Well I managed to survive Niarobi again through the consideration of the people I met, Virginia made sure I was on the Matatu for Nanyuki, before she would leave me. The journey into Niarobi was again interesting, we were late to pick the next volunteer at the airport due to the jams but our innovative taxi driver just drove down the central reservation to a suitible dirt track turn off and then crossed the on coming traffic. There is no manueover that is impossible here.
I arrived in Nanyuki to again be looked after in the rain until met by my friend Patrick, who I had met with his wife in Ruhanga. He is a guide and they have a tour company here (see link above right, I cannot recommend more highly) and are looking to start a volunteer programme here so I was keen to discuss all that I have learnt.
Nanyuki is a garrison town, with training bases from Kenyan military and police as well as British army, right on the Equator, I got my certificate and the water really did spin in opposite directions at either side; and the base of Mount Kenya. Patrick assured my I would see it. It was good to get a hot shower and a Tuna sandwich as well as the odd beer or two.
So early next morning we set off for a trek to the first hut. There is a track up to this point but not a road so I was fascinated to see a motor cycle pass us, carrying several trays of eggs, along what looked liked a dried up, boulder strewn river bed. When we arrived at the hut I had to shake his hand as he had managed to deliver them with only one or two breakages.
And yes I got fabulous views before the cloud came in again; It is a truly beautiful place and I do not think I have ever been anywhere so quiet, even in Maasailand I was under a flight path for Niarobi. There was little wind and no mechanical sound at all. So still except for bird song. We got to around 3500m high enough to see the giant lobelia and tree heathers. Looking back across the plain, I could see acres and acres of polytunnels (and in the town some of the most beautiful roses ever, this is where those tescos are grown, but they are a poor relation to the ones here). I was glad that I hadn't signed up for the full 5 day trek to the top, the altitude and my general lack of fitness would have made it very hard, but it has made me determined to come back and do it; so yes I will be cycling and walking around Cambs with those weight strapped to every available appendage again.
A highlight of my visit was to the school that Patrick and Naomi want to assist with volunteers. It is called Melbon School and so I think it appropriate to try to link with it, not least because it is led by an inspirational principle; Pauline. She had me teaching an English class with in an hour of arrival and Science after that. The students are sooo keen to learn and just suck in any information you give them. I have a list of those who want e pen pals in the UK so I will be looking for willing 12 to 15 year olds when I get back. They also had me singing and dancing with them in the afternoon, all well before beer o'clock! It will be a great base for a volunteering/voluntourism project. As, although it is a small private school, Pauline tries to support as many poorer bright children from the community to give them the best chance at a quality eduction to enable then to go on to secondary school and university. And she succeeds, as it is a very high performing school which also gives a good all round learning experience with very few resources.
I would have loved to have stayed longer but had promised to return to Ruhanga before I return to UK so it was with much regret that I left Kenya, particularly Patrick and his family and friends.
The journey in and out of Niarobi again was interesting. All roads in and out are subject to construction, but non of this namby pamby coning and closing of section for this work, the traffic just finds any route through, around, under, over; at one point around 12 lanes (difficult to tell in these random conditions) had to constrict to 2 to go over half built bridge, it being the only way forward. But there was no road rage or very little horn exercise, there is some form of rule but certainly not obvious to a muzungo like me.
Barbs's Big Bike RIde
This year I have decided to stay and enjoy an English Spring. It has been a long time coming but at last it is here and I am off to explore my own back yard. Well actually travelling up the UK mainland as far north as possible before 21st June and see how close I can get to the Midnight Sun.
After my travels along the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain last September on my trusty old iron donkey, I have bought a lighter bike in the hope that I can get up a few more hills and by going from Lands End to John o Groats (LEJOG) I can avoid the killing headwinds of the Spanish meseta.
So here she is, we had a jolly naming ceremony on Saturday and hopefully the good friends, food and weather I enjoyed will carry me through to the farthest northern climes. Thank you all for a great send off, admirably topped off with one too many pints The Village Bike listening to Mojo Triangle.
And she is called Eleanor, isn't she beautiful, I hope I still have such tender feelings after 6 hours in the saddle, but probably only in the nether regions I fear.
The map link on the right will show a rough itinerary and route and I will try try to update with my actual route, if I can work out how and where I am as I go along, you know there will be little correlation but I will get there or somewhere in the end!
If you want an email update, submit your address in the box also on right and hopefully it will find its way through the ether to you.
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