Escape to Lamu

Friday 18 February was the occasion of Uganda's presidential and parliamentary elections. The last time these elections were held in 2006 there was a fair amount of violence and unrest. Even though most analysts reckoned that this year's election would pass peacefully (as indeed they did) VSO wasn't prepared to take any chances with volunteer safety. As a result volunteers were requested to stay at home from Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 February . . just in case.

The thought of confinement for 6 days did not appeal, so we decided to visit the island of Lamu just of the Kenya coast in the Indian Ocean. Matt and Holly, visited Lamu after staying with us for Christmas and they enjoyed it very much. Here are some images from the trip.
The main square in Lamu - on Sunday night football matches are screened on the wall opposite the island's Fort
The sea bounces off the sea wall at high tide, as this tide was close to the full moon it was particularly high and we thought this guy wasn't going to keep dry - but he did and didn't in fact take the cigarette from his mouth as he moved from boat to boat to dry land!
Renate standing in a beautifully carved door post - typical of most buildings in Lamu
The buildings are constructed close together and at ground level there's some shade walking along the alleyways - many buildings have roof top structures where they can catch the breeze.

a "Lamu Sea Breeze" and an "Apple and Mint Crush" - fruit juices to die for.
The main means of transporting goods and supplies is via the island's donkeys who look slight and gentle. We resisted the opportunities to have a ride and our pictures taken. There's a donkey sanctuary on the island that provides veterinary care and a place to retire. It is run by a charity from Sidmouth in Devon!
Here we are posing in front of the guest bedroom in the Swahili House!
Intricate plasterwork shelves at the Swahili House Museum

Ruby Wedding Celebration on 30 January 2011

On 30th January 1971 Renate and Ian got married in Mochudi, Botswana. Ian was working as a volunteer in Mochudi and Renate who then lived in South Africa (the country of her birth) visited Mochudi for a weekend and a few months later a wedding happened! The photo below shows the young couple with Ian's Best Man, Henderson Thloiwe on the right. On the left of the photo is Ian's "Father" - hired to organise the wedding and make sure everything was done in the proper manner! By the way, Mochudi is the village in Botswana where Mma Precious Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency was born. Fast forward 40 years and the continent is still Africa! Renate and Ian are once again volunteers! This time the venue for the celebration is the Kingfisher Safari Resort on the banks of Lake Victoria right beside where the River Nile begins its journey north to the Mediterranean sea.
Below are the happy couple standing by amazing flowers that neighbours Bob and Baukje have collected to celebrate. Ten good volunteer friends helped to make the celebration special by joining Renate and Ian for the weekend.
Here's Bob and Baukje with Renate and the flowers.
Finlay on the left, and James on the right pouring Cava into glasses so that the 40 years are properly 'toasted' on a gorgeous evening in really beautiful surroundings.
Elizabeth, Renate, Baukje and Wissit (she took this photo!) having walked from the Kingfisher round to above the Source of the Nile, decided to take a boat back.
Below is our good friend Wissit. She came out to Uganda on the 'plane with us a year ago to undertake a two-month placement in Gulu in northern Uganda. She really loved it and is now back to do a year's placement focusing on youth development work, once again in Gulu.Renate enjoying the morning mist over the Nile at the point where it leaves Lake Victoria.
The weekend in Jinja was a lovely way to celebrate 40 years of marriage. Big thanks to the Good Friends that we have made in Uganda who came with us to make it a memorable occasion - and to all of our other dear Family and Friends who have sent good wishes!