What a fortnight! Brilliant though. Sorry not to have been in touch but out of town means away from the Internet and even mobile phone reach, and before I hear the laughter from friends and family WE have taught ourselves to text [calls are SO expensive within the country although from here to UK very cheap!]

So what have we been up to? Last BLOG I think was before we went to Brahman, not sure though as we haven't been able to connect to the Internet to check.

So we drove a huge vehicle to Brahman, alone for a change, no security guy with us. Good Inservice eventually but odd atmosphere. Brought the Head and a member of staff plus a RC worker back so a jolly trip home!!

Then on Sunday we went back up the coast to Malala School in our own car. Beautiful scenery going from rain forest to English looking scenery. Stopped off in Rempi where we had our first village weekend during the Orientation week. Well what a welcome! Hugs and hugs all round. Got the laptop out to show the photos I'd taken so the children were mesmerised seeing themselves on screen. The new volunteers were there so it was good to see them. Although they wanted us to stay for kaikai [food] we left to go to the Plantation Hotel!!! Arrived in Malala at about 4pm to OUR house!

We started two days of training although it started as half a day and then [had we passed muster? ] they said the afternoon as well. This means thought that classes are not being taught which makes us uncomfortable. Then it was agreed to carry on for the next morning with again all Grade 9 and 10 teachers. It was brilliant but knackering thinking on your feet!! Ken is BRILLIANT! He comes up with the right amount of humour and serious stuff. We left after lunch feeling that we had made some real progress.

Wednesday was our full day of Inservice with Good Shepherd which I ended up leading [serves me right for suggesting how to run the day!!]. It was a good day. Jokingly I said I would return the next day to see if all we had done was happening in the classroom!! So I went up this morning and then returned for their ownInservice as it was about collecting marks. Ken declined in case what was suggested was statistically incorrect!! When the Head asked where he was and I told him he roared with laughter!!! They have the measure of each other!!

So next week we're flying to Aiome in our single propeller plane, the last still in service!!! We leave on Tuesday and back on Friday and then the following week back to Malala. Now I did say I wanted to be busy BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's great!