Monkeys with Blue Balls and Red Arses

We have discovered the local gin, Lord Gin. It comes in 500 ml cartons, like a milk carton. We bought some when we were in Cobue last week.

It’s actually rather OK, and at £1.50 it’s a snip. We usually have a G&T in the evening at 5:30 on our veranda! It’s the perfect way to recoup the day and watch the sun go down.

We were there yesterday evening and a monkey came and sat in a tree about 20 feet away having a snack on the leaves. He pondered us a while ate a bit more and then wandered off, with his blue balls and red arse shining in the sun!

There are a lot of monkeys and baboons around now, it’s getting hotter and the lake is getting lower.

Just now the sun is directly in front of me as it dips below the trees, glowing like hot copper in a deepening purple sky.

We are planning to come back in January, we have just gotten to the stage where we feel we are beginning to make a difference, we are accepted, Peggy’s lesson are going well, in the Monday meetings most staff are now more confident and willing to speak up in English.

Tomorrow the company who installed the new accounts system is coming and will finalise all the issues and training, Peggy will be the expert, she will be the one who has used it most.

For myself, I am getting there on the farm; we have a plan in preparation for new crop types, more vegetables, rather than just green salad type crops and herbs. Also we will expand the Banana and Passion fruit plants.

Another day today. Yesterday was cloudy so there was very little electricity (solar powered here) and therefore I wasn’t online. It actually rained a little for about 5 minutes, what joy standing out in a shower!

Walking to the farm this morning, there were four big baboons hanging out on the roof of our hut. I picked up a stone to throw and they just got down behind the ridge and peeped over, cheeky blighters.

First of October today, time is moving on, the mangoes are getting there, on the tree by the farm they are fist sizes and firm, so I picked about 7 and brought them back. Made some green mango pickle, with chilli! First you have to chop the Mangoes, then salt them and leave for 30 minutes. At this stage even the pickle is tasty. Then I fried species, chilli and onion in some oil, and when onions soft, mixed the whole thing, Delicious!