Day - 6

The descent into Scotland.  Technically taken on day - 7 but having barely slept, I think it still counts.  

921 days after the start of my big adventure, I landed back on British soil, emotionally drained: happy, sad, nervous and tired.  Many, many new friends from all over the world, exciting travels, fascinating work, bouts of malaria, sunburn and much laughter later, I was home.

Day - 5

Booking details for the flight... Ah the stress.  As ever, we were informed that we'd have the 3 bags that VSO vols in Ghana always get when flying through VSO.  I checked in, and was offered one, two or more than two bags as baggage options.  So I chose 2+ and chose my seat.  Next, Hannah checked in but was given a three bag option...  So I called VSO Ghana, who told me to call BA in Ghana... Who were not helpful, so I called VSO Ghana, who told me to call VSO UK.... Who told me to phone the VSO travel agent, who said she'd try and sort it and to try and log in again in 20 mins.  40 mins later I tried again, but was not given a three bag option.  So I called the VSO travel agent again, who said she had changed it on the system, so it should work and I should just go to the airport and it would be fine.  Then - and this is the icing on the cake - she asked me if I had 3 bags..... Erm yes, why on earth would I be going through this hoo ha if I didnt!!!!!!   

Visions of turning up at the airport and being told that I could only have two bags ensued, so Hannah and I had a complex plan whereby she took one of my bags and I took her smallest bag as my hand luggage....  However finally all was fine and I boarded the plane without incident.  Phew!  A rather Ghanaian end to my time in Ghana!

Day - 4

Snacks in Ghana

Ghana can be a little short of snacks at times, but forms of plantain are common.  You've seen fried before.  Above is roasted (a little dry but fine if you're peckish!) or plantain chips (like crisps!)

Day - 3

Pictured above are weavers weaving the delicate kente cloth.  It is made in strips, which are sewn together to make expensive clothing.  It is rather expensive (Ghc15 for a strip which is about 8cm wide) so clothes made of kente are treasured and only worn on very special occasions.  Yellow, red and green is slightly more traditional, but they are made in all sorts of colours.  Kente is from the Kumasi area, where the Akan people live.

Day - 2

Lizards at Lake Volta

My life in Bolga was punctuated with gentle clicks from our friendly geckos.  Here at Lake Volta, we met some stunning lizards who were friendlier than most.

Day - 1

Day 0 was a sad day, travelling to Kumasi with Hannah, checking into what has been the smallest hotel room I've stayed in at the Presby Hotel. Me, Hannah and five massive bags, one slightly smaller bag and two backpacks.  The next morning, leaving our bags in Kumasi, we set off for Lake Bosumtwi for a night by the lake.

Here is where we had dinner.  The first  photo shows the Ghanaian drinks carrier used to deliver all drinks to tables in bars - table service being the norm in Ghana.  The other is a bar full of drinks - NOT at all typical in Ghana where the standard is three different beers or Coke and Fanta!

Day 0

A last few from a taxi on my final trip through Bolga.  I think it captures a few things about Bolga - the baskets, world famous; a little of the dusty landscape and a little of some of the traditional dress.

Day 1

Last day in Bolga

Didn't quite make it...

Last pose on my bike

Goodbye Ubald (VSO)

My room kind of tidy for once...

Goodbye to Godwin my watchman

Goodbye to Jack, my motorbike.  Goodbye to VSO.  Goodbye to my room.  Goodbye to Godwin.

I wanted to get to 20,000km.  I really wanted to get to 20,000km  Unfortunately, I seemed to acquire an incredibly sore ear infection days before I left, so I couldn't make the final 158.4km before I had to give my bike back to VSO.  Another day perhaps...

Then goodbyes to my bedroom and my watchman and a final trip through Bolga before setting off for Kumasi :(

Day 2

Goodbyes

Some of my saddest goodbyes today :( 

Mama Laadi and Peter, one of the chidlren at Mama Laadi's, said goodbye today alongside all of the other children at Mama Laadi's.  It was one of the saddest goodbyes I had to say, and I hope I will keep in touch with them for a long time to come.  I think Mama Laadi was the most inspirational person I met in Ghana, taking in children that no-one else was willing to look after, nurturing them and ensuring they had a good education.

Other pics of goodbyes to two of my schools, Preparatory and Grace.  Generous gifts of smocks from both. :)

Day 3

A busy day.  First, a lovely meal with Francis and his gorgeous girls.  Pictured is Maribel getting her hair done by her older sister.

Then leaving drinks with the staff of Yorogo Primary.

Day 4

Hannah and I had a joint leaving party

  

With Omar

With Chief

 With Ellie and Jordan

With Tina

Triplets, with Hannah and Josephine!

What a lovely evening with great friends from Ghana, the UK, Uganda, Kenya and Ireland.  Hannah, Jemimah and I shared a leaving do and were touched by friends' generosity.  Going to miss you all very much

Day 5

Today was a day of goodbyes.  First at Yorogo, where I was treated to music, dancing and presentation of a smock.  Then back to the education office, and some gifts from St Charles.  Thanks!!

Day 6 - please view with care, not for the fainthearted.....

The killing of the guinea fowl… these pics aren’t for the faint hearted – turn away now Sonia!

1.       Francis shows us how to hold it down.

2.       “So you just cut it there…”

3.       “Am I doing it right?”

4.       “Oops, it wasn’t quite dead before…”

5.       “Are you ok Hannah?!”

6.       The guinea fowl is dead.

7.       And cooked.

8.       Including the claws.

9.       Hannah eating her kill.

10.       The bird’s claw is put through its mouth for cooking…

11.       Kisses…?  Rachel!!

12.       Eating a claw…