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.....
It would be nice to be able to tell you in advance that
there is a happy ending ...... What happens in the days
ahead may not be at all what we hope for or expect,
but it will be for our good and the advancing of Christ's
kingdom. The outcome of all events is the glory of God
and our eternal blessing in Him.
 Saturday
12th May. Heathrow. 30 cyclists, including 3 revs,
8 docs & 3 nurses. Among 12 veterans of '05 are Evelyn
(70ish) Frances (2 years her junior), my personal head
examiner Mr. Phil Barlow, lively EMMS chairman Dr. Phil
Brookes, giggling Dr. Janet Robertson and the superfit
lan Campbell.
Sunday
13th May. Nairobi - Lusaka - Lilongwe. Wait at Lilongwe
airport as only 19 bikes appear and we discuss drawing
lots or giving 'carries'. Finally we have 35. At Lodge
we're joined by another two dutch doctors from Mulanje:
Roland (Medical Director) & Eva. I'm sharing a room
with Phil Brookes and Sarah's with Janet. Good match!
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Monday
14th.
Driven into the hills south of Dedza for a fantastic
afternoon's cycling in stunning scenery. The rapid descent
into the rift valley results in one grazed chin and
one bruised back (with smashed cycle helmet). I dawdle
at the back taking lot of photos and video (loaned camera).
Sarah, coasting along near the front, says "This bike's
much better than mine. Mine's going in the bin when
I get home!".
At
Mua the men are in tents, 2 pitched beside each double
chalet. 4 a.m. (2 hours before dawn) every cockerel in
the area is letting rip and soon the noise of early morning
chores is coming from the village. Sandra has been kept
awake all night by 'something' running around on the roof
and is so demented she's about to ask the guys if she
can crawl in beside them. Sarah & Janet are being kept
awake by their neighbours (whom we shall not name) singing
choruses!
Tuesday
15th.
A long scorcher. The M10 from Mua toward Mangochi is
wide but unmetalled and rougher as the morning wears
on. Pass a man with handlebars laden with chickens.
Almost collide with an ox cart of cassava which emerges
from a field. Butterflies and dragonflies abound. The
smoothest way is to look for the locals' tyre marks
as they weave a path among ruts and pot holes. I sit
close behind lan and trust him to find the path. Arrive
at a ......