Rest and Recreation Part II

When I came up to Livingstonia a couple of weeks ago I did not have time to visit the Makwere Falls. I was determined to correct that oversight this time. I awoke early - thanks to the shower of figs from the monkeys. After watching the sun rise, I enjoyed my egg and chips (the Malawian equivalent of a full English) and set out for Chitemba - managing the catch a minibus for the last leg of the journey (always an adventure in itself).

Before journeying up the hill, I walked down to the Lake.The Lakeside scene was enchanting. On one side a group of fishermen had spread out their nets and were doing running repairs. On another, a herdsman had brought his cattle to the Lake for a drink. And everywhere people were getting on with the daily routine. I met one group of women sitting under a mango tree. This was the local microfinance tea, meeting with their co-ordinator from further north on the Lake. It was good to stop and chat or a while.

And then I looked to go up to Livingstonia. I had hoped to catch a hospital vehicle to the top - but the only one at Chitemba was going the other way. his left 'footing' as the only way up. The road sign says it is 15km - but the path cuts out many of the long bends, and so the walk only takes about two hours. I fell in with two elders from the local church, going up the hill to meet a church member on a disciplinary matter - he had failed to send his children to the local primary school, and they wanted to know why. It was good to pass the time with them as we walked.

Finally we reached the top, and went our different ways after we had shared a Coke together - essential replacement of fluids after a long climb.Makwere Falls are spectacular - even in the dry season. What they must be like in the wet season can only be imagined. Behind one of the twin falls there is a cave, which I also went to visit. In the days of the slave trade it acted as a hide-out for the local tribes as the slavers passed through the area. Certainly it was a bit of a scrabble to get to, and could not be seen from the outside at all.

And so the journey home today (Wednesday). It was an eventful journey. On the way to catch the bus at Chiweta I was thrilled by the birds. On one side of the road there was a fish-eagle, while on the other there was a tree full of weaver bird nests - and I managed to catch one bird just entering its nest. The weavers have a strange way of choosing their nests. the male will make a series of nests, from which his partner will choose her favourite. Once that nest is chosen, she removes the other nests!

The actual journey home was quite eventful - the National Bus I had intended to take had broken down, so rather than wait two hours in the sun for the next proper bus, I took a minibus. They seem safe enough, but traveling in them is not fort he faint-hearted. Much smaller than the minibus we are used to at home, they are designed to carry 14 passengers. They usually carry at least 16 or 17. But it delivered me in safety to Ekwendeni.

The reason for stopping at Ekwendeni was so I could see a well. When we went ' footing' last week we had seen a variety of problems. One was easy to fix, the other two were quite complex. Thanks to some of the money the Church had kindly given me to use here in Malawi, we were able to fix the simple problem and repair a well that had been out of action. It was a privilege to meet some of the local people - including the village head man - and to see the well we had helped to repair, once more bringing safe water to about 1000 people. As in all countries, this is the first step in ensuring good health, and the team who undertake the work here are justly proud of what they have done for so many people. It was good to join them in that work - albeit in a small way.

So tomorrow I leave Mzuzu and begin the journey to Zimbabwe. It will be good to see what Kevin and Gill have been telling us about when they have visited us on furlough - even if they are not there to show us themselves. Gill's mum is not too well, so BMS gave them home assignment. I wish them well, and look forward to visiting those they have been working with.