fight, fight...

This morning I found myself in the local “police station”. Well Police station would be an exaggeration. Its more like a big shed with a whole wall missing and chickens wandering in and out at will. The officers were lazing around, one was semi clad and lying in bed, which was easily visible from the well ventilated reporting desk! We had gone to make a statement after a late night incident. Police station

View from reporting deskAbout 11pm we were startled by loud shouts and screaming. When we went to investigate we saw the aftermath of a full-on fight. One of our team had been celebrating his birthday and the local trouble maker decided to beat him up. In his slightly intoxicated state our birthday boy was unable to respond and took a hammering.

The suspect ran off and has not been seen since. What counts for the local police force did show up after we sent motorbikes to pick them up. But they said before they could respond we would need to come to the office and file a report.

Filing a report involved sitting in the chicken shed while a guy took out the only piece of hi-tech equipment around – a typewriter from the 1960’s. It was intriguing to watch him plonking away for the next half hour. Underline was 50 repeated, noisy bangs of the keys.

I asked what the special force’s next move would be and after some head scratching said “well when we catch him we come and ask what you want us to do with him”. Hmm now that’s an interesting justice system. Hope I’m not placed under suspicion by the police I may not make it home for Christmas!

Christmas in England

Hey! We are coming home for Christmas! Last minute change of plan. Got our tickets and will be back by the 16th December. Hope to see as many of you as possible. Love Cheryl & Chris

The week I almost died - twice

If I started the week with 9 lives I am down to 7! I was just sat the other night checking my emails when there was an almighty crash. I immediately fled with various scenarios playing in my head....had my computer screen exploded, did a gas lamp blow up or maybe we were being hailed with stones. When I peered cautiously back into the room it was covered in glass and where the skylight used to be there was a big hole. Carefully swept up but couldn't find any incoming missiles.

What made me think we were under attack?
Well, earlier in the week I had attended a local village court. A disgruntled member of the public had been threatening staff and even thrown stones. He didn't understand why he was not offered the guard job and violence seemed a reasonable retaliation. The village leader called the meeting and he made a public apology to our staff with a promise not to do it again. Everyone was still a bit jumpy and my immediate thought was - the stone thrower is back.

I had a good look round the building and couldn't see any evidence of anything being thrown. The more likely explanation was the builders who had been working up on the roof. I think they dropped something and it dislodged the glass which gradually worked loose then fell.... Just inches from where I was sat, shards of glass had wedged themselves deeply into the table and my computer screen took a nasty slash. I had been really lucky to escape without a scratch.

To add to the adventure we went away at the weekend to a place where you can snorkel. Its also famous for its great surf and big waves. Since the earthquake the coast line has changed and the whole island lifted a couple of metres. The coral is now lifted out of the water and means tip toeing painfully over the razor sharp coral.

Found a small inlet where it looked ok to get into the sea, away from the big surf. Once we were in we realised that the current was being funnelled into the narrow channel and there was no way to stop ourselves being mercilessly thrown backwards and forwards with each wave. I clung on to the rock as each wave hit, trying to keep my head above water. Me hands were being torn by the coral and I couldn’t hold on I smashed into Chris, holding on behind me.

Chris managed to swim out of the channel but the waves which looked small before we entered were towering above him. At this point I had been thrown onto an outcrop of coral and manage to catch my breath. The waves continued to pound the rocks making it impossible to stand up. With each wave the coral ripped into my legs and like skidding over razors. I screamed at Chris to come back in. Finally we hauled ourselves out streaming with blood from our scrapes.

Celebrating survival