A VERY exciting moment this week when no less than 14 (!!) parcels arrived all at the same time!! One was a bit bashed up, but made it, after an epic journey from Oxford which started back in September! Andrew was a little concerned that the excitement might induce a very premature labour, but I just about managed to control my excitement!! 
Andrew returned home last Friday from 3 days training on the more difficult airstrips up in the north of the country. He was up in Malambo, in Masai territory, not too far from the border with Kenya and close to the Serengeti. The training was hard work, but rewarding. Accommodation was basic, in this purpose built "pilot's hut", where there is a convenient area for the MAF pilots to park their planes outside! 
The terrain is hilly and requires a tougher standard of flying, hence the training:
Andrew returned home last Friday from 3 days training on the more difficult airstrips up in the north of the country. He was up in Malambo, in Masai territory, not too far from the border with Kenya and close to the Serengeti. The training was hard work, but rewarding. Accommodation was basic, in this purpose built "pilot's hut", where there is a convenient area for the MAF pilots to park their planes outside! The terrain is hilly and requires a tougher standard of flying, hence the training:
The villages which MAF fly out to in this area are very remote, but Andrew says that the welcome they receive from the local people is warm and very hospitable.A dusty take-off from one of the village airstrips:
There was also the opportunity to see and photograph some amazing natural scenes:
... the moonrise-
...Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) volcano, viewed from under the wing of the plane-
At ground level, back at home, Benjamin keeps busy with domestic activities, such as baking (even if the rather scary-coloured icing does end up everywhere!)
and also building a mini "duka" (Tanzanian-style shop) with his playmate, Esther C: 
In a more academic environment, Esther wowed Ben and I at her school class assembly this morning, singing and acting with her class mates and teacher: 
and skipped happily out of assembly when the show was over.
And even the MAF compound cats have been busy, with Moshi's sister producing a kitten on Tuesday afternoon, much to Esther and Ben's delight!
There was also the opportunity to see and photograph some amazing natural scenes:... the moonrise-
...Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) volcano, viewed from under the wing of the plane- At ground level, back at home, Benjamin keeps busy with domestic activities, such as baking (even if the rather scary-coloured icing does end up everywhere!)and also building a mini "duka" (Tanzanian-style shop) with his playmate, Esther C: 
In a more academic environment, Esther wowed Ben and I at her school class assembly this morning, singing and acting with her class mates and teacher: 
and skipped happily out of assembly when the show was over.
And even the MAF compound cats have been busy, with Moshi's sister producing a kitten on Tuesday afternoon, much to Esther and Ben's delight! 
So pleased all that amazing post arrived, after all the disappointment of those that didn't.Maybe it all just takes a bit longer to reach you.Bet Anna was pleased hers has appeared at last just as Jenny and I were.Lovely to see Esther looking so happy at school and Ben enjoying his imaginative play. Wonderful to hear about Andrew's flying exloits after the years of training.As for baby puss can't really say it a beauty!x
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the infants filing out of assembly is fascinating: well worth keeping in an album. Can you please save us a copy?
ReplyDeleteGranddad. X X X X X