Paradise

See the island in the background ?Thats Paradise in a swamp

Another week in Paradise /Token kawagga/Bit swampy

Paradise has indeed been hot this week mercury over the 40 at times humidity like a shower especially un packing the containers no need to have steam or a suna bath here just pull up a chair and sit in the container that’s not quite empty.

Walk out into the field yesterday in the old gumbbies no dry spots much out there hope up on the dozer parked on the road .Just water to the horizon bout 4 inches deep and counting just as well it is so flat or we would be able to fish off the high rise .May be able to do some mud wrestling till Christmas and then perhaps be dry enough to do some clearing in Late January after the referendum

Continuing with camp building more accommodation units and a large ablution block still no more containers from Port Sudan negotiating the price to pay started at way more than there worth so will be a while coming has been ongoing for months.

Road North and South  from Bentiu to Khartoum has been blocked for a few days near the border some dispute and posturing by the locals there. So the the town has had no food or water deliveries for a week or more just another little thing that happens here also we cant get gravel as that also comes from the North about 140 ks away, and our supply trucks have also been held up we got a bit short on water but found a bit in town that was able to get through , mind u we paid a good price for it.

This will be fairly regular into the future I feel and will have to find a way to manage it.

Went to the Governors for Breakfast  [ more like lunch]again last Sunday seems to be regular when he is out at Maanga discussed the world and his farming problems .No fish this time as he has learned I don’t like muddy fish and pup a cement concoction made from ground corn or semolina a bit like a raw damper sets the stomach for a week so just had the basic goat shank and neck bone and flat bread in a source of sorts so will have to take Tabaq his cook some herbs .

The poor old gov has gout so he is off read meat.

Then went for a stroll amongst the assembled local leaders down the main street of Maanga to the school site see what e could do to get it open as we are on a bit of a roll with the success of the clinic we man and a huge amount of thanks to Ranga our nurse must be given he has done an out standing job.

Quite a surreal feeling with 40 or so armed escort various local leaders and a division commander and me as the token white and not having a clue what they were waffling on about just nodding and clicking in the back of your throat as the locals do to show they understand with out  saying any thing.

Then a group of real looking soldiers and a couple of Generals appeared form fuck knows and the old Gov slipped right into one of them so I was glad we had the numbers and I was on the right side for that Sunday.

It has transpired that all my berating of him and the odd officer and government official has had a bit of success as my most favorite checkpoint has been disbanded. A small victory to the Aussies or perhaps they have all moved to the border any how no more arguments for a while on the way to town. Bit boring really?

3 air seeder carts up and moving  planter bar out and ready to go could have done with it a few months ago although the whole area cleared is under water /still I am led to believe you need to soak your corn before making bourbon and it would be organic as well is this a new industry for the undeveloped would??

Home /Mud /Marriage guidamce.

Home reflection Marriage { counselor}

Sitting in a pile of Mud again and 35 other people so will have to really go the imaginative management route tomorrow perhaps a spot of mud wrestling, duck impersonations and see who can get the dirtiest that should fill in the morning ad perhaps after luncheon a spot of commemorative prayer to realize how lucky we are to be in such a wonderful part of the world and we have so many things to do and see so. But at least our hut is not mud and we drink out of a puddle and Aus has a health service second to none .Jims Mary went to hospital today with Labor pains and quite sick so she was diagnosed with a Malarial birth given some tablets and sent home,

“come back Friday if not better” and we are pissed of at too   much rain ??

Trip from Avignon was fantastic up hills down dales along rivers through the vines. Roman legionnaire trails, Knight Templar castles, Papal Palaces, hotels in solid rock, the best set up B&B a Monastery night of reflection, Red wine to delight ones pallet and induce the sleep of a peaceful babe, Gladiators forums, tranquil villages with Romanic canals and bridges, wineries in 800 year old farm sheds, the nectar of freshly crushed Grenache grapes and the hint of a special vintage in the making, all very good for the soul. Beautiful hills gorges ,rivers, people and just the past of a wonderful part of the world.

Back on the fast train ,London ,Nairobi, Juba, home all gwarlonngg.

More rain tonight makes it 3 more weeks before any paddock action if no more rain so really will need to be inventive over the next few days  or maybe weeks so any suggestions welcome.

Marriage guidance update two clients  one a successful union and rid of the evil sprit of  a past wife so all good there .2^nd patient will be harder but recommending removal of spouse from house will keep  all updated as to progress and success of operation.

All is pretty quite here with the referendum coming along just a few troop movements and the North digging in a bit on the border .Do not think any one wants a war but there will be some fitting somewhere for sure

.Every one here is leaving before Christmas and will not return till after the referendum has been decided   and the dust has settled .

PROVENCE

The Old Cruch she would be peased she was named after a saint

Si Agnes Chuch on the way to Aigueze

Aigueze perche don the Ardeche Gorge Hotel was the next building after the round tower

Ardeche Gorge

La Chartreuse Carthusian Monastery next night stop over

Sudanese Influence??

Rocks a problem? no keeps temperature of the roots constant 

Martel Bridge La Roque

Just came over top of these two

Main Street Gourdarges

Gorge on Ceze near Mont Cluss

Hotel for the night on the far Ridge

Bridge at Mt Cluss

Entry to Mt Cluss

Down I go

and up again

Nimes La Fountaine

Monpillier new boulavarde built for the world cup

And look what is at the end.

Did not see any locals I knew

Market under the Aquduct.

More Literary Genius will follow shortly!