Show me the Monkey!

Ok, so it's a little late, but thought I'd get back into the swing of this occasional blog. I did try a few weeks back but the computer crashed and I couldn't be bothered to do it all again. Anyway, it's a long time since the safari holiday and so in some ways probably not worth saying too much now as I think most people have heard all about it and already seen the photos. It was a fantastic trip in all, had a great bunch of people and there is talk of going back next year to do some work building an extension to an oprhanage we visited in Rwanda - all depends on getting time off work, so watch this space!

This here is my favourite gorilla photo - we really had to work to get to see them as it involved a 90 minute trek through jungle up a mountain, with guides slashing a path with machetes. Was worth it though, and quite surreal being able to get so close. I'd definitely recommend it if you get the chance, although you need to be prepared to rough it...

So, the next trip? Well, that would be Iran in four weeks time. Nothing like vacationing in the so-called Axis of Evil! I'm assured by people who have done the same trip before (via the Exodus website) that most Iranians are nothing like the radical extremists that we see in the news, that they are in fact very friendly and keen to show off their culture which is a world away from most people's perceptions, so I guess I shall find out. That is assuming I'm allowed in, my passport is at the Embassy awaiting visa as we speak and I hope that my headscarf for the photo (compulsory) was sufficient. There is a bit of a strict dress code there in that women have to basically cover right up, mostly I think I'll get away with jeans and a long kaftan, but I did actually buy a burka thing just in case we go anywhere more formal! I had to look around online until I found something suitable, I didn't want one of those with the letterbox slot for the eyes as that would be taking it a little far, so settled on a "sports" version jilbab which is basically a long floor-length dress with some sporty trim. I ordered a few different ones to try on, but the others were really thick heavy cloth which was difficult to get on, and they were way too tight around the chest and leaving them open would not be an option! It's actually not a bad item of clothing and I must admit I think I will end up using it for something to slob around the house in for a couple of hours, for example after having a shower in the evening. Well, can't have it going to waste after the trip, can I?!

Just sorting out my wardrobe at the moment and putting some of the summer clothes into storage as don't think there'll be much of a chance to wear them any more. My car got its annual wash today as the firemen were out again doing their charity wash - there were more of them around this year all wearing tight t-shirts and their uniform trousers, and I quite enjoyed having eight of them scrubbing down my car before turning their hose on it. It was all for charidee, you know, which is why I felt I just had to go and support it. No other reason, honest.


Oh, and just for my own info, as of just now there have been 4534 visits to my blog, I just wanted to see how often it gets looked at, as obviously no point in doing any updates if nobody reads it!