CLARE:
I had high expectations of our time at Kembu and I have to say that it has met every one. The key aspect has been to be settled in one place and for it to become familiar. And what a place! We've had a cottage on a 900 acre dairy and racehorse breeding farm owned by an old Kenya family the Nightingales, who have given us a really warm welcome. The best moment of each day has been rising early and sitting on the veranda with a cup of tea, a duvet over me to ward of the cool dewy air before it's been heated by the sun, looking out over the garden, cows in the field and the view across the Valley; sounds of birds (especially one persistent pigeon in the roof who sounds like he's laughing) and cows mooing; waving to now familiar neighbours passing as they walk their dogs.

We've had trips down memory lane ... shopping in Nakuru and swimming in the pool that I learned to swim in (strange - I had remembered it as much bigger, but then I was only 5!), days out to the Equator (it doesn't matter if you've seen it before, the demonstration of water circling out of a bucket in different directions either side does really make the forces of the earth a reality), Menengai Crater - another demonstration of the "restless earth" and a good opportunity for a science 'lesson', and lovely walks on the farm accompanied by the myriad of dogs. The faces and rhythm of the farm became familiar.

There's also been a toe in the water of 'white' Kenya with a 'toddler's morning' at the farm house ... it was interesting to hear how all the families make a living - tractor work, seed production and farming. And yet it was the same coffee, chat and card games that you would find anywhere.

Part of being in one place for a while is getting familiar with the people and place ... what was at first an intimidating trip to the local town Njoro (us, centre of attention getting to grips with the shanty shops), now is recognisable and you look beyond the 'shanty' to see what is actually quite a prosperous place, with good agricultural jobs all round and a wide variety of provision in the stores.

Above all it has felt like home - not just because of how long we've been here, but because it has been akin to how I grew up - and it has been really special to share that with Lance and the boys.

LANCE:
Wasn't disappointed to leave Watamu on the coast - though a paradise, it was perhaps too early in our trip to be lounging by a swimming pool. Various modes of transport eventually took us inland to Nakuru area where Clare was a young girl - one of the main reasons for coming to Kenya.
Highlights:
1. Our cottage's view of the farm and the Rift Valley from the veranda at Kembu. Just goes on and on and seems to change every day.
2. The company of a huge Great Dane called Obalix and a small Dachshund called Tinka Tinka - canine comedy duo equivalent of Little and Large.
3. Matatu ride with the locals (cheap fare - crowded mini-van) into small town called Njoro.
A daunting prospect but in reality not as intimidating as first thought. Felt we were walking around town naked as everyone was staring, children following us, saying "'ow are yooo?" (realised eventually that the stock response was to reply "fine" for them to be satisfied that their English conversation had gone well!). Haven't felt that self-conscious in a long time (only white faces around - guess the message hasn't got back to the tourist industry that Kenya is relatively safe now). Internet cafe was a washout - too slow and v frustrating. Some food bought. Taxi back. All in all a valuable experience but slight sense of relief as we drove out of town.
4. Taxi breakdown - third one we've had since in Kenya and it's not surprising - the cars are sooo old!! This one had done over 200,000 miles and showed it. Driver and I had to tow the taxi back to his house with the aid of a friend's car (older than the one we were towing). Secretly relished this as it gave us a chance to see a regular Kenyan homestead complete with family! Met his wife, (bit grumpy - her husband had just written off their livelihood), his cute children just back from school and his grandma who had just returned from a year in Southport visiting her son. Invited into Grandma's house - very friendly and welcoming. Would never have seen this side of the fence if everything had gone conventionally. Best times are when we engage with the unexpected - value them more than the touristy bits.

Lowlights:
1. Missing 6 Nations rugby (not a bad thing perhaps, England are playing badly)
2. Put on a few pounds (this travelling lark means an awful lot of sitting and eating)
3. Curio salesmen - I avoid them like the plague.

BEN:
At Kembu, we met 3 dogs, Obelix, Tinga-Tinga and Honey. Honey is a fluffy Mongrel, Obelix a skinny Great Dane and Tinga-Tinga a comical Sausage Dog. In a town just down the road, called Njoro, we shopped for about an hour, most of the time being gaped at, before going back to the house. At Zoe's House we tried o chop down a tree full of killer bees!
We also had a walk and as we trotted up a hill 3 boys followed us to a ridge. Throughout the journey, they didn't bother to make themselves invisible. A lurch came into my stomach as we looked at the bush-fires on the other side of the valley(they were used to burn off all last years crops).
At Thompsons Falls we were drenched by the misty water. Daddy and I had climbed down to the base of the waterfall.
Looking over the 9 kilometre wide Menengai Crater I felt slightly homesick as I thought of everyone over your side!
How I feel about my trip
I feel that the trip is going well so far, especially as this is only the start.
A message for my friends
I hope everyone is O.K, alive and well.

TOM:
We had a last swim in the Indian Ocean before going to a one roomed airport. There we had about a one hour wait until a small plane took us on a half an hour journey to Kembu.
I felt sad to leave Mombasa because we had been there for so long and I would miss it. We went to Keya and Lauren's house (who were Zoe's children) while Mummy, Daddy and Zoe went shopping in Njoro. Firstly we went into their bedroom and played with the sling-shot. Afterwards we went into the garden and cut down a tree that had Killer Bees in it with a machete, pickaxe and axe. We also went to Nakuru to do shopping to buy paints and to the stalls to buy presents for our friends and Maasai shookas for us. We went to Menangai Crater too, where you only notice how high you are until you see an Acasia tree at the bottom. We picked up an immense amount of Lava and it didn't weigh of anything

How I'm feeling so far.
Missing home and friends but having great fun. Feeling happy being together with our family.
And I'd like to know how are you feeling and what have you been doing while I'm away.