A lot's happened in a week . . .

We have so far in Galle:
observed some of the utter destruction caused by the tsunami – whole fields full just of the floors of the houses (no walls at all), where towns used to be – and people living in tents or temporary houses

• heard awful stories – people are suffering a lot still

mastered Tuk-Tuks and adopted some safer and more reliable drivers as our regular drivers (they are great and know most of what we need to know to get by here, including where to find a house or just about anything)

tried out a couple of hotel pools, one of which is Geoffrey Bawa architect-designed and the most heavenly pool in which we have ever swum

eaten at restaurants in idyllic locations (and all got funny tummies)

discovered fairly basic shops which have a limited selection of what we’ll need

visited about 10 houses to rent and narrowed it down to 2 and it is REALLY hard deciding between them. Some of the houses had grottos and water features on several levels INSIDE the house. Really suitable for Joe-Joe . . . .

hung out with the 2 families and 1 couple who are colleagues and ex-pats – they are great and we can learn a lot from them all, only one family has been here much longer than us, they have a 2 year old but we’re gutted they are leaving soon. One family lived in Laos, (where we have recently visited) and know our friends there. They have 4 children and Joe loves them!

walked around the ramparts of the Fort area of Galle

gone on a river trip to an island with a temple (where 12 year old boys were becoming Buddhist monks that day and were being left there by their parents) and to another island where they show you how they produce cinnamon.

Mike’s been getting to grips with his job, including travelling round three districts, meeting hoards of people, observing more devastation, participating in boat and fishing equipment distribution, and starting to get a perspective on the substantial need. World Vision have already done absolutely loads, it’s really impressive, but there’s still a ton of work to do.

Joe has also made friends with other families staying at our hotel (they come and go) and with all the Tuk Tuk drivers outside the hotel – he plays with their Tuk Tuks for ages, and they just chuck him out when they get a passenger.

We also appeared in the Liverpool Echo last Wednesday and were on Radio Merseyside on Saturday. What fame. It’s coming up to a year since the tsunami, so we’re all expecting an influx of journalists here soon.

There’re tough things and great things about living here, and we’re glad we’ve come.

BUT – the icing on the cake . . . our friend Rick (from London – one of Joe’s Godfathers) got engaged to Henrietta! Hooray and congratulations.