We needed to get some kilometres under our belts after the Bolobo stop yesterday, so we pushed on last night until well after dark and eventually called it a day opposite Mboya (all lit up - on the opposite, French, bank - the first street lights we have seen for weeks). Just avoided getting speared by a large barge which was also pulling in in the pitch dark, but not by much. There was lots of yelling, metallic banging and revving of large marine diesel engines...

Big skies

Down river pusher with barges - this is a small one

Bolobo has been in my consciousness since Primary School days. My Mum's cousin, Jack, was a surgeon missionary there from 1948 to 1961 and he featured regularly in family evening prayers. Jack's time in Bolobo was the reason for this journey, but until I jumped off the boat yesterday I was by no means certain that it would actually happen. New ward blocks were built after Jack left and on yesterday's evidence they are less crowded than some photos I have seen fr...

Jack's house - or rather the last house that Jack lived in at Bolobo. The house is currently occupied by Michel Mpia, the healthcare "coordinateur" at the hospital, who took time out to show me round this part of the hospital site.