Having had my very first day of sickness I wasn't sure that I would be up to going to my new school but this morning I was on top of the world and raring to go! Vehicle booked out for me and so at 8:30am Marshall and I went to start. Land cruiser engine totally dead. Much advice being offered by all the men, none of whom can drive! They pushed me back up the drive for me to jump start it before I went on to the lawn! I failed miserably! Eventually Gerard did it and we were off! Then Marshall noticed we needed fuel! Of course once we were full we had to start and yes still nothing so couple of lads pushed me and this time I did it!!

Called in to our Education Resource Centre as a teacher was there waiting to speak to me - engine stayed running!!! We now have no power in the ERC as the Govt. hasn't paid the bill so we've been cut off! A bit worrying as I have a writing resource session tomorrow and then Monday to Thursday!!

Anyway we drove off up a road I don't often go on. Over the bridge Ken doesn't like, long and no sides!!! And turned off down a unmade up road. Ken and I have been down this road when we visited a village last year with Lyn and roger and I got presented with a pink grass skirt!

Seemed to go on for hours but we eventually arrived --- in style -as I went to go through a churned up bit of road, very deep tyre ruts and guess what? Got stuck in thick mud outside the classrooms, really just outside and the engine packed up!!! All credit to the teachers all carried on working even though the kids were dying to have a look. Poor Marshall. He was so embarrassed. Anyway a nice lady directed me across the school field which was water logged to where the new High School was situated and across this swampy mess came the new Head. Apologizing as he wasn't expecting us, well I hadn't told them so how could they!!

They are in a new build which is actually intended for the Primary School but nothing has been built for the High School yet!!! Forward planning??? We sat and chatted [Ken Mitch is SO much more relaxed here and smiles!] After discussing bits and pieces like getting Rotary books and putting in a bid for computers from British High Commission we went back to sort out the vehicle!!

School truck had rope, that broke! Then chain and they pulled and the steering wheel locked and I was left tilted at quite a rakish angle and in a worse mess than before! Marshall is looking very embarrassed now!! Not quite saying women drivers out loud but I could see the thought balloons! Then success with kids and teachers pushing and the truck pulling.

That done now to start her. Second try with truck driver in the driving seat we started and left… quickly. Good story to tell back at home!

On the way home we were scared the engine would stop and on the dirt road at one point I came round a bend [too fast? Me?] and a plank bridge!!!!!! Screech of brakes, a bit of sliding and..oh no will the engine stop? No and safely, just across the plank bridge!! Gallant Marshall thought that a bend before a plank bridge maybe wasn't a very clever idea whereas Una was thinking you were going too fast and we could both have ended in the river without a paddle in sight!!!

We got back OK!!! No photos but have been invited back to the school again and the land cruiser is in the garage.