Neesee Leaves Home

Lucas wasn't the only one to start school that day.
A few miles away, Neesee was also packing her bags.
She seems to be explaining to her sister Harry:
'Don't worry, darling, I'll be back later.'

Neesee herself doesn't seem too worried.
What a smile!
Guy

Lucas Lifts Off

I was lucky enough to be in the UK for Lucas' first day at school.

Here's the young scholar himself in his immaculate new "kit".

Pretending his rucksack's a jet pack & he's going to fly to school.

Now that would have been a dramatic entrance.

Clearly his mother's son!

Unfortunately though, the jets failed to fire.

And our would-be Rocket Man ended up walking instead.

With Kris & I acting as his personal "heavies".

Mum was there too, of course.

Proudly snapping the historic occasion!

Guy

Highland Homecoming

This time tomorrow, we will be flying home.

A week in England, then 4 weeks in Scotland.

These Highland red deer seem to have got wind of it.

And are scanning the skies for a sign of our vapour trail.

See you soon!

Guy

Glam Gran

With 2 eyes ...

or with 4 ...

she's still the glammest gran of them all!

Guy

Sassenach In Skirt

A skirt? A skirt?!

My Kenyan colleagues were incredulous.

When they realised I'd be wearing a "skirt" to Arran's wedding.

But what about the Maasai warriors' "dresses", I pleaded.

Not the same apparently!

Guy

You Are Not Alone

Susanna & I went away to celebrate her birthday.

We found this devout "dudu" (insect) sharing our bathroom.

We need all the prayer we can get!

Guy

Kids & Camels

Levi, Gerro & Lucas were playing happily on this sculpture.

When suddenly they were face to face with 2 camels.  Literally.

Can you see the 3 of them huddled up together for protection?

They're just behind the biggest camel's tail in top right corner.

The 2 courageous uncles on either side of their nephew.

You'll be relieved to hear all 3 survived the encounter!

Guy

Kung Fu @ Kitengela

Boys in glass shops.

Almost as scary as bulls in china shops.

Here's Uncle Levi with Nephew Lucas at Kitengela Glass.

Not the best place for Lucas to be impersonating Karate Kid.

Watch where you ... ?!

Guy

Liquid Lunch

It's a tad warmer here than in Scotland.

So carrying water in the car at all times is critical.

Here's Levi keeping himself hydrated on one recent journey.

I like his style!

Guy (aka Baba Levi)

Eight Years Later

And 8 years after Lauren's first visit?

Here is that same 3 month old baby.

Now looking like Kenya's answer to Indiana Jones.

Ride 'em, cowboy!

Guy

The Three L's

Lauren & Lucas stopped off in Kenya for 2 weeks.

On their way back from Arran & Kate's South African wedding.

We saw a lot of the 3 L's - Lauren, Lucas, and a Little'un!

Lauren first came here 8 years ago, to volunteer for 3 months.

That's when she met a certain 3 month old baby.

That baby's name was Gerro.

And the rest (as they say) is history.

Guy

And What About Us?

And now (after all those babies & young 'uns) ...

for something completely different.

Two wonderful people at the other end of the age spectrum.

Mum & Dad, you don't look over a day over 100.

Keep taking the Complan!

Guy

Hey, What About Me?

Say "hello" to Harry, Neesee's little sister.

She thinks her big sister has had quite enough attention.

And that maybe it's her turn on centre stage now.

I'm not prepared to argue with her!

Guy

Cook of Cakes

Here is the Queen of Cakes again.

But this time looking like she can bake them as well as eat them.

Or maybe not?

Looks like she could do with some help.

No problem.  Bibi to the rescue.

The Princess of Pastries herself!

Guy

Queen of Cakes

So what exactly does a girl goalie eat to keep herself match fit?

Chocolate cake & cream, of course!

Neesee looks temporarily confused about what to do next.

But then quickly remembers ...

Anyone else just a tad envious?

Guy

Girl Goalie

Me too!

Neesee grabs Gerro's gloves & guards the goal.

But looks more like she should be in a boxing ring.

Rather than on a football pitch.

That's my grand-daughter!

Guy

Bench Boys

But the boys do sit down sometimes.

Here is photographic proof of one such (rare) occasion.

And the bench is not even a subs bench.

No connection to football at all.

Remarkable!

Guy

Ball Boys

Our boys putting their new boots through their paces.

Gerro's goalkeeping is fast becoming legendary.

So is Levi's pinpoint accuracy in passing.

They really are the Bastable ball boys!

Guy

Boys & Boots

Levi & Gerro's obsession with football shows no sign of waning.

When they're not outside, playing it for real.

Then they're inside, begging to play it virtually.

We try to encourage more of the former (healthier) option.

As you can see, these boots were a big hit with both boys.

They couldn't wait to get outside and 'road test' them.

Gerro's smile is what Kenyans call a Mombasa to Uganda grin.

Guy

Slug Snake

For those of you planning to visit us here, don't be put off.

We photographed this fella 1000's of miles south of here.

While taking a leisurely stroll around Barrydale.

The quaint South African village where Arran's in-laws now live.

It just slid out of the roadside drainage ditch to greet us.

The Frogfather assured us it was "only a slug snake".

Whatever that means!

Guy

The Frogfather

You've already met Queen Jean, Arran's mum in law.

Now it's time to meet Les, Arran's dad in law.

Better known to most of us as ... The Frogfather!

Why? Because he's a leading world authority on frogs.

Yes, really. In fact, he's a full-on frog fanatic.

As his terrific tree frog T-shirt testifies.

We love you, Les!

Guy

Boozy Bovine?

In South Africa, my boys got to feed some baby calves.

Gerro was given a Carling Black Label beer bottle.

With a strong black teat on the end of it.

And told that it was full of cow's milk.  

Whatever the bottle had in it, this calf couldn't get enough of it!

Guy

Queen Jean

This is Jean.  Arran's mother-in-law.

And yes, she really is as nice as she looks in this picture.

Of course, the very best mum-in-law in all the world is mine.

But Arran might just have the second?

Jean certainly got the "thumbs up" from Neesee.

Who is a great judge of character!

Guy

Don't Do It!

This was in South Africa in December.

Prior to Arran's wedding to Kate.

What was I was planning to do to Arran?

Whatever it was, it doesn't look very nice!

And that statue behind us adds more than a hint of menace.

Guy

Baba's Boys

Here in Kenya I am known as "Baba Levi".

Mums & dads are called "Mama" or "Baba".

Followed by the name of their oldest child still at home.

Once upon a time I was "Baba Arran".

Nowadays I am "Baba Levi".

Here's a rare photo of all 3 of my boys together.

Check out Levi's face!

Guy

Newton's Knock-Out Nosh

And to go with the goat?

What else but kachumbari (pronounced "katch-oom-bah-ree").

Salsa.  Kenyan style.  Chopped tomatoes, onions & coriander.

This was Newton's first time making it.  And it was knock out.

He's going to make some lucky lady an excellent husband!

Guy

Lucky Lads

And these are some of the lucky lads who got to eat roast goat.

If you look carefully, you will see one particular (little) lucky lad.

Who loves meat.  Of any kind.

My very own carnivorous kid.

Levi "the Lunch" Mayani.

Guy

Roast Ribs

About 10 men work here at New Life in Nairobi.
Most days we have lunch together.
Typically beans, maize, cabbage & chapatis.
But the other Saturday, as a treat ...
we all decided to come in for a goat roast!
A goat was duly slaughtered.
And these are some of its ribs.
Sizzling on the barbecue.
Behind the New Life workshop.
Wish you could have been here!
Guy

Farrah's Fool

Wondered why Farrah asked me to stand at this doorway.
And smile!
Guy

Could You Sing In This?

If our "lodgers" didn't give you 2nd thoughts about visiting.
Then here's a snapshot of our weather.
Forget drainpipes.
Equatorial downpours need rain chains.
This one is right outside our window.
See you soon?
Guy

New Life's Lodgers

For those of you contemplating coming to visit us here, let me introduce you to some of New Life's lesser-known lodgers.

We have lots of these ...

Not so many of these ...

And so far, only one of these (that we know of) ...

Hope I haven't put you off?

Guy

Happy 17th Birthday

Saturday was New Life Home's 17th anniversary.
This is Clive & Mary.
Cutting one of the THREE big cakes.
We had about 500 people turn up to party in our very own front garden.
Acrobats, fire-eaters, clowns, magicians, bouncy castles.
And lots & lots of our "ex-residents".
Accompanied by their new families!
Our boys loved it.
So did we.
Guy

Team Time

This shot taken at National Leadership Retreat here in Nairobi last week.
Great team.
Great time.
We are very happy - and honoured - to be working with such great people.
The smiles are real!
Guy

Spot The Difference

Two big birds.
Both with long necks.

Both with big eyes.
Both spotted at an Ostrich Farm in South Africa.
But only one was a permanent resident.

Any idea which?
Guy