WEEK 6
On Sunday we observed the Sunday school at Zana and it was very interesting to see the methods and the content. All the children stayed in for the church service which followed – a total of 2½ hours for them! The day ended with Gill & Steve joining us for a traditional English Sunday meal – beef and Yorkshire pudding! Well, almost ended. At 7pm we had a phone from Arua offering to take our belongings up in a lorry on Tuesday afternoon.

We had an early start on Monday to travel to Jinja with Steve and Gill and arrived at Bugalai falls in time to see the rafters surfing the rapids. This was the same Nile river route we took three years ago and when the rafts capsized it brought back memories of that trip. It was good to watch from the side and stay dry. [See photograph] We stopped for lunch at the source of the Nile where the fresh water springs meet Lake Victoria. We visited an orphanage, Good Shepherd Fold for a quick tour. It was a great encouragement to spend time with Steve and Gill.
On Tuesday we visited the doctor. For a medical check up for our driving licences – nothing serious! I (James) had developed an itchy rash or two over the weekend so took the opportunity to ask advice. I had been attacked by “hairy caterpillars” (see http://www.cbit.uq.edu.au/software/riceipm/keys/Html/creatonotus.htm). We had been warned about them bit I didn’t see them – their hairs and powder they release from trees produce and itchy rash – as I can testify! The lorry from Arua arrived as planned; as it left with most of our belongings we wondered where and when we would see them again!

On Wednesday we went into Kampala for a change. We were left at the Post Office to met John Ondoma, the Chairman of the Board of Ushindi School. We had a good meeting and agreed to travel to Arua next week to stay with him for a few days. Following our meeting, we explored central Kampala. This was not our intention as we were trying to find the Eagle Airline ticket office to book and pay for our flights. After only four calls to ‘base camp’ (Matoke Inn) for first the address and then directions we discovered the office and duly booked the tickets. So at last, we’re going. But with mixed feelings – we want to get going, but don’t want to leave the relative comfort and security of Matoke Inn. But I’m sure we’ll settle in there too in time. We’re getting more courageous every day. We managed to find Nandos one of the first restaurants we went to in both of our 2003 and 2004 visits. OK, so we were actually looking for the Nile Grill – but Nandos was easier to spot. Then we had to find our way to the taxi park, find the correct taxi and the place to get off. It doesn’t sound like a major thing but if you’ve ever been to Kampala you’ll understand. Needless to say, we managed with no difficulties and feel we’ve almost mastered Kampala and its public transport system.

Sillar came joined us for lunch on Thursday. It was great to see him again as it was his original letter to the UK that initiated our interested in Uganda. He also visited the UK and remembers many of the people at church and at school whom he met in 2003.

On Friday we had planned to go into Kampala early with Ken and Ann to deal with the paper work to transfer ownership of the car but this was delayed because the new Matoke Inn generator was due to be delivered. It wasn’t so we went in time for lunch and then followed a short paper trail across town. The traffic was horrendous and didn’t seem to be moving for long periods, but eventually we succeeded.

Andrea was taken to Owena market on Saturday and bought some curtains (or material, I’m not sure which) and some blouses. ‘Unfortunately’ I was had to forgo this exciting privilege. I’m still trying to think of an acceptable reason! Incidentally, the hairy caterpillar rash is almost gone, but still itches a bit.