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.

In Blantyre

Finally arrived in Blantyre, about 24 hours after taking off from Heathrow. Plan for a stop in Lilongwe did not materialise so tired and sticky. Shower and early night although I think it will be too hot to sleep so I could be a complete wreck in the morning.

I won't say any more at the moment, but will reflect and comment some more later in the week.

Final Countdown

Well, here we are just 1 week to go before take-off from Heathrow.

Really good information received from Kondwani [programme manager] in Malawi about the journey process and I get a day in Llongwe to recover before going on to Blantyre so that sounds like a good plan. Also good idea now of what's going to happen on the ground when I get to Blantrye so another positive.

Alternating between excitement and a measure of terror at what I've let myself in for! Oh well it will all be fine when I get there.

Training sessions part 2

Just completed the second day of training with Lucy from Challenges. Some really thought provoking discussions and interesting information. Some not so good stuff but I suspect that the value of that will only become apparent when I'm actually in Malawi. Looking forward to tomorrow now to see more of what the delivery will be about.

Also met Mike who will be with me for some of my time in Malawi and he's got experience of Africa so that's sure to be a handy addition for me.

Spent and hour walking around Edinburgh and discovered what a great city it is. Also very tempted to order a kilt with all the trimmings, but decided that I really don't have the legs for it!

Out for a meal again with Carolyn [sp!] and Neil, the others on the training. Good meal with them last night so looking forward to this one.

Training sessions

Preparing to go to Edinburgh to take part in the training session prior to going out to Malawi. Flying up Friday am and really keen on the early start!

Looking forward to meeting other consultants and finding out more about the training that I will be presenting to the in country consultants.