Not So Sunny Sunday

Local transport

April Fools’ Day!  Well, not sure how much significance over here, but apparently there was a spoof item on the six o’clock news this morning. 

As I went to bed last night I heard a pitter patter on the windows and was pleased for the local farmers, but this morning it transpired that the rain was short-lived.  It’s been cooler today though and there was about an hour’s worth of rain this afternoon - not enough to help the crops but hopefully it‘s the prelude to some “proper“ rains.  The sun has only been glimpsed a handful of times today and the skies have been cloudy, sometimes almost black. 

Rachel & Jean waiting to meet Lucy

We took a trip to Kabuyefwe Friends secondary school today to see Rachel’s daughter, Lucy, who began studying there a couple of months ago.  On the way, it was clear that the fields (loads of them) have been prepared and the maize & bean seeds planted, ready for the rains to begin in earnest. 

The school itself was an eye opener.  Despite having been told that it was a “visiting” day, we were at first told that nobody could see the pupils, then only for a few minutes.  Force of numbers of other parents prevailed and the authorities relented so we stayed for over an hour.  The regime does seem to rule with an iron rod and the pupils are issued with numbers printed on their clothing, rather like prison issue.

Threatening skies over the roadworks

There are (at least) two kinds of road repair.  Sometimes large potholes are mended, in which case the area is roped off for days while the road is improved and vehicles are simply driven off on to the “verge” as well as the drivers can manage.  For smaller (but sometimes deep) potholes the locals sometimes take it on themselves to fill the holes with dirt and try to flag down motorists to give them a few coins.