"It's all new...!"

Only got ½ hour snatches of sleep. Watched the film about Elvis Presley. Touched down at Nairobi, then 3 hours later landed at Jo'burg. Caught a plane to Gaborone where Dave & Pru were waiting. First impressions of Africa - it's all new - different trees, buildings & people & accents.

Went around with mouth agape - it's all so totally new. Met Martha, who does the washing up, daily clothes washing & housework & babysitting. Had a look round the Mall at the shops - everything's here. Keith got a temporary Radio Ham licence A22GW. Looked around Radio Botswana.

Keith maintained that the altitude made him dozy. Sat out in the garden, reading. After lunch, Pru took us in the LandRover down to see the lake and the dam. Saw lots of different birds. Had a nice evening talking. Planned the Safari Camp trip.

We had the use of the Chevrolet all morning to get us around Gaborone. Visited the very interesting museum & art gallery and had drinks in the President Hotel. Read a lot. Played with the children. Dave finished tuning the piano.

Got up late and sat out in the garden. Got a photo of two Blue Waxwings but the Red-Eyed Bulbuls hid behind leaves to annoy me! After lunch walked round to the club to see if the Pool is opening soon. Played the piano.

Had a shower. Walked round to the Hyperstore and bought a few things. Managed to keep awake in the afternoon but Keith succumbed to a snooze. It's because Gaborone is 3000 feet high. Went to a very good party (Pauline & Reg Glew). Really enjoyed the chat.

Spent the morning giving thought and practice to piano music to be provided at a Club/Pub night. The children went to a party. Pru, Keith & I went on a birdwatching session at some nearby water (Sewage ponds!) Saw lots of different birds. Went to the cinema.

(Boring details of illness) Helped Pru get a barbeque together to which 7 adults and 4 children came. Later had a practice Club Night - my first time playing with a real drummer! It was great!

Felt better. Keith stayed 'home' resting, but I went with Pru into town and the museum. After lunch we went 25k north of Gaborone to Mochudi. Bought sandals, a belt and looked around the museum. Saw more birds.

Tried sitting out in the sun but after 15 minutes it was unbearable - even the wind is like a hairdryer and this is Spring! Left the kids with Martha and went to Oodi to see the weavers. Bought a skin rug.

Sian's 4th Birthday. Walked up to the bottle store. Helped Pru with the 12 children that came. It was an education coping for 3 hours - really admire the playschool teachers now! Saw a Hoopoe!

The hottest day so far. Even Dave was muttering about putting the fans on. Went into town to take the home movie back. Slept all afternoon whilst Keith and Dave went to Sebele to look at Radio Botswana's new transmitters. Had a nice evening and ended up playing Scrabble.

Got up very late, but walked to the Hyperstore and bought some plimsolls for walking. Went with Pru to get some shopping as she had a dinner party. As usual abroad, the people are very interesting and we had a great evening.

(Details of illness) Saw the hoopoe and a flock of red-faced mousebirds. Revived ourselves and went to the Lions Fashion Show at the American Ambassador's house. Won 4^th prize in the raffle - 3 cases of beer! About £20 worth which will see us through the next 2 weeks nicely!

(Details of illness) Everyone went to Ted's barbeque.

Felt a lot better than yesterday. Read magazines, the South African Sunday Times and books.

(Relapse of illness) Read Wilbur Smith's "The Falcon Flies". Wrote a letter to my grandparents.

Played the piano till lunchtime. Went in the LandRover to Gabane which we enjoyed, and stopped by the reed bed. Saw new birds including a Sacred Ibis again. Practised in Moth Hall, piano & drums.

Went birdwatching with Suzy and Karron Bower. Went home to Karron's house to see her superb bird paintings. We all went to dinner with Sheridan and Norman Burns.

Went up to the Hyperstore, then into town for the last shopping spree, buying lots of little presents. Practised my piano playing. The Pub Night was terrific - had 3 offers of jobs and someone asked if I was professional! Really enjoyed playing with a drummer (Dave Prince) who is a jazz/blues fan too.

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