Saturday 24 January 2009

Bats


For the last two weeks I've become an amateur carpenter, making a wire netting cupboard for food and putting up fly-screens in the windows. I was pleased with the result, but the local bat population were not so happy. One evening I had a batty visitor flying around, and then again at 1am, because my bedroom windows aren't screened yet, and I like fresh air; one flew in and did close shaves on my face...

When it flew through to the sitting room I got up quickly to open the front door, because it kept batting itself against the wire netting in the open window there. Even when I stood in front of the window and shone a torch in its eyes it didn't seem to take any notice ('blind', I said to myself, 'blind as a bat'). So I tried scraping my shoes on the floor. That did the trick. The bat didn't like the sound, and flew away. Next week I'll do the screens on the bedroom windows.

Back at the farm now for a rest over the weekend, I found Elizabeth had had a fall. It just caused bruising, but was a shock to everyone. She is feeling much better now, but will have to be more careful in future. This is a picture from last November at Victoria's birthday party. From the right; Margaret, mother of Joyce who is a near neighbour, Elizabeth, mother of Richard who runs the farm, and myself on the left.

Monday 12 January 2009


Here's the famous cooker being carried towards my house. It is now in the outside kitchen covered in cement 'droppings', but will soon be clean and in its place, I hope. The day of the big Move was Saturday, and it went more smoothly than I anticipated. I was afraid things might get stolen or broken on the way, because the road from Iringa to Kilolo is very rough and there was an overnight after loading, before setting off. However in the event it was like the disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water; 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith' and then 'Peace, be still' And so I was, on Sunday, the day after the move. And now I'm in!