While passing reception there are a lot of bananas on the counter, my info has been passed on to the other players via the great fisherman Gareth Edwards, as it is considered unlucky to carry bananas on a boat in Kenya.
Ok guys and gals, the fishing comp is about to begin where Smudger with Scotty, Will and myself meet at Hemingways for the transfer to the boats, we have both been dishing out seasickness and gout tablets to various players (no names mentioned of course). There are 16 boats in the comp so we expect a reasonable catch to be recorded. Our boat is a fast 28 knots so get out early to the grounds.
We catch a few baitfish and this is the first fish Will has ever caught, he then retires to the flying bridge for a snooze and leaves the fishing to the hardcore fishermen, Scotty is reeling in a fish which is taken immediately by a shark, tough one Scotty. Phil and myself both catch a Giant Trevally over 20 kg’s.
At the weigh in we find that a 180 kg Black Marlin has won the comp and another boat with 5 Sailfish but not allowed as not caught in the timeframe. We came about 4th , Gareth’s team with their unlucky bananas on the counter, was also unlucky and didn’t even catch the baitfish (never trust a contractor).
our boat simba
scott playing a fish
me with a giant trevally (carambesi)
myself with scott quinnell on simba
smudger's carambesi
will,smudger,myself and scott,team simba
team simba
will greenwood,my dad's in the middle
31st August
More rugby, only 8 teams in a knockout comp this time, looks like I’m in Adebayo and Leonard’s team today.See pics for more info.
come on andy get a move on
no way through,agy and ade adebayo
nichol,greenwood,deglanville and probyn
come on scott,breakfast was'nt that bad
will greenwood and myself
the legendary gareth edwards
the ladies having a go,it's my ball
how many can you name
1st September
Returned to earth this morning from the planet “Rugby”.Phil and Agy have gone fishing so Jim, Shirl, Jill and myself will take in a bit of culture with a visit to Gede ruins.Although I was only there a couple of weeks ago, I still find it fascinating and learn new things about the place with each visit.Our guide, Joseph, is particularly good and studying tourism at college.He rounds off the visit by playing a game of draughts with Jimmy, using a sheet of cardboard and bottle tops.Nothing is thrown away over here.The time goes by so quickly that we race back to Turtle Bay for a pizza before the restaurant closes.
Jim and Shirl are treating us to dinner at Choma Village this evening.We’re having a great time in their wonderful Lamu-style chairs and settees.Agy’s sitting in one of them now and looks just like a little hobbit, the seat’s so huge.After a lovely meal we enjoy a Watamu special power cut.It’s very romantic sipping Amarula by candlelight, the atmosphere’s lovely.
2nd September
We’re taking Shirl up to Mida Creek but stopping off in down-town Timboni and Gede to do a spot of shopping.It’s just like visiting a market.The stalls are laden with fresh vegetables, brightly coloured cloths and nik-naks.The locals are enjoying the novelty of seeing white people at their stalls too.Mida Creek is as good as ever.See a few new birds, a yellow-fronted canary is singing to us in the tree over there. Tsofa and Mercy have invited us to their house for dinner.They have a lovely home and take us on a tour of their garden.They grow lots of their own food and their trees are laden with guava fruit.We come across a man doing something with a plastic container.Tsofa explains that he repairs plastic vessels that have cracked.He goes around people’s houses fixing things.What a great idea, when we think of all the things we just throw away in Europe, this is such an environmentally-friendly way of saving items.As I said, nothing is thrown away over here.
We see a little out-house where a fire is lit especially for cooking, sort of like an indoor barbecue.Now, back indoors, Mercy is showing us how to cook the most delicious chapattis we’ve ever tasted.After an excellent Kenyan meal of coconut beans and coconut rice, beef stew, sukuma wiki (like kale – remember, the vegetable to see you through the week?) and heavenly chapattis, we manage to squeeze ourselves back in the van and drive home.
the plastic repair man
me,mum,dad,tsofa and kids
mercy preparing chapatis
mercy cooking ugali
3rd September
A quiet day.We have been invited to visit a welsh couple who are now living out here.Their house is a palace, it’s absolutely lovely and beautifully designed by an Italian but with that essential italian style.We are eating at the pizza restaurant this evening as it’s Jimmy and Shirley’s last evening with us.
the welsh in watamu
the gardens
agy's mum and dad
4th September
Very sad day.Jim and Shirl are leaving us to fly back to Cardiff.But before they do, we’re going to Silverstone Academy to meet the children.Headmistress Betty gives us a very warm welcome and the children entertain us with their songs.My favourite is “Today is a good day to see all my friends ….”. As usual children steal our hearts ….. …. and Shirl and Jim do the traditional hand print on the wall.
Now it’s time to say goodbye but we’ll be home in a couple of weeks so will see them soon.
