Here I am at ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute), surrounded by cardboard boxes in various stages of unpacking. A bit like Christmas, one never quite knows what is going to be in the next box, as labelling is a bit haphazzard. Sometimes it is the usual removalist surprise, a wastepaper bin complete with well matured apple cores  and other desirable contents. Other times, one might be looking for the power adapter for the wireless internet system, or the cushions for the couches, without any success.

We are learning to live with generators, power cut-lets, candles etc. The locals are much impressed by some mundane items that I brought with me, eg our laundry basket, that is the envy of the campus, with nice broad handles. Our housekeeper Lucy carries them over to the communal laundry (and central gossip exchange) with such pride. She also loves my bright pink clothes pegs. But doesn’t like my lack of cake tins. Lucy’s cultural experience of the day: the discovery that one can cook potatoes in a microwave oven. A nice enough lass. I only wish she didn’t call me ‘Madame.’ Today’s cultural experience: buying fillet steak @ $5 a kilo. And about as tender as a doormat. But such a flavoursome doormat. Yesterday’s cultural experience: I borrowed an ILRI car and went for a drive to the supermarket (6km). And I survived!! The rules of the road are a bit informal here, I don’t know what the road toll is, but I suspect rather high. I had to do a driving test before I went out in a company car. The tester said he thought I was a good enough driver (so the test was short, a pity because I really wanted a guided tour of Nairobi), in spite of having to pepper his conversation with cries of “POTHOLE!” Anyway, all you readers(!), enjoy the Australian Spring / Irish/Scottish Autumn / Thai tail end of the wet season etc.