Hi Everyone,
hope you are all well, I am still in the UK but thought I would let you know that I have been uploading photos from Kenya on 'My Space' . http://cid-12ff4e8b2cf9e368.spaces.live.com/
I am hoping this will work if not let me know. I know so many of you are wanting to see photos and I have not got any developed or have time or the means to get round to see you all.
I have had my first temp assignment which was all of two days...... they really know how to use me!! Finances are not what I had hoped as I needed to work these three months to make my trip worth while. To let you know, as I can't remember if I have sent out a message telling you all, my house in Kenya was broken into the week after I came to the UK, most of the items that were able to be removed from my house were so it has been a costly trip.
I am planning on heading back in October with the view to opening the house as a small B&B in order to get some pennies in to cover running costs. Anyone interested in visiting or passing the word round, I am working on web site and flyer's.
Love to you all,
Susannah
Friday, 15 August 2008
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Back in the Uk - hangover too!
Hi Everyone,
just to let you all know I arrived yesterday safe and sound. My only problem was the rather large hangover that I was dragging round with me. This was due to accepting the traditional Nairobi trip 'tusker beer' from my friend Jenga in Nairobi. It never is 'a' beer, I fell into bed at around 1 am on Wednesday morning, (fully clothed as it was cold), forgot to set my phone to alarm and was woken at 5.45 am by Jenga telling me his taxi friend was waiting for me outside the hotel. Good job he phoned or I would still be there now. Needless to say I travelled in Tuesday nights clothes and threw the things strategically placed round my room for early shower etc into the huge bag that I had with me.
I must have looked like the wreck of the Hesperous at the airport (not sure of spelling but I am sure my father will put me right)! I stumbled on auto pilot through passport control, etc and only had a bit of difficulty and the double x-ray machines, as usual had to remove belt, this with laptop etc occupying arms, clutching removed jacket and bag juggling act ensued, resulting in problems walking with baggy jeans quickly descending down my hips, from one machine to another a matter of about 15 strides, not sure what they think will change between the two machines as you can't go anywhere en route. It only resulted in me almost embarrassing myself by losing my jeans, the last step to the x-ray machine was one of the John Cleese funny walk strides in order to stop the jeans descending lower than appropriate in public. I think they do this on purpose to have a laugh, the customs people know people wear baggy fashions now, especially those returning from some time in Kenya - everyone loses weight. Next time must remember to wear scarf belt or shorts under my jeans!
I am busy sorting out work clothes in the vain hope that the agencies manage to find me work for Monday as need to make a million before I return to Kenya - (kidding but it would be nice!)
If anyone knows of any temp positions going for a month in Southampton area please let me know. Anything within reason considered!! OK I am sure in the fullness of time I will get to speak to you all, no mobile yet but will let you know as soon as sorted.
Love to you all,
Susannah
just to let you all know I arrived yesterday safe and sound. My only problem was the rather large hangover that I was dragging round with me. This was due to accepting the traditional Nairobi trip 'tusker beer' from my friend Jenga in Nairobi. It never is 'a' beer, I fell into bed at around 1 am on Wednesday morning, (fully clothed as it was cold), forgot to set my phone to alarm and was woken at 5.45 am by Jenga telling me his taxi friend was waiting for me outside the hotel. Good job he phoned or I would still be there now. Needless to say I travelled in Tuesday nights clothes and threw the things strategically placed round my room for early shower etc into the huge bag that I had with me.
I must have looked like the wreck of the Hesperous at the airport (not sure of spelling but I am sure my father will put me right)! I stumbled on auto pilot through passport control, etc and only had a bit of difficulty and the double x-ray machines, as usual had to remove belt, this with laptop etc occupying arms, clutching removed jacket and bag juggling act ensued, resulting in problems walking with baggy jeans quickly descending down my hips, from one machine to another a matter of about 15 strides, not sure what they think will change between the two machines as you can't go anywhere en route. It only resulted in me almost embarrassing myself by losing my jeans, the last step to the x-ray machine was one of the John Cleese funny walk strides in order to stop the jeans descending lower than appropriate in public. I think they do this on purpose to have a laugh, the customs people know people wear baggy fashions now, especially those returning from some time in Kenya - everyone loses weight. Next time must remember to wear scarf belt or shorts under my jeans!
I am busy sorting out work clothes in the vain hope that the agencies manage to find me work for Monday as need to make a million before I return to Kenya - (kidding but it would be nice!)
If anyone knows of any temp positions going for a month in Southampton area please let me know. Anything within reason considered!! OK I am sure in the fullness of time I will get to speak to you all, no mobile yet but will let you know as soon as sorted.
Love to you all,
Susannah
Thursday, 19 June 2008
No water - No electric but still loving it!
Hi Everyone,
hope you are all well and happy.
I prepared this email at home and can't remember what's in it, have been back and forth from town and every time they are without electricity, there is a major replacement of electrical power lines, (not sure what the problem is with the water supply though probably no electricity to pump the water...... whatever) . Read on .... and hopefully enjoy. For all of you that have kindly offered to help with collecting me, Nathalie my sister has managed to re arrange her family to collect me. THANK YOU XXXXXX.
Looking at my watch trying to see the date reminds me I really must arrange an appointment with the optician and the dentist. I am really struggling to thread needles a problem when I am doing all the sewing for the boys, usually when I am at Scann doing hand sewing I ask one of the boys sitting with me, usually Mwangi, he threads it in a second and beams in satisfaction that he could and I couldn’t, sign of age unfortunately!!
I have seen how the dentists work out here there is little preventative and repair work done. You have a problem you remove the tooth, that easy. They aren’t too great with the pain killers or anesthetics either having been with one of the older boys during an extraction I vowed to never need attention out here.
The medical clinic at Scann is doing well, I am so glad I pushed for it and regular medical attendances. The Doctor is still coming once a week and seeing ‘patients’, many have problems with skin complaints at the moment, lots of skin rashes that we cant fathom. I have trained Anastasia to stand in whilst I am away, she seems to have grasped the system, my only worry is the stock checking, as the Scann Board will be watching us closely with all the drugs we have on site. I am doing a handover stock count this week to cover myself and hope Anastasia is good with hers. Trust is something that is not highly given over here, the medical clinic has come about because I am trusted, something that Anastasia will be working hard to earn.
I am sewing for Kenya at the moment, I think word has got around that I am leaving soon. I have a problem, I know that boys aren’t just giving me repairs, they want alterations done too, designer fashion. I try where I can but have my limitations. It is great to see their faces when I manage to produce what they have dreamed of having.
The boys are wandering what will happen when I return to the UK as I am their only Kinyozi, (barber). Three months down the line and I think they will all need major sheering. What annoys me is that the boys get beaten at school if they don’t keep their hair cut, it makes no difference if they come from a place like Scann or a nice family. Problem is that with 138 boys it is hard to keep on top of the shaving especially as some of the boys are rarely seen by me as they return at 6pm in the evening and leave before 6am. I refuse to leave my clippers for general use as they have managed to get through 4 pairs, I can’t afford to keep replacing them.
On Wednesday this week I went to the water office to tell them that it has been a month since I was told on a Friday that I would have a new meter fitted on the Monday….. needless to say they didn’t come. I went to tell them that it was in their interest to come and replace the meter as it had now stopped recording altogether. I was told that an engineer would be with me the next day, I informed them as it was my day off I would be home all day. I spent all day sewing and didn’t leave the house, I waited and waited an additional problem was NO WATER. At 5pm I called the manager and asked where his men were, he said they were delayed and would call the next day, I asked what happened with the water, he said there was a problem!!
Now it would appear that in Kenya if you are white you are supposed to have numerous people working for you. You are not personally supposed to go and pay your bills, get your shopping, fetch your mail or wait at home for water engineers. I explained to the manager that I would not be home on Friday as I was not prepared to waste another day off. He said it would not be a problem so long as my Staff were home. I pointed out that I was the staff. He promised to call me when he was sending the engineer, maybe it will be another month. Oh,, and today (Friday), still no water. I have washing sitting in basins waiting to be rinsed as I had started washing them (in rain water saved in basins) yesterday in the anticipation that the mains would come on later, funny it didn’t. As it didn’t rain last night not enough rain water left to rinse them and am holding on to my reserve in the 50 ltr tank in case water isn’t forth coming soon.
I am now down to three puppies, two dogs and two cats. The acquired male puppy went to Mwangi the electrician who reserved him. I decided that I would try and get homes for the puppies and settle Kim before I left Kenya. Today I discovered she is on heat again, so no roaming for her!!!!!!!!! Life is getting easier without all the puppies, can't believe how much cleaning up the garage is taking at least now with only three of them it is manageable.
I am starting to get provisions in for Dominic, that is in the hope that he is coming back from Maralell, if he doesn’t there will be problems. One thing at a time, I will cross that hurdle as and when it arises, no use worrying needlessly.
I am concerned about the prospect of getting home and no work, that would be a disaster, but as I am not bothered what I do I think it won't be a problem. Nathalie has managed to re arrange herself and is now collecting me from the airport. I am looking forward to seeing everyone but know I will miss the boys so much.
I am constantly talking to them about my return to the UK and that I will return to them I think I may do a calendar chart so they can see (a bit like an advent calendar but different) only problem is that I don’t have a return date yet, depends on price of flights.
OK will leave you in the knowledge that looks like we will be having lots of rain today so may be able to get the washing rinsed. The maize is no longer looking like ‘onions’ it is looking healthier and may just manage to provide a crop of corn for when I return from UK.
Love to everyone, take care of yourselves until I get home.
Susannah
hope you are all well and happy.
I prepared this email at home and can't remember what's in it, have been back and forth from town and every time they are without electricity, there is a major replacement of electrical power lines, (not sure what the problem is with the water supply though probably no electricity to pump the water...... whatever) . Read on .... and hopefully enjoy. For all of you that have kindly offered to help with collecting me, Nathalie my sister has managed to re arrange her family to collect me. THANK YOU XXXXXX.
Looking at my watch trying to see the date reminds me I really must arrange an appointment with the optician and the dentist. I am really struggling to thread needles a problem when I am doing all the sewing for the boys, usually when I am at Scann doing hand sewing I ask one of the boys sitting with me, usually Mwangi, he threads it in a second and beams in satisfaction that he could and I couldn’t, sign of age unfortunately!!
I have seen how the dentists work out here there is little preventative and repair work done. You have a problem you remove the tooth, that easy. They aren’t too great with the pain killers or anesthetics either having been with one of the older boys during an extraction I vowed to never need attention out here.
The medical clinic at Scann is doing well, I am so glad I pushed for it and regular medical attendances. The Doctor is still coming once a week and seeing ‘patients’, many have problems with skin complaints at the moment, lots of skin rashes that we cant fathom. I have trained Anastasia to stand in whilst I am away, she seems to have grasped the system, my only worry is the stock checking, as the Scann Board will be watching us closely with all the drugs we have on site. I am doing a handover stock count this week to cover myself and hope Anastasia is good with hers. Trust is something that is not highly given over here, the medical clinic has come about because I am trusted, something that Anastasia will be working hard to earn.
I am sewing for Kenya at the moment, I think word has got around that I am leaving soon. I have a problem, I know that boys aren’t just giving me repairs, they want alterations done too, designer fashion. I try where I can but have my limitations. It is great to see their faces when I manage to produce what they have dreamed of having.
The boys are wandering what will happen when I return to the UK as I am their only Kinyozi, (barber). Three months down the line and I think they will all need major sheering. What annoys me is that the boys get beaten at school if they don’t keep their hair cut, it makes no difference if they come from a place like Scann or a nice family. Problem is that with 138 boys it is hard to keep on top of the shaving especially as some of the boys are rarely seen by me as they return at 6pm in the evening and leave before 6am. I refuse to leave my clippers for general use as they have managed to get through 4 pairs, I can’t afford to keep replacing them.
On Wednesday this week I went to the water office to tell them that it has been a month since I was told on a Friday that I would have a new meter fitted on the Monday….. needless to say they didn’t come. I went to tell them that it was in their interest to come and replace the meter as it had now stopped recording altogether. I was told that an engineer would be with me the next day, I informed them as it was my day off I would be home all day. I spent all day sewing and didn’t leave the house, I waited and waited an additional problem was NO WATER. At 5pm I called the manager and asked where his men were, he said they were delayed and would call the next day, I asked what happened with the water, he said there was a problem!!
Now it would appear that in Kenya if you are white you are supposed to have numerous people working for you. You are not personally supposed to go and pay your bills, get your shopping, fetch your mail or wait at home for water engineers. I explained to the manager that I would not be home on Friday as I was not prepared to waste another day off. He said it would not be a problem so long as my Staff were home. I pointed out that I was the staff. He promised to call me when he was sending the engineer, maybe it will be another month. Oh,, and today (Friday), still no water. I have washing sitting in basins waiting to be rinsed as I had started washing them (in rain water saved in basins) yesterday in the anticipation that the mains would come on later, funny it didn’t. As it didn’t rain last night not enough rain water left to rinse them and am holding on to my reserve in the 50 ltr tank in case water isn’t forth coming soon.
I am now down to three puppies, two dogs and two cats. The acquired male puppy went to Mwangi the electrician who reserved him. I decided that I would try and get homes for the puppies and settle Kim before I left Kenya. Today I discovered she is on heat again, so no roaming for her!!!!!!!!! Life is getting easier without all the puppies, can't believe how much cleaning up the garage is taking at least now with only three of them it is manageable.
I am starting to get provisions in for Dominic, that is in the hope that he is coming back from Maralell, if he doesn’t there will be problems. One thing at a time, I will cross that hurdle as and when it arises, no use worrying needlessly.
I am concerned about the prospect of getting home and no work, that would be a disaster, but as I am not bothered what I do I think it won't be a problem. Nathalie has managed to re arrange herself and is now collecting me from the airport. I am looking forward to seeing everyone but know I will miss the boys so much.
I am constantly talking to them about my return to the UK and that I will return to them I think I may do a calendar chart so they can see (a bit like an advent calendar but different) only problem is that I don’t have a return date yet, depends on price of flights.
OK will leave you in the knowledge that looks like we will be having lots of rain today so may be able to get the washing rinsed. The maize is no longer looking like ‘onions’ it is looking healthier and may just manage to provide a crop of corn for when I return from UK.
Love to everyone, take care of yourselves until I get home.
Susannah
Friday, 13 June 2008
You know who your neighbours are when
Hi Everyone,
this is a type on the hoof email so good luck, sorry for typos and things (they will be revealed later in email (needless to say I have become a light weight!) ..... Today has been an interesting day. It has shown me another face of Kenya. As all you who read my emails know I have been desperately without water for a week now, 4 days in Kenya is acceptable..... a week ummmmmmm. After repeated moans from me and visits to his office 'the water man' has visited me now three times with his men. I get the distinctive feeling that he wishes to visit me without his men, maybe I would get water quicker! I was cautious when he asked me casually if I lived in this big house alone....... I replied what business was it of his or the water people.
Today after numerous text messages a maintenance man I knew came to the house and found the problem........ How do I put this..... outside my property is an area called 'roadside' it is land that is adjoining the property which is acquired with the property but must not be walled or used for building but can be used and maintained as your own, providing access is readily available for the water people. Today the maintenance man found that I did in fact have no water in the pipe....... I already knew this. He investigated outside further, more diligent than the other guys. He started digging and found my water pipe. It surprised me by being plastic. It had been cut and the supply end had been folded back on itself, tied and weighed down by a very large rock then covered with soil.
I was needless to say horrified, apparently it is something that occurs more often when there is low water supply and the neighbours hope to increase their supply by reducing yours. I wanted him to go to my new neighbour who was constructing their property and raise hell. The maintenance man said he had no proof as to who had done it, I tried to point out that my other neighbours had admitted to having no water for months as they had not paid their bills so it was not them. He was not prepared to get involved and I left the scene having paid out for a piece of pipe to join the gap.
I left home when the job had been finished and went to town - it was my day off, I went to my friend the computer man to copy some learning discs for the boys to use on the computer at Scann. I went to the opticians for glasses for one of the boys, I paid in advance my water bill - begrudgingly. Asked about the disputed rates bill, gave in my electricity reading, went to the post box (nothing there) visited my friend at her stall, to all those that know 'Ruth the bead lady' says hi and when are you all coming to visit.
I had packed some shower items this morning with the resolve that after I had completed my list of things to do I would head to Hotel Mercia for a swim (to get a towel) and a well awaited shower. By the time I got to the pool it had cooled and no one was about other than a business meeting by the pool. I um'ed and ah'ed but after a glass of red wine decided what the heck it couldn't be that cold. I was so wrong, whilst I was in the pool Ruth appeared and said she thought that my lack of showering had turned the pool brown - cheek. She left quickly as the only way for me to keep warm was to swim. I had to make the most of the 200KS price of a swim. It was well worth it, another glass of wine later and I was off to the shower. I was good and remembered to be patient and run the water for some time before being rewarded with HOT water, full force. I shaved legs, arm pits, scrubbed, washed hair. I am now a new woman. I dried and went back out in my bikini to dry in the now available sunshine. Not only the warmth of the sun kicking in but also the wine, I feel great, my hair has dried with lovely blonde highlights, all soft and curly after a recent cut, instead of greasy and lank as it was when I arrived.
Dominic called to say that the water is now connected and pressure is better than it has been for weeks, maybe manage a shower at home now. Mind you the 200ks was well worth it I have had a lovely day. I passed a woman who owns a boutique in town, she told me I looked lovely..... I feel lovely. Pity it will be wasted on the dogs and Dominic. OK off home now to do the mega pile of washing, tomorrow I won't be in good shape, my back will be breaking from bending over the basin washing, but I will be happy in the knowledge that I had a good day today and am achieving the list of things that need to be done before I leave.
Happy birthday to birthday people, hugs when I get home.
Nats and David Happy Anniversary sorry not there to 'sit'.
Dad Happy Fathers Day etc etc etc.
See you all soon ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Love you all.
Susannah
this is a type on the hoof email so good luck, sorry for typos and things (they will be revealed later in email (needless to say I have become a light weight!) ..... Today has been an interesting day. It has shown me another face of Kenya. As all you who read my emails know I have been desperately without water for a week now, 4 days in Kenya is acceptable..... a week ummmmmmm. After repeated moans from me and visits to his office 'the water man' has visited me now three times with his men. I get the distinctive feeling that he wishes to visit me without his men, maybe I would get water quicker! I was cautious when he asked me casually if I lived in this big house alone....... I replied what business was it of his or the water people.
Today after numerous text messages a maintenance man I knew came to the house and found the problem........ How do I put this..... outside my property is an area called 'roadside' it is land that is adjoining the property which is acquired with the property but must not be walled or used for building but can be used and maintained as your own, providing access is readily available for the water people. Today the maintenance man found that I did in fact have no water in the pipe....... I already knew this. He investigated outside further, more diligent than the other guys. He started digging and found my water pipe. It surprised me by being plastic. It had been cut and the supply end had been folded back on itself, tied and weighed down by a very large rock then covered with soil.
I was needless to say horrified, apparently it is something that occurs more often when there is low water supply and the neighbours hope to increase their supply by reducing yours. I wanted him to go to my new neighbour who was constructing their property and raise hell. The maintenance man said he had no proof as to who had done it, I tried to point out that my other neighbours had admitted to having no water for months as they had not paid their bills so it was not them. He was not prepared to get involved and I left the scene having paid out for a piece of pipe to join the gap.
I left home when the job had been finished and went to town - it was my day off, I went to my friend the computer man to copy some learning discs for the boys to use on the computer at Scann. I went to the opticians for glasses for one of the boys, I paid in advance my water bill - begrudgingly. Asked about the disputed rates bill, gave in my electricity reading, went to the post box (nothing there) visited my friend at her stall, to all those that know 'Ruth the bead lady' says hi and when are you all coming to visit.
I had packed some shower items this morning with the resolve that after I had completed my list of things to do I would head to Hotel Mercia for a swim (to get a towel) and a well awaited shower. By the time I got to the pool it had cooled and no one was about other than a business meeting by the pool. I um'ed and ah'ed but after a glass of red wine decided what the heck it couldn't be that cold. I was so wrong, whilst I was in the pool Ruth appeared and said she thought that my lack of showering had turned the pool brown - cheek. She left quickly as the only way for me to keep warm was to swim. I had to make the most of the 200KS price of a swim. It was well worth it, another glass of wine later and I was off to the shower. I was good and remembered to be patient and run the water for some time before being rewarded with HOT water, full force. I shaved legs, arm pits, scrubbed, washed hair. I am now a new woman. I dried and went back out in my bikini to dry in the now available sunshine. Not only the warmth of the sun kicking in but also the wine, I feel great, my hair has dried with lovely blonde highlights, all soft and curly after a recent cut, instead of greasy and lank as it was when I arrived.
Dominic called to say that the water is now connected and pressure is better than it has been for weeks, maybe manage a shower at home now. Mind you the 200ks was well worth it I have had a lovely day. I passed a woman who owns a boutique in town, she told me I looked lovely..... I feel lovely. Pity it will be wasted on the dogs and Dominic. OK off home now to do the mega pile of washing, tomorrow I won't be in good shape, my back will be breaking from bending over the basin washing, but I will be happy in the knowledge that I had a good day today and am achieving the list of things that need to be done before I leave.
Happy birthday to birthday people, hugs when I get home.
Nats and David Happy Anniversary sorry not there to 'sit'.
Dad Happy Fathers Day etc etc etc.
See you all soon ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Love you all.
Susannah
Friday, 30 May 2008
4 and counting
Afternoon All, (or is it morning still)......
Sorry, I've done it again, I couldn't send small emails if I tried.
OK, I have lost tract of where I left you. All I know is that I am down to 4 puppies, two dogs and two cats if that is any indication of time lapse.
I was given the lovely task of typing one of the older boys college project for presentation and assessment. Not a small job, so many accounting charts, maps and others, his project was on John’s Beef Farming outlining the building of a business. I was given it with 3 days to type it. Manic especially when you work into that the problems with power supply! I have been getting up when I feed the puppies and typing like a mad person. Dominic thinks I am crazy. Typing at home evening and morning and at Scann during the day I have managed to get it all typed, even found the required picture of a cow to fill the front page. Three copies later and stapled and bound it was presented, only to be refused as it was insufficient pages, I was told there was a maximum not a minimum. I had spaced well but lacked further information to bulk it out. I will leave that task to the writer.
During this time I forgot to tell you, I had been experiencing problems with the water pump which pumps the water during the day into a large storage tank for use when there is no water between 5pm and 8am. A fundi had been but needed to return. This in itself seemed like no issue, the tank was empty and I had been out and bought a small 50 litre tank which sits outside the back door which we fill with a hose during the day. Good job too……….
For 4 days we had NO water, apparently the water people had not paid their electricity bill for quite a considerable time and the electricity people had cut them off, this mean no pumps to pump ANY water to Nakuru. What a mad sight, so many people streaming to the natural boreholes for water, luckily with only Dominic and I at home the biggest problem is washing the garage after the puppies in the morning.
We managed to stretch the 50 litres and collect what small rain water for dogs etc. Clothes washing was a no no, so when we did get water it was a mega wash day. No shower water meant back to a cup and a bucket again – something I am not unfamiliar with. On the day the water dribbled back I decided that exhausted from all the computer work and puppies etc I would play hookie and treat myself to a hair cut. It was fabulous, great head massage, and relaxing in a comfy chair, not only did they have water they had HOT water, sheer luxury. Heaven. My hair didn’t know what had happened, it was so soft and silky I couldn’t do a thing with it. Mind you everyone wanted to touch it.
We are still having problems with the water pressure it is so low, can just manage to use the hose to fill the small tank, can't water the shamba as it takes hours with the dribble that is omitted from the tap. The small tank has been a God send (although the first one I sent Nick to buy wouldn’t fill, found it had a split in the bottom……….. sent him back for another one, he is a blessing.)
Mama Sweetie is busy sorting her house, she now has a table and a set of shelves from Baba Sweeties Aunt. I had driven to her house alone ready to work at her house in scruffy dirty clothes only to find her in a nice dress and her children in their Sunday Best ready to go to Kabarak University for a Charter Day presentation with Kabaki attending. In usual Kenyan style she said that I was to go too (it would have been nice to have been told, I could have worn a dress too!!) I looked down at myself and said if anyone asked I am her driver – we laughed.
The day was pleasant, lots of people dressed to the nines and me the token ‘white’ dressed in shabby work clothes, nice! Kabarak is a beautiful University and the two older girls attend the adjoining Primary School and were there to entertain the crowd with dancing. We eventually left and went back to Mama Sweeties where the heavens opened, I have not seen so much rain before, especially not at Kampi-ya-Moto. The Sweeties usually have water on a Wednesday, that is the only day a week that it arrives, that week they had had none and it was now Friday.
When the rains came we ran outside with every utensil that would carry water. I rolled up my trousers and ran back and forth filling the 120ltr tank she stores in the house, unfortunately I got very very very wet but the job in hand was greatly needed. I left before it got dark although dusk was setting in. Unfortunately, the drivers window doesn’t close and when I got into the van found that I was to sit in a very wet puddle all the way home, it just finished the day off, I was so wet anyway, I did have a wrap on the dry side of the van which I wrapped my shoulders in as by now I was getting chilly.
My departure was loud and eventful as always, people from the village waving me off. I went with high spirits but very wet. As I drove away from the village I remember a nagging feeling that I really should have got credit for my phone but didn’t want to turn round and go back.
The road from Kamp-ya-Moto is a long straight one that is sparsely inhabited. It was along this road that the van decided to die. I had just enough umph to roll to the side of the road, at which point clouds of steam rose from the closed bonnet. I knew exactly what was the problem - dry radiator, the one thing I had forgotten to check regularly!!! I put on the hazard lights hoping they worked then ran round breaking branches from the trees on the verge to use as a distress signal in the road, they use it like a warning triangle, couldn’t remember how far back it needed to go so put three piles, one for luck sticking out of the roadside back corner of the van too, just in case. Obviously worked as no one hit the vehicle, but no one stopped either.
I sat inside the van thinking why had I swept all the water out of the back of the van before I left it would have come in handy. I left the radiator to cool down and poured carefully the only water that I had which was a 1.5 litre bottle which I carried in case of emergency, it wasn’t enough just ended up as steam. This was why I needed to get the phone credit, I was now stranded, no sign on life other than cars zooming past me, unable to get anyone to help. Two whites passed me in their lovely new 4x4 vehicles but they obviously were concerned that I was a mugger or crazy person as they ignored my waving arms!!
Eventually a man on a bike passed me asking if I was OK, good question to which the answer was I was but I needed water. I explained that unfortunately I had no cash on me to offer him thanks, he told me not to worry and disappeared with my empty bottle. Another man on a bike stopped and offered assistance, I told him someone was already going for water and thanked him. He told me he would wait with me as it was now getting dark, I was not so sure of his intentions but he was OK just stood and chatted until the other man returned and they both waited until the van was running, I thanked them both, wished them a good life and left. In hindsight I realised why no one stopped for me, in the headlights I had seen myself, I looked as though I had wet my trousers, would you stop for some crazy person waving their arms around looking like they were incontinent…. Recipe for disaster, I probably wouldn’t stop either.
I overheated again just outside town, too far to the petrol station to walk and it was now pitch dark, I still had no credit. I opened the bonnet, waited then opened the radiator, steaming beautifully. After a long long wait a security guard from the building site I had stopped in front of came along to help. He spoke no English but with my limited language I managed to get him to find me some water, three bottles later the tank stopped steaming. I managed a smile, thanked him and left.
I got about ½ a mile to the petrol station where it spewed steam again. By now I was getting tired of this, I called over the attendant who waited for it to cool and then filled the radiator. He seemed quite happy to be helping the damsel in distress, giving me soothing words of comfort, or so he thought, actually asking me for a date was not what I was in the mood for!! I got him also to buy me some credit and called Peter who was en route to my house to be on call in case I didn’t make it, he also filled my water bottle and I bought myself some C H O C O L A T E by now even that wasn’t enough to make me happy.
I spluttered my way up the hill to the house, had phoned Dominic to make sure he was ready with the gate open as it was now so dark and loitering around outside the gate was not good.
Dominic took one look at me when I got out of the van and shook his head saying ‘rough day’ it sounded so funny coming from him that all I could do was repeat the words and laugh, it was a mild statement for my adventure. Lesson learnt, don’t rely on the van, always carry credit, always carry spare water (lots of it), ideally don’t travel alone with unreliable vehicle. I went straight to bed with a hot water bottle and a splitting headache.
I have had two more trips to Mama Sweeties one was to shift more things as Baba Sweeties Aunt was renting a house that was sold so they had to move. Mama Sweetie still had a large collection of the ‘heavy things’ at the house that had to go. I am so glad that I had decided to do a road trip and take Dominic and Peter with me, after my last trip I was taking no chances. (Peter an ex older boy from Scann had been suspended from his job as a mechanic due to a misunderstanding and was at a loose end). Mama Sweetie had told me that there was a few things needed to go to the house, that was it. I was so glad that Peter and Dominic came as one of the items was a machine designed by Baba Sweetie to chop and mix feed for the cattle that they had, it took 6 of us to lift it on to the van, we had also grabbed some neighbours as it was impossible for us to move. I wanted to know how she though I would have moved it alone!!!!
Everything got shifted and we returned home shattered but in the knowledge that there was nothing else lying around that would need shifting in the near future. The van, of course was no trouble!!!!!!
Yesterday Dominic left for home, he had received news that his father, who had been unwell for sometime had passed away. Both he and his brother left at 6am after having prepared them food for the trip and a thermos of chocolate, prepared the puppy for its journey and generally sorted them out, like having extended family. I hugged them as they left and wished them a safe journey, it was about 9 hours on a bus. I decided to get to work, fed and cleaned up after the puppies, cleaned the house, washed the van ready to go to the supermarket for sack of dog food and start buying things for Dominic while I am away. Van duly washed, me too, dogs secured and ready to leave……… the van decided not to start, nothing, just a clunk. I said a few choice words and phoned Nick to come and shop with me.
I received a call from Mama Sweetie asking when I was going to see her and I explained about the van and told her I could not spend any more money repairing it, I was broke!! She decided she and the children would visit me on Saturday, will look at photos and she wants to read my version of the Sweetie Story that she had seen last time she was here playing with my laptop. I will probably treat the children to a movie too, must get in some crisps and juice for them, they don’t get many treats.
30th May, 2008. Today, I got up late, I ignored the puppies whining and rested I got another half an hour, 6.30am! I had cooked their food last night and all I needed to do was feed them. I then fed Kim and Fatso (they aren’t happy as I have cut them down to one meal a day – as I cant afford to keep them on two). Fed the cats who also weren’t pleased as am getting them used to sleeping on their hammock outside and closing the window they usually use to come in the house, as have decided to lock up house when I leave so Dominic doesn’t have to clean it daily. (He will stay in the guard house with all the provisions he needs and a jiko stove to cook on, oh and the TV! There is an outside tap for water, he has an outside toilet, and area where he can wash). We have to retrain the animals before I leave to stop them using the house, should be fun.
I have washed bedding as looks like it will be a nice day, this was in water that I collected in a basin yesterday as its still too early for my water supply to be here. I have swept and cleaned the house, done various sewing items for the Scann boys, had breakfast, played with the puppies and it is only 9.30am. Will have a wash when the water decides to be more than a fine line trickling from the tap. Could be a while!! I am heading into town later to send this email, return a DVD that wont play, pick up two pairs of Scann trousers from the fundi (I refuse to do the zips, I still hate them!), pop my head into Scann (I know its my day off but will pick up some more sewing to keep me busy!!!!!)
I love being home alone, I think Dominic will be gone for about 10 days, it will be interesting, he kept saying he was sorry and that there was too much work to leave me with. I said NO PROBLEM!!! Hakuna Shida
Dominic phoned me yesterday when he arrived ……. He said ‘journey, not rough day’ and the puppy was ‘happy too’. It was nice of him to call me. I had bought him a phone so that I could contact him if I was late or in difficulty, it is a great challenge as we usually communicate with a lot of gestures and showing examples, if I get stuck I grab someone to translate, mind you we are both getting better at understanding.
OK I think you are now emailed out………….I will leave you in the knowledge that the day is sunny and beautiful, I need a shower, haven’t had one in about a week as no water pressure……. Bucket wash doesn’t do it for me, besides its cold water! Got to get water pump sorted when I return, no use doing it before I leave as will probably need attention before I get back and be more of a liability for Dominic. I thought I had a water problem until I found out the situation with Mama Sweetie, now I am just resigned to I have ‘a little water’ problem!!!
Love to you all, counting the days now, trying to cram my work at Scann, they are not happy that I am leaving but pleased that I am coming back. They know I will as am leaving the animals and the house as guarantee.
Hope you are all in fine health and are happy, I am.
See some of you soon.
Just realised what are you all going to do for 3 months without emails when I am home………. Shock horror, you will have to find something else to keep you busy.
Susannah & Co.
Flight details for any kind soul who may like to pick me up......!!!!!!!!!!Wednesday, 25th June 2008, London Heathrow, Flight VS0672, Terminal 3 (I got it wrong last time!!) Anticipated arrival time 14.50....... !!!!! Oh it seems so close seeing it is type.
Sorry, I've done it again, I couldn't send small emails if I tried.
OK, I have lost tract of where I left you. All I know is that I am down to 4 puppies, two dogs and two cats if that is any indication of time lapse.
I was given the lovely task of typing one of the older boys college project for presentation and assessment. Not a small job, so many accounting charts, maps and others, his project was on John’s Beef Farming outlining the building of a business. I was given it with 3 days to type it. Manic especially when you work into that the problems with power supply! I have been getting up when I feed the puppies and typing like a mad person. Dominic thinks I am crazy. Typing at home evening and morning and at Scann during the day I have managed to get it all typed, even found the required picture of a cow to fill the front page. Three copies later and stapled and bound it was presented, only to be refused as it was insufficient pages, I was told there was a maximum not a minimum. I had spaced well but lacked further information to bulk it out. I will leave that task to the writer.
During this time I forgot to tell you, I had been experiencing problems with the water pump which pumps the water during the day into a large storage tank for use when there is no water between 5pm and 8am. A fundi had been but needed to return. This in itself seemed like no issue, the tank was empty and I had been out and bought a small 50 litre tank which sits outside the back door which we fill with a hose during the day. Good job too……….
For 4 days we had NO water, apparently the water people had not paid their electricity bill for quite a considerable time and the electricity people had cut them off, this mean no pumps to pump ANY water to Nakuru. What a mad sight, so many people streaming to the natural boreholes for water, luckily with only Dominic and I at home the biggest problem is washing the garage after the puppies in the morning.
We managed to stretch the 50 litres and collect what small rain water for dogs etc. Clothes washing was a no no, so when we did get water it was a mega wash day. No shower water meant back to a cup and a bucket again – something I am not unfamiliar with. On the day the water dribbled back I decided that exhausted from all the computer work and puppies etc I would play hookie and treat myself to a hair cut. It was fabulous, great head massage, and relaxing in a comfy chair, not only did they have water they had HOT water, sheer luxury. Heaven. My hair didn’t know what had happened, it was so soft and silky I couldn’t do a thing with it. Mind you everyone wanted to touch it.
We are still having problems with the water pressure it is so low, can just manage to use the hose to fill the small tank, can't water the shamba as it takes hours with the dribble that is omitted from the tap. The small tank has been a God send (although the first one I sent Nick to buy wouldn’t fill, found it had a split in the bottom……….. sent him back for another one, he is a blessing.)
Mama Sweetie is busy sorting her house, she now has a table and a set of shelves from Baba Sweeties Aunt. I had driven to her house alone ready to work at her house in scruffy dirty clothes only to find her in a nice dress and her children in their Sunday Best ready to go to Kabarak University for a Charter Day presentation with Kabaki attending. In usual Kenyan style she said that I was to go too (it would have been nice to have been told, I could have worn a dress too!!) I looked down at myself and said if anyone asked I am her driver – we laughed.
The day was pleasant, lots of people dressed to the nines and me the token ‘white’ dressed in shabby work clothes, nice! Kabarak is a beautiful University and the two older girls attend the adjoining Primary School and were there to entertain the crowd with dancing. We eventually left and went back to Mama Sweeties where the heavens opened, I have not seen so much rain before, especially not at Kampi-ya-Moto. The Sweeties usually have water on a Wednesday, that is the only day a week that it arrives, that week they had had none and it was now Friday.
When the rains came we ran outside with every utensil that would carry water. I rolled up my trousers and ran back and forth filling the 120ltr tank she stores in the house, unfortunately I got very very very wet but the job in hand was greatly needed. I left before it got dark although dusk was setting in. Unfortunately, the drivers window doesn’t close and when I got into the van found that I was to sit in a very wet puddle all the way home, it just finished the day off, I was so wet anyway, I did have a wrap on the dry side of the van which I wrapped my shoulders in as by now I was getting chilly.
My departure was loud and eventful as always, people from the village waving me off. I went with high spirits but very wet. As I drove away from the village I remember a nagging feeling that I really should have got credit for my phone but didn’t want to turn round and go back.
The road from Kamp-ya-Moto is a long straight one that is sparsely inhabited. It was along this road that the van decided to die. I had just enough umph to roll to the side of the road, at which point clouds of steam rose from the closed bonnet. I knew exactly what was the problem - dry radiator, the one thing I had forgotten to check regularly!!! I put on the hazard lights hoping they worked then ran round breaking branches from the trees on the verge to use as a distress signal in the road, they use it like a warning triangle, couldn’t remember how far back it needed to go so put three piles, one for luck sticking out of the roadside back corner of the van too, just in case. Obviously worked as no one hit the vehicle, but no one stopped either.
I sat inside the van thinking why had I swept all the water out of the back of the van before I left it would have come in handy. I left the radiator to cool down and poured carefully the only water that I had which was a 1.5 litre bottle which I carried in case of emergency, it wasn’t enough just ended up as steam. This was why I needed to get the phone credit, I was now stranded, no sign on life other than cars zooming past me, unable to get anyone to help. Two whites passed me in their lovely new 4x4 vehicles but they obviously were concerned that I was a mugger or crazy person as they ignored my waving arms!!
Eventually a man on a bike passed me asking if I was OK, good question to which the answer was I was but I needed water. I explained that unfortunately I had no cash on me to offer him thanks, he told me not to worry and disappeared with my empty bottle. Another man on a bike stopped and offered assistance, I told him someone was already going for water and thanked him. He told me he would wait with me as it was now getting dark, I was not so sure of his intentions but he was OK just stood and chatted until the other man returned and they both waited until the van was running, I thanked them both, wished them a good life and left. In hindsight I realised why no one stopped for me, in the headlights I had seen myself, I looked as though I had wet my trousers, would you stop for some crazy person waving their arms around looking like they were incontinent…. Recipe for disaster, I probably wouldn’t stop either.
I overheated again just outside town, too far to the petrol station to walk and it was now pitch dark, I still had no credit. I opened the bonnet, waited then opened the radiator, steaming beautifully. After a long long wait a security guard from the building site I had stopped in front of came along to help. He spoke no English but with my limited language I managed to get him to find me some water, three bottles later the tank stopped steaming. I managed a smile, thanked him and left.
I got about ½ a mile to the petrol station where it spewed steam again. By now I was getting tired of this, I called over the attendant who waited for it to cool and then filled the radiator. He seemed quite happy to be helping the damsel in distress, giving me soothing words of comfort, or so he thought, actually asking me for a date was not what I was in the mood for!! I got him also to buy me some credit and called Peter who was en route to my house to be on call in case I didn’t make it, he also filled my water bottle and I bought myself some C H O C O L A T E by now even that wasn’t enough to make me happy.
I spluttered my way up the hill to the house, had phoned Dominic to make sure he was ready with the gate open as it was now so dark and loitering around outside the gate was not good.
Dominic took one look at me when I got out of the van and shook his head saying ‘rough day’ it sounded so funny coming from him that all I could do was repeat the words and laugh, it was a mild statement for my adventure. Lesson learnt, don’t rely on the van, always carry credit, always carry spare water (lots of it), ideally don’t travel alone with unreliable vehicle. I went straight to bed with a hot water bottle and a splitting headache.
I have had two more trips to Mama Sweeties one was to shift more things as Baba Sweeties Aunt was renting a house that was sold so they had to move. Mama Sweetie still had a large collection of the ‘heavy things’ at the house that had to go. I am so glad that I had decided to do a road trip and take Dominic and Peter with me, after my last trip I was taking no chances. (Peter an ex older boy from Scann had been suspended from his job as a mechanic due to a misunderstanding and was at a loose end). Mama Sweetie had told me that there was a few things needed to go to the house, that was it. I was so glad that Peter and Dominic came as one of the items was a machine designed by Baba Sweetie to chop and mix feed for the cattle that they had, it took 6 of us to lift it on to the van, we had also grabbed some neighbours as it was impossible for us to move. I wanted to know how she though I would have moved it alone!!!!
Everything got shifted and we returned home shattered but in the knowledge that there was nothing else lying around that would need shifting in the near future. The van, of course was no trouble!!!!!!
Yesterday Dominic left for home, he had received news that his father, who had been unwell for sometime had passed away. Both he and his brother left at 6am after having prepared them food for the trip and a thermos of chocolate, prepared the puppy for its journey and generally sorted them out, like having extended family. I hugged them as they left and wished them a safe journey, it was about 9 hours on a bus. I decided to get to work, fed and cleaned up after the puppies, cleaned the house, washed the van ready to go to the supermarket for sack of dog food and start buying things for Dominic while I am away. Van duly washed, me too, dogs secured and ready to leave……… the van decided not to start, nothing, just a clunk. I said a few choice words and phoned Nick to come and shop with me.
I received a call from Mama Sweetie asking when I was going to see her and I explained about the van and told her I could not spend any more money repairing it, I was broke!! She decided she and the children would visit me on Saturday, will look at photos and she wants to read my version of the Sweetie Story that she had seen last time she was here playing with my laptop. I will probably treat the children to a movie too, must get in some crisps and juice for them, they don’t get many treats.
30th May, 2008. Today, I got up late, I ignored the puppies whining and rested I got another half an hour, 6.30am! I had cooked their food last night and all I needed to do was feed them. I then fed Kim and Fatso (they aren’t happy as I have cut them down to one meal a day – as I cant afford to keep them on two). Fed the cats who also weren’t pleased as am getting them used to sleeping on their hammock outside and closing the window they usually use to come in the house, as have decided to lock up house when I leave so Dominic doesn’t have to clean it daily. (He will stay in the guard house with all the provisions he needs and a jiko stove to cook on, oh and the TV! There is an outside tap for water, he has an outside toilet, and area where he can wash). We have to retrain the animals before I leave to stop them using the house, should be fun.
I have washed bedding as looks like it will be a nice day, this was in water that I collected in a basin yesterday as its still too early for my water supply to be here. I have swept and cleaned the house, done various sewing items for the Scann boys, had breakfast, played with the puppies and it is only 9.30am. Will have a wash when the water decides to be more than a fine line trickling from the tap. Could be a while!! I am heading into town later to send this email, return a DVD that wont play, pick up two pairs of Scann trousers from the fundi (I refuse to do the zips, I still hate them!), pop my head into Scann (I know its my day off but will pick up some more sewing to keep me busy!!!!!)
I love being home alone, I think Dominic will be gone for about 10 days, it will be interesting, he kept saying he was sorry and that there was too much work to leave me with. I said NO PROBLEM!!! Hakuna Shida
Dominic phoned me yesterday when he arrived ……. He said ‘journey, not rough day’ and the puppy was ‘happy too’. It was nice of him to call me. I had bought him a phone so that I could contact him if I was late or in difficulty, it is a great challenge as we usually communicate with a lot of gestures and showing examples, if I get stuck I grab someone to translate, mind you we are both getting better at understanding.
OK I think you are now emailed out………….I will leave you in the knowledge that the day is sunny and beautiful, I need a shower, haven’t had one in about a week as no water pressure……. Bucket wash doesn’t do it for me, besides its cold water! Got to get water pump sorted when I return, no use doing it before I leave as will probably need attention before I get back and be more of a liability for Dominic. I thought I had a water problem until I found out the situation with Mama Sweetie, now I am just resigned to I have ‘a little water’ problem!!!
Love to you all, counting the days now, trying to cram my work at Scann, they are not happy that I am leaving but pleased that I am coming back. They know I will as am leaving the animals and the house as guarantee.
Hope you are all in fine health and are happy, I am.
See some of you soon.
Just realised what are you all going to do for 3 months without emails when I am home………. Shock horror, you will have to find something else to keep you busy.
Susannah & Co.
Flight details for any kind soul who may like to pick me up......!!!!!!!!!!Wednesday, 25th June 2008, London Heathrow, Flight VS0672, Terminal 3 (I got it wrong last time!!) Anticipated arrival time 14.50....... !!!!! Oh it seems so close seeing it is type.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Double Whammie
It has been a while....... actually for a lot of things!!!!!!!!!
At last the internet is up and running.......I have been typing my emails and saving on the memory stick but the internet is never working when I am here.
Turn off the phones and the TV, lock the doors, brew yourself your favourite brew, grab yourself something to nibble on, get comfortable here goes............. two installments of my life attached.
First is...... THE BUTCHERS DILEMMA
One hot day on my struggle home from Scann I passed a butchers shop called Daylight Butcher. My task that day and there follows many many others was to find somewhere to buy food that would satisfy Kims huge hunger whilst feeding her puppies at a reasonable price.
I entered the butchers and was greeted by a middle aged man with a massive friendly smile. He wanted to know who I was, what I was doing, why I wanted bones etc etc. After this relaxed conversation, it would appear that he was a locals butchers and not many ‘white’ visitors came by, he wasn’t going to let me go lightly. He bagged up an additional bag that he said he had contributed and I wouldn’t pay for.
There started the routine of visiting the butcher. Now one of the ladies in the butchers some weeks later offered me her number so that I could order ahead when I was in a hurry, seemed like a good idea and I have used it a couple of times. It was in fact a ploy to get my number so that the butcher could phone me. He calls when I don’t visit to find out what is wrong, he calls to invite me on trips, and sometimes he just calls me. Yesterday I passed his shop to explain that I am too busy, really not interested and to save his money that is being used on phone calls.
Little did I know…….. I greeted the butcher and ordered as his place was full of people on their way home from work, hoping to get a moment to talk to him discretely. Whilst serving me he reached down below the counter and handed me a parcel, from the feel I knew it wasn’t meat or bones for the dog. I didn’t have time to look inside but protested that he wasn’t to buy me anything, he said it was a gift, (it turned out to be a lovely ‘mumsie’ dress and a jacket to keep me warm). I was duly served with 4kg of dog bones and waste, after only asking and paying for 1 kg. I struggled to carry my load especially the bag of mixed items for the dog, I also became aware how fragile the plastic bag was that was carrying the said load.
I arrived at the matatu stage and found a matatu ready to leave, I was told there was one seat remaining and to get on. Well, I couldn’t find the remaining seat and it turned out that there was to be made space on the already full back seat for me to squeeze into. This is a difficult task when you have nothing you are carrying, when overloaded with bags and slops it is a nightmare. The seats on a matatu as I am sure I have explained before are so close together that it is a real effort to squeeze between them, I always manage to clobber someone with me bag or end up with my rear in someones face, add to this the fact that the matatu doesn’t wait for you to be seated …….. what do you get, mayhem and the locals smirking that you are struggling! I eventually ‘slid’ myself onto the seat whilst negotiating the spare wheel lying on the floor where my feet were supposed to go.
I sighed a sigh of relief, what a struggle, many women do this with 2 kids and a baby on their back whilst carrying bags........nightmare!
The space that had been reluctantly made for me was tight, I was squeezed thigh to thigh with my back seat compatriots, it was at this time that I realised I had not done the usual thing and retrieved my 20bob for the ride, that was still sitting ready in my jeans pocket. I already knew that I only had a note of 1,000ks in my purse. I wriggled to try and make access to my pocket easier, it was no good. I shifted the bags that I had precariously placed on my lap, in horror noticing that the bag of animal waste had experienced a tear and seepage was oozing out onto my jeans along with a nice smell. I wriggled some more and managed to slide my index finger into the top of my pocket realizing that because of the close proximity of my neighbour retrieving my money would not be an easy task as the coin was not within easy reach. I thrust my finger further into my pocket feeling for the coin, in doing so found the man next to me was giving me a strange look, it became evident that whilst wriggling in my pocket I was also wriggling against his thigh as we were so close, I am not sure if he liked it or was offended, his smile confirmed my worry he appeared to think I was trying to catch a feel!
I decided to no longer be discreet, I asked him to hold my clean bag whilst I slid down in the seat to release my jeans pocket so I could reach the coin. I was relieved to find it and held it like a trophy for him to see.
I settled back into my seat and was asked by the conductor for my 25 bob, now having only the 20 available and this being the normal fare I questioned the 25 bob he was trying to charge me, I noticed that there was a lot of disgruntled people ahead of me moaning about the hike in charge without notice. I told the conductor loudly I only had the 20 bob coin and if he wasn’t happy he should let me off the matatu. The lady in front of me turned and smiled, pleased that I had not agreed to pay, having been in this situation before I remembered being told that if the ‘white’ lady agrees to pay no one wants to be made embarrassed by not being able to afford to pay. The man refused to take the 20 bob from my fingers and continued to argue with the other people on the matatu. Everyone now found their voice and argued in unison, the conductor was not happy, he had been hoping that I would pay and the rest would have to follow.
Whilst holding my 20 bob coin in silent protest against him hiking the fare, it was knocked by the man in front shifting in his seat and disappeared onto the floor of the matatu. This just added to my problems, I couldn’t look for the money as I was jammed into my seat and had bags on my lap, I tapped the man in front of me on the shoulder and asked him to see if he could find it. After a lot of shuffling in his seat, muttering and others joining in the money was retrieved and paid to the angry looking conductor, he realised that I was standing by the rest of the passengers and only paying 20 bob.
I got home tired and smelling of nasty bits that were now oozing from the plastic bag and with badly stained jeans. Dominic opened the gate and the dogs greeted me with great gusto added by the smell of the meat. I got to the kitchen having run to the back door with all the dogs in hot pursuit, but I am faster!!! The bag of waste was handed to Dominic to sort into small bags and put in the freezer whilst I investigated what was in the bag from the butcher.
I opened the bag and found a yellow dress which was too big and not me really and a zip up jacket to keep me warm. My dilemma is what am I supposed to do, I would very much like to return the package and say it was a lovely thought but I am unable to accept. I am not happy in encouraging any further attentions from this kind but unsolicited man. I will take advice from the ladies at Scann to find out the best action to take.
Update on the puppies, one left yesterday to a new home, Kim apparently hasn’t even noticed, fingers crossed that it will be well looked after. Mama Sweetie is chomping at the bit for me to take her three puppies this week, I am worried that she will find them an additional problem but she insists that she wants them to provide the family with protection and a deterrent to possible unwanted visitors.
I am watching the CNN news at the moment and just hearing of the tragic earthquake in China. There is so much we have no control of in this world, let us make the most of the things we do have control of, live life to the full it is too quickly over.
On that heavy note, I love you all and will soon be home, take care
Second.....AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
On Tuesday one of the puppies was found a new home with our neighbour. Dominic went through the procedures of feeding etc and we gave the vaccination record book to show it had been vaccinated against Parvo Virus but would need the others on the 26th of this month.
One down and 8 to go…..
On Wednesday morning I saw through the hedge the neighbour and asked how the puppy had been that night, he said it had cried all night and no one got any sleep. I mentioned to him that when you have 8 sisters and suddenly are alone you would cry too. That evening a knock at the gate proved to be the neighbour asking if they could have another puppy to keep the first one company, Dominic handed over another puppy.
Two down and 7 to go……. Or so I thought.
Kim appeared not to notice that she was two puppies light and the rest of the puppies busied themselves and appeared not to notice either. Dominic and I sat and watched part of a movie as the power went off and we were left with the battery power on the laptop until that died. I went off to bed, Dominic to his nighttime guard duties.
At 2 am I was awoken by one of the puppies howling, not something usual at that time of night. I tried to ignore the noise and went back to a fitful sleep, at 4 am I woke up again and it was still going on, I decided to investigate……I headed towards the garage where the puppies sleep and realised the noise was coming from outside. I looked out of the kitchen window and saw a small black puppy wandering desperately round the garden.
I went out the back door and to the puppy, by this time I had been joined by Kim, the big puppy with Dominic following a short way behind. I was horrified to watch Kim go to attack the puppy, not like her, I scooped up the cold and shivering bundle and went inside. My thought was that one of the puppies that went next door had come through the fence but I knew that we had secured all holes to prevent our puppies wandering.
The puppy kept yelping in pain and was not happy at all, it had obviously been madly digging as it was covered in dirt. I handed the puppy to Dominic who said he would put it by the jiko (charcoal stove) he used at night to keep him warm. In the transaction we noticed the belly of the puppy and discovered it was a boy……………. the only boy we have is brown and not black……………. Curious and curiouser ………….the crazy thing was that the puppy looked so much like the black puppies we had in our litter.
Realising that the puppy wasn’t one of Kims and she wasn’t happy I took the puppy into my room for warmth and safety. All night the puppy whimpered and I discovered why in the morning, I was covered in flea bites and therefore so must the puppy be. I got up at 6am as usual and fed the puppies, it would appear that this one was not yet weaned as it struggled to lap the milk I gave it. My first duty was to douse it in flea powder and leave it to rest. It appears to have sustained an injury to its back leg which is causing it problems. We will wait and see what happens.
One up and now 8 to go…………
Dominic who is as baffled as I am after walking round the fence and realizing there are no holes, cant fathom how the puppy came to be here and where it came from, we haven’t heard of any neighbours having puppies. I told him that as we had passed on two puppies some powers-that-be have decided we have now room for one more lost soul.
The menagerie reduces and increases……….
...... Finished reading ........ all that needs to be said is I need to catch up on news so another one will follow in a few days. In my worry that I would forget various events that are coming up I sent my May wishes ahead of time..,... that is my excuse anyway.... maybe it is just me getting old.
Also attached photos, out of date now of the puppies...... SORRY....... couldnt zip them first, one puppy photo with Dominic in I call 'feeding mania', the second one 'fed and sleepy' I now only have five puppies left and it is much easier that is excluding Kim and Fatso (she was called Pip for a while but Fatso fits much better!)
Love to all, hope the email gets through.xxxxxx
Susannah
At last the internet is up and running.......I have been typing my emails and saving on the memory stick but the internet is never working when I am here.
Turn off the phones and the TV, lock the doors, brew yourself your favourite brew, grab yourself something to nibble on, get comfortable here goes............. two installments of my life attached.
First is...... THE BUTCHERS DILEMMA
One hot day on my struggle home from Scann I passed a butchers shop called Daylight Butcher. My task that day and there follows many many others was to find somewhere to buy food that would satisfy Kims huge hunger whilst feeding her puppies at a reasonable price.
I entered the butchers and was greeted by a middle aged man with a massive friendly smile. He wanted to know who I was, what I was doing, why I wanted bones etc etc. After this relaxed conversation, it would appear that he was a locals butchers and not many ‘white’ visitors came by, he wasn’t going to let me go lightly. He bagged up an additional bag that he said he had contributed and I wouldn’t pay for.
There started the routine of visiting the butcher. Now one of the ladies in the butchers some weeks later offered me her number so that I could order ahead when I was in a hurry, seemed like a good idea and I have used it a couple of times. It was in fact a ploy to get my number so that the butcher could phone me. He calls when I don’t visit to find out what is wrong, he calls to invite me on trips, and sometimes he just calls me. Yesterday I passed his shop to explain that I am too busy, really not interested and to save his money that is being used on phone calls.
Little did I know…….. I greeted the butcher and ordered as his place was full of people on their way home from work, hoping to get a moment to talk to him discretely. Whilst serving me he reached down below the counter and handed me a parcel, from the feel I knew it wasn’t meat or bones for the dog. I didn’t have time to look inside but protested that he wasn’t to buy me anything, he said it was a gift, (it turned out to be a lovely ‘mumsie’ dress and a jacket to keep me warm). I was duly served with 4kg of dog bones and waste, after only asking and paying for 1 kg. I struggled to carry my load especially the bag of mixed items for the dog, I also became aware how fragile the plastic bag was that was carrying the said load.
I arrived at the matatu stage and found a matatu ready to leave, I was told there was one seat remaining and to get on. Well, I couldn’t find the remaining seat and it turned out that there was to be made space on the already full back seat for me to squeeze into. This is a difficult task when you have nothing you are carrying, when overloaded with bags and slops it is a nightmare. The seats on a matatu as I am sure I have explained before are so close together that it is a real effort to squeeze between them, I always manage to clobber someone with me bag or end up with my rear in someones face, add to this the fact that the matatu doesn’t wait for you to be seated …….. what do you get, mayhem and the locals smirking that you are struggling! I eventually ‘slid’ myself onto the seat whilst negotiating the spare wheel lying on the floor where my feet were supposed to go.
I sighed a sigh of relief, what a struggle, many women do this with 2 kids and a baby on their back whilst carrying bags........nightmare!
The space that had been reluctantly made for me was tight, I was squeezed thigh to thigh with my back seat compatriots, it was at this time that I realised I had not done the usual thing and retrieved my 20bob for the ride, that was still sitting ready in my jeans pocket. I already knew that I only had a note of 1,000ks in my purse. I wriggled to try and make access to my pocket easier, it was no good. I shifted the bags that I had precariously placed on my lap, in horror noticing that the bag of animal waste had experienced a tear and seepage was oozing out onto my jeans along with a nice smell. I wriggled some more and managed to slide my index finger into the top of my pocket realizing that because of the close proximity of my neighbour retrieving my money would not be an easy task as the coin was not within easy reach. I thrust my finger further into my pocket feeling for the coin, in doing so found the man next to me was giving me a strange look, it became evident that whilst wriggling in my pocket I was also wriggling against his thigh as we were so close, I am not sure if he liked it or was offended, his smile confirmed my worry he appeared to think I was trying to catch a feel!
I decided to no longer be discreet, I asked him to hold my clean bag whilst I slid down in the seat to release my jeans pocket so I could reach the coin. I was relieved to find it and held it like a trophy for him to see.
I settled back into my seat and was asked by the conductor for my 25 bob, now having only the 20 available and this being the normal fare I questioned the 25 bob he was trying to charge me, I noticed that there was a lot of disgruntled people ahead of me moaning about the hike in charge without notice. I told the conductor loudly I only had the 20 bob coin and if he wasn’t happy he should let me off the matatu. The lady in front of me turned and smiled, pleased that I had not agreed to pay, having been in this situation before I remembered being told that if the ‘white’ lady agrees to pay no one wants to be made embarrassed by not being able to afford to pay. The man refused to take the 20 bob from my fingers and continued to argue with the other people on the matatu. Everyone now found their voice and argued in unison, the conductor was not happy, he had been hoping that I would pay and the rest would have to follow.
Whilst holding my 20 bob coin in silent protest against him hiking the fare, it was knocked by the man in front shifting in his seat and disappeared onto the floor of the matatu. This just added to my problems, I couldn’t look for the money as I was jammed into my seat and had bags on my lap, I tapped the man in front of me on the shoulder and asked him to see if he could find it. After a lot of shuffling in his seat, muttering and others joining in the money was retrieved and paid to the angry looking conductor, he realised that I was standing by the rest of the passengers and only paying 20 bob.
I got home tired and smelling of nasty bits that were now oozing from the plastic bag and with badly stained jeans. Dominic opened the gate and the dogs greeted me with great gusto added by the smell of the meat. I got to the kitchen having run to the back door with all the dogs in hot pursuit, but I am faster!!! The bag of waste was handed to Dominic to sort into small bags and put in the freezer whilst I investigated what was in the bag from the butcher.
I opened the bag and found a yellow dress which was too big and not me really and a zip up jacket to keep me warm. My dilemma is what am I supposed to do, I would very much like to return the package and say it was a lovely thought but I am unable to accept. I am not happy in encouraging any further attentions from this kind but unsolicited man. I will take advice from the ladies at Scann to find out the best action to take.
Update on the puppies, one left yesterday to a new home, Kim apparently hasn’t even noticed, fingers crossed that it will be well looked after. Mama Sweetie is chomping at the bit for me to take her three puppies this week, I am worried that she will find them an additional problem but she insists that she wants them to provide the family with protection and a deterrent to possible unwanted visitors.
I am watching the CNN news at the moment and just hearing of the tragic earthquake in China. There is so much we have no control of in this world, let us make the most of the things we do have control of, live life to the full it is too quickly over.
On that heavy note, I love you all and will soon be home, take care
Second.....AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
On Tuesday one of the puppies was found a new home with our neighbour. Dominic went through the procedures of feeding etc and we gave the vaccination record book to show it had been vaccinated against Parvo Virus but would need the others on the 26th of this month.
One down and 8 to go…..
On Wednesday morning I saw through the hedge the neighbour and asked how the puppy had been that night, he said it had cried all night and no one got any sleep. I mentioned to him that when you have 8 sisters and suddenly are alone you would cry too. That evening a knock at the gate proved to be the neighbour asking if they could have another puppy to keep the first one company, Dominic handed over another puppy.
Two down and 7 to go……. Or so I thought.
Kim appeared not to notice that she was two puppies light and the rest of the puppies busied themselves and appeared not to notice either. Dominic and I sat and watched part of a movie as the power went off and we were left with the battery power on the laptop until that died. I went off to bed, Dominic to his nighttime guard duties.
At 2 am I was awoken by one of the puppies howling, not something usual at that time of night. I tried to ignore the noise and went back to a fitful sleep, at 4 am I woke up again and it was still going on, I decided to investigate……I headed towards the garage where the puppies sleep and realised the noise was coming from outside. I looked out of the kitchen window and saw a small black puppy wandering desperately round the garden.
I went out the back door and to the puppy, by this time I had been joined by Kim, the big puppy with Dominic following a short way behind. I was horrified to watch Kim go to attack the puppy, not like her, I scooped up the cold and shivering bundle and went inside. My thought was that one of the puppies that went next door had come through the fence but I knew that we had secured all holes to prevent our puppies wandering.
The puppy kept yelping in pain and was not happy at all, it had obviously been madly digging as it was covered in dirt. I handed the puppy to Dominic who said he would put it by the jiko (charcoal stove) he used at night to keep him warm. In the transaction we noticed the belly of the puppy and discovered it was a boy……………. the only boy we have is brown and not black……………. Curious and curiouser ………….the crazy thing was that the puppy looked so much like the black puppies we had in our litter.
Realising that the puppy wasn’t one of Kims and she wasn’t happy I took the puppy into my room for warmth and safety. All night the puppy whimpered and I discovered why in the morning, I was covered in flea bites and therefore so must the puppy be. I got up at 6am as usual and fed the puppies, it would appear that this one was not yet weaned as it struggled to lap the milk I gave it. My first duty was to douse it in flea powder and leave it to rest. It appears to have sustained an injury to its back leg which is causing it problems. We will wait and see what happens.
One up and now 8 to go…………
Dominic who is as baffled as I am after walking round the fence and realizing there are no holes, cant fathom how the puppy came to be here and where it came from, we haven’t heard of any neighbours having puppies. I told him that as we had passed on two puppies some powers-that-be have decided we have now room for one more lost soul.
The menagerie reduces and increases……….
...... Finished reading ........ all that needs to be said is I need to catch up on news so another one will follow in a few days. In my worry that I would forget various events that are coming up I sent my May wishes ahead of time..,... that is my excuse anyway.... maybe it is just me getting old.
Also attached photos, out of date now of the puppies...... SORRY....... couldnt zip them first, one puppy photo with Dominic in I call 'feeding mania', the second one 'fed and sleepy' I now only have five puppies left and it is much easier that is excluding Kim and Fatso (she was called Pip for a while but Fatso fits much better!)
Love to all, hope the email gets through.xxxxxx
Susannah
Monday, 12 May 2008
Slight of Hand
Ok
just a quick email to let you all know that my phone was picked from my bag at the weekend, whilst I have a replacement I don't have every ones numbers so please drop me a line and confirm who you are.
My number has been kept but obviously I don't have any contacts. Safaricom have a promotion here where everytime you add credit to your phone you collect points, luckily, I had enough for them to give me a free phone and I wasn't even aware I was collecting points...., that was the only good news I had that day. I was NOT A HAPPY BUNNY! I am still having problems with my hand and finger since injuries last week but improving slowly.
Take care,
love to you all.
Susannah
just a quick email to let you all know that my phone was picked from my bag at the weekend, whilst I have a replacement I don't have every ones numbers so please drop me a line and confirm who you are.
My number has been kept but obviously I don't have any contacts. Safaricom have a promotion here where everytime you add credit to your phone you collect points, luckily, I had enough for them to give me a free phone and I wasn't even aware I was collecting points...., that was the only good news I had that day. I was NOT A HAPPY BUNNY! I am still having problems with my hand and finger since injuries last week but improving slowly.
Take care,
love to you all.
Susannah
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