Norwich with Boy Bishop

We had a super day out in Norwich with Owen, Charles, Linnie and Wanna. Picked everyone up and then went first to Linnie's shop 'Second Hand Rose'. Its closing down end of Feb due to various reasons, not least of which is lack of customers due to the economy etc. Met her business partner Jane (?). She's the blond one sitting in the middle of the photo, not the bald head (thats Charlie) on the left!!! Then off we went to Norwich for lunch at Waggaworld. A sort of Japanese/Vietnamese/Thai/Laos/Cambodian type of place serving mixed noodle and rice dishes sort of stuff if you know what I mean...?... Anyway it was good.

Ipswich Town Go go.....

Owen had organized tickets for us to go and see Ipswich Town Football Club. ITFC !! . They were playing Watford at home. This was a Championship match. So great excitement. We, Owen, Charlie, Wanna and I to Ipswich. After parking we bought the obligatory hot dogs and paid a visit to the 'shop' (Planet blue…) where we purchased wooly ITFC hats. Then we looked the part, real supporters. The ground was packed full with an almost capacity crowd of 24,245 people. I didn't count but we were told on the tannoy system. It was real fun with the crowds around us really getting into the spirit of it all. Seems most people around me knew more than the referee on most of the decisions he made. Seems if they were to be believed he had not read a rule book for some time. They obviously had and kept trying to tell him so, but he did not seem to hear them!! Great fun. Unfortunately Ipswich lost 2-1. (Was a fair result if truth be told) Even Owen conceded to that.

Norfolk

We made it up to Norfolk by tube, rail and car to get to stay with Owen. Well worth the journey. We caught up with Mother and then had a wander around Thetford followed by an excellent dinner with Charlie and Linnie. Paul joined us as well as Owens son Andrew. Charlie was a bag of nerves making some excellent Thai food and waiting for Wanna's approval. Talk about a cat on hot bricks. Which I am pleased to say he got full 1000% approval so much so Wanna had a second helping! The food was excellent and a good evening was had by all. As usual Charlie had a couple of good jokes to get us all in the mood. Just wish I could remember them. Wanna got into Rasta mode!!!!!

Last few days on Mahe

We all came back to Mahe and Wanna and I prepared to depart evening of 19th May. Had a final dinner in Kaz Creole. Joined by MP, Girls and Chrisoff. Unfortunately Alan in his usual way had a couple to many and unset Owen and Charlie. Being stupid again. Will have to grow up one day.

I had however been through the photos and come across a few additional ones showing Owen and Wanna on Prinos, Charlie and Lynnie enjoying an ice cream and a lovely one of Wanna with KK and a second one of her with some land tortoise.

16th May Owens Birthday. We and Crew were all still on La Digue. Owen went out for the day with Pam and we all pretended we had forgotten his birthday. Of course we hadn't. We had arranged a dinner for him at Bertine's place. Beautiful Red Snapper, Bat curry and sausages and lentils. Wine and of course presents. Well the presents were the La Digue Rasta Hat!!!! A couple of blue tablets...... (Viagra for those of you who are a bit slow). It was all good fun.


And then to crown it all a visit to the casino. We all won. Denise possibly did the best but it was a lucky night with us all coming out with something.

Another lazy day on La Digue

14th May. Another lazy day. We went to bed late last night around 3.00am. We had just sat about talking and drinking a few gin and tonics. Up and out about this morning at 9.00am And this is supposed to be a holiday!!! Decided we would have a Creole Buffet lunch at Grande Anse. They do a very good buffet, grilled fish, curries and salads. Really hot and the sea was rough. We went by taxi making a stop at Rita’s shop for bits and pieces. Had a chat with the local policeman and asked him to tell Charlie to behave himself!!!

Wanna just took it all in her stride and relaxed. Typical.

Now off to see Denise and friends.

Looking after our house

Up early with Wanna preparing to make the offering to the Land Spirits for looking after our house. She had prepared the fish, chicken, pork, cake and fruit to be placed in front of the Spirit House. We needed some rum so I was assigned to go off in search for a shop that was open. No easy task on a Sunday Morning on La Digue. Needless to say I got strange looks when requesting two bottles of rum at 7.30 am!!!! But we succeeded. Returned and everything was ready. Then Wanna performed the small ceremony to the Spirits.

The rest of the morning was spent painting the windows. Charles did the green on the shutters and I did the frames. We did one side of the house. Bit more to go. But slowly slowly we’ll get it done.


So then we relaxed and had some lunch. Think I’ll go off fly fishing for a while.

The one that got away

11th May 2007. We all set sail for La Digue. Great trip Charles caught a King Fish, we estimated it to be about 20-40 pounds. Unfortunately it got away at the edge of the boat. It was big. Check the photo and you decide. I have not seen the rod bend as much as this one did. We did not have a gaff! Again on arrival the Harbour was empty. Great. Then home. Lynne and Wanna went cycling off to the shops. The men had a few beers… Then a few more. We had a Bar B Q then all off to bed.

Sarah's Birthday

10 May 2007. Went back to Mahe and joined up with Owen, Charles and Lynnie. It was also Sarah’s 20th Birthday. Great evening at La Pearle Noire Restaurant at Beau Vallon. Everyone really enjoyed.

The Crew arrived

Monday 7th May. The Crew arriving. Owen Charles and Lynnie arriving this morning. We got up early and watched the dawn break. Then at 7.00am saw Air Seychelles arriving. Quick shower and off to the airport. Wrong flight!!! They will be arriving at 10.00am. On worries back to town and check the internet etc. Decent coffee and we were ready to get back to the airport. They all arrived and were quickly out of the airport. First stop Graham’s house. Everyone had a cold beer on the way!!!! Then we went down to Prinos. Had a look round and made the decision that they would stay on Mahe for a few days and have a look round etc.

Dinner at Fairy Land. Pam joined us and we had a great evening. We all had fish and chops!!! The photo shows Charles telling a story. Can’t remember if he as showing the size for fish he caught or the size of live bait.

Next day Wanna and I set sail for La Digue and had a good if somewhat uneventful trip. No fish. Very few tourists about so we managed to have plenty of space to moor up Prinos. The house was fine. We unlocked it expecting to find some damage or signs of rats, mice etc. Nothing. Quick sweep of the floor and all was ready for use. Got the bicycles out and off to the shops. Every one was great, “Hello welcome back… How are you?” Lovely feeling.

Arrived Seychelles

Made it. 5th May 2007. Landed in Seychelles after a 4 hour flight. Lovely weather and met by Sarah and Christoff. Got through customs without any problems. Difficult to convince them we were tourists considering we were carrying 4 new tyres for my truck and a bunch of clutch spares etc. They did not seem to mind. Anyway through we went to be met by Sarah and Christoff. Straight to the boat. It has been moored up in The Wharf. Great spot. Has all facilities and Prinos was fully fueled and watered. Added to which Sarah had supplied bread, eggs etc so we were organized. Our home for the next few days. So we had time to relax and do nothing till the Crew arrived. That's Owen, Charles and Lynnie.