We're here to the end....

Having had a few messages asking whether I'd been successful on the visa front or whether I had lost my patience and got us kicked out of the country, I realised I have not written since that trip to Tanga!

So the good news is, after 5 extremely patient hours with my 'sweet' smile firmly fixed we were indeed given an extension.#
The bad news is it's only for 30 days so I will have to go through the process all over again to renew for our last few days in the country.

We're slowly reaching our 'last' experiences in Tanzania....M's last trip to Peponi and then to Tanga Yacht Club. It is looking likely he'll be leaving before us, hopefully to a job interview, before flying on to join us in Oz.
Yes indeed, to finish our trip we're heading further on round the planet to visit some very dear friends in Australia. A 'holiday' if you like, to reacclimatise to the western world before heading back to the UK for the start of the summer term.

I am endeavouring to stay present for this last month, my mind already turns too easily towards job lists for our return home.
The girls are busy taking photos in school, keen to show their friends back home just where they have been. They are planning whom to give all our various toys and stationary supplies to when we leave, as well as the treasured football. We will be donating all our books to the school library and there are many discussions about having class parties to say farewell.

B is busy counting down to a more important date - her BIRTHDAY - though her countdown began when we arrived in November!

The rains have slowly started, with intermittent heavy showers which turn the red dirt to thick glue like mud. Our water tank at least is overflowing this week - a welcome change to no water supply. The air temp also drops blissfully, though the humid heat soon creeps back up again.

Pancake day today, so I am told. Though the excitement of pancakes is somewhat diminished as the girls eat them most days for breakfast. No-one enjoys UHT milk & they're all pretty bored of Daddy's porridge and savoury pancakes for supper is not uncommon here. But they still want pancakes on the menu tonight.....all though that may be because they know I was planning an Okra curry!