Breaking news - Mangrove swamp discovered in kent coast!

So having such poor internet earlier on I have realised that I hadnt talked about my FIRST ever mangrove swamp.  Not a very big one by world standards - and very much at risk of logging for firewood here.

The journey out of Freetown was an adventure in itself as we came via the mountain road - definitely needing a 4x4 as very rough.  Views down into the valley still lush green with rice growing, lots of small stalls all the way along the road.

The road improved as we met the new road construction project - going to be a very wide road - now flat but just a dirt road as yet - incredibly dusty.

Once we arrived in Kent I met the other delegates on the bird ID course and then we set off in a minbus (somewhat rickety) to Tissana and the mangroves.

My first view was magical I have to admit - a beautiful place.

We then waded out across the mud to do the bird survey - I kept my shoes on as I was afraid of cutting my feet .... My shoes will not recover!

But it was very hot and for the first time ever I poured water over my head - not a good look but essential!

The bird watching was great too - lots of birds, many familiar species - just in a different place!  And some new ones.

A great day!

Motorbikes and crocodiles...

So busy work day today with 4 school nature clubs visited ... great to see a range of young people interested in caring for their school and the wider environment.

I think I had one principal worried when I commented that I wanted to see everything... I think she thought I was some sort of inspector!  I have found in all the school that I am welcomed and treated with great respect - usually involves being offered a chair to sit on - perhaps I look older than I think!  and a visit to the Principal is also essential!  I met a very impressive nature club president at one school - she will go far!

So to the crocodile - nothing to do with the nature club but apparently a gift to the school - and now kept in a tank in the science lab - a bit different from the class pet gerbils I remember!  But there is a problem - they are growing so the challenge for the club is to build a pond for it - they have no funds of course!  The science lab reminded me of my school days actually - although less equipped than ours back in the 70s let alone now!

So to motorbikes... we travel to the schools around then city by the taxis  (breaking all rules and sharing a back seat of a standard saloon car with 5 others today although in defence, 3 were children .... although all school age!).  Unlike taxis in England they are more like buses and have set routes  so as we got out at a junction, Abraham asked me if I had even ridden a motorbike?  These are the 3rd main form of transport after poda poda, and taxis.  Now I have - once when I was 18 so it is a while!  Game for (almost ) anything, I got on the back and we set off - no helmets for the driver or me !  It was a short journey and not too bumpy so I didnt disgrace myself!

Fortunately there was a taxi back.....

Talking of roads....

I frequently complain, back in England about the state of the roads - actually if I'm honest, I complain about lots of things, and I'm reviewing some of those views!

I'm not saying we have it all rosy - not at all,  but I realize that we take SOOOOO much for granted and I'll try not too when I get back .... or at least be more grateful for what we do have.

Lets start with roads - some of the main roads are made up  and are as good as ours.  BUT and its a big but - they go downhill rapidly (literally - its a hilly city) - so they seem to either be made up or they're not.  Last week when I had a trip to Kent, we went on a new dirt road that was being made - it was flat, wide and I assume it will be surfaced - but dusty?  Wow it was so dusty that we had to shut the windows and put lights on, the visibility was so poor.  Along the side of the road, cars were literally covered in the red dust.  No problem?  Maybe not but there were lots of people living and working just along the side - an extra challenge to laundry indeed!

Closer to where I am in the hotel, its an unmade road - dusty, but not busy so not too much of a problem..... bear in mind mine is a good hotel .

 The road I walk to the office - 10 minutes round the corner is another scale again - and I can only imagine (and I don't like to really)  how horrendous it is in the wet season..... with the open drain channels along the sides (which its quite ok to pee in by the way) - its not that surprising that there was a nasty cholera outbreak here in 2012.

So next time I am complaining about British roads? Maybe I'll think again (at least for a few days on my return anyway) and be thankful.