Nhamatanda

So, the first entry from yours truly.

Tuesday (I think!) 13th of November

At the moment I'm peering up to the next level of the room, listening to a mouse scratching about, I reckon hes considering making another visit like last night, more info on the mouse loving side of things in a sec!

The day started at about 0740 for me, casually rolling out of bed (wow I love Africa!) and hopping into the shower. Gradually people started arriving for the 0800 start it had been decided we would make the previous night. Due to a slightly late driver some of the group, no, i'll admit, not me, continued the painting effort until about 1000!

Leaving on the drivers arrival we set off for Nhamatanda, dropping in at Inhamizua and Dondo on the way. Leaving Beira it struck me just how green it was in places, then how desolate and barren it looked in others, passing various small villages on the way we finally saw some of the traditional mud huts for which I'm sure there is a proper name but at the moment can't inform you of it due to the lack of locals around! Discovered that slowing down anywhere near dwellings of any sort instantly attracted a swarm of people selling their various produce, all of which looked absolutely delicious. (Mousey just made another appearance, too quick for me....)

Arriving at the site in Nhamatanda after travelling for a little while on the dirt tracks was a welcome stretch of the legs for all, we walked around the site and were shown where the maize crops were being planted, quite dry at the moment out there, they are hoping for a lot of rain to fall as it will produce a good crop, apparently the fact that it's a little late shouldn't matter! Met yet another georgeous group of kids, who as usual were thrilled with the digital cameras..... We prayed before we left, proclaiming the land fruitful in the name of God!

Another long drive back, though for some reason it never seems as long on the way home...... Arrive at Dondo at about 1730 for lunch/tea (tunch?) a delicious meal made by some of the ladies there, consisting of rice, prawns, chickin and potatoes....... after eating messed about with the kids for a while, they're so beautiful! I LOVE THEM..... just wondering how I could explain 20-30 small Africans sat on my lap in the plane home..... I'll find a way!

Everyones tired so we end up heading back for sleep, droppng Phil and Dave off en route to discuss business with engineer Mario.

Once the guys got back we decided that, having been foiled by the crafty little fellas we'd put the mousetrap in a new room, perhaps hoping for not such a bright group of mice........ and a surprise we had when just an hour or so later we came back to find one dead mouse! Although at first overjoyed we soon started to feel sorry for the little bloke........ Oh well 1-0 to us! The killings won't stop there we hope!

Well, currently all rustling has stopped, thinking about buying a hammer................

xxx