Tuesday June 9

I'm not sure I have the audacity to apologise for the long wait but "manners maketh man" so apologies.

One or two slight distractions - like having to share my computer with husband and daughter. They have come and both gone now. It was great to have them here. While Paul was here we shared a couples cabin on deck 4 which had air con, so for the first time in four months I actually used a duvet at night! He brought with him some belated birthday cards and even small gifts which people had very kindly sent out.

Paul spent 2 weeks working as a mechanics teacher, showing the lads how to take out a landrover 110 engine and then rebuilding it. The sweetest moment? When it started first time as the key was turned. Not sure who was most pleased, him or the lads he was working with.

I had managed to fill his spare time with a mix of social activities which included eating out - always a good activity, seeing the local countryside and environs and learning something of the history of the country. This was acheived by eating with friends at various locations, visiting Abomey, 3 hours drive away and taking him swimming at the local hotels.

I visited Abomey a few weeks ago but this time went in a Mercyships 110 so we a reliable vehicle. The journey home was a little bumpy as we took a track rather than the main road which is subject to long delays because of roadworks - no different to home really. Abomey is the home of one of the main Kings of Benin. 3 brothers came from further away and decided to split one remaining in Abomey. Testament to their lineage was the kings ruled on average for 40 years and handed over to the eldest son. It is a fascinating history and there are still a few artefacts that have survived the years.

Perhaps one of the most unusual things we did was to take part in some evangelism with the church that I have been attending regularly since being in Benin. We
went to the church to meet up with everyone for a short service - only an hour - and then went out in 12 groups. There were about 8 in our group and even then we split into 2 small groups so that we didn't overwhelm anyone. We spoke to two groups of men who were just sat at the roadside. We gave out new testaments to a couple of the men who were more interested in what we were saying. The following week one of the men turned up at church which was great to see. We actually gave him a life home and found out that he was a shoemaker and that his wife was pregnant. The man was quite badly paralysed from the waist down but managed very well. The teams were well managed as there were always a couple of others who remained with any vehicles that went and prayed for the groups.

Becky had the chance of diving with the team on the ship and even though the visibility was poor still had a great time. "Very safe but knew how to have fun" was the description from the dive master. we went to the stilt village together on Saturday, just before she went home. The ride up the lagoon to the village is probably the best part and certainly we saw plenty of fishing going on. The traps for the shrimps reminded me of the traps for the salmon on the Severn, basket like structures.

The work has continued on the ship in the meantime. VVF surgery is being undertaken again with new surgeons and as always the eye rooms continue to keep us busy. One of the eye surgeons who had been with us for 3 months has now left to go and work in Gabon and will be using the skills and techniques she has learned on the ship. we also lost another long term crewmember from the eye team as she returned to the States with a view to returning to study another nursing qualification. A pool party was help for these 2 on deck 8 one Sunday afternoon. A very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Shaded from the burning sun and with a pool to cool off when necessary. As with all these social gatherings everyone brings something to the party so we had smoothies, ice cream and raspberries, cakes and savoury snacks plus a lot of laughter.

My work has been very mixed with some anaesthetics, scrubbing , teaching and looking at procedures/policies and how we measure up against recommended practice. Just a little variety in the day never quite knowing what I will do in any one day.

I know that others read my blog as permssion as been requested to use photos that I have put on the site or if I would share stories that I have told. Quite amazing, that you just never know who will read it.

The nature of the ship is that the population constantly changes and recently there seem to have been a lot of goodbyes especially to folk that have been here several months. this includes my cabin mate of 3 months who returned home a week ago. The cabin is strangely empty without her and there are no more long late night talks about life and the universe. It does however mean more sleep!!

I will endeavour to be more diligent in writing my blog - but please don't hold me to it!!