What did we miss?

Sorry everyone - I know I haven't published too many Syama posts this stint, and it's not to say that there is nothing going on, I've just been otherwise occupied. Here are a few little snippets from life at Syama from August to October.

Simmo refused to celebrate his birthday in early August, so we waited until mid-August and surprised him with a cake - it was a beautiful moment and I even think he enjoyed himself ... at least a little bit.


Happy Birthday Simmo

Marcus enjoyed some more of Chef Simon's peanut sauce - he can't get enough of the stuff.


Tikitiki-na!

Mariam showed us how well steel-capped safety boots work with traditional Malian day-wear.


Mariam-in-boots

While Rob displayed courage and style on the soccer field as the WADS captain in his team's standard footwear.


WADS captain

And Greg challenged some of the other boys in the 'ugliest sideburns in Syama' competition.


Oh dear ...

Marcus and I discovered we had a common (now not so) secret shame with our passion for Sex in the City so we inaugurated Monday night Sex in the City night! And Marcus introduced me to 'the boat'!


Sex in the City in the boat

Meanwhile, the South African boys discovered my passion for food and enticed me down to the Minproc house for a poike, which I have to say was just delicious.


Oxtail and ostrich neck poike

Mike showed Daniel and Marcus what was happening just before he added in the dumplings - they were fluffy and delicious and soaked up the rich gravy perfectly!


Tour around the pot

And here they are ladies ...


The men from Minproc

What I was very pleased - and completely amazed - to discover, is that Mike is a fantastic dancer. So at his 40th birthday celebrations I took over my salsa CD and we practiced in anticipation of the classes I am about to unleash on Syama when I return in November!


Salsa practice with Mike

And then just last week, the big plane (yes that really is a big one) arrived bringing Catherine to my aide, fresh as a daisy all the way from Perth, hurrah! And we even managed to turn on some sensational weather for her.


Arriving in the last rain of the season

The sangee didn't dampen the spirits of those departing from Syama, however, as they managed to find some appropriate shelter!


Sangee acanaye

And believe it or not, it's nearly time for me to take off again, so I won't be relaxing in my Malian hide-away for a few more weeks yet, and the chairs are so well designed for wada wada (gossip)!


Kicking back