Back Blogging

Well, here we are back in Lagos.Some of you have noticed that we dropped out of sight on the 12th of December and life just overtook us!
The Christmas celebrations here were a bit surreal to us with blow up snowmen outside shops in 30+ deg and carols playing everywhere.
The parties were great and the whole thing was brilliant with genuine bonhomie to all--the Christmas party at Susan's school was a case in point--it was held on the last day of term on the school sports pitch under sun awnings.A full professional disco, more food than an army could eat and a lovely atmosphere.I am sure a lot of the staff think I work at the school and take pity on "the poor Head's husband" who stumps about with the broken leg.
We made it home and Huw and Hanna were both there with their partners.Tony and Hanna were spliced the July before last and are living in the house at Monmouth complete with dogs etc. Huw brought Nicole the current (and it looks as if the last)girlfriend as they announced that they were "engaged to be engaged" with plans for an antipodean marriage next year.
Christmas came and went in a flash together with New Year and Susan and I had to go to London to interview for new staff.We were reminded just how small the world is when we were in the lift in the London grange Hotel and a little voice behind piped up "good morning,Mrs Eriksson"--two of her pupils from Lagos were staying in the same place!
In the meantime things were happening in Nigeria which were causing security concerns so Shell told us not to come back until the General Strike had finished and the Civil Unrest had died down.Everything is calm here now (we haven't heard a machine gun on our road for days) and, despite the fact that everything has gone up in price (due to the price hike in fuel by the government) everyone is back to the old ways.

Charlotte, one of the teachers at St Saviours, was due to move in to a new apartment after Christmas.We are getting the hang of Nigeria now and realised that the Promise,set in stone and absolutely definite,was not worth the cloud it was written on and so, Susan being a kind and loving Headteacher,told Charlotte that she could stay with us for a few days whilst the work was finished (remember that the hand over date was Jan 1st).When we arrived back on Jan 15th we were greeted by Charlotte who was still living in our spare room (or Charlotte's room as it is now known).I took over the project management and Charlotte moved in last weekend.I had to threaten the contractor with impalement,electrocution and, worse of all, not paying the bill.
I am quite convinced that they thought I was serious about serious violence at the end because they bucked up and finished the job eventually.(I was getting to the point where a crucifixion was going to be carried out)

The weather is nice here so we decided to visit the Lekki Conservation Area, which is on the outskirts of town. For 500 Naira each (about£2) you can wander around a wooden boardwalk of about 3km which threads its way through the rainforest and one can see lots of wildlife.We saw wild monkeys,a huge tortoise and lots of birds but the trip that some of the kids went on a few days later saw snakes and a croc as well (so they said).

I am now the Treasurer of The Nigerian Field Society (I didn't see that one coming) and was handed over the books etc last month together with a huge wad of cash (never saw the need for a damned bank account,old boy!) so at least I know the NFS is in good shape financially.
Last weekend we helped host a visit by a Principal from a Public School in the UK.He has been to Lagos before but never really seen it so we took him to Lekki Market which is a huge,sprawling craft/food/trinket and junk market about 20 mins from our place.Larry spent about 300,000 Naira on presents and bits to take home,including 40 packs of Indomie Noodles for his staff.
I must explain that Indomie Noodles are a type of instant snack (like our Pot Noodle) which are, quite simply, fantastic and superior to all of their rivals--I eat lots of them.
Last Monday was a public holiday to celebrate the Prophet Mohammed's Birthday (praise to his name)--they know how to holiday here,just like it used to be at home with shops shut and offices closed and everyone gone home to their village for the weekend.

Susan arrived home tonight (Thursday) with a truly Nigerian letter from (and this is true) The Society for the Safety of the Insane and Destitute.
The opening line was "Greetings from the SO-SAID charity organisation and from God Almighty,The father of mercies"
Susan was pleased ,and not a little flattered, to think that God had sent personal greetings to her but soon realised that the letter was a thank you for some foodstuffs that the school donated before Christmas. The phrasing was a little quaint (in fact it may have been written by an inmate) but we found it very touching that this organisation, which really does look after the welfare of the Insane and Destitute, took the time to thank us for what was, in real terms, not much at all.

I can't wait to find out what this weekend brings!