Back from Liwonde and The Cape.

A belated post but just updating the trip I took over the Easter break with Jim and Ian, the other 2 UK consultants our here at the moment, to Liwonde National Park and then on to Cape McClear. Well after a fairly long drive we arrived at Liwonde and found that the accommodation we had booked had actually closed about 1 year ago! As it was about 16:00 and miles from anywhere we were, to be honest, slightly concerned but in transpired that the telephone number had been taken over by somewhere called 'The Bushman's Boab' and once we found that, we did indeed have rooms. And very good they were too, a lodge in the middle of the bush which was extremely well appointed and comfortable. Excellent food provided and a great place to stay. Always dreamt of a night in the bush and this more than lived up to expectations!

Up early and on a game drive by about 07:30. Liwonde much bigger than Majete but actually seemed to more sparsely populated. We did however, see several troops of baboons, the obligatory antelope and a couple of large elephant herds, although only at a distance. To make up for the lack of mammals we saw a varied and quite large number of birds. The most striking one was what I think was a Little bee-eater and I have included a picture below.

 An interesting few hours but, on reflection, I think I preferred Majete. So from Liwonde another drive of a couple of hours on to Cape MacClear, on Lake Malawi and a much hotter and more humid climate. Arrived in the middle of the afternoon tired and dirty so appreciated the air conditioned rooms and the cool shower in our beach front hotel. We decided after a stroll along the beach for about an hour, that we would eat at the hotel, and as it had a very well stocked bar the evening started early. I will skip the details except to say that an excellent meal was rounded off with a few whiskeys and, speaking for myself, a good night's sleep!

Next day Jim and I had booked a boat trip to a nearby island to possibly do some snorkeling and then go and see the fish eagles, the symbol of Malawi, feeding. We had expected a large sedate boat, but for some reason the Dutchman who booked as well wanted to go alone. I'm sure I showered that morning!!

Not to be denied a speedboat suddenly appeared and we were invited aboard and told we were going to pick up 2 more people and then go to the island. Sounded good and it was until about 30 yards form the shore the outboard motor cut out, and despite the attentions of all 3 crew members failed to restart. It soon became apparent that the current was drifting towards the middle of this 300 mile long lake, so we suggested that someone should swim ashore to get help. Better than that all 3 jumped off, as if abandoning ship and thankfully towed us to shore. After about another 20 minutes normal service was restored and we were on the island in no time. A great place to relax and I spent the morning reading and finishing the book I had started when I came out here. Decided against going in the water after reading that swimming in the lake was a great way to contract bilharzia [look it up] so just had a scramble round the rocks until lunch. After a lunch prepared by the crew of b-b-q'd fish and enough rice for about 20 people. most of which was cleared up by the ghekkos, we got back on the boat and went off to the eagles.  By now it was well past lunch and to be honest the eagles were really too full to be bothered going after another small fish thrown by some tourist boat. However, one greedy individual decided to play ball and the result is here.

Another good evening, but minus the whiskeys as had booked an early start to go for a walk in to the hills behind the lake. Breakfast a 07:00 and walking by about 08;00 through the village and in to the wooded slopes of the hills. After about 2.5 hours decided I had gone far enough as it was extremely hot and humid but Ian pushed on to the top and down the other side for a round trip. I came back with one of the guides and got back to the hotel after about another hour or so. Very hot and sticky so the cool shower cam in handy again.

Ian did not appear for about another hour so I was glad I did not go with him. Anyway, after lunch we started the long drive back and got back to the house at about 17:30 exhausted but happy. A good weekend and Ian, who goes home next Wednesday had a good send off.

Just off for a break [written 22nd April]

So Easter is here and the trip to Liwonde and Cape McClear. Yesterday read in the paper that the water board would be cutting off supplies in Blantyre as there was to be maintenance work on the hydro plants over the holiday so there would be insufficient water. What we did not expect was that everything would be cut at 06:00! I'm glad we are travelling away from the region as hopefully the water and power will be unaffected where we are going. But more of that later.

Another, short, working week has finished and we completed the long awaited strategy meeting on Wednesday. Some good discussions but as yet no firm actions but we are expecting the write up next week to set out something.

My working week has been taken up with some client visits and proposal writing. Some interesting sounding projects and hopeful that one, small piece of work may come off, as it's based on franchising so would be perfect for me to get in to. It could also lead to further work which would be even better. E-Newsletter is coming on and had the initial meeting on Thursday to plan the 1^st edition so at least it feels like we have made a start.

So the weekend break is upon us and writing this whilst awaiting delivery of the 4 X 4 that we have hired for the trip. Managed to get quite a bargain price as it was arranged through our 'fixer' Arthur who seems to know everybody. Looking forward to 2 chances at game drives and then a couple of days relaxing around Lake Malawi, although I'm planning to do a walk on Sunday so that may not be at all relaxing. However, I'm told the views at the top are spectacular so it should be worth it! Hopefully some more photos to post on a later blog.  

Work and Majete

Well, another working week has finished and the presentation to the large bank could have been better. They picked on the one aspect of our local team that was hard to overcome, namely the lack of experience of doing the work required. Oh well, it's all a learning curve and next time there will be a  more planned effort to field this question. We have not heard back about this but it seems unlikely we will have won the work. Some progress on getting some forward planning done, with a workshop planned for the end of May and agreement to publish an e-Newsletter, due to go live in the middle of May. Hopefully these 2 things will help generate some presence for the company, and help with additional income as well.

So to the weekend, and a visit to Majete game park, quite local so possible to complete in a day. Went with Jim, another consultant out here and arrived in the middle of the morning which was really a bit late for proper game viewing. However, we went for a game drive with John one of the rangers, complete with his automatic rifle, and he managed to find us a fairly impressive haul of wildlife. As you can see from the snap elephants were there, along with many different types of antelope, including Impala, Eland and Waterbuck. [Not sure they are all antelope, will have to check!] Also saw a fairly large herd of Zebra in the distance but they spooked as soon as they got sight of us, so no snaps! Added to that we also saw Warthogs and Water Buffalo as well as many unidentified birds flitting about. Another good sight was some 8 or 10 hippos just lazing in the middle of the Shire river, soaking up the rays in the lee of a small island. It did look remarkably cool in the river. What a difference to see these animals in a 'wild' habitat, albeit protected to a degree from poaching etc, compared to the UK safari parks. Longleat will not be the same again.  It was a really impressive set up and there is a lodge inside the park with good accommodation so may consider another visit and an overnight stay. Could then do and evening and morning game drive and see more. However, as we are visiting Liwonde, another larger game park over Easter, I may not feel the urge again. Lunched at a really great place overlooking the Shire river with excellent views and facilities. They are planning to build some rooms but funding has dried up at the moment so that will have to wait. They have not yet been open a year but are seeing a steady improvement in trade.

More of that next week and more work updates as well.

Another day

Well, a couple of frustrating days at the house in Blantyre. Yesterday the broadband failed and the sky tv went off line so that was a quiet evening. Not too worried about the tele but it can be useful when the internet is down! I did change rooms yesterday as the one left by the other consultant was a more spacious than mine so I took the chance to appropriate it fairly smartly.

Today on the dot of 18:00 the power failed. This is, I'm told, not too unusual as there is a limited supply in the Malawi and they rotate the power so that everyone gets some. Or, if you listen to my cook/housekeeper when asked what had happened to the power replied, "The President has got it!". An interesting viewpoint.

Anyway it could be worse as I'm able to compose this using a candle and headtorch, although you would have thought a pencil would have been easier! So life is settling down and I have an invite to go for a ramble at the weekend although I don't think I will have transport so probably won't go, but I'm sure there will be other opportunities.

Work is ticking over with a few meetings booked and some planning for a presentation next week in full swing so that is keeping us busy at the moment. I'm starting to feel part of the team now and have found my way around some local shops at lunch time, all of which helps the settling in process.

So, I'll sign off until another day.

Some random pics

Getting used to life in Malawi

Well, that's the first working week drawing to a close and I'm starting to get my head around how life works and not feel quite so exhausted. Heavy rain this afternoon for about 30 minutes but fortunately back at the ranch by then, so not caught in it! All the overseas consultants and local staff have made me feel very at home, which has helped me settle to a routine reasonably quickly. The office is buzzing as we've been asked to present for a $16k contract next week, really big in terms of what the project does, so that's going to be some pressure to try not to balls up because I've only been with the team a week!

Looking forward to the weekend and some time to myself to get used to the local surroundings a bit more. Have access to the car so intend to have a bit of a drive round to get to know the area better. House comfortable if prone to leaking in the rain. Still we have an indoor swimmimg pool now!

Being well looked after by the house keepers Phillip and Abraham, who cook a good meal each night. Food generally is more westernised than I had imagined, with pizza and chips with everything fairly standard fair. Still I guess it's easier to adapt, although I'd hoped to get a few local recipes to bring home.