Untitled
on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 22/Feb/2009 12:32, 34 days ago
A winter of contentI am sorry that the blogs have been slow to come. I have been back in the UK for over 8 weeks and it has been a time of busyness, calm and confusion. So much has happened and is happening.I have spent most of the time in Rugby with flurries of activity into the outside world. Friends kindly loaned me a car for 3 weeks. During this time I was able to go to Upton and stayed over-night at Waterside House. I saw neighbours and friends. I sat with other friends on a perfect winter’s day on the top of the Malvern Hills with superb views looking over to Wales. My friend and neighbour Stuart is now very frail in hospital but we spent a short time together. I also had to time to go back to Malvern Priory.I have also been to London for a weekend with Atheer. We had a lovely time doing nothing special but just being together. We walked around Portobello Market, sat in a pub in front of a log fire watching Man United, went to see Slum Dog Millionaire and had supper at home. It was freezing cold but the sun shone and the snow only started on the way home. Later that week Joan and I had a childrens’ hour in the thicker snow and built an impressive Snolar bear, a snowman with ears.As the snow began to disappear I celebrated my 60th birthday. This low key no gift, no card event had a surprise element. Jill had come from Italy and Graham from Devon for an overnight stay and supper at Diane’s house. It was wonderful.My return date to Uganda is set for 3 April. Another countdown has started. There are still things to do and places to go. I may have to think about hiring a car for a few days. The mental packing has also started. This time I shall know what to take, what is useful to me and needed by others. VSO call this preparing to go which this time includes a 5 day motorcycle training course at Kidderminster. The helmet has arrived and has caused great hilarity but of course it is serious business. The motorcycle is vital, as is my ability to drive safely over pot holed marram‘roads’ and tracks.Emails of encouragement are arriving from Uganda. Whilst I have been away the community department has suffered from‘nostalgic suffocation’. The volunteers and the community staff have continued to work well. It will be interesting to see how they have managed with minimal support. I have a very detailed programme for the next 6 months. This time there will be no long lonely hours abandoned under trees and in‘offices’ and there will be no Godfrey! Other challenges will come but I am excited to cope with them.