26th September 2008

Well the day began in Kenema - the land of diamonds. Having spent a day and a half there nursing a sick Jalloh mobile (car), the team were happy to get moving, especially Loz, who on his 19th Birthday, was keen to reach Freetown before nightfall.
And on much improved roads, we soon reached Bo in less than an hour....which we’d planned to reach 2 days earlier.
However, once there the car, our trusty steed, fell ill once more. We used the time in the morning to visit St Paul’s school which was by far the best school we’ve seen so far. Recently built, it is already thriving, with much of this due to the school’s conditions...unlike many of the schools we’ve seen St Paul’s has toilets (even separate gender ones!) We were introduced to the head teacher and staff in their staff room before being introduced to the pupils who were all outside enjoying a sing. We also had the pleasure of some female company as we met M-J (Mary-Jane) at Madame Wookies. M-J is British, and although based in Brighton, spends alot of her time in Africa as she works to establish the protection of refugees coming in and out of Britain. We soon realised she has much more confidence and experience in Africa than any of us (except maybe Mark) as she had indulged in a 9 hour Podahpodah ride to reach Bo....epic to say the least! After the school visit we spent the day waiting, and waiting.....after some more waiting (all of this time incorporating new four-way M-J Uno!) M-J, Loz and Parks hit the Market place. Or at least wandered for an hour...never finding the Market, yet enjoying the delights of Bo non-the-less.
It soon became clear that Loz’s dream of spending his Birthday night in Freetown was not to be. Instead we settled ourselves into the Sahara, a hotel which was, in a word – crap! They were not happy that Duncan and Parks were sharing a bed (neither was Parks, but the bond they share is so strong they get through tough tough times with relative ease!) The night ended with a few beers which pleased Loz very much, before the team hit the hay.