The seeds are swelling

The rain was late arriving and seems to have finished early, there is great concern for the subsistence maize farmers.

Despite the difficulties of the climate, our seed crops have matured well. The maize foliage is showing signs of stress but the cobs have swollen.  Harvesting the cow peas, has started and the pigeon peas, the last crop to be planted, are in flower

Maize crop drying out

Good full cobs for seed

A proud farmer

These racks are used to dry fish or maize cobs

Creative and inventive neighbours

The lake sand is used as a medium for writing and drawing lessons, the children create gardens using wild flowers which are many and various.

                                                                              

School children learning in the sand

Children making a 'garden'

Music is an important part of life.

        

Bottle tops on wire, a percussion instrument

Some fishing boats travel into deeper water with the help of sails.

Sail made from old sacks

Likoma Island

An early birthday treat for Ian was a trip to Likoma Island, situated in the  Mozambican waters of Lake Malawi.  The Island is the site of an Anglican mission dating from 1886, the legacy of which is St Peters's Cathedral built of local granite in 1903.  We visited on Palm Sunday enjoyed part of the service and checked the bells which resembled upturned saucepans.

Transport to Likoma

Airport transfer, Ian in the back

Children at Likoma Mission,  St Peter's Cathedral, waving palms

There were only 2 other tourists on the island.

Easter is fast approaching, Easter eggs are not an option here but we will celebrate with boiled eggs for breakfast.

Happy Easter
T and I