The fantastically crazy German, Frau Hagen, was in town and we were going to have have some fun, that was for sure. But, what to do, so much going on in London… until I saw some toffs all dressed up in Waterloo station – facepalm moment, June… Trooping of the Colour… and off we went…
What is the world coming to?
I was travelling from London to Rome this morning when I heard the terrible news about the bombings in Brussels, which comes after the New York, London & Paris attacks, war in Syria, Iraq etc., the refugee crisis, breakdown of the welfare system in many countries, desecration of wildlife habits… in short, I despair. It…
Makeni & Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Sunday before Christmas was spent in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We went for a long walk around the city (approx. 12 km), first along Lumley beach and returning via Wilkinson and Aberdeen roads. The beach was filled with football games while the other side of the road contains many new building sites; a sign of economic…
Off the beaten track – Windhoek towards the Orange River & South Africa
Die pad ist lang (the road is long, “Namibian” German) Windhoek, Namibia I have been watching the sun set behind the hill, hoping that some kudu might provide a nice silhouette, but no luck today. On the animal front, earlier I had spotted some new birds and again heard the fish eagle, but did not…
Off the beaten track – Richtersveld & Namaqualand
In my previous posting, we had started our trip, caravan and all (no cats), in Kapps Farm near Windhoek, Namibia, and headed south towards Cape Town. Richtersveld Nature Reserve We left our riverbed campsite to continue south towards the Namibia/South Africa border via a quick refuel and re-stock in the zinc-mining town of Rosh Pina….
Off the beaten track – Namibia
A few days ago, I was haven a twitter chat and we somehow got onto the topic of Africa and our trips to Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. The next thee blogs will be about one trip in Namibia, when three of us drove from Windhoek to Cape Town with a Range Rover and Caravan….
Blog – the beautiful people of Sierra Leone
In this post my reflections are through pictures – the people of Sierra Leone left a positive and lasting impression on me! The wonderful people of Port Loko, where I was based: The pikkins of Port Loko: The children and…
Blog: 24 hours in Freetown, Sierra Leone #EbolaFreeSierraLeone
After more than 3 weeks in Port Loko, Sierra Leone, at last I had a chance for a two-night R&R (rest & recreation) with my wife, who is currently based in Freetown. Saturday afternoon a few of us got transport to Freetown, an intriguing three-hour drive from Port Loko. We had to pass through several roadblocks…
Jungle walk – Port Loko, Sierra Leone
On my second day off from duties in the Port Loko ETC, JS invited JB and myself to join her on a jungle walk. Most of the team had already been on this walk and were quite effusive in their enthusiasm. So, off we went down Rotifunk road; actually more of a dirt track with…
Sierra Leone – a visit to the Maronka Port Loko EducAid orphanage
It was a Wednesday, which made absolutely no difference as illness does not pause; we worked a 7-day cycle. Four of us had the day off (JS, CS, PF) and took off towards the local EducaAid orphanage. Head towards the road to the airport, approximately 0.8 km, they said, then turn right and walk along…
Start of a new semester at the university – time to teach and have some fun! (please don’t tell the Dean)
A university in southeast England, where a new academic year and semester started this week, bringing with it the post-summer challenges and joys of teaching young adults again in an undergraduate BSc(Hons) program. Last week we had some fun and a few laughs.During Fresher’s week, I started with small cohort on the Biochemistry programme (about 40 students) and…
Sierra Leone – a first visit to Port Loko
Friday morning was the first real working day and I had been allocated to the early shift, which started at 06:00 am. Not a problem on my part, as I am an early bird, but it meant trying to get a few slices of toast and some coffee before getting the bus at 05:30 am….
Sierra Leone – the first few days
I’m not really sure how I decided to go to Sierra Leone, but the seeds were probably planted by an email I received from my lovely wife: “Can I please go to Sierra Leone to work in an Ebola lab?” My response was a simple “yes” – I was happy that she wanted to go,…
South Africa: Namibia & Richtersveld
Die pad ist lang (the road is long, “Namibian” German) Previously, “Namibia, Week 1″… Wednesday: Tonight I have been watching the sun set behind the hill, hoping that some kudu might provide a nice silhouette, but no luck today. On the animal front, earlier I had spotted some new birds and again heard the fish eagle,…
Namibia – week 1
Several years ago I went in this fantastic trip with my sister and her husband, which I “published” on a different site. So, as I am soon to undertake another southern African adventure, here’s a re-revisit, in several parts. 2013 (I think)… This trip to Namibia and South Africa started from London Heathrow Terminal 5…
A short visit to Bavaria / Bayern
It’s been a while since I visited Germany and it was about time to hear a speak German again, do some reading, just enjoy. Weilheim in Oberbayern, south of Munich, is always a good target, gemütlich, has good beer and food, and is close to the mountains and Munich. The local politics are too conservative for my…
London mit Frau Hagen
Images from the South Bank, London
The University of Surrey turns 50 (#Surrey50)
This week the University of Surrey celebrates 50 years in Guildford, having originated from Battersea Polytechnic (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/). The celebrations started with fireworks on Wednesday this week, which was preceded by some good music (does anybody recall the name of the first band?), including a Beatles tribute band, and food stalls – who can resist a Kung…
A new journey – Fresher’s week at Uni
The academic year has started a new cycle with Fresher’s Week at Surrey and the real deal starting next week. The faces keep getting younger, not really, I just get older. The first few weeks of university, or any new challenge for that matter, is quite scary and I can see that on faces during…
Dreaming of Africa
I have a dream of returning to Africa. leaving behind the rat race, feeling the sun touch me…
A stroll on the South Bank, London
It’s been a few months since I took a leisurely visit to London. I have been hiding in my “cave”, away from the realities of life and the anxiety caused by crowds of people. Then, earlier this week, Dr Raymond gave me a bit of a butt kicking; I should get my camera out, go somewhere,…
Dorob Nature Reserve; Namibia 2016
We spent a day in the coastal resort of Swakopmund, where we restocked and got a permit for the Dorob Nature Reserve. Swakopmund is a quaint little town that has somewhat of a colonial Germany flavour (Namibia was a German colony prior to 1914), especially in terms of the architecture and to some extent the…
Windhoek – Swakopmund; Namibia 2016
Sunrise is at around 06:00 and I get out of bed a few minutes earlier in time to see the sun pop over the horizon, for me the most beautiful part of the day, so full of promise. The day brightens up very quickly at these latitudes and within an hour it is warm enough…
