The final countdown Sept 18th

We are in our last few days in Berwick!!! Panic is beginning to set in now. What have we let ourselves in for? What should we pack? How shall we manage all these bags?
We have had a good few weeks here and really enjoyed walking around Berwick and the coast. There is so much to see and the weather has been really kind to us. We are going to miss the coast and the for ever changing sea but I am sure there wil be compensations.
We are expecting to arrive in Masindi on Sept 30th. We havent heard about the house but I keep reassuring Maggie that it will all be alright and the accomodation will be all sorted. If the worst happens we can always stay at Court View Hotel for a few days. There have been bad floods on Eastern Uganda but as far as we can tell this has not affected Masindi although the experts say there will be bad rains this year. As the road from Kampala was bad in the summer it could be a real challenge in the rains.
We are really going to miss every one in England but at least the internet will allow us to keep in touch. We hope lots of people find an excuse to come out to see us. Africa is a fascinating continent and Uganda needs tourism. There is a lot to do and see.

Chris and Maggie

Berwick Bridge

August 23

Thanks to who ever has set up a wi fi connection on Berwick North Bridge.
Maggie and I are sitting on the bridge watching the salmon netters, seals and swans as the sun gently sinks over the Tweed bridges.
We have finally moved into the flat in Berwick after a hectic week visiting Sheffield, Grimsby and picking up our last remaining things from Hull. Today we have had a visit from our neighbours from Hull Dave and Di and spent a relaxing day showing off our new neighbourhood.
Berwick is all that we hoped it would be friendly, quiet with plenty to see and visit. We only have 4 weeks left in the UK and are due to spend another week visiting and saying last farewells to family and friends. As Sept 21st approaches we are beginning to get down to deciding what we shall actually be packing. VSO have arranged missionary tickets for us so we will have an extra 23k baggage allowance each.I have never thought of us as missionaries but the extra baggage will be helpful. I expect from the collection of things we want to take that we will have to hire another Jumbo to fly out with us. How do you decide what you will miss and need in Uganda.

The final countdown

Starting the process no anaesthetic required.

There was no going back
Exposed

Shaving as a spectator sport.

Tuesday was my last day at New Hall Surgery and lots of patients past and present turned up to wish Maggie and I good luck. The highlight of the morning was the shaving of my beard of 36 years. I had never thought of shaving as a spectator sport but over a hundred people waited to see whether I really was a chinless wonder.
It was all a good humored affair and entirely painless thank goodness. Every one including Maggie and me were surprised to see what was under all that beard.
Maggie had been worried after all these years whether she would remember what I looked like.
It was a good way to finish 28 years at the surgery. Every one had a great time and I got to say a final farewell to lots of old friends. It was very disruptive of the work that day but once in a lifetime for me. I am now trying to grow the beard back.

It's not retirement

The last 2 weeks have been very hectic. Patients have been incredible and we have been overwhelmed by cards and donations both to VSO and to take out to Masindi. As we have reached our goal for the VSO appeal my beard will definitely be coming off next week. It is all set for Tuesday, my last day at New Hall. I do not expect to do much work that day but lots of patients are planning to come in just to say goodbye. It will be strange after all these years to finally say farewell.
We had a wonderful party on Friday night with all the surgery staff. Vince had arranged the entertainment and every member of staff did something. There were songs,sketches and even poetry and a large amount of fun! A great time was had by all.We were presented with a digital video camera which was used to record the whole event. We managed to produce DVDs for everyone.
We have had lots of invitations out for "farewell dinners" Thanks go to every one who has asked we really grateful.Every one seems very supportive and interested in what we are planning to do in Masindi.Time is getting short now there seems an awful lot to do and people to see.
We are desperately trying to pack this week. We have thrown out so much accumulated rubbish. It's amazing how much one family can amass over the years. The van is booked and we have decided to store the left overs in Sheffield so it is all systems go.

Another week gone

This week has flown by and I can't believe how quickly time is going now.We are leaving this house mid August and should have spent the week end sorting things out but decided to go to Berwick instead. This was the first time I have seen the Boult but I was not disappointed.We camped out there as we haven't furnished it yet but managed to have a great weekend. It is so relaxing in Berwick. Everything is in walking distance and the people are really friendly.
I spent the week in Birmingham on a VSO course.It was good to meet other people at a similar stage and see how their preparations are going. Everyone seems to be at the same stage of panic.
This week we really must get on with packing!