Lots of fun last weekend, camping at Akagera National Park in Eastern Province. Close encounters of the wild and wonderful kind.
Monday 3 October 2022
Monday 19 September 2022
The Secret Garden
Last week I went to visit my friend at Bugesera Nursery (Instagram) about an hour south of Kigali. She has quite an incredible garden, so I thought I'd share.
Thursday 8 September 2022
The Cat With Nine Lives
A sad day, saying goodbye to my amazing car, Kitty. Many wonderful adventures had and memories made. But hopefully not the end of the road.
Monday 29 August 2022
Fun Month in Kigali
Hi guys.
So, I've mentioned my struggle before. I've been getting into videos more and there's only enough time in the day to write and edit or take videos and edit, I can't do both consistently. As I've spent several years blogging, and as Blogger itself is getting a bit blah (so many layout and template bugs it's horribly annoying), I've decided to post my latest video updates rather than write them all up.
So, here's what's been going on lately:
More about that hash:
And there's also been a lot of talk lately as a young woman, Liliane Mugabekazi, faces two years in jail for wearing a revealing outfit to a music concert. If you want to hear more about that, you can click here.
So, I know that people who have been following my blog might not be as interested in videos. It's certainly been a turbulent transition for me, as I've always preferred being behind the camera, but I think I'm settling into it now and, although there's a lot less writing content, it is fun to show you around my neighbourhood. Let me know what you think, what you'd like to see more of, and, if you wouldn't mind awfully, consider subscribing to the channel and liking the videos you enjoy.
Tuesday 26 July 2022
Moto Journeys in Kigali
Hi guys!
I know I've been shockingly bad at updates for a long time, but I've been spending a bit of time videoing moto journeys around Kigali. It started with this trip:
And then people suggested other places to go.
So far we've been to Rebero, Nyamirambo and Gikondo.
Thought it would make a fun interim post. I try to upload in 4k but the internet can be a bit prohibitive, so the larger ones are regular HD. If you enjoy, subscribe to my channel and bookmark this page. I'll add more trips as they occur.
Saturday 21 May 2022
Art and Kittens
Selekarts |
Biratonny His art is inspired by his mother who died in the genocide. |
Bless__aine |
Not sure of this artist's name? |
Mugishapablo I honestly thought this was a photo! |
More of Daddy's art. |
Background he painted for a TV show. Based on the reed screens at Nyanza. |
Striking poses with Daddy and my friend Key. |
Wire sculptures at the gallery. |
Key - artistic pose Artist _17_arts_ |
Saturday 9 April 2022
Strange Rock on Idjwi Island
A few weeks back I did a video about a trip I took to Idjwi Island with my friend Maia. Whilst going through the photos, I discovered one I'd taken of a strange rock. I thought it might be some sort of carving, so sent it to the Trust for African Rock Art. It appears it might be Batwa hieroglyphs. The chair of TARA sent back some photos of Batwa rock art in Gabon, and the similarity with Knowth in Ireland really got me thinking about other rock art connections.
Friday 1 April 2022
WAG Animal Rescue Shelter in Rwanda
The other week, I spent the day at WAG animal rescue in Kigali, to see what life is like for shelter dogs in Rwanda. Also, if you like the song on the moto at the beginning of this video, check out my cousin, Sali.
Sunday 27 March 2022
Gisenyi Weekend
Aaaah, the noise issue has been hilarious. And, by hilarious, I mean bloody painful. Apparently, just after I left for the UK, they stopped for a while. My neighbour said it had been really quiet. Then, about three nights after I got back they really went for it. My brain was bleeding out my nose. But, it seems to have calmed down again now.
[Update: the day after writing this, they went all night again - it's like that scene in Walking Dead where Daryl gets locked in a cell by Negan and they keep playing Easy Street. Just when you think you can sleep again - you're wrong.]
Other than that, being back has been okay. You can hear me puffing and panting in that video, partly because I put on a stone whilst I was in the UK and partly because it takes about a month to readjust to the altitude. It really takes the wind out of you.
I turned 41 shortly after getting back. It wasn't a great birthday. Not because of the age, but I'd planned a meal with my friends and then the heavens opened. I mean, it was biblical. No one could go anywhere. What was worse was that I had no chocolate or alcohol in the house. I had a bottle of gin but no lemons or tonic. I couldn't go out to get anything. My friends Harris and Rob ordered a big bottle of whiskey, but because of the rain it couldn't be delivered. Then the electricity went out - taking the internet with it. Thankfully, a tray of cupcakes made it just before the rain started and a huge bunch of red roses from Solvejg.
Cupcakes from Harris & Rob |
It wasn't great. But we made up for it a few days later. My friends took me to a lovely restaurant for a slap-up meal, and the flowers and booze arrived.
Cucina at Marriott Hotel |
Hands down, the best cheesecake in Kigali. From Marriott. |