The week in Taveta after the Tz trip was fairly quiet. Residents from 2 of the neighbouring returned from their xmas holidays. The family of my immediate neighbour returned to Kisumu. I did my daily breakfast visits to see Mercy . I joined Joseph to watch football at Utamaduni. At one of the games(Arsenal) he got a bit too loud. We were supposed to cross to Kibanda Hasara for kiti moto but it depended on him getting a part payment from a job and him buying all the cheap Tz drinks…well, it never happened.

Mon 23rd. I hired a bike to cycle to Lake Chala. Nice ride..not too hot going. I left the bike at the ‘gate’ and said I would pay 50ksh and not 100ksh to have it kept safe. The road is even better now to get to the crater rim….this is to the lower point and not to the higher point. The path down to the water is wider and safer but care still has to be taken in parts to avoid slipping. Of course its a lovely location to relax gor a little while. Kili was shrouded in cloud. On the way back I stopped at Martina’s curio shop for tea. Met a couple of Estonian ladies on their Kenya holidays. Discussed with Martina the possibility of staying in her Malindi flat when I passed through on my to Lamu. Last year she had mentioned charging 1,000ksh per night, but we agreed on 800.

The ride back to Taveta was much easier as usual. Slightly down hill and wind behind. Found ex chief Mguana’s house; stopped for a nice chat. Went to Burneys Inn (swimming pool place) for a quick one. Had to wait for Muhammed to return from the mosque so I could return his bike. I had a nice kiti moto at Mwangaza.

Otherwise, I just did my rounds of seeing friends; eating cheaply; having a drink at either Rockland or Garden Park. Was determined to travel to Lamu and Mombasa, partly to get my mind off the bad personal finances I suddenly found myself in. Was asked for a large contribution towards the lift repairs ( my flat). The shower/toilet repairs came to 1,400gbp which I wasn’t expecting; have already had deducted 250gbp towards it; the remainder will be deducted equally from my next two rental incomes. And I have even started on the mortgage interest rate review.

So , on Fri 27th I booked my ticket to go through to Malindi via Mariakani, Kaloleni and Kilifi. That was something to look forward to.