13/12

Jack and I were joined by our older SAF friend Claudias to town Net wasn't good enough to upload photos, god knows when I'm going to be able to do them. Lunch was a big fat Hungarian sausage hot dog.Went shopping for essentials that included toothpaste, crisps and milk. Packed our bags and left for Mulanje.

Two squid for a two-and-a-half hour ride to Mulanje via Limbe and loads of other small villages. Indulged in a banana muffin sold by one of the passers-by. Was good stuff. The journey was scenic, luscious countryside with tea plantations everywhere, forest/jungle like trees and then the massive mountain. Africa's second highest!

Booked into possibly the cheapest accommodation we will find all year, cost less than two quid each to share a room at Mulanje Motel. Bit of a dodgy little place but near the bus station/market etc and really nice countryside all around. Not the hustle and bustle of Blantyre.

Tried to find out some info about climbing the mountain and nearly got collared in by some half blind guy who wanted 7 quid-a-day.

Showers and that were scummy at the motel but we got past that and the cheap chicken and chips more than made up for it!

Got to thank my Mom again, I moaned about taking witch-hazel but when my bites are itching to s***, you almost have to scratch them and they keep you awake....but not with that stuff! Need more! Im too big for all the mosquito nets so I touch all the ends getting devoured! Sick of the sound of the buzzing, hovering noise that keeps you awake at night.

In the evening we got on the cards before watching United v Arsenal with hundreds of locals. They are nuts. They love United staying up from 10-12 when they are all awake at like 5. For United's goal they went beserk, people shouting things like "United forever, United for life".....shut up....

I was a proper know-all, explaining to the guy next to me that I predicted the last few games I've watched spot on, and then telling him the substitutions that would be made....and then they happened. He must have thought I was either clever on the sportsfront or a complete knob....

If I haven't mentioned, Malawi's language is Chichewa and English. I know Sikommo means thanks and masungu means white man. We hear that a lot, but I find it racist, especially as I'm blossoming into some kind of greek.