The view we wake up to!

OK I will admit this is not as exciting for my followers as pictures of the fox on the scout cam but thought you'd like a look at my new back garden view!

Welcome to The Gambia

We arrived into the Gambian sunshine after an uneventful trip from the UK. It was a bit of a shock stepping off the plane into 30 degree heat after leaving the fog of Birmingham behind. A short coach ride took us to the hotel on one of only two tarmac roads in the country where only 5 million people live. We were personally greeted by the South African hotel reception manager which took us by surprise. We had a personal tour of the hotel grounds in a golf buggy which no-one else got but the catch was we didn't have the room we had booked. Twenty four hours later we are now ensconced in a garden room with beautiful views of the ocean. Have had a lovely day of sunshine and are looking forward to five more nights before moving on to our eco lodge!

Scout Cam Success

One for sorrow, two for joy, what's the rest?

Chilean Miner Jose Henrique

I was so lucky to arrive at one of my schools today to be invited to a special assembly where Jose Henrique (miner number 23) was going to talk to the children about his experience and faith. It was amazing to watch him and think that he had survived such an ordeal. He prayed for the children and what was humbling was the fact that as a preacher he had led prayers with the all the miners everyday at the same time while they were trapped. We were lucky enough to hear that same voice praying. He looked really well and answered the children's questions with very good humour including the inevitable question of "How did they go to the toilet?" Children hey!

Scout Cam Update

For the last week the scout cam has been pointing down the garden from the pear tree. Not really a good position for wildlife I have discovered but fantastic for pictures of the willow blowing in the wind, all 856 of them! Two photos of wildlife, next door's cat and this surprised deer! Am going to set up a ground feeder on the patio and see what we get there over the next week. Would really like a badger and some hedgehogs but I guess the latter will still be hibernating at the moment.

Scout Cam Update

Last post from the pear tree as I'm just about to move the camera to the bird table to try to get some day time colour shots. Haven't seen much lately in the garden but the snowdrops have started to push up through but no sign of the bluebells yet that I put in last year under the trees to create my bluebell wood!

Weekend in Peterborough

Our final Christmas celebration was very delayed because of the Christmas snow and then available weekends! But hey it was nice to spread it all out a bit! Henry looked very smart in his new glasses and immediately set about building his Lego model that we bought him. Strangely Rachel and I exchanged very similar gifts proving the saying that great minds think alike.