under another sun

Torrential rain this morning, Lorraine drove me down to Preston Park station, I bought a ticket for the week. My phone told me I was already late for a meeting in Teddington, which I'd completely forgotten about. I called Matty to apologise and tell him I would be late, and found that wires had been crossed and I wasn't actually required. Luckily I hadn't boarded a train yet, so walked back up the hill, drinking the large cup of tea I had bought at the station. A bit of diary haywire stuff going on. Matt who had reassuring news about the security that will be in place for the Chad trip. We will be based is a lowest risk area in the country. Surprised to learn that mobile phone coverage there is good too -- Chad having moved straight to mobile -- and we will be given local sim cards so I will be able to phone home. The day not a write off financially as my French amis piped up with a bit of work on cows with sore udders, so I was gainfully employed for the day. And quite...

Wild gales and hurricane force winds overnight. One of the Velux widows was yanked open by weird air pressure. And the rain battered the roof in a savage way. The morning a little calmer, though exceedingly blustery. No trains to Gatwick from Brighton, so Lorraine drove us. Luckily, we encountered no obstacles, and arrived in good time. Amazingly the plane was exactly on schedule too. As we were flying into the remains of a hurricane, I took the precaution of taking a tranquilliser. But this proved unnecessary, for beyond a fair degree of lurching and sheering as we landed, it was a surprisingly pleasant journey, passing between white castles of cloud. Waiting for the case to arrive on the carousel, glanced up to see people standing on Brighton beach discussing the weather on the TV. Pleasant local cab driver took us to La Barbarie. A warm welcome, and after Raivis gave us a free cup of tea and coffee we were upgraded to one of their lovely new rooms, where we found a small bottl...