Gavin is going to give you an account of his day because, believe me it’s been far more exciting than ours ………… GAVIN’S DAY OUT Last night as I was wishing goodnight to Mr Collins my landlord he replied that he would be leaving at 5.00 the following morning to visit a village and did I want to come along.I thought that sounded interesting so said “Why not”.During the night I had vivid dreams about being spirited away to the middle of nowhere and thrown into a cooking pot.However at 4.30 this morning we departed in a taxi for a 45‑minute drive to the forest.The car screeched to an abrupt halt and Mr Collins, a man called Julius and myself got out and began to walk.After about 5 km, as dawn was breaking, we realised that we were lost.We came across a lady who pointed in the general direction of the river.Finally arriving we needed to find a safe spot to cross.Someone already half-way over indicated the best way so removing trousers, socks and shoes we started to wade through.The water reached chest height and I was quite concerned about my books and camera.Had I realised then that crocodiles were common here I would have been more worried about my survival!
As we arrived on the opposite bank a crowd of villagers came out to greet us and furniture began to come from nowhere.A radio appeared and soon reggae vibes filled the air.Next to arrive were dirty jerry cans with some sort of liquid inside them.As they were being stirred I noticed dead bees floating around in them.Enquiring what they contained I learned that the substance was palm wine.Mr Collins handed me a straw to take a sip.Everyone was silent as they awaited my reaction.“It’s ok”, I declared.They all started to laugh.
Two hours later elders began to arrive along the shore.Mr Collins explained to me that he was a councillor and he was here for a meeting with the chief and elders to campaign for local votes.I decided to take a walk and was joined by Julius.It turned out that Julius was here for the experience and had ambitions of becoming an MP. We returned to the meeting and I was seated in the chair of honour.Two goats were produced for Mr Collins and myself then promptly slaughtered as we held them.By this time everyone was roaring drunk on that lethal palm wine, nevertheless each member endeavoured to speak.Julius named it “Gavin’s Meeting” and invited me to give an address.I stood up and spoke of community.At the end of my speech I sat down to riotous applause.The meeting continued for another couple of hours in local tongue, during which a heavy rainstorm took place.The villagers went wild because their tradition dictates that if a stranger arrives and brings rainfall, the village is blessed.They all chanted “You must be blessed, you must be blessed”. The rain cleared and now it was time for a game of football. Mr Collins had donated football strips to the team so they were showing off their new kit.I asked if I could play too.I almost scored a goal, carried on for a further 15 minutes and then conceded my place to the man who I had replaced, in actual fact I was shattered!
the village football team
Gavin
After leaving the pitch, one of the villagers was fascinated by my knife, a leatherman.He had never seen anything like it and started to carve a piece of wood.Meanwhile a large crowd had gathered to inspect the knife.At this moment a snake fell from a tree and into the crowd.It slithered over my left foot and under the right.I froze.An elder jumped up and killed it with a stick.I asked him if it was dangerous and he told me that it was a black mamba and had it bitten me I would have been dead for sure.Shaken, I had to go for a walk to steady my nerves.
Following all the excitement it was time for dinner.As guest of honour I was served ugali (mashed maize) with the choicest morsels of goat, i.e. intestines, kidney, liver and stomach boiled in river water.I bravely took a handful of mash and dipped it into the broth.I managed to eat a little meat from the knuckle but honestly could not face the rest, naturally I felt rather queasy.
By 5.00 p.m. it was time to leave and had started to rain again, so another round of chanting began.I gave the football team a pep talk for their next game before setting off.It hit me that we had to cross that crocodile-infested river again and walk another 5 km back to the road.By the time we arrived there it was nearly dark and we were soaked to the skin.The wait for the taxi took another hour so we played cards to amuse ourselves.When the taxi finally arrived to take us home I collapsed into it and slept all the way back.
the carver
the locals feast
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we’ve been invited to Andrew’s place for a party.This man is so talented, he’s made beautiful furniture from finds on the beach, his flip flop pictures are amazing and he’s a fantastic drummer.We have a great night. 18th June It’s pouring with rain, in fact has been since yesterday afternoon, just as we’d decided to have a day on the beach.Apart from recovering from the night before, we do a spot of work on the computer, have a traditional Sunday lunch (curry) at Ocean Sports and finally, send out the blog.As you now know, thanks to fantastic Phil, we don’t have to email it anymore which makes life easier all round. It’s 10.00 p.m., can’t keep my eyes open any longer, sweet dreams.Leaving Silverstone for Sonnetti Academy where we inspect Japhet and Julius’ new uniform.What well-dressed young men! 19th June
Where to begin?Right, first things first.French lesson time at Silverstone Academy and today it’s the verb “to be”.Doesn’t it take you back to your school days?We have a lot of fun and the children particularly like the expression “You are late”.I’m starting to remember their names now.
Young Gavin’s quite a hit with the little ones.It’s proving difficult to extricate him from them.Right, managed that, we can now drop him off at the local carpentry shop to have some pieces made for his draughts board.He hands over a chunk of marked-out timber and asks them to make 30 counters.
No time to hang around, we’re going to Mwamba.Agy’s taking some of the boys to the boatyard to discuss rope for the boardwalk.I stay behind to talk over a few things on ASSETS.Agy returns to pick me up and I notice an extra body in the van.“Who’s he” I whisper.“Oh he’s come to take me to the fishing tackle shop at Ocean Sports”.Oh, oh, the fishing season is just around the corner, I’d forgotten about that.Never mind, Agy and I have a deal that every time he goes fishing I get a nice piece of jewellery.Every cloud has a silver lining.So, quick dash to get the rod at Ocean Sports but I swear I only drink a soda water, that’s about all we will be able to afford once the fishing season starts. Okay, Gavin’s draughts.They’re still cutting the pieces when we arrive and they do look a bit on the chunky side.“How many are there?” he enquires.“22”.“22?Oh well” he shrugs “I suppose that’s how it is over here, you ask for 30, you get 22”. Yep.
Andrew McNaughton,architect and drummer
Salvatore
Siverstone Academy
Silverstone Academy
20th June
Wow, what a thunderstorm during the night.Apparently they had an incredible 240 mm of rain.To give you an idea of how much that is, the average rainfall for June is usually 300 mm. We’re having a fight over the computer.Agy wants to use it for some costings and I need to get cracking on a report.We end up going in relays so I nip off for a delicious pizza while he misses lunch, hee hee. 21st June
Alone at last with MY computer.Agy’s gone up to Mwamba so I can press on.At around 4.00 p.m. he returns so I join him for a swim.It’s been sunny and warm all day and we’re making the most of it 22nd June
Agy’s gone into Malindi today so it’s back to the typing.He’s just phoned me, a little perplexed to say the least.Apparently the chainsaw that they’ve bought will have to stay at the shop because the man who assembled it has broken it.Can’t give you his word-for-word description but shall we just say he’s displeased.Poor boy, I’ve had to bring him up to Ocean Sports to calm him down a bit. By the way, instant weight loss today – I managed to get a haircut, first one for three months. 23rd June
Agy’s picked up the boys from Sonnetti and we’re going to spend the afternoon at the boardwalk.Once again they look great in their uniforms, there will be trouble if those shoes get wet!They enjoy their adventure on the suspended walkway and busily copy notes on the mangroves when we reach the bird hide.
