Our flight home leaves at 8:30am and we land in England at 3:45pm, just in time for a cup of tea.
I think it is going to be cold and very strange!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Day 323 – Thursday 16th December 2010
Today we leave Zanzibar at lunchtime and frantically travel around Dar, picking up our bags and doing last minute shopping trips.
And then we will try and get some sleep!
Day 322 – Wednesday 15th December 2010
We planned to get an early start but got sidetracked with breakfast overlooking the city.
We did however get going on our cultural tour and shopping spree, and had great success, not getting lost and finding most of what we wanted. Everything is very small, apart from some of the fish in the market, but it is busy and fun.
However, it was over 36 degrees by 11am and we were exhausted.
We made a detour to the Cathedral, which has a rich and troubled history, to meet up with a friend of a friend from Tabora. The cathedral was built on the former slave market.
After a short break for lunch and little sleep we ventured out into the 
This evening we went to watch the sunset, but missed it, and enjoyed the sea view as the darkness roll in instead, and then had a high quality traditional meal.
We are feeling very sad that this holiday, and this adventure are soon but over.
Day 321 – Tuesday 14th December 2010
We woke nice and early and embarked on a large, leisurely breakfast. We are going to miss the plates of fresh tropical fruit.
Packing didn’t take too long and we had time for a quick dip in the ocean and some sun bathing pool side.
Just after 12pm our taxi arrived and we headed to Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital.
Awesome!
Our first impressions are a place full of life, rich cultures and adventure opportunities everywhere. This is exciting.
We got dropped a 5 minute walk from the hotel and made our way down tiny alleys and streets until we found our home for the next two nights, The Zanzibar Coffee House. It is a tiny coffee shop with 8 rooms above, full of character and charm.
We were treated to a wonderful iced coffee before we headed out to explore the town. I can’t think of words to describe it, and the photos can’t give you the smells and sounds as you weave in and out of narrow streets, but stunning comes close.
We spent most of the afternoon just pottering and getting lost before arriving back at our hotel for an evening drink on its roof terrace.
We had heard of some local music and dancing going on, and decided we would head along. Maybe we have been treated to exceptional standards in Tabora, but this was poor. We soon made our escape.
Our restaurant for dinner was wonderful; a small roof terrace overlooking the sea and the city, where we sat surrounded by 
It really is not tourist season.
Day 320 – Monday 13th December 2010
Today is our last full day at the beach and we intend to take full advantage of it by doing very little.
We had success in the morning.
We ventured along for breakfast, but then back to the room and sat outside in the sun reading our books.
Hot and getting peckish we wandered along for some lunch before another session of reading and doing nothing by the pool.
Armorel did however visit the spa at 4pm for a pedicure. I stayed by the pool drinking tea and eating cake.
For our last night we were given a treat.
The staff wanted to say a special thank you to us and so we had a private dinner outside our room overlooking the sea. We had our own chef, Andrew, cook us fresh lobster, kings prawns, calamari, octopus and a couple of fish. Delightful!
A perfect way to end!
Day 319 – Sunday 12th December 2010
I think it is even hotter today.
After another large breakfast we packed up a day bag and went for a short walk around to the next cove.
Again we seemed to have found a private beach, just us, the sun and hundreds of crabs skittering along.
We got caught up in our books and the beautiful surroundings and before we knew it the afternoon had arrived. My stomach needed some food.
With the tide now out we walked out to find the sea. The sand was too hot to walk on, and the sea was like a bath. How are we going to cope in a week’s time?
It is too hot to do anything, so after a small bite we sat by the pool until the sun started to set.
For dinner tonight the waiters placed us on the beach, with the stars and fireflies.
It is stunning!
Day 318 – Saturday 11th December 2010
The sky is clear this morning, not a cloud to be seen. That is good news as we are off for a day trip snorkelling and a picnic.
A hearty breakfast was had before we embarked upon a traditional dhow boat at 10am.
After a 30 minute motor against the tide we arrived at a small Indian Ocean reef. Just us, our guide and our boat.
WOW!
There are so many fish, and so many colours. As a nature geek I was fascinated by the different swimming techniques of the fish, Armorel not so much.
The next two hours we spent floating around this tropical oasis. Truly jaw dropping.
Exhausted but wanting to stay down for ever we climbed back into our boat and headed off for a picnic lunch.
We have our own private island with a huge spread of food, and china plates. (Armorel was very excited by this)
The afternoon soon disappeared as we slept, read and swam, before we left for the hotel, but this time sailing across the seas with a peaceful southerly wind.
And to finish off our majestic day we were treated to a private dinner on a deck above the ocean, where we enjoyed 4 courses of exquisite food.
A magnificent day!
Day 317 – Friday 10th December 2010
The sun has properly arrived. This is wonderful.
We spent the morning outside our room overlooking the sea, and doing very little, waiting for the tide to come back so we didn’t have to walk miles to go for a swim. 
With the extreme tides now on the change we were able to hit the sea in the early afternoon. We had a lovely little snorkel just off the beach in what felt like the bath.
To cool off you had to leave the sea and jump into the pool.
The day has just disappeared and we find ourselves enjoying an ocean view for dinner. Each night the waiters rearrange the tables and seat you somewhere different. You arrive for dinner; they consult their list and lead you to your table. Today we are poolside.
Day 316 – Thursday 9th December 2010
The sun has arrived!
We spent the morning by the pool. It is so hot that you can only cope with about 15 minutes before you need to submerse yourself.
After an early lunch we headed off for an adventure.
Canoe, snorkel and fins, and the Indian Ocean.
With these extreme tides we struggled to find some deep water. After 20 minutes paddling straight out to sea the water still only just covered Armorel’s waist.
We headed to a small island to explore. The water is so warm. After a complete trip around the island, we headed back with the tide to the hotel, stopping for the occasional fish or bird.
Tomorrow will be another day for snorkelling adventures.
Day 315 – Wednesday 8th December 2010
Unfortunately the sun has yet to realise that we are on holiday and has not yet arrived.
After a lovely, but large breakfast, we went for a little walk to the next cove. It is a new moon at the moment and so we are having extreme tides, with changes of about 200m. This meant you could in theory walk around the whole island. We settled just for one cove.
On our trek we did find an animal which has stumped me, a cross between a large rat and an anteater. I have no idea what it is?
We spent the rest of the day immersed in our books, and taking in the surroundings, with a quick afternoon swim in the Indian Ocean.
It was like a bath!
The sun is trying its best.
Day 314 – Tuesday 7th December 2010
We didn’t need the alarm as we were both awake. Maybe it was the rain that woke us or the 35 degree heat or maybe the fact that we needed to shed 18kg from our luggage for our flight to Zanzibar.
Luckily the hotel is going to look after a bag, so all non-essentials were re-packed.
We arrived at the small domestic terminal and had a very easy check in. We had managed to shed more than we thought and came in 8kg underweight. “More shopping” was Armorel’s immediate reaction.
Our tiny plane was a new experience for us both, and although cramped, was great fun. You get a truly wonderful view, though we can’t seem to see the sun.
Thirty minutes later and we are already there and getting picked up and taken onto the hotel.
It is stunning!
With the clouds still above we decided to explore the plot and the beach, with shell gathering already beginning. I have given Armorel a limit of 10!
We have spent the rest of the day swimming and reading before a wonderful candlelit dinner for two. However, we did struggle to see all the food as the candle was pretty dim.
Armorel was too scared to eat the octopus. It didn’t taste of too much.
Day 313 – Monday 6th December 2010
And there is still no power, so I am afraid all of you waiting for the blog will be waiting a while. Probably until we are back in the UK.
Our last day in Tabora.
It is a sad day, and we feel really strange. It isn’t helped by the downpours and grey skies. We spent the morning finishing off the packing, checking the weight and trying to give away lots of our things.
We had a slight panic when a rumour hit us that the plane had been cancelled. After a quick phone call to the boss the heart rates could descend. We have to check in at 2pm.
Wait....now its 1:30pm!
We load the car and head to the clinic to drop off the last of the gifts and hand the car back.
It really is hard to say goodbye. (Monika, our house lady and friend with Arms)
Armed with our small goodbye party of 2, the clinic is its busiest on Monday afternoons, we headed to the airport, where we met a few more friends wishing us a goodbye.
Our luggage was under the limit and we waited. Strangely they announced the plane would be early.
So at 3:30pm, half an hour early, we boarded. The tears had passed and we were filled with a strange emotion of ‘not knowing’. Not knowing the future, the next ste p, when we would return, what are we going to do?
And then we found out our plane was now taking a detour to Kigoma. Our 2 hours flight would now be 4 hours at the least.
Luckily we had managed to nab front row seats and had acres of leg room.
We arrived in Dar to an intense humidty and a power cut. Our hotel room was hotter than most saunas. We attempted to cool ourselves with a drink in the hotels car park and prayed for the power to return and the fans to work.
At about 9pm the power returned and we enjoyed hamburgers and chips. Amazing value at £1.30 each, and tasty too.
The alarm is set for 7am.
Day 312 – Sunday 5th December 2010
Our last service this morning and we will miss our quirky small church family. We treated them all to sodas and snacks after the service to say thank you. They have been a great support to us.
After a quick lunch, Armorel visited the clinic with Ruth to do her official handover, and we then visited our friends Emmanuel, Eliza and Gaby for a goodbye drink. It was a very sweet and kind goodbye, and yes it did involve apple juice.
They wanted us to do a short communion before we left and had bought expensive posh juice, which happened to be apple. I didn’t have a choice, though did pray the taste would be taken away.
On the way home we said goodbye to the shamba, which is looking impressive, and then home. There is still no power!
This evening we headed out for a goodbye meal at the Orion, which was very strange. Saying goodbye to people we don’t really know. There are very few expats left, and the longest serving apart from Ruth is 5 weeks. Very strange!
We are going to bed with very mixed feelings. How do we actually feel?
The thunder is rumbling.
Day 311 – Saturday 4th December 2010
This is going to be a long day!
Luckily we have power and it is not raining, though there are some very dark clouds.
8am sharp the ladies arrived armed with huge pans and food and were soon organised and on their way to creating a feast.
Armorel then disappeared to Noelina’s to help get her speech translated.
I then disappeared to my last football. As a goodbye we had bought them all a football shirt, which they wore with pride. It was a hot day and the football wasn’t much good, and my team got hammered. I will miss these boys!
We both got home around 12pm and set to work on decorations and being ready for 2pm.
What......Tanzanian’s arriving early? It is only 1:30pm.
We had a wonderful time, full of fun, laughter and emotional goodbyes. The staff organised dances, songs and even a sketch. It was just awesome.
For the rest of the day we did very little but drink tea in the dark. The power is off again!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Day 310 – Friday 3rd November 2010
The last day of work for Armorel.
We arrived to no power but luckily none was needed to announce and award the first nurse of the month. The initiative has really worked and all the nurses have got on board. We hope that it continues. Well Done Eliza!
I then jumped in the car and headed off to buy some stones. We spent the morning driving around to find the right ones and then shipped them back to the Shamba. These stones are the final pieces for the dam. It is such a shame that I won’t be here to see it finished, but it will be so exciting if it all works.
Armorel’s quiet morning was taken over by having to run the cardiac clinic as there was a bit of a doctor shortage.
Luckily after that interlude she was just able to enjoy herself, relax and be with the staff, which also included peeling over 100 potatoes. We also had to pop into the market to buy 100kg of rice and beans!
This evening Ruth came over for some dinner and we have been preparing for our leaving party tomorrow. We are having a joint leaving / Christmas party for the clinic staff.
The cooking team arrive at 8am tomorrow morning.
Day 309 – Thursday 2nd November 2010
Armorel started the day with her last training session for the nurses. This included a walking tour of the ward and its cupboards, so that all nurses now know where things are and how to use them. So if you need oxygen this is the place to come!
I spent the first few hours in the office but the power was soon gone. So I headed into town and bought 20 bags of cement, and then we headed up to the farm. The house now has completed windows and doors, and they are starting with the flooring. The next big project is finishing the water tank, which is why we need the cement.
The rest of the day was filled with doing bits and pieces.
We then rushed home and finished packing.
Most of our luggage has now been dropped off and is being shipped to Dar. It is both a relief to not have to worry, but a worry that it is our off our hands.
Tonight we had a wonderful dinner, full of laughter and fun with Lucas and Noelina. We are going to miss them so much. They have become really close, good friends. The reality of leaving is starting to hit home.
Me and my health insurance forms
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 308 – Wednesday 1st December 2010
And still no power, but at least water is being delivered this morning. However, we can’t pump it up from the well without power!
I went to the clinic this morning and did all the paperwork I could. The power was still off so I popped into town to do my list of jobs. The town was so busy. It is the first of the month so everyone has some money to spend.
The power eventually came on at 6pm!
This evening we had a goodbye meal with John, Joha and the kids. It was wonderful. They went to a lot of effort to host us at their house, and we had great fun. Especially when we introduced the kids to bubbles!
We will miss them!
Packing is nearly finished. A large amount of our stuff is being shipped to Dar tomorrow. It is getting very close now!
Day 307 – Tuesday 30th November 2010
It is still not on!
Bread and butter are losing its appeal.
Today is the last day of school. I arrive early to help finish off the student reports. It is so unorganised and the head is not the most gifted leader. He struggles to make any decision. Finally he decides that we will start the assembly at 11am.
The head talks for 1hr30 straight. All the students and staff stopped listening and drifted off. No mention of thanks for me. I don’t do it for that, but some acknowledgement would have been nice. Definitely been an experience.
After doing some more bits and bobs and a venture into town we headed home.
Still no power!
That is it; we are heading out for dinner!
Day 306 – Monday 29th November 2010
Our final week of work begins.
School continues to amuse me. Today the staff are having to write out class reports for all students in duplicate. I asked why they weren’t using a photocopy for the duplicates.
“We didn’t think of that!”
I then spent the rest of my school day waiting for them to finish so that I could add my comments. I shouldn’t have waited. I will try again tomorrow.
Armorel continued to hand over her work and preparing her new policy / guidelines folder. It is very impressive; we just hope it gets used.
Armorel then headed into town with Mama Ndugu to the internet cafe to help her on her course, and I went back to school to referee the final football game of our tournament. It was a hot and long game, needing extra time and penalties, which were won 1-0.
We have returned home to no power and no water. I really need a shower!
We have tried to pack in the dark and have given up with dinner. Who knows when power will return!
Day 305 – Sunday 28th November 2010
I am speaking this morning at church. Armorel is actually down on the rota but I have kindly stepped in. I have decided to move away from the title, in fact suggesting the title is wrong. Those wanting to have a theological argument, the title was ‘The hope of the lord is coming’. I argued it was and is here.
We spent the rest of the day trying to get organised and to continue the packing. We are making slow progress.
This evening we headed down to Jim and Margaret’s for dinner, though not with them as they left earlier today. Instead we were welcoming a new volunteer from Ireland.
It is now late and we both need some sleep.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Day 304 – Saturday 27th November 2010
It was an early start as Armorel and I headed into town for some early morning shopping. We are buying gifts for everyone and so ended up with 25 kangas for the clinic ladies, 45 buckets for all the clinic staff and 20 football shirts for my football boys.
Armorel was then clinic bound and I was off to football. It was very hot and luckily the boys decided we would play using one goal, which would greatly limit the running distances. I then treated them all to a lift home in the car. I wish I had the camera. 15 boys and 1 white man in a car!
This afternoon I have failed to watch rugby because of power cuts and Armorel has been busy doing countless jobs, which included cleaning all 45 buckets!
She has also done some great organising. Look at her with her proud bags!
Day 303 – Friday 26th November 2010
We had an early morning game of football between Form 1a and 1b, and controversy followed. Somehow 1b managed to play the first half with 12 players, and held a 2-1 lead. Teams were sorted out for a goalless second half, with countless yellow cards and a red for a horrendous two footed lunge which was criminal! I asked for an exclusion! After a committee meeting, me and the science teacher, it was decided that 1b be disqualified. A small riot ensued!
I then escaped to the clinic. Armorel was busy continuing to tie up loose ends and trying to stay out of the ward so the nurses get used to her not being around. It is easier said than done.
I was then soon recruited for a shopping journey, and headed into town to buy doors, maize, nails, wood, paint brushes, varnish, nails, door locks, bolts and a blue and white kanga!
Exhausted we headed to Ruth’s for dinner. I had a bet with her a couple of weeks ago about rain, and the loser was baking a black forest gateau. Ruth lost!
It was wonderful!
Day 302 – Thursday 25th November 2010
An uneventful day!
Armorel was working on putting together a procedures folder for the nurses. Basically she is writing an algorithm for any procedures the nurses may have to do in the hope that one they do it, and two they do it correctly.
I played geek this morning, and redesigned some of my tracking sheets and did some analysis to see progress over the year and the comparison between boys and girls. Boys continue to outperform the girls, but the gap is closing, and the top score from the end of term test was from the girls!
First games of the sports tournament, and we had a shock as Pre-Form 1 beat Form 1B 2-0 in football!
This evening we are at the Orion for dinner and there seem to be hundreds of white people. I really don’t like it! It doesn’t help that none of them try to speak to the waiters in Swahili and are just rude.
Do we want to come back to more of these people?
Day 301 – Wednesday 24th November 2010
The last day of exams, and I have the pleasure of invigilating the 2 hour chemistry exam. I was so bored.
The funniest thing was watching the students who blatantly had no idea how to answer most of the questions pass the time. One girl decided to see if she could tear a piece of paper into 1000 pieces.
The wind hindered her efforts as the pieces flew across the room.
So now what? The exams are done, the teachers aren’t going to teach, and the students have nothing to do.
I gave my exams back, and we have organised a sports tournament. We need to do something, school doesn’t close until Tuesday!
Armorel was at Kilungu today for her penultimate village clinic. It was a very quiet one, as everyone is busy in the fields preparing for the next big rains and the planting to begin.
Tonight we had Lucas, Noelina, Dixon and Faraja over for dinner, and a special treat, quarter of a pig. Mama Ndugu had given us a wonderful chunk of her pig, and so I embarked on a roast.
I must say I was impressed, and the crackling was so good!
Day 300 – Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Armorel started the day with her next nurses training session. Today they started the Respiratory System. Funnily, the nurses asked her if they were going to get a graduation for attending these lessons.
Hilarious!
I have completed marking the English exams, and luckily a couple of students have done very well and impressed me greatly. However, the overall performance is a little below par. A view also held by the headmaster it would appear. He was less than happy that as the ‘expert’ English teacher that I hadn’t taught all the students well enough to get them all 110%.
I smiled politely.
After work Armorel visited Noelina to help her with some translation. We are writing cards to everyone we work with, and though we have written them in English we want to translate them all. Mainly because most of them wouldn’t have a clue what we were saying!
We had rice and beans for dinner tonight, but I struggled. I really have had enough of this meal!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Day 299 – Monday 22nd November 2010
We leave 2 weeks today. Now that is scary!
This morning started with the students’ end of term English exam. One and a half hours to show me all that they have studied for and learnt.
I have marked half. They aren’t very good.
Am I a very bad teacher or are they just lazy and not very good? The jury is out.
Armorel worked from home this morning, planning her next teaching session on the respiratory system and catching up on paperwork. She arrived at the clinic at lunchtime. Sadly one of the patients, who was on the mend and about to be discharged suddenly died this morning. I think it was quite tough on everyone.
We were soon off again to say goodbye to Philip and Elaine at the airport. I then left the workers and popped into town for a haircut. I knew it was risky to try a third African haircut, especially as the first two had been successful. I am not too impressed.
This evening the time has come.
We settled down for the last episode of ER.
I still want to be a doctor!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day 298 – Sunday 21st November 2010
Another cold, grey day and the jumpers came out the cupboard.
Church was its usually mix of comedy and interesting singing. The novelty has really worn off.
We arrived home to another power cut. They have been really bad this past month with spells of 5 hours each day without power. Armorel cycled into town to do some bits, and help some of the new visitors get a grip of the market.
This afternoon we headed out for a drink. Armorel kept herself occupied with some work whilst I tried to watch football on a very grainy TV picture.
This evening we enjoyed cheese on toast with David Attenborough and the penultimate ER. This evening we have also been joined by millions of bugs. The rain has filled the sky with loud, flying bugs of all shapes and sizes.
Day 297 – Saturday 20th November 2010
It is raining!
Armorel was off to work early and I had a lazy morning before football. I stupidly thought that because it was raining when I left it would be nice and cool. How wrong was I? It was steaming, and humid! I must have lost a few pounds.
Armorel arrived home at lunchtime and had a quick sleep before we headed off to the wedding. It started at 3, so we arrived in good Africa fashion 45 minutes late, and were still on time.
Weddings are interesting. They are so formal in one way, but more fun in others. Having three dancing and singing choirs certainly help. The service only lasted about 3 hours and then it was time for the reception.
It was due to start at 7:30pm.
We had another party, for Philip and Elaine as they are leaving on Monday, so headed there first for some food. We arrived at the wedding at 9pm. The bride and groom were not yet there!
They finally made a spectacular entrance with dancing and music about 30 minutes later and then the festivities began. The most interesting was the giving of gifts. All gifts given must be danced up and paraded to the couple, and you can only do this at set times. In total there were 17 different ‘gift’ groups, and it took well over an hour. They ended up with over 3 complete tea sets.
At this stage we were getting restless and everyone else very hungry. At midnight we were told it was food time, and then suddenly I hear my name.
I have been called to the front to bless and pray for the food in front of a crowd of 200. My English and Swahili mix seemed to go down well and food was ready. Though of course you have to dance up to get your food.
We escaped at about 12:30pm leaving the party in full swing.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Day 296 – Friday 19th November 2010
We wake to grey clouds and rain looming in the air. This is exciting.
I had an uneventful morning helping to organise the next sets of exams. Armorel continued to be busy as usual. I joined her around lunchtime and we did some cleaning and rearranging of storage. We managed to find three mice in the process.
The rain then came, and with it the power went.
We spent most of the evening in the dark, heating some soup on the Kerosene stove and trying to keep busy.
We have a wedding tomorrow.
Day 295 – Thursday 18th November 2010
Today is the start of the end of year exams. First up is Maths, but we had a small problem.
One girl claimed she couldn’t sit the exams today because she had been possessed by a demon, but she would be able to do it tomorrow. I didn’t know how I should answer or respond. Would this be an acceptable medical excuse in the UK?
Armorel continues to be busy at the clinic with countless jobs, tasks and training to get done. This morning she ran a session on cardiac problems, which seemed to be well received.
This evening we headed out for dinner to say goodbye to Emma. It was a strange night, and made us realise we are going to miss her. It is so nice to have someone who has been out here as long as us, and we don’t have to have the same conversations over and over again.
A quick ER, only 3 more episodes to go, and then bed.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Day 294 – Wednesday 17th November 2010
A bank holiday, and so a treat of cereal for breakfast.
Armorel went into the clinic first thing for a ward round with Dr Jim, and finished off everything from last night.
She returned home just after 10am and we then went to the market to get some fruit and veg. This afternoon we have started to pack!
Scary I know, and very early, but we don’t want to be rushed. Emma also popped round for an afternoon cup of tea, which turned into juice as we had no power.
We are gutted she is leaving on Friday.
We have just watched an ER and are now heading to bed.
The twins and best friend from our weekend adventure.
Day 293 – Tuesday 16th November 2010
We knew it was going to be hard to hear a 6:30am alarm call after a long weekend, but it seemed even harder to get up this morning.
Today is my last day of teaching!
In celebration we decided to do a fun quiz, with a selection of English questions and a few random ones thrown in. All the students won a prize of a dictionary which have been kindly been provided by a very generous supporter. Their reaction was wonderful!
Armorel had a long day with a number of patients being admitted onto the ward. One patient is particularly sick and has a heartbreaking story too.
She is 26 years old suffering from AIDS. Her husband was transferred to the regional hospital this morning for palliative care and is not expected to survive the morning. He is also suffering from AIDS. They have a 5 year old son.
At 6:45pm the lady died, the same day as her husband, orphaning a 5 year old boy.
Armorel and I spent the evening at the clinic so she could sort out the paperwork and support the nurses on duty.
The highs and lows of life.
Day 292 – Monday 15th November 2010
We arrived for breakfast at 8am to be told that they had run out of beans. Not a good start to the day.
We had a leisurely morning before heading off just before 10am, via the supermarket. We had been given several shopping lists from the Tabora community. It is so novel to be able to buy things like cheese and would you believe bacon.
The journey then began home. Well sort of, as traffic was so bad that it took over an hour to get out of Mwanza. We finally escaped 
and hit the open road.
And then our tyre blew!
Words cannot express the comedy that then ensued. Firstly, our jack was too short for the high chassis. Then we got the locals coming to offer support and advice, and suggesting that we lift the car. That didn’t work and so after finding some suitable rocks the tyre was changed.
They got little sympathy and we were soon on the way.
A quick stop in Shinyanga to try and get the tyre repaired, and after a small panic and visit to every shop in town we were successful and could continue our journey.
Then would you believe we got stopped for speeding!
My initial tone of disbelieve that you could be stopped for speeding in Tanzania was put in its place by the policeman producing a speed gun!
I was not expecting that.
Nor was I expecting what happened next. The fine was set and agreed and I was just about to pay when Armorel decided to chat up the policeman and ask for a receipt. One of the methods worked because we were soon sent on our way with a strict warning to adhere to the limits, but with no fine needed!
Luckily the rest of journey was trouble free apart from the plague of termites which caused our vision to be hampered and our windscreen washer to run out. We arrived home at just after 6pm.
Exhausted!
Day 291 – Sunday 14th November 2010
We hoped we would wake to glorious sunshine but instead couldn’t see the sun for the clouds. It was cold as well.
To make our morning even better was the power cut which left us without hot showers and coffee.
We trudged into town for a potter and to get some lunch. We stopped for a lovely pizza in a little street cafe.
The best pizza in Africa so far!
The only downside was that by now the rain had arrived and I was sat in the wrong seat. I got a bit wet!
Our walk home was even wetter and we arrived back to find still no power and so no hot showers or even a cup of tea. Disappointed we headed to the bar for a drink, but didn’t stay long.
Someone had turned on a red light. We couldn’t believe it! The hotel bar had turned into a glorified brothel, and I was in serious danger of being accosted. The management have been told.
We spent the rest of the day trying not to get too bored or scared about our experiences and headed out for a bit of Indian food for dinner. Luckily the power had returned and our food was hot.
The adventure is nearly over, home tomorrow!
Day 290 – Saturday 13th November 2010
It was so quiet last night and we slept so well.
We spent the morning at the school and somehow managed to end up taking 20 kids for 4 hours of games activities. We are not sure what had happened to all the actual staff. 
We did have great fun, though exhausting. The highlight was when a hawk decided that the football was some food and came swooping in to attack. More worrying was when he then came in for the students too!
After a quick lunch we headed on towards Mwanza for a bit of a break on Lake Victoria.
We were welcomed by a downpour of biblical proportions!
We made it to our hotel just after 4pm and settled into our lovely room, which was on an old boat and had lovely views across the harbour. It was wonderful!
As luck would have it we then met Adrian and Emma who had also come up to Mwanza. Unfortunately it is because Adrian has been made redundant and has to leave Tabora. So we had a celebration of new beginnings over a Chinese.
Day 289 – Friday 12th November 2010
Shinyanga here we come!
We are going off to visit our friend Salome and her twins who have moved to Shinyanga. Salome is working in a large and impressive international school there. It is about 3 hours north of us.
We had a lovely journey up, using a hand drawn map with 7 town names written on it and a few other instructions.
“Turn right after 55km” was the first one.
Amazingly we arrived in time for lunch and then had a tour of the impressive school with much better resources than most UK schools. We also met with the head who offered us jobs.
It was so great to see them all and we had a fun evening catching up and watching “Home Alone”.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day 288 – Thursday 11th November 2010
Armorel ran her cardiovascular teaching session with the nurses this morning. Initial feedback was good, but they found the topic quite hard so have asked for the session to be repeated on Tuesday. We are excited by the willingness to learn.
The rest of the day was spent doing wound dressings and giving advice on baby care and feeding. She also started part of her handover, training one of the nurses how to discharge patients.
The students and I struggled with the heat today, with energy levels severely lacking. We pushed on through and managed to get some good work done.
It was then time for sports and games, which was also a struggle. The students didn’t really get involved but that could have been from the morning pep talk they received, “if you play football, get injured and fail your exams it is your fault!”
This evening we had Christopher and his wife, Grace, over for dinner, which was lovely. It was great to catch up as it has been a long time since we saw each other. Christopher was my first line manager in Tabora.
We are now packing! We are going on a small adventure for a long weekend.
Will fill you in on Monday!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Day 287 – Wednesday 10th November 2010
It didn’t rain and we wake to a bright, hot morning.
Armorel is off to Umanda for her last clinic there, and I am going to attempt a novel idea. The students are going to write and then mark some of their own practice exam questions.
It didn’t work too badly at all, and we are going to continue this tomorrow. We have created quite a good bank of revision questions.
Armorel had a busy but fun day today. They usually run the clinic in some primary school buildings but today there are some national exams, so they had been kicked out. Picture the scene; Armorel dealing with the babies under a tree, one doctor consulting on the back seat of the truck and the other on a tree stump, the pharmacy in the back of the truck with reception and the lab was set up under little tree. This is Africa!
This evening we have sat and tried to make Armorel’s hand-outs for her cardiovascular teaching readable. The photocopier seems to have missed most of the words.
Only 5 more to go!
Day 286 – Tuesday 9th November 2010
It is raining!
It started about 9pm last night and was pretty steady. We even were woken by a sudden downpour this morning, though by the time we left for work it had stopped.
It was a cold, dark morning, which wasn’t helped by a lack of power. I taught my single Tuesday lesson, finished writing my end of term exam and popped over to the clinic.
No power there either so I wasn’t much use.
Armorel had one of those days where you never manage to get anything done because of various interruptions. She got so fed up that we escaped a little early and managed to get some bits done at home.
This evening we had dinner at Ruth’s with various others. The food was excellent as usual, and not huge amounts of medical talk which was nice.
I think it might rain again tonight.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Day 285 – Monday 8th November 2010
We are both a little tired this morning!
I had another frustrating day at school.
Halfway through my second lesson of the day I was told I had to stop because we had an important guest arriving. My attempts to explain that the students education was more important fell on deaf ears.
1 hour and 30 minutes later the guest arrived. Do you think I might of had time to finish my lesson?
Our guest arrived, gave a quick speech and left 10 minutes later.
“This is ridiculous.”
Was met again by deaf ears.
I arrived at the clinic to find a crazy scene. Armorel was having to admit 4 patients all at once and her stroke man was fading fast.
I hid in the office and did some paperwork before Armorel re-appeared at about 3:30pm. She had been busy!
This afternoon we planned another of her teaching sessions on the cardiovascular system and enjoyed a game of bananas. We have just heard that her stroke patient has died.
It brings it home to you, when you know that if he was in the UK he simply wouldn’t have died.
But what can you do?
Day 284 – Sunday 7th November 2010
Having missed two weeks of church we set off in the hope of some excitement, though if I am honest I struggled to stay motivated. It is joyful in so many ways, but lacks a certain energy.
We came home via the breadman with a couple of fresh out the oven loaves and promptly ate one. Just wonderful!
Nature night was postponed today. We have been invited by a local business man, Amrit, to a Diwali meal at the Orion.
It was a wonderful feast, and we certainly ate well. The only downside was that the food didn’t arrive till 10:30pm.
So it was a late night!
Day 283 – Saturday 6th November 2010
Armorel was off to the clinic early and I headed off to football.
Unfortunately the heat had taken its toll and only 5 brave souls ventured onto the pitch, whilst the rest sought shelter under the trees. We ran around for a good 45 minutes before the exhaustion took hold.
Armorel got home in the early afternoon, and we both promptly fell asleep. We then headed over to Danny’s for a BBQ and a chance to watch some rugby. Though, being the only northern hemisphere fan I received a great deal of abuse.
We had a fun night and ate well.
Day 282 – Friday 5th November 2010
No fireworks or bonfire for us.
Instead a pretty ordinary day at work.
Armorel saw a range of patients and there are 4 on the ward. One gentleman has had a stroke and lost the ability to swallow. A problem in the UK that could be easily helped, but out here there is nothing that can be done.
I taught and then headed over to the clinic and did some bits and pieces before we headed home.
It was a hot day, as you can see by the thermometer as we arrived home.
An evening at the Orion was enjoyed with a couple of games of pool.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Day 281 – Thursday 4th November 2010
Neither of us slept well in this humid heat so woke tried, and I was certainly grumpy.
I spent the morning with my tracking spreadsheets at school, and then continued my learning journey with prefixes and suffixes. The good thing about teaching English is that I am learning new things every day!
Armorel had a typically busy day. The highlight was meeting with an American lady who works in nutrition and health in Dar es Salaam. This could be a very promising contact, as you can’t buy any nutritional products in Tabora at all.
Sport was very hot today. Armorel unfortunately spent a large part of the time with one sick girl who wasn’t responding well to her malaria medication. Though when she did get to the netball court she seemed to have a good run around.
I managed to score 5, hit the woodwork twice and miss an absolute sitter today, so was hot but very pleased. We won’t mention half of them were against a 4ft twelve year old.
We spent the evening doing a bit of job hunting with limited success, before an ER and bed.
It is still 32 degrees!
Day 280 – Wednesday 3rd November 2010
Armorel left for Mwakashindye early this morning for another clinic. It was busy as usual with Armorel seeing 193 children. They even ran out of vaccines. There was a bit of drama on the way home as they came across a bus crash. It had probably happened minutes before and was quite serious. They loaded up as many as they could and rushed them back to Tabora.
These buses are so dangerous!
BUT can you believe, they couldn’t take the casualties straight to the hospital. No, first to the police station to collect an proof of accident form! Luckily no one was too serious!
I had a morning of teaching on suffixes, and then popped into town to do my weekly Wednesday list of jobs. I then spent the early evening with my book. Wonderful!
This evening we have sweated a large amount whilst watching two episodes of ER. We just couldn’t cope with one.
Day 279 – Tuesday 2nd November 2010
The cardiovascular training went well this morning, with all the nurses keen and engaged. Armorel has given them some homework questions so we can see how much they were listening.
I spent the morning finishing off the next edition of the school newspaper and trying to finish my end of term English exam.
I then joined Armorel at the clinic, though she was crazily busy as usual, so after helping in the office for a while I escaped home. I managed to have a productive afternoon finishing off our newsletter.
This evening we ventured to Ruth’s for a Mexican night, after she had received a fajita mix packet. It was so nice to have something with a bit of flavour and something different.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Day 278 – Monday 1st November 2010
It is strange to think that you can wake up on a November day to clear blue skies, and by lunchtime be sweltering in 35 degree heat. It feels slightly surreal.
Today was the first day for the nurse of the month, and with an eye catching display the event begun. We can but see how it goes.
After a morning of teaching on the word ‘the’, I headed into town to pay for our flights home. The man selling them thought we had made a mistake when the ticket was one way, and nearly refused to let me buy such a ticket.
This afternoon Armorel and I planned a teaching session on the cardiovascular system which she has with the nurses’ tomorrow morning. It is useful having a large bank of GCSE PE resources at hand to help.
This evening we have tied up lots of loss ends for our holiday and had a wonderful chat with my Mum. We’ve just watched an ER and are now off to bed.
Good Night!
Day 277 – Sunday 31st October 2010
The day of the general election.
We woke expecting something a bit different. Maybe some sort of fuss, some sort of party atmosphere, but nothing. Just a normal day in the life of lazy Tabora.
We should find out the result by Wednesday.
To celebrate the Election Day, we went out for lunch. For something different we went to the animal park, which some 50 years ago would have been a thriving wildlife park with all sorts of animals. Now though, it is a bit different.
We found the one wild animal. A wildebeest.
This evening has been very quiet, with cheese on toast and our nature film.
Another week starts tomorrow.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Day 276 – Saturday 30th October 2010
Armorel was off to work this morning, but only on a half day. I was off early to have a day of building with Lucas. We are building a new shed / house for his chickens.
After a quick visit to the timber mill, we first ventured to a man to buy pork for lunch. We arrived a little early as they were just chopping the pig’s head off. We waited 5 minutes for our fresh bag of pork.
We had great fun designing and building this masterpiece, though it was very hot work. You have to adapt to very different standards out here. Aesthetically anything goes, as long as it works and is practical. And of course with wood being in short supply and incredibly expensive you need to be very creative.
We didn’t quite finish, as we didn’t manage to complete the second storey.
Armorel had a relatively quite morning at work, with many patients taking a turn for the better. She was able to come and see the workman before popping into the market.
Tonight we had 8 for dinner and a movie!
Wonderful spaghetti and garlic bread was enjoyed before a film. An excellent way to finish a tough week!
Though there is plenty of washing up!
Day 275 – Friday 29th October 2010
We ventured off to work to see what fun and games we had in store today.
Armorel’s day was again very busy. They still have some very sick patients in and the member of staff who is a patient has gone downhill again.
I taught my first lesson and then waited for the staff meeting at 10am.
I still don’t understand why the head always has whole staff meetings in the middle of the day. It means of course that the students have no teachers from the start of the meeting until they go home. When I question such an idea I receive blank faces!
So the meeting was not very productive or pleasant. Firstly, my request for translation was met by annoyance and a very feeble attempt at keeping me informed. I still have no idea what agenda points 2-4 were about. I only knew what 5 was because I understood what they were saying and they were talking about me.
It’s hard!
So the problem is all about disciple, and the use of the cane. It is perfectly legal in Tanzania, but I am trying to get the school to think about other punishments and set new standards. My ideas were not received well, or objectively.I started to be blamed for colonisation and slavery, and when I managed to avoid that accusation it was because I was more superior and that they were just poor and uneducated.
I tried, but sadly their ears were shut.
I even got told that Christianity actively encouraged beating of children! I politely explained they must be following a very different God to me!
I don’t know what to do!
I escaped the meeting at 2:30pm, and sought comfort with a cup of tea. Armorel got home just before 6, exhausted and still not finished. She is working so hard!
We had a quick dinner at the Orion before heading home and crashing!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Day 274 – Thursday 28th October 2010
Off to work we go. This week seems to be going fast.
I spent the morning trying to write the English end of year exam, and by using as few pieces of paper as possible. I do feel sorry for the kids having to read ‘Mr John’s made up stories’ and then answer questions on them. It is the wannabe author in me.
The afternoon was spent teaching, and giving some advice on revision techniques. They didn’t quite understand the idea of a pneumonic.
Armorel spent the day on the ward, helping out the nurses, encouraging them and giving handy hints when drugs and obs were being forgotten. It is going be very tough to leave and hand it all over to the nurses. A big challenge!
This afternoon we treated the kids to our sporting prowess, with football and netball. There was a lot less bickering than normal, which was a welcome relief. Kids bicker so much more out here! It is unbelievable.
I have a meeting with the head tomorrow morning about discipline in the school. It is going to be tough!
The evening has disappeared with a short cowboy film and the next episode of ER, and now it is off to bed.
The wind is picking up too! Maybe another storm is on its way?
Day 273 – Wednesday 27th October 2010
The humidity broke in the early hours with an ear shattering thunder storm. Truly wonderful!
We then woke to a beautiful fresh morning and ventured into work.
Armorel was off to the village of Kilungu for their monthly mobile clinic. It was a quiet one this week, and she managed to see most of her patients by the early afternoon.
My day was also nice and relaxed. I taught all morning and spent the afternoon in town doing some bits and pieces. This included booking our internal flights out of Tabora.
Getting scarily close now.
We enjoyed an early evening stroll before sitting down to watch the Lion King with Zawadi and Baraka.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Day 272 – Tuesday 26th October 2010
There is not much room in a bed with a patient and their bandaged foot.
I did not sleep well, but amazingly Armorel is feeling not too bad. The leg cramps, and shooting pain started to ease at about 4am.
We hobble of to work.
We have been here 10 months but I still don’t get this place, and I feel so totally lost in some school policies and goings on.
Kids got caned today for ‘love relationships’. I thought they meant having sex, they meant holding hands! The staff didn’t agree with my views on this, and were quiet shocked I was so lenient.
The day got worse, and I don’t want to write my current thoughts and feelings. I need to process first!
Armorel had a good day and launched her new initiative, ‘Nurse of the Month’, in the hope to inspire and motivate the nurses to do their jobs. Let’s hope this helps encourage them to take vital signs and give the odd drug.
The rain was merely a preview. It’s getting even hotter and now its humid too!
Day 271 – Monday 25th October 2010
6 weeks to go!
Today I tried to explain and go through the English test with the students. Not easy, when the students who understand all that I am saying are the ones who did ok. We plod on.
The clinic was manic, with hundreds of patients. I arrived, had a look and hid in the office catching up on paperwork with the office girls.
Armorel is shattered!
We got home late and after a quick cup of tea headed over to Ruth’s. She was having a ‘We survived the weekend’ celebration. It had been a tough weekend for the staff as two patients had died.
We had a lovely evening, though quiet as everyone is so exhausted, and got home nice and early to continue with ER.
OOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Armorel has been stung by a scorpion!
It has now died, under my shoe, but what do you do!
After a small panic, doctor call and chat to local scorpion expert we relax slightly.
Though Armorel is in excruciating pain. She heads to bed with a wrapped up foot and plenty of ice.
We pray this heals quickly.
Bad news?
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