Vicar's Homepage

23rd August : Medical Update

The meeting with the Oncologist has gone better than expected. The tumour is described as being small and 'well behaved' Likely treatment will be IMRT (a new form of direct radiotherpy). This will entail a period of hormone treatment prior to the IMRT. I am therefore likely to off work for three months early next year. Hormone treatment should not impact work, nor indeed social life, drinking is permitted. Feeling better already

Posted by albionvicar on 23/08/2006.
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Ros Blog Part Four

Bowels still dangerously unpredictable, which has been tricky on the road. Final camp is a lovely little place just outside Nairobi run by some Dutch people. Eight of us are checking out the city together this afternoon - this morning, giraffe sanctuary and (aaahh!!) elephant orphanage. I've eaten everything from octopus to crocodile - could have something to do with the stomach!! But, you know, when in rome.... We had our goodbye dinner last night (minus our leader, who was rushed to hospital following a seizure) There were many drunken speeches and some fat middle aged woman read a poem!! Our kiwi friends left at lunchtime, the Drago crew have taken the truck off for some serious work, and things are truly winding down now. There is a family from Surrey on the same flight as me tomorrow, and we have a ride all booked up. So I guess that's it

Posted by albionvicar on 18/08/2006.
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Ros Blog Part Three

At last, back on line!! Tried 2 days ago but the tin shack in Musoma had lost its connection.

Things have been a lot more challenging since I last emailed, though rewarding in equal measure. We have seen more wildlife than most groups, and been sicker than most groups. I've had the worst of it, but have bought some antibiotics off the truck and although the diahor....diohorr....diarre...shits are still dangerously unpredictable, fever has gone and pain almost gone.

That said, I wanted an adventure and I'm having one. I've eyeballed a white rhino, had a slightly bumpy balloon landing and laid VERY still in my tent listening to lions and hyenas roamingf the campsite (whioch makes a girl extrremely cautious in the small hours when she has to nip round the back of the tent for a number two!! I could see the anouncement in the Herald - Palfrey, Ros aged 47. Tragicly eaten by lions while squatting with pants down!!)

Tanzania wazs just fantastic - Kenya is more populous and developed and walking into a supermarket was a shock to the senses. Just about to leave Nakuru - big town -lovely overlanders campsite a few miles out and reserve with 3 million flamingos (oh, so many pix!!) Timetable is full on - this afternoon we are helping to paint a new school opening next month. Still have giraffe sanctuary and (yippee!!) elephant orphanage to do and Nairobbery, I mean Nairobi, to experience.

Posted by albionvicar on 13/08/2006.
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The Walk Continues

My hike along the South Coast continues, having started in Chichester I am now a day short of Dover, and attached are some photos of Owen and I having fun at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel, and the next day at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. More images in the Hythe photo file.

Posted by albionvicar on 07/08/2006.
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Ros Blog: Part Two

Ha-lo, Jambo, How are yo-ou (usually followed by "You buy?")
Good and bad news from here. The bad is that our truck, which was being serviced in Dar while we are on Zanzibar, has no gearbox. The good bit is - we are obliged to stay another day in paradise (otherwise known as Nungwi) while it's sorted. Still, I'm sure we'll all cope somehow. Having a real kickback day today that I wouldn't have had - morning sleeping and reading on beach, lunch comparing tales with Canadian fellow travellers (typically "oh yeah, Canmore - I love that place!" How does that happen!) Now exploring the village behind the burgeoning resort - hope they don't mind Muzungus taking pictures.
Yesterday was snorkelling day, and though I'm reliably informed it's peanuts compared to the Great Barrier Reef, I was awestruck - yes, I will come snorkelling with you any time you want!! Underwater camera bag worked fine - trouble is, without my glasses, didn't have a clue what I was photographing.
I am officially a proper traveller now, with my embarrassing hat, my henna tattoo and my necklace made from banana leaves! Have eaten red snapper, barracuda and the tuna that was prepared from scratch and cooked on the dhow for us yesterday.
Went on a Spice Tour which seems to be the main highlight of the island - there is a lovely gentle humour and sense of fun with words among the islanders, and we have had wonderful guides.
Sun is fierce when it comes out but there's quite a lot of cloud which makes it very comfortable. Clear azure sea, white powdery sand, what can I say - what a place to get stranded!!
All being well, heading for Dar tomorrow, overnight camp, then (the down side of the delay) 16 hours on the truck to catch up.

Posted by albionvicar on 04/08/2006.
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The Ros Africa Blog : Chapter One!

Greetings from a very warm, sunny Stone Town, Zanzibar. Flight ok,found group alright, after slightly worrying taxi ride. Nice mixedgroup, ages 17-59, mostly easy and friendly, though at the mo I'm the only solo - this may change tomorrow when we pick up a few more intrepid travellers. Day 1 camping at beach resort outside Dar - a little swimming a few bottles of Tusker and generally getting to know each other, our illustrious leaders and the ins and outs of a truck that seriously looks the business. There were many things to learn before we hit the road, most of them seem to involve Dettol! After a night under canvas (leaky canvas, I might add, as there have been some rain showers), a 5.00 wake-up and left the truck behind as we crammed into a local dalla-dalla minibus to the ferry and slept ourway to Zanzibar. Proper roofs for the next 3 nights, and due to a booking cock up we've been upgraded, so for tonight only I get to enjoy my own double room with en suite and air con - oh the hardship!! Pervading aroma of charcoal and wood fires, and background noise of lively Swahili chatter, bicycle bells and car horns. Stone Town is quite full-on for a rookie like me - completely impossible to navigate but that's ok because eventually you come to the sea in most directions. I'm practissing looking like I know what I'm doing - had enough practice at work!! Lots of fun at craft market - "you very bigmama, I have BIG tanga fit you!" Meeting up with group shortly for sundowners then dining from cheapie vendors. Tomorrow, spice tour.

Posted by albionvicar on 02/08/2006.
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Medical Update!

If you haven't been in the loop so far forgive me, we were rather hoping this would go away. A routine medical examination revealed a possible prostate problem a couple of months ago. After two biopsy's things have not gone as well as expected and I have a positive (tumor, to you and me). I expect to be clearing my diary from October with a view to surgery (or other therapy.) shortly afterwards.

Normal service will continue until then , with Ros travelling to Africa and myself to the States in late September.

Posted by albionvicar on 30/07/2006.
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Falmer latest!

The club issued the following statement on July 18th,

Following the decision by John Prescott to grant planning permission last October, Lewes District Council claimed that he had made the decision unlawfully and issued proceedings in the High Court in December. They claimed 16 grounds of appeal. Our lawyers have been through LDC's claims and their advice is that just one has some merit, but even this is a technicality and Prescott's decision did not hinge on it. Rather than argue it in Court the Treasury Solicitor acting for Prescott was willing to accept the technical error so that the decision could be referred back quickly to the new Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly. Lewes declined this offer demanding that the Court considers all their claims. This is a totally unnecssary process. Under Public Inquiry rules Ruth Kelly will have to consider all the issues relating to our planning application and Lewes will be given the oppertunity to raise their claims prior to her decision.

So why are Lewes insisting that it goes to the High Court? Through blatent abuse of the planning process, they want to delay the stadium for as long as possible, hoping that it will never happen because it forces the club into financial meltdown. At the time of writing we still don't have a date for the hearing, but it looks as if it will be in November-more than a year since we received the original decision.

Posted by albionvicar on 28/07/2006.
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Ros heads to Africa

Ros heads to Dar es Salem on Saturday for her adventure. I hope to keep the site updated on her progress, and will try to upload some photos. Maybe I can even educate her in the art of blogging.