Everything is growing

 

The rains and storms continue and the seeds planted over Christmas have germinated.
 5.5 inches of rain have fallen in 5 days.

Groundnut (peanut) seedlings

Maize seedlings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bush has come alive with wild flowers.

Wild Ginger

Fireball Lily

The early growing season has not been without problems, either too much or too little rain has resulted in average germination and replanting has been necessary in some areas: the ever present monkeys and baboons will help themselves to the tender shoots so this family have built a shelter to protect them from the weather whilst on monkey watch.

 

We continue to familiarise ourselves with the Malawian Lakeshore lifestyle, enjoying some water sports and swimming. We live well, although the supermarket is a 7 hour round trip there are fresh vegetables some fruit and fish available locally. Our drinking water comes from the lake; it is filtered passed through a UV device, boiled then refiltered.

Ian checking the water tanks a weekly routine on a Sunday morning

 

 

                                                                                   

On New Years Eve the rain was torrential and Ian spent some time pulling vehicles from ditches before welcoming 2015 at a party along the beach. Our normally quiet and deserted neighbourhood was lively and busy over the New Year. On New Year's Day the local children were all in party clothes and there was great excitement. Many Malawians celebrate their birthday on 1st January.

We are thinking about the Northern hemisphere winter and hope all is well.

T and I