Toothbrush and Spare Knickers
on Lynn Sellwood (The Gambia), 09/Aug/2011 17:24, 34 days ago
So, at home, back in the UK and all that I worried about hasn’t happened. I thought I would feel guilty about having all this choice in supermarkets; I worried that it would all look so different; I worried that I would be bored without a function other than “visitor” and that I would feel uncomfortable in the land of plenty. In fact, I am happy; I lovethe choice in the supermarkets; I love the tidy grass verges and kerbstones on the road and as long as I have a toothbrush and clean underwear I can cope with being a visitor in the UK. And then came social and economic mayhem!The riots on the streets which started in Tottenham on Sunday and which have moved across London boroughs and some cities has made me feel like an onlooker. I have often wondered why people in The Gambia don’t take to the streets demanding regular electricity supplies or better social amenities but they don’t largely because social cohesion is still very strong and there is a feeling that it would be wrong. The young people in the UK have no idea that they are very privileged compared to African youth and the looting, stealing and general disregard of other people which they have displayed make those in African countries dismayed. I can imagine parents of young Gambians in the UK will be very worried about what their children are learning about acceptable behaviour. On top of that the economic chaos has just added to the impression that things aren't right and normal  and  behaviour is difficult to predict. I have been hooked on the TV and newspapers for insights into the causes. Thenewspapers have been keeping us up to date. I was very impressed by thiswomancaught on camera giving the rioters a piece of her mind.But being a visitor does have its benefits. First a family and friends barbeque hosted by my sister Christine and her husband, Martyn.Martyn getting ready to feed the guestsHere were young people having fun with lots of attention on high heelsnot for my feet which is the latest fashion must-have for the under 40’s and a few brave over 50’s!My niece, Cassie, in the middleAnd then there was one of the main reasons I came home for seven weeks, my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary.Cutting the cake This is a fantastic achievement when you think about it. My mum was 19 years old and my dad was 20 when they got married in 1951. Top of the Pops was Rosemary Clooney singingCome on a my house. In recognition of this event they received a beautiful card from the Queen which now has pride of place in the front room. The house is full of flowers, an especially beautiful one came from my mum's sister, Valerie who lives in Canada.Lovely Three generations gathered to celebrate, including their 6 grandchildren in a small Sussex village called SlaughamThe Church at SlaughamPlenty of delicious food, drink and conversation, speeches and a cutting of a new wedding cake gave us all a chance to be proud of their achievement.My FamilySo, week one is over and I am staying at home because it is too dangerous to drive across London tonight. I was hoping to take the toothbrush and knickers to see some friends but given that shops are being closed by 4pm in order to clear the streets for the 16,000 police who are on duty tonight I thought it politic to monitor events via TV and stay at home.Update on fitness and diet? TheDukandiet is proving effective and I have been to the gym four times since getting home!