There is a sad atmosphere in the home today which adds to my thoughts that today is my last day with this lovely family . Early tomorrow morning I start my journey home. I shall miss being here so much so must make the most of today. I’m off with Innocent to harvest and bring home fresh produce from the surrounding area. Should be fun! BYW I’ve checked customs restrictions and am taking note! Don’t want to be detained when I get to Manchester especially I’m looking forward to my first hug in a while from my hubby Big Norman! BFN

11.15 – I’m sat in the shade on a sack of potato leaves, feed for the animals, watching Innocent and Alex dig for sweet potatoes for me to bring home. They are very different from the sweet potatoes we have in the UK. Edith the owner of the land , the lady who has renamed me Mirende Gerry meaning peace, told Innocent that I should sit with her while they walk down the hill as it’s steep, ground uneven and the grass and plants are very high. Well, when I got out of bed this morning I said to myself that I was going to make the most of my last day here in this beautiful country where I feel so at home and in particular this village where everyone greets me warmly. It will be another 15 months before I return, and besides that I will be sat down for hours and hours tomorrow so exercise is definitely good preparation for that! So I didn’t take her advice, I had my sun hat on, my full water bottle over my shoulders so off I went following Innocent. Alex and Paul were way ahead of us. Ok I did take it very carefully and take advantage of Innocents outstretched hand when the going got a bit difficult once or twice but, even carrying the heavy hoe, I made it and I think I impressed Innocent! He said it’s because I’m a tough bird! He reckons I told him my hubby called me that!

The heavy rains and floods before Christmas had affected the potato crop here badly and Innocent is having difficulty finding some for me. I keep saying not to worry but he is determined, that’s Innocent!

Before we headed down here Innocent had already cut down a great hand of matoki, letting me select it, and several small hands of the delicious sweet bananas. My cases are going to be full!

A few hours later we were back home after going to the trading centre for other supplies eg my water! The only problem with my little excursion this morning was that I got covered in Black Jack thorns! I purposely wore shorts instead of a dress but the grass was so high and hiding lots of the BJ plants! It took me, Judith and Paul ages to pick them all off and they went halfway up my t-shirt!

Alex searched for sweet potatoes

These boys have got a sense of humour!!

Father Christmas gets around!

Innocent and

Ho ho ho!

The other ho ho ho carrier!

A bag of sweet potatoes all dug for me but I won’t be bringing them all home!!!!

Somewhere in there are sealed bottles of drinking water. You have to be very careful to check the seal!

There are a few hands of matoki in that truck!

Four pineapples, one for today and three for bringing home!