Saying Goodbye Finally

Hi everyone. Although I can't say I'm rushing around, I seem to have gotten out of my routine of blogging. I'm still coming down to earth after leaving our precious friends, the staff and the pups in Mwadui. And... getting Ginger, Shadow and Ambrose acclimatized to a new home and environment. They've all three been out on the patio today (more about this later) 

Our penultimate evening in Mwadui, we were invited to Marita's birthday held in their garden. Grant and I had just arrived home from Mwanza; I'd completed my safari across Tanzania to get the cats to Dar. (more about that shortly too, promise!)  So in the photos I look rather haggard! 

Tilla and I

Marita with the birthday cake Tilla baked and Tilla in the forefront cutting the milk tart (also baked by Tilla!)

On Friday, Grant had handed over his computer, office and keys to the new man (whom we know - that's mining - everybody knows everybody) and came home. We took the last cat toys over to Debbie and Phillip's home on camp. Then we went on our last birding trip in the Mwadui bush. 

That night we were invited to the club for our final farewell from the diamond mine client. 

Fynus and Koos were in charge of the meal: delicious home built pizzas (to the right of Fynus is a traditional pizza oven from which we've enjoyed many pizzas over the years in Mwadui)

Koos rolled the bases, you built your own pizza and Fynus baked them in the oven

This photo doesn't do credit to the delicious pizza we had that night

Of course, we ladies chatted up a storm and wanted last photos. From left: moi, Marita and Tilla

After we'd all enjoyed the pizzas and before the trifle which Tilla made because it's Grant's favorite, Arlen made a beautiful speech and wished me and Grant well in the future.

Debbie (taking the photos) became very tearful and ended up with this shaky photo 

Grant replied saying that he worked well with the client and that he and I were accepted into the community and would miss them all. When he thanked his team for their support over the past three years and welcomed his successor, Louise to Mwadui, Debbie broke down completely! 

Debbie showed off her multitasking skills by taking this photo with my camera in one hand and her Smartphone in the other! 

All the expats from the diamond mine wrote messages to us on a large white sheet. We're framing this precious gift and hanging it up here at home

We all enjoyed this delicious trifle

The four oldies on camp: Grant and me; Wessel and Tilla

We eventually said the final goodbyes and went home for the last time. I still packed the last items into our two suitcases, we set the alarm and spent our last night in Mwadui.

The end of the most wonderful three years we've ever spent in Africa. 

Happy Wednesday to you all!