FLYING VISIT

September 10th 2008

Just to let you know that we've just returned from a flying visit to UK.We heard on Tuesday 19th Aug that my dad was in hospital, very sick.Flights home were arranged by VSO on the Wednesday and we flew into Heathrow on Friday morning around 6am.Unfortunately, my dad died around 4am that morning.It was all very sudden.He became ill in the early hours of Monday 18th and taken to hospital, where he was very disorientated and confused and didn't really know anyone nor where he was, so had we arrived before he died, he wouldn't have known it.His death was caused primarily by a urinary tract infection.He was 90 and he didn't suffer for long, which is a comforting thought. It was a very hectic time, but everything got done and his funeral was on 29th August.On a more positive note, it enabled us to spend some time with Richard and Jo and of course meet Mollie for the first time, which was pure joy.Lucy was also pleased to see us and we enjoyed some walks with her.We also saw something of Becky, who moved to Leamington Spa during the time we were there, into a lovely terraced house only a few miles from Ric and Jo, so they're pleased about it, as Becky needs no persuading to babysit!We also had chance to stay for a week-end with Lisa and Simon and enjoyed a BBQ with them as well as see other friends and family.So, although it was a sad time, it also brought unexpected pleasure.We revelled in the quiet nights without dogs barking, comfy beds, hot showers, gorgeous grub, TV (didn't Murray do well) and wonderful company - we were spoiled rotten.

We have been welcomed back to PNG with great enthusiasm, as I think the locals thought we might not return.As soon as our plane was heard overhead, (there's only 3 per week, so a plane overhead is quite an event) the head sent the school truck to meet us and one staff member who was in a meeting said they heard the plane and everyone started clapping and saying the J and J are back!! We went into town to shop and random dudes who we'd never spoken to before and hadn't a clue who they were,came over and welcomed us back and people pipped at us and waved from their trucks - you'd think we'd been gone for years!Quite honestly, I would have expected the staff at school to have been glad to see the back of us, so they could enjoy a bit of peace and quiet without us on their backs !The tom toms work incredibly efficiently though.Another volunteer went walking while we were away and went through a village some way out of town, where he was told by a young girl who knew us, that we had returned to the UK!Word spreads with alarming speed!We left UK on Saturday evening and arrived back on Tuesday morning.We flew from Heathrow to Singapore, then to Brisbane, then to Port Moresby where we spent the night and caught a plane to Kundiawa on Tuesday morning.We were unpacked and in a meeting by lunchtime!It's full on here at the moment, but we have a holiday next week when we can hopefully draw breath.We were pleased to return to the sunshine though, after the cold and rain in UK.Hope things have now improved and the rest of September turns out to be pleasant.

Love to you all

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