From Kampala, Uganda

We have made it to Kampala, where it is substantially warmer than the UK!

We seemed to spend all day on Monday packing, and left home a lot later than planned (leaving home with the idea of not being back for several months is best described as odd). A traffic jam just before we go to Ealing meant we had a late, but very enjoyable, meal with our son - last Italian for some time....

Next morning we set off on the 20 min drive to Heathrow. All was going well up to the dual carriageway when we started to crawl. When we finally got to Heathrow we had "fun" trying to find fuel, navigating roundabouts and driving both ways under the runway at least twice. Initially we vociferously blamed each other but, in the end, agreed it was poor signs(!). Eventually we found our way but the 20 min journey had taken 75 mins - we'd better get used to it.

Then we sat on the plane for an hour because someone had checked in but failed to get on the plane so their 7 bags had to be found and removed. How do you have 7 bags and not get on the plane? However, the pick up from Entebbe airport went very smoothly and we eventually got to the guest house in Kampala at 2am Uganda time.

As has already been mentioned, it is hotter here than UK - anyone surprised? We had a stunning storm yesterday evening, accompanied by very strong winds which blew large branches off the trees. It also seems to have blown in a small stained glass window of the cathedral immediately behind us. The locals here say that it should not be raining at this time of year, it is meant to be the dry season but it has rained again today.

We have now got our Ugandan currency, Ugandan phones and internet dongle (in use as this is typed), bought the equipment we think we need for Aru (pans, plates, cutlery etc.) and are currently sitting looking out over the city - a very impressive view.

Kampala itself is much we remember it from 2006, busy, bustling, loads of traffic (though not as much as Cairo). It is actually difficult to describe - a lot of contrasts. Some very smart buildings alongside rickety wooden structures, loads of boda-bodas (no idea if that is correct spelling they are mopeds that a lot of people travel around on that weave in and out of  the traffic, seemingly suicidally - today we saw one with four passengers.....). Impressions? - not really possible to describe I'm afraid - bustling, African(!), dusty, chaotic....

Staying at the guest house we have met Pat, a guy from the states whose bags did not make the change of flight at Heathrow so has had to hang around. Pat is going to work with pygmy people in south east Uganda and has accompanied us on our shopping trips. Pat was also a local authority worker who has just taken redundancy and is soon to be 56 - sound a bit familiar?

Tomorrow we will be driven to Arua in NW Uganda. It is, apparently, an 8 hour drive so we will leave at 6:30am. We will stay with some other CMS people and then be collected and taken to Aru. We are just beginning to get used to the idea we are actually here, it all seemed unreal leaving home, but we still are in transit and wondering what our new home will be like. We are also wondering what on earth have we let ourselves in for.....