Giving

Giving is a very important part of my life and I have spent an enjoyable part of last week looking for a present for my friend Cudjo. I already know what I am sending Jeff and have also decided what I would like to send to Mrs 'G'. That gift will take a few weeks to organise as part of the gift is coming from a supplier who has gone on holiday for the next two weeks. But I suspect during this busy period with work, these days and weeks of organisation could turn into months. The time lapse will be compounded by the postal distances between this part of the U.K. and Africa, and of course a reliance on my part on Surface Mail.

I suspect that by the time the presents start to filter through to Ghana, it will almost be Christmas. Like us, some Africans do celebrate the birth of Christ. Although, unlike us there will be no snow. Their postal system will also cause certain difficulties, but these are not insurmountable; providing that I remember to insert 'GP' for Ghana Post after the words 'Post Box'.

Cudjo's present is in my house already, as are the hand made thank you cards for Tammy and Jeffers and of course Mrs. 'G'. I shall have to pick up another hand made card on the weekend for Alice and Josephine and yet another to say thank you to Patricia and Michael for their lovely gift as I was leaving Accra. As for Jeff's present, that's just a case of collecting it from where it is stored. The trouble is knowing when I can fit it all in and thereafter juggling the component parts to make the desired outcome happen. I have been in Carmarthen for a while, and then out and about in different parts of Wales prior to travelling down and staying over in Hertfordshire. But all of this doesn't really matter; as friends don't expect or desire gifts and they won't be sat back in Africa waiting for anything to arrive. Unless of course they keep up with the Blog - In which case; "eight weeks, don't panic!..."

Tammy

That's nice, just had a Facebook message off Tammy. More evidence of a shrinking World. It's always nice to hear from friends. Talking of which, I have some African posting to do, as I now have a present for Jeffers and Cudjo. Although they probably won't receive them for 3 months. My postcards home took almost 4 weeks and that was by Airmail!