Nearly there....

The first blog was set up with my friends in Derbyshire. I'm back again for the last time before my trip. Having failed to edit or sort my blog since my last visit! Hey ho! This is the last opportunity to become basically competent before I leave, and I think I'm just about there.
The bags are almost packed. Not sure I've got the right ones. Last time I was here I bought a very large unframed bag only to find of course that everything slips down to the bottom and I end up walking around with an oversized black pear.
I'm now vaccinated against all the major diseases likely to be faced over the next year. On my last visit to the nurse she warned me - after giving me the jabs - that I would need to rest for at least 24 hours as I was going to be unwell and my arm would hurt! Fortunately, I survived that with only minimal discomfort. When I had the hepatitis jabs, I was given no such warning and ended up with painful reactions.
Last weekend I made my extended goodbyes to friends. My daughter organised a great party inviting most of my friends and ex-colleagues. This was followed by a sumptuous dinner party on the Saturday and a bookclub supper with friends from Brookfield school.
Thank you to everyone who came to send me off. And thank you too for all your generous support. I've now been able to double the contribution to VSO.
The period between leaving school last July and my forthcoming departure, has gone by much faster than anticipated. A period given over to sorting out those jobs that have been put away for many years. It seems like only yesterday. I am now ready to begin this new stage in my life.
I've received lots of information from my predecessor in Gonder that has been helpful in giving me some idea of what I'll be doing. I'll leave the details until I've started to see how it all matches up with my expectations.
On February 2nd, I fly to Addis Abbaba for three weeks training in country. From there, I will be flying again (about 1 hour's flight) to Gonder to take up my post.
I will be living in a two roomed apartment with a night and day guard - I'm assured this is not because of my safety! I will write more of that later.