Friday: Our first full day

The day begins before first light. Birds compete with the roosters and the long sighing intake beginning a donkey's bray is only drowned out by the roar of jets taking off and landing at Addis Ababa International Airport. The electricity returned during the night and Kay cooks us an amazing brekky: garlic mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and Lavinia makes fresh tomato & onion salad. Thus nourished, we walk to the compound and start work. Lavinia and I continue sketching the outdoor mural, Iris consults with Habtamu, and the children swarm round to inspect us and our work. Kay produces a fantastic lunch, proving once again the direct link between good morale and good food. Our spirits are great. In the afternoon Samson joins us wearing the tie-dyed shirt I gave him to cover his good clothes. The work of transformation begins!




Just before stepping into the shower the electricity goes out. No worries; the glow of Lavinia's phone is enough. We sup on fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, bread and peanut butter. No power for tea, but the meal is good. We sit around the table in semi-darkness telling stories. Rain. Glorious drenching rain. The first rain since early September drums on the roof as we crawl into bed.