Hi folks, a day of ups and downs here. I started off the day determined to start the generator base. So I got up early, and made a start. I brought some screws and wall plugs to screw some shuttering timbers across the legs of our water tower (that’s where I’m building it). My new security come caretaker man Brima Coker aka Jimmy, proved very useful…… He assisted in cutting and (in the end) nailing the shuttering in place with me. Things you can’t get or buy anything of quality; screws, wall plugs, plumbing fixtures, electrical sockets and switches, and door locks! We also made a set of “ground anchors” out of iron re enforcement bars which we heated with charcoal and bent into shape, ready to cement into place so we can literally chain the generator to the ground. We ran out of the boards we needed and after walking straight into the upstairs veranda and cutting my head, I thought I’d pack up for the day. But me being my usual self decided to go and get some fuel for the generator. On the way, I was stopped by yet another police man (this happens approximately 5 times a day) another one telling me that I had committed a serious offence by having a broken windscreen…… The reasons have been, driving without proper shoes on, windscreen several times, green sticker things, not having a red flag on a piece of wood sticking 6 inches over the tail board, just to mention a few! The fact is, and I’ve luckily learnt this rapidly, that it’s really unusual that a white guy is driving a big truck around! So although they stop me in the hope that I’ll give them a handshake, it’s also out of curiosity. This one noticed the blood seeping out of my hair and felt sorry for me I guess, as he let me go. Our leaflets are a great way of getting them to let you go by the way, show them a pamphlet and they are very impressed that you would let them keep it…… I may need some more Nigel?! However, all this aside, I’ve been able to rectify everything they have said we are contravening the laws with except the broken screen. I was on my way to the petrol station deciding how would be best to get one out here, when I passed Freetowns version of Autoglass! I never dreamed I would get one, and really didn’t expect them to be able to help…… But what did I know, they had one in stock……. Much haggling took place and I got the screen fitted for $500. Which I think would be cheaper than shipping one and me fitting it, and that’s if it arrived in one piece! So with luck, no more “serious” offences committed……. But I’m sure they’ll find something!
Fuel purchased and returned home to carry on waiting anxiously for news on Heather………. Still no news. Got some achieved. But never as much as I’d like….. But I never do!!!
Blog again soon, God bless,
Ian
Glad to see you are keeping busy – hope you got that cut your head “seen to” – say a prayer for Auntie Pat – she’s had the cancer removed from her jaw and is now relying on the Chemotheraphy, lots of love XXX