Well, this afternoon was given over to the annual potjie competition at UNAM.

The potjiekos literally translates as “small-pot food”. It is a dish prepared outdoors. It is traditionally cooked in a round, cast iron, three-legged pot called a potjie (pronounced poy-key), which is heated using small amounts of wood or charcoal.

This was our entry, and very tasty it was too.

I even had a stint as braai chef.

They have so many robots over here that you get warnings.

Seriously!

However, what it refers to is traffic lights, in our parlance. They take a bit of getting used to. The sequence from green to red is the same as at home; you get an amber before the red.

Then you’re sitting there waiting for red and amber together to get ready to go when it turns green. Oh no! Why bother with amber when you can go straight from red to green?!

Another good drumming session tonight, but the restaurant was full so no chance of that zebra steak 😕, back to digs to cook some pasta instead. 🍝 oh joy.

To finish with a bit of fun, a photo. Answers on a postcard, please.

Yesterday, I went to a pottery class in the Visual Arts faculty. I have attempted to make something, which is now drying out before being fired. I shan’t know the result for 3 weeks as I cannot make the next two Tuesdays; I’m delivering workshops.

Don’t get excited, it’s my first attempt and I don’t expect great things. However, I promise to post a photo of it once it is fired 😖

The baboons and snakes seem to be behaving now, staying their side of the fence.

After a hard day’s slog today I’m heading back to Joe’s this evening for another hour of drumming, 🥁🍻 I may even stay after to finally taste that zebra steak 🦓🥩

I have just received an email from the Comms Team in UNAM giving us a BABOONS AND SNAKES SAFETY ALERT! They have got onto campus!

No need to panic, it includes tips for dealing with them, things to avoid and the fact that security is on the look out. Of course I’ve closed my window now! Luckily I’m on the second floor.

The baboons are harmless unless provoked. You know me, I never provoke anyone or anything 😇

A mixed weekend. Relaxing for most of it but did get out and about locally.

Saturday afternoon was spent watching UNAM play the Orlando Pirates in the Namibia Premier League. UNAM won 2-0. I didn’t capture the goals on video, but here they are going close early on, UNAM in white.

Luckily, when the Pirates were awarded a dubious penalty justice was served:

I then watched my beloved Everton throw away a 2-0 lead 😕

On Sunday I went to the Craft Centre for another mooch and some lunch and then late afternoon and evening was spent at an album launch.

It was a long wait for the artists to turn up, but enjoyable. Ralf Gum is a DJ that melds the music for artists to sing over, in this case it was Monique Bingham.

For those who understand Asperger’s Syndrome, yesterday I was fighting the downward spiral demon. I beat it…yesterday. It seems to have crawled into bed with me during the night so fighting again today.

Don’t worry, I shall beat it. Plenty to keep me busy work wise and then I shall spend this evening with Mindful meditation.

I cannot believe that 4 of my 8 working weeks are already completed.

I’ve been trying to capture the blue finches and yellow weaver birds that are in the garden when I have breakfast. They are so beautiful, but so elusive. This is the best I’ve managed so far from a distance, it doesn’t do justice to their colours.

This evening I went back to Joe’s Beer House with 2 doctors from the Phoenix project. I’m working my way through the menu, so this evening I had crocodile steak. It was on a bed of creamed spinach and feta. Delicious.

Not sure what to do tomorrow; relax or head into town. However, I shall be going to a football match late afternoon to cheer on the UNAM team.

The thing that I’ve learned this week, well decided that my observations are right, is that people here don’t use the word ‘no’. Instead they say “uh-uh”. I find it quite charming.

Anyway, happy weekend everyone.

I had a video chat with my boss today and our Chief Executive, both in Cardiff at the time. It’s nice that they care enough to want to video link to see how I am. I work for the best organisation ever, official.

Well, the rain finally arrived today. A deluge for about 40 minutes and then nothing. Here it is from my office window.

I got an official “match shirt” today, so definitely part of the team.

This evening I went to a drumming circle. A whole hour of drumming, it was exhilarating. I shall be going every week.

Well, a drive actually.

Today I drove to Okapuka Ranch, a small wildlife farm about 30 minutes drive north of Windhoek. My first venture out of the city.

I had been asking various colleagues in UNAM about places to visit that are not too far from Windhoek and this one sounded ideal.

I rang mid-week to book myself in for the buffet lunch and a game ride afterwards and so have been looking forward to this for a few days. I was not disappointed.

The place itself is in a wonderful location, just off the main road. This first picture shows you the view from the bar and the video shows the close proximity of some of the animals.

Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all green, it most certainly isn’t. Here is what 99% of the ranch looks like.

After a lovely 3-course buffet lunch I hopped into the tour vehicle and we were treated to an hour and a half of different animals. Whilst they are ranched into this protective area, they are actually in their natural habitat. The highlight for me was watching a Sable Antelope calf that had only been born at most an hour before our arrival, get to its feet all wobbly trying to suckle from mum.

I saw kudu, oryx, eland, wildebeest, jackals, an eagle, wart hogs, Guinea fowl, giraffes, ostriches, baboons, crocodiles and rhino.

BTW, all shots on today’s entry are from the camera on my phone, well pleased.

Back down to earth with a bump, first meeting tomorrow is 0730 😴

My day started with breakfast at my B&B and I was able to capture a short video of a red bishop in the garden.

Something slightly easier to capture were the fish in the pond. I say good morning to them every day.

I had a wonderful day with the benefit of a dear friend from UNAM providing me with a guided tour of Windhoek today.

We had planned to visit the Owela museum, a museum that has lots of cultural heritage artefacts from across the centuries. However, on arrival it was locked up tight.

Change of plan. Off we trooped to the National Art Gallery. The ground floor exhibition room was in use by the College of the Arts. COTA students are from poor backgrounds from across Namibia and have the chance to study and create art. The exhibition was exhilarating and inspiring. From metal sculpture to recycled plastic as art and many different media to produce pictures. I was in awe of some pieces.

After that it was a drive around town with lots of historical architecture being pointed out. Frauke’s knowledge is extensive.

Next stop, a secondhand bookshop, which anyone who knows me knows I love browsing in them. I did make a purchase and spotted a good number of unusual books that I may go back to look at again.

On with the guided tour and then being taken to a local ‘secret’, which is the best biltong shop in the city. Yum.

Finally, lunch at Joe’s Beer House, which was on my list to visit. Just look at one page of the menu and you’ll see why.

I had the Namib Bush Fire, which, as you can see, includes a toy of Cactusblitz. This is a strong spirit. Glad I tried it. I shall be going back again to try the zebra and the crocodile before I leave.

A great day.

Plans for tomorrow too, stay tuned.