Thursday Afternoon - Back in Kampong Speu - Well here I am sitting in the office all alone - no Bunthorn to laugh with and everyone else at a workshop in Kampong Chhnang or in the main building.

I do not know if I mentioned it but the office I usually work in is being repaired - (I have to say it needs it) - and we are now sharing early years (which is great as they are all lovely and they speak a little English when Bunthorn is not here)

Back to our office being repaired - at the moment they are busy replacing some of the beautful tiles on the roof. They will replace like with like because all Government buildings have them. They will, I hope, ensure there are no longer holes that you can see through and get wet under.

I can see three men working very hard, even though there is thunder all around us - no serious rain yet but it is not far away. I lied there are now four men. One perched on the very top while the others are busy drilling, cutting, ducking lightning etc. 

The main reason I am writing this blog is the novel way they get down from the roof. Beside the building is a  tree - shade for the children, motor bikes etc - they just climb on to the end of the branch. allow their weight to bend it and sink down to the ground!!

It is now raining proper Cambodian rain - do they get off the roof - no they just move so they are sitting under the over hang and like all builders light up a cigeratte.

Marc is getting very wet and I will have to turn on a light!!!

Friday morning - I arrived and those men are hard at it again - standing on the concrete over hang and drilling holes right through it. I know health and safety has gone too far in Britain but.....! I will now drive the other way round to my new office.

I have just seen how they get on to the roof - yes you guessed it the tree!!!

As it is so quiet in the office I will take 10 minutes to talk about the office routine. The first thing I did this morning was sweep the floor - both men and women do it every morning in every office - the POE can be seen doing it himself. Now here is where glass and a solid roof really helps. The dust and dirt in this office is nothing compared to the other one. Yes we open all windows and doors during the day but at night it is closed up and that makes the difference.

I then gave Sopheak his daily English lesson - he is determinded to improve - but at 7.55 he went off to a workshop so I was then alone. 

After sweeping we usually make a cup of tea, so as the water was boiling I went over to the cupboard where the mugs are kept, and I saw ants had invaded. Yesterday we had been given a snack from a workshop and it had been put into the cupboard - yes it was covered with nasty little ants that can get anywhere and everywhere. This is no problem for this intrepid traveler I just disposed of the remains and then washed the dish. To wash the dish, I went out to the bush infront of the office. All over Cambodia you see blue pipes just sticking out of the ground - these are attached to the mains and you turn a tap and clean water comes out. (Clean but not drinking water) I washed the dish and watered the bush at the same time. I am not sure I can adapt to having dishwashers, sinks and hot water. Ants were also dealt with and tea made. 

All this and it is still only 8.30am.