uni buddies the night of her graduation. Thank you both..what a wonderful evening.

And dear Marie, at last we caught up with one another, so good to see the wonderfully svelte you!!!!!

I finally managed to see Audrey, one of our neighbours in Newbury,what a joyous two hours,I spent in her company....and I hope that you are feeling better.

The "girlies"..fab night as always in your company. Viki what would I do without you? and the amazing Dotti...words fail me,you are a star.

Everything on the practical "To Do" list was accomplished...much to my amazement. Two new agents found and instructed for Beacon Cottage. And Tommy will be installing himself to "caretake" it pending new tenants being found.

Finns 21st:

We had a truly lovely family bash at QUAD in Oxford on Finns 21st..those of us who were over 30 [!!!!] disappeared after supper and left the others to carry on and party in Oxford. There were suitably sore heads the following day, and a very green Jessie struggled to concentrate on finding herself a car..but find a car she did,and proudly collected it last Thursday,she is now zipping around "Chi" [this is what I am instructed to call Chichester!] under her own steam.

Proud me with a 21 year old Finn..where have the years gone!

Tazzy,Finn and Tommy

Later that evening...without us!!!!!! I`m sure Jessie and Finn will not forgive me for posting this picture,but its so funny I had to run the risk of their fury. [please forgive me Jell and Finn]

Jessie graduation.

We had a wonderful day in London on Wednesday,my sister Jane joined us and the two of us looked on from a plush box ,up in the gods at the Royal Albert Hall as Jessie walked up onto the stage...a very proud moment.

Three new Doctors outside the Royal Albert Hall : Jess, Tash and Jessie.

Africa is HOT

Wow...the heat is extreme. Today..Saturday we are at 39 degrees... mercifully its a dry heat, and Bossy is as usual busy with the pool, which feels searingly cold, I braved a dip ..did a quick length and hopped out. I remember last year it feeling like bath water..perhaps in a few weeks it will have had time to warm up a little.

During my absence we have been given four goslings..they are very sweet, and consider Bossy and Moses as their Mummy and Daddy. Whenever they catch sight of either man, they race up to them and form a crocodile behind them, following in a wobbling line.

They have taken over the old cement watering hole in the corale in front of the swimming pool and spend their days here,at night ,one of their Mummies brings them into the garage where they overnight and from where they are removed to their watering hole, first thing in the morning.

Has anyone got any brilliant suggestions for names? I have thought of d`Artagnan,Athos,Porthos and Aramis...but its a bit of a mouth full..for the moment they respond very well to "Com Gansies", [pronounced with that soft "G"] which both of their "parents" shout at the top of their voices to call them in of an evening . Having chatted to Taz on Skype last night she has come up with the following : Fois. Gras. Pate & Truffle.

Little was very cross that I didn't return via Cape Town, and take him out for the weekend. Big spent last weekend with him and they sound as though they had a wonderful time, but it goes by so quickly and I know leaves Little wanting more. He breaks up for his long summer holiday on the 9th December, and I`m hoping that we shall spend a weekend with him before then.

Jessie is paying us a quick visit , she flies into UP next Sunday for a week of sunshine. Why?...because she can..and having completed too many hours on her first rotation at Chi, she has earned herself a week off ,before she starts her next rotation in orthopaedic surgery in December. Very exciting...she has chosen the cheap flying option with UAE, which involves a stop in Dubai..instead of my 18 hour round trip "door to door", hers will be around 30 hours....OUCH!!

Finally..huge thanks to everyone. I always return feeling fortunate to have the support of so many wonderful people back home.

Very special thanks to Sarah for her understanding and help.

Kisses on the lips to all.

DawnXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

PS. Its Bongo`s 1st birthday today, and he celebrated last night by finding my brand new leather pumps and demolishing one of them!..New Knickers and bras all intact so far!!!!!!