Well, the last few days of a momentous year for everyone….quite a year for me. Starting with travelling around Kenya. Going to TZ in March with a view to resolve my Kenya visa because I had reached my 6 months visa limit. Covid causing the Kenya border being closed towards the end of March and my resulting 3 and a half month stay in Holili. Return to UK mid July..quarantine in Eastbourne for 2 weeks…a stay of 5 months at Judith’s which was great fun and much appreciated as I sorted out tax/pension/health checks etc. And finally a hasty return to Kenya on Dec 3rd one day after the UK lockdown was lifted.
So, Dec 27th was a day I put my bike and my fitness to the test. Hot day..I cycled to El Doro in the hope of climbing the big rocks there. Didn’t manage to find the path up to the top of the Rocks but still was able to sit half way up and enjoy the views. Fun cycle of just under an hour. Struggled a little with the return journey and was absolutely shattered when I got to Rockland. Convenient that Joseph was over an hour late for our chat over a drink because I don’t think I was capable of holding much of a conversation immediately after my cycle ride. The bike performed very well. That was the day…..of course dinner, and back to the hotel.
28th. Me and Mercy went on a boda boda each to Chala to visit the shamba (plot) and of course Dad’s grave. I was there for a few hours, with most of that time just keeping Dad company. It’s nice that I can go and visit and said up to date pics of the grave. The four sisal plants have a very good size now. I returned after midday. I walked into Chala village and got a boda boda that already had a box of half a dozen or so chickens as passengers. Apparently I shouldn’t have paid the full fare as the chickens had already paid to go to Taveta!!!!! Took the usual route back via Darajani as opposed to a new alternative route……more about that later. Rest of the day was spent mooching I guess.
Tues and Wed..29th & 30th spent doing a little cycling just outside Taveta. Reacquainted myself with Wamgoi who cooks nice local food, and have been having most of my evening meals at her restaurant. An interesting restaurant…she operates out of a large container which has a lean to as the kitchen and sitting area. Chairs,tables etc are stored in the container every evening. The meals consist of githeri, mokimo, maharage, chapatis…..all filling food and dinner costs me in the region of 40p to 50p !!! Been watching quite a lot of English football in the evenings…when the matches don’t start too late – we ate 3 hrs ahead of the UK.
So, the 31st…we arrive at the last day of the year. I went on another hour long cycle to Lake Chala. On top of that there was 20 mins to push the bike up to the crater rim. I wanted to cycle the new route ….heading the opposite way out of Taveta and through the countryside….well, I suppose it’s all countryside around here !! Unfortunately I missed the turning and instead went down the bypass and the usual way to Lake Chala. It was a cloudy day. On a good day one looks across the volcanic crater lake to Mt Kilimanjaro. 20 yrs ago, we as a family had a 10 day holiday at the L Chala lodge on the volcano rim. We had the place to ourselves as we were the last guests ever to stay at the lodge. In fact I think it was opened especially for us ….. It’s totally derelict now unfortunately…just the building foundations surviving.
Well, I found that alternative route back. Very stoney/rocky in parts so hard work cycling. Had the breeze coming at me from the side….but I new it wouldn’t be long before the road bent in my favour and the breeze would be from behind. Passed by Kristin’s so called in to say hello. Had my usual cheap meal for dinner despite it being New year’s eve.
I knew there were no big New year’s parties planned as there is a curfew here from 10p.m. So I was in bed before midnight. Heard a few large bangs outside to mark the end of 2020.