A TIME OF REFRESHMENT,  AS I RETURN TO THE UK FOR MY MOTHER'S 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY, AND MEET MANY OLD & NEW FRIENDS ON OUR TRAVELS UP AND   DOWN THE COUNTRY.

 

It was something that I could just not miss:  my mother's 100th birthday party.  It was agreed with Laura from Nations Together, a UK fund-raising mechanism for LIA, that she would put a tour together for myself and  Grace Kavuyo our Social Worker. 

 

We arrived at Humberside airport at 9am, on the 16th November, and at 11am the headscarf came off and Elaine our local hairdresser came to the house to re-style my hair. Thanks Elaine.

 

At 2pm Simon, a journalist from the Grimsby Telegraph arrived, (thanks for a great coverage Simon) on all our local events, and at 4pm I was in our local fish and chip shop enjoying a cod that hung over my   plate! Something that I had eagerly anticipated whilst in Tanzania.    And that was the first day of an amazing 4 week tour, which started at Newcastle University - down to Dorset - Southampton - Bognor Regis - East Croyden - London - and back to Cleethorpes for the Black Tie and Tiara Ball and my mother's celebration. 

 

Our thanks and appreciation are extended to all those mentioned below, and please forgive me if I have missed someone's name off who showed us such kindness. I always dread making a mistake. 

 

To KAOS Newcastle University team whose members volunteered with us this year, and at the presentation I was able to meet some of the new volunteers who will be joining us in 2009 - I think 60 or over was mentioned.  Libby, Emma, Lariena and all the guys....... thanks for the lovely meal.

 

We visited the little country village of Goxhill where my children attended Primary School and met with friends we hadn't seen for 20 years. Jayne Arnott, Penny Carnell & her husband.  Ann who could still remember the time that Laura and I did a memory recall in the local village hall, amazing, and to the Dynamo Youth Club. It was great meeting with you all again. 

 

Then it was off by train to meet Peter Fowler & his wife Ann, in Dorset.  (Peter has a letter written on one of our story pages of his experience at LIA)

We then met with Jerry and the staff at Canford School, who kindly accommodated us whilst we attended an evening of presentations within a 12th century room of the school. The students had visited us this year   and had dug the foundations for house No 5 along with students from Southampton Inner City 521.

It was lovely to meet up again with Sally and her team, also Rob from Discover Adventure who organised the trip. And thanks to Blue Chip for the support of the students. 

Meridian TV kindly sent their reporter - Martin and his technician -  to interview the students of the school and myself, and this was shown on Dec.1st. 

 

Next day it was off to meet the Headmaster, Mr. Andrew Browning of Dumpton Prep. School and Jane Marshall from Hampreston First School, where I presented the children of each school with an Ostrich egg and  Grace showed, much to the delight of all the children, how to walk with a bucket of water on your head!! 

 

Laura had very kindly organized for us to have two days off in Bognor Regis.

 

Ollie, Liam and Sam travelled from Bristol to meet with us and discuss the plans for them to build a play area for our Tudor Village site when they visit next year. Thanks lads.

 

Up to East Croyden where we met with our old friend Rodger and his partner Annette. Rodger has made many trips out to see us, and managed to harvest water and save the vast amount of water that we collect on  the flat roof of Mailisita. Rodger had organized for us some great venues, and we stayed at the home of Bernie, Lorraine and Holly who showered us with homely hospitality. It was wonderful. 

 

 

The next day we visited the Elements Hairdressing Salon in Edenbridge, where Barbara the owner had turned her saloon into an African theme day with some of her staff dressed as Tanzanians.  Barbara kindly pampered us to a complimentary hair, nails and massage, which were greatly appreciated. Thank you Barbara. 

 

 

 

 

Whilst Laura dashed off back to Grimsby to arrange the ball the following day, Grace and I stayed behind for the quiz night that Rodger had  arranged.....mmmmmmmmm....... the organizer of the questions did an   amazing job and we wish her well with her future delivery, but, couldn't you have placed a few more questions on Tanzania in the quiz that perhaps, and maybe, Grace and I could have got some questions   right!!!! Thanks to everyone who donated and bought the raffle tickets, it was a great evening, and I think you’re all very clever in Croydon....

 

 

Grace was able to spend some time in London looking at the sights. And was quite surprised she wasn't beaten by the policeman when she stood next to him for this picture!!

 

Then off to Victoria Station, for a   relaxed journey home which would leave us plenty of time to prepare for the ball........

Unfortunately, not so........ The train was held up for signals, and we had a three hour wait and had a two train detour before we reached home with one hour to prepare, where our wonderful volunteers and supporters where waiting for our arrival. 

 

Our sincere appreciation goes to the Nations Together Fund raising Committee for their hard work over the past few months with organizing the Black Tie and Tiara Ball, pampering days, and a bonfire night.

Special thanks to Alison Parker, Deborah Bagley, Lou Elliott (daughter-in-law) son Aidrian who has to babysit, Tracy Grant, Reece Plunkitt (a very talented young man who produced our power point presentation, and it was fortunate that there was a box of tissues on the table) it was just so touching.

 

Appreciation also goes to all the businesses, friends and family who donated raffle prizes for these events.

And a special mention to Vinney and his band Hold Tight that 'freely' provided the music for the evening, and congratulations on your future wedding.

 

Many of our previous volunteers had travelled to the ball, and it was wonderful to meet with them all again, Bless you all darlings. 

 

Also thanks to the two kind people who wrote cheques for the auctioned photo of one of our children. Your kindness is greatly appreciated. 

 

A presentation night was held and we were delighted to receive cheques from Mary Clark who swam the cold waters of Lake Windermere for our children and for opening her house for coffee days. Thanks also to husband Brian for supporting Mary.

To Jo Horner Bloomfield and her mum for their coffee mornings. To Carol Kravis. To Karen & Andy Parrott and the Cleethorpes Bowls team for organizing an event to raise funds. Thanks also go to Mandy Cambell and her mum for their coffee mornings.  

 

 

It was lovely to meet up again with Sybil Raby whom we had not met for over 20 years, she kindly donated her 65th birthday gift of money instead of receiving gifts, a lovely idea. 

My grandson Jarrord who did a sponsored dive for one hour and managed an amazing 170 dives.... A great effort Jarrord.

 

A special thanks to my dear friends Chris & Mel who have supported me right from my decision to travel to Africa, bless you for your loving kindness to me.

 

Also to Miriam & Dennis the two Carols, Sue and Elaine, who treated me to a lovely 'girls night out' at a restaurant. To Mrs. Pollard, the Head Teacher of St. Josephs Catholic School in Cleethorpes for all the wonderful shoe boxes, also to everyone who made up the boxes for our children this year.

 

Thanks to Margaret & Morris Beck, Colleen and Keith Dent for holding a coffee morning in   aid of LIA.   To Pauline Brown who we hope to shortly see back in Tanzania.....

The staff at Cambridge School who kindly allowed Grace to visit their school and set the bench mark for Tanzania to achieve.

 

And then it was my mum's 100th birthday party.

The Queen had sent her good wishes and looked radiant on a birthday card. Even at my age, my mum thought it was necessary to mention that my suit was far too long and that it should be shortened, bless her. She had a lovely time and sang Daisy, Daisy to the residents and family at the home. 

Our thanks to the staff of Chestnuts Nursing Home for the care they give the elderly and for providing entertainment for the residents at the party.

 

And then it was back home to all of our precious children, who are most eager to open their shoeboxes on Christmas day.   Bless you all, and thank you for such wonderful memories. 

 

mama Lynn

 

The Ball