On New Years Day 2010 it seemed appropriate to reflect on the last while and look forward to the next decade. The last decade is significant as the first one of the new century and in that time many things have happened and life has changed completely. The next 10 years are significant for me because these 10 years are the ones that will take me to the age of 65, pensionable age. This time is now the focus and using it fully to experience new things and travel is exciting and I am lucky that Peggy and I have a common purpose in that.
We have been back from Africa since the 20th November, about 7 weeks. It seems much longer! Both Peggy and myself have changed completely during our experience in Africa.
We are not enjoying the UK experience, the traffic, the crowds, the consumerism, and the cold weather J. It is safe to say we feel people have more than they need and keep on buying more and more, but don’t appreciate what they have. Certianly the Africans we met are happier and seem easier with their lot. This is a sweeping generalisation I realise but from observation and discussion with people and we find it to be true. We have found the marketing and consumer impulse very hard to resist and almost upsetting.
We both agree that we prefer the simpler life we have found in Africa, with minimal possessions and a healthier diet and daily routine. A simple fact is that after 4 months my blood pressure had gone from being border-line to high to a very healthy level.
We have booked our flights and are travelling back on the 20th of January for about 7 months. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing the Emerald season on the lakeshore and all our friends at the lodge.
Now that we have survived the excesses of the Christmas and New Year we are eagerly preparing for our return to Africa and the Mozambican Lakeshore. Peggy is preparing lessons and I am working on ideas and planning for the farm.
Seeing friends and family has been great and it is nice to see our children all busy and working hard being successful in their own lives.
Sometimes I have felt that people are perhaps a little envious of what we are doing. All I can say is that it is easier than you might think! just decide and the rest will follow.
As the sun sets over Ely Cathedral with a classical English view we are looking forward to the sun setting over Lake Malawi with the mountains of Malawi silhouetted in the suns sinking orb!
