Hi there Last postcard from 2005 from the heat in west Africa. The people here do nothing but smile which is a little scary at first. Very friendly people but in shorts I am the "Le blanco", so must stop doing that!! Saw the Grand Mosqueè, wonderful building made of mud and wood sticking out to act as ladders after the rains to to repairs, photos later. Marakesh in a few days and then the Christmas carols on the 24th; just blow up santas here as reminders...

Hi there I have arrived in Namibia, the dunes, Etoshia national Park and the Himba tribe. Zambia got much better north of Lusaka, not so western and had a lovely time at Marianne's farm up north. Travel still proves difficult so have got together with an NZ and Canadian and hired a car. Off to all three big sites in ten days. I hope to do the hot air balloon flight over the dunes as my well done for camping for ten days!!! Capetown for the last few days...

Hi all Sorry for the delay but yes, I am here and off on a delta trip tomorrow. It is 45 degrees in the shade in the afternoon here and down to a cool 30 at night at about 4am!! So much for my Irish fair skin. Very expensive here but beautiful country when you get outside the city. Off to Vic Fall later this week and Namibia for the start of next week. Joburg not so nice and Soweto and the rich are so far apart, hard to see still in 2005. I hope email ...