Indian Summer

Talk about an Indian summer; the weather in the UK is so good it is almost like an African Summer! It is September the 20th and North Beach and along the Promenade in Aberystwyth was packed today. It was so hot that I had to wear a cap as well as my sun glasses. This is not the kind of weather that you would expect at this time of year in Wales. I suspect that the weather in Ghana is also warming up, but how on earth does everyone cope with both the heat and the humidity? The Ghanaian weather like the people is something special. The fine weather in Ghana is almost an everyday experience and isn’t a reason alone to attract people to descend on the resorts and leisure opportunities.

In comparison, a little heat in Wales brings out the crowds. Worse still this is the weekend when the new University Students descend on the nearby town and swell the numbers of people and the traffic. With cars stretching up Penglais Hill from Aberystwyth and onto the Waunfawr: thank goodness that there is no humidity to contend with! I have experienced the humidity in Africa and the artificial humidity on a training course designed to show officers the effects humidity has in reducing the working time duration for firefighting crews wearing chemical protection suits and breathing apparatus. Firefighter’s heat up far too quickly and the working duration is greatly reduced. Not a very nice experience and a bit extreme compared to the humidity in and around Accra.

But no humidity means that you can get out and about without feeling washed out. In fact I had planned some weekend DIY indoors, but I was instructed by my better half to get out and enjoy the sunshine. She, who must be obeyed, was obeyed and I enjoyed a browse amongst some Motor Homes in a showroom in Capel Dewi. This was followed by lunch at the Garden Centre, then a stroll along the beach and a relaxing break in Costa Coffee. The best bit was; that this was all undertaken in the company of one of my daughters. Great weather and a great day out shared with family. Wonderful; and I suspect that many others have enjoyed the day as much as we have, both in Ghana and here in Wales.

Fu-fu

When I retell my African stories, my friends and colleagues appear to be genuinely interested. The Mr. Jacko story creates the greatest interest, especially when I recall waking up with him by my head. Before realising that it is the low level light switch. But the subject of fu-fu causes smiles all around and quite a few knowing winks from the ladies that I chat to in the various haunts that I frequent in and around Aberystwyth. It’s a great name for a food, but the laughter demonstrates that often the meaning of a word or sentence in one language is open to interpretation in another. I must admit that I liked ‘Kinky’ while I was in Africa, but I suspect that my hosts didn’t quite get the joke. But ‘fu-fu’, is a great name. Now try talking to a young lady about fu-fu while keeping a straight face. Not an easy task and one which I challenge anyone to try to do; after they have read the Blog and knowing exactly what it is and how it is made. As they say in South Wales, ‘go on, I double dog dare you…’ And as we all know; you can’t refuse a double dog dare...

Flooding

The flooding in the North of Ghana affected thousands of people. Just like the flooding in England and Wales caused significant damage and disruption during the following week. Five people died in the United Kingdom as a direct result of the storms. There was one very lucky escape when a small child was sucked into an open storm drain and disappeared in front of her father. He knew where the storm drain discharged and made his way to that point under very difficult circumstances indeed. The outlet area was also flooded and he rescued his daughter’s lifeless body. She was unconscious but he had saved her and they both appeared on national morning television the very next day. She badly bruised and he the proud father.

But for others in both Countries there was no happy ending. I recall the manner in which the flash floods occurred while I was in Ghana. Within an instant, roads became rivers. This was very scary and an event that was totally out of character with the surroundings and the heat. This type of weather is bad enough when you are sat inside a two storey brick house, and I wonder what these events must feel like for those who live in less secure structures. And worse still, people who in the main have no hope of securing help when things go wrong. But today there is no rain, only sun. The weather has turned for the best here in Wales, and I suspect that it is pretty warm in and around Accra as well.