4th July 2023 In years gone by, our small band of ex-rugby comrades, who still meet every Thursday evening to play pool, share a few beers, and revel in each other’s company, used to extend the camaraderie once a month with a group meal. That tradition, however, had quietly faded over time. But on the… Continue Reading

20th June 2023 On the final day of May, following a particularly miserably cold morning, Sue joined one of her U3A groups for a short afternoon ramble from Little Bowden, followed by a splendid picnic in the village hall. Left to prepare my lunch, I instead joined Jim Hankers and his two dogs, Harby and… Continue Reading

30th May 2023 Since returning from Ethiopia, Sue has thrown herself back into her U3A groups, going on several rambles and attending a range of interest group sessions. I, meanwhile, have been hard at work in the garden and on the vegetable plots, planting four rows of main crop potatoes and preparing several beds for… Continue Reading

1st May 2023 Our flight today was at 10:45 am. We had arranged with our guide to be picked up from the hotel at 8:00 am, so we were at breakfast for 7:00 am, all packed and ready to go. It was only a short drive to the airport, and along with three other members… Continue Reading

29th April 2023 Sue and I woke at 5.30 am, with breakfast scheduled for 6 am and departure set for an hour later. However, the power wasn’t expected to return until 6 am, so we had to get ready in total darkness. Using a small torch, we managed to dress and make our way to… Continue Reading

27th April 2023 It was a most uncomfortable night for Sue, who woke in the early hours feeling hot and unwell. She chose to sleep on the cooler floor beside the bed, outside the protection of the mosquito net. Predictably, the mozzies took full advantage of the opportunity and feasted on her exposed legs. However,… Continue Reading

26th April 2023 Today began at a leisurely pace as we prepared to catch our flight from Bahir Dar to Arba Minch via Addis Ababa. Breakfast was finished by 8 a.m., and I spent the remaining time updating the blog before we boarded our minibus to the airport at 10:30. The twenty-minute drive marked the… Continue Reading

23rd April 2023 Today did not start well for me. It should have been a day spent visiting the northwestern cluster of rock-hewn churches, beginning with an early, impromptu return to yesterday’s church to be blessed by its sacred golden cross. However, I woke feeling unwell and decided to sleep it off at the hotel.… Continue Reading

20th April 2023 21st April 2023: Departure and Arrival in Addis Ababa Today, we were flying from Heathrow Terminal 2 to Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa on a late 9:30 pm flight. We could afford a leisurely morning for once, waking at a reasonable hour and completing our final preparations without any rush. We… Continue Reading

19th March 2023 The day after I flew back to the UK from Morocco, the 20th of March, I had a morning appointment in Leicester for another eye injection, followed by an afternoon physiotherapy session in Harborough. Later that evening, I began to feel unwell, with a runny nose and a hacking, tickly cough. I’d… Continue Reading