The Good Samaritan

Well everyone, this should be the time for rest and relaxation and I had intended to save on blogging over the Festive Season. More so in that I have almost retired and am currently on five weeks accrued Annual Leave before I officially retire in January 2010. Nevertheless circumstances have led to me signing back in to update the Blog Followers and casual readers of events that occurred this week. As Michael and Patricia in Canada will attest, the snow in the United Kingdom is nothing compared to the Big Freeze that they frequently endure in their new home far from the sunny West Coast of Africa. For some strange reason the -2 to -7 UK freeze seems to grind everything to a halt. Our road, rail and air networks don't seem to cope with the change in weather. We are good at publishing an intention to grit the road but a tad slow in completing the act effectively when the snow arrives. As a seasoned worrier, my daughters understand the need for a Snow Kit in each of their cars. Food, water, fruit, extra clothing, hat, scarf, extra socks, gloves, torch, blanket, and a fluorescent jacket. Logistical Preparedness is one of my fortes. Expect the best but prepare for the worse.

The middle daughter went off to London for two days and the eldest drove back from Cardiff for a family Christmas. In itself these are mundane statements, certainly nothing out of the ordinary. Except the UK is in the middle of one of its Big Freezes. Both girls probably picked the worse possible time to travel. We were worried about one of them, and the other one went and pranged her car. Not any old prang mind you, but a border line write off. You know; where it becomes un-economical to repair the car. Yes, we are talking upwards of £5,000 of damage. Our Jodi has always been one of those to exceed in everything that she does. So, as not to be outdone by others, she managed a double impact. Leaving the road to hit the Crash Barrier on the left hand nearside of the car, the force of the impact and the shiny non gritted roadway allowed the car to be catapulted across both carriageways and into a wall on the other side. Not any old wall mind you, but one of the stone stack thingies that are covered in mesh to hold back the mountain and mountain debris falling onto the road. I suppose you get the scene? Young woman in lone car on wrong side of the road on a long bend, facing the wrong way, electronics failed and Jodi sat in the driving seat and shaking.

The Bible tells us what usually happens next. Several lovely people travelling in the snow in the warmth and safety of their car, skirt around the 'damsel in distress' who has the nerve to be sat in a badly broken car in their lane and in their way. The audacity of the young lady, "Go and crash elsewhere Woman, we have to get home to our turkey, begone with you." OK, in the Bible the uncaring are usually walking or trotting past on a Camel or Donkey and not in a £10-£30K car.

Of course, if you paid attention to the photograph at the start of the story, you can probably recognise where we are going? Yes, you got it, well done! To the lovely family of Derwen House, Newbridge-on-Wye in the County of Powys who, being the fourth vehicle to come along stopped and rendered aid to the injured and badly shaken Jodi. Using the snow torch they slowed the moving traffic at risk to themselves, called the Emergency Services and rendered first and humanitarian aid. Normally, at this point a story like this would end. But not with the Derwen House folks, who realised that in the snow storm and with a severely damaged un-roadworthy car, Jodi was off to hospital or a hotel. No, these good Samaritans took our lass home and fed her Baileys and Chocolates all night long until I arrived to collect her the next day. There they are folks, if you see them in the street simply ask; are you Mark from Canada? To which he will reply yes, but add "it's not me you need to thank, it's those two, they stopped and helped and brought Jodi home". Quite, all those brave male drivers skirted around Jodi. And two females stop in the driving snow and do the good Samaritan bit. But we musn't leave Mark out, as he also welcomed Jodi into their house and when he wasn't around the three ladies opened and drank his Baileys Irish Cream, and opened and eat his chocolates. What lovely people, my eternal gratitude to the three of you. Like my father and Uncle Len, you are stand up people, well done and bask in the glory that is yours.

Coincidence

Those that know me know that I am a fatalist. Everything happens for a reason, all we do is make choices. I woke up this morning to receive a series of delightful Christmas cards and all from special friends. We thought that one was from the Netherlands, I am not sure why, but that's what we thought. Nevertheless we were wrong and it was from Jeff and Tammy in Ghana. Brilliant, I was well pleased. Especially seeing that I received an email Christmas greeting from another good friend Jose Lau in Hong Kong only last night and had answered that just before today's post arrived. The second card that I opened was from a good friend of mine from my Fire and Rescue Service days. Eric of Bosnia, or again, so I thought. It turned out that the Serb Croat Bosnian writing was in fact Latin. The card was not from Firefighter and friend Eric, but Captain Eric of the Parachute Regiment. Another good friend and one that has promised me an evening at Sandhurst. The third card was from another good friend David of Cambrian Landrover. A close friend who has been extremely supportive, especially while I have been unwell this year. I was on a roll, and the fourth card came from a good friend in Newport South Wales. Karen looked after my brother-in-law John for the last seven years or so up until his death a few months back. John Connel was a lovely man, a real stand up guy like my father Sidney Bennett, and his brother 'Uncle Len'. Unfortunately they have all passed on, and I suppose it's times like Christmas that the loss of loved ones hits home the hardest. It's nice to have cards from friends, but it's also nice to have cards from family. With that in mind it was lovely to find a fifth unopened card this evening. It was from my Bro and his wife, well done folks that topped my day. Well, in many ways lots of things made today a special day. The cards from four good friends, the card from my Bro and of course the snow. The latter fell thick and fast and was great fun as you can see from the photograph. As I finished the snow man with Paul, I sent a picture text to Jeffers in Ghana. A few seconds later and my mobile rang and Jeffers was on the other end.

But not to comment on the photo, no as a fatalist it came as no surprise that as I wrote the message and sent the text to Africa, Jeffers in Ghana was dialling the UK. So the photo is uploaded to the Blog this evening, just in case that text never got through or the image didn't open. Like Jeff said, "It's hot in Accra today", so this little Snowman might help to cool them down.

Nadolig Llawen - Merry Christmas

Nadolig Llawen i bawb, o Gymru - Merry Christmas to everyone, from Wales. Photograph Credits: Justin Riley Allen Bennett, photographed by his Auntie Jodi Bennett

Is there any snow in Africa? Well, this year we can definitely report that snow is present. Albeit, in the form of snow scenes on four Christmas Cards that I have dispatched by Internationally Signed For mail to Accra in Ghana, only this week. This should have a cooling effect on Jeffers, Tam, Ruben, Cudjo and Mrs. G during what is probably yet another baking hot month in and around Accra.

We have exchanged Facebook messages and a few mobile phone texts, but it's not the same as meeting up with Michael, Patricia and Abraham who now live in Canada and Jeffery and Tamara and the others at the very time of year that you should meet with family and good friends. I am due out and about drinking and eating in Aberystwyth this Festive Season. Along with a meal on the 18th in Carmarthen with a few good friends. During all of these gatherings I shall propose a toast to my African friends and in doing so look forward to when we next week. Nadolig Llawen everyone, take care and remember what is really important at Christmas: family and good friends and not worldly possessions and excess. Greetings from Wales

Expectations

Expectations, assumptions and opinions probably drive us all. Life is all about decision making and that point is well made in Dr. Viktor Frankl's book (Man's Search for Meaning) that explains Logotherapy in part along with his experiences and those of others during the Holocaust. One thing that was held dear to the victims, was the survival and strength of bonding with family. But I suppose the downside in life along with decision making in general is that you can choose your friends i.e. make the decision to gain and keep their acquaintance, but you cannot choose your neighbours and family.

We have had bad neighbours, well that is a gross understatement, we have actually had in my opinion what I would allege as diabolically bad neighbours. What doesn't surprise me about them, is that they meet the expectations of the Elisian analysis in that you are what your parents were. So bad breeds bad and so on. There are studies that argue that things change at certain ages within your development or if certain impacts change your way of thinking. This could be a traumatic experience that gets you to re-evaluate your life. Frankl appeared to stand up for that argument as well, but understood that the meaning of life is different for each and every one of us.

I have always believed that you have to know where you came from to understand where you are going. We were fortunate that father was a stand up sort of guy, who although Bohemian before his time, also held a strong set of values that put family, King and Country and community at the fore. It would be of no surprise to Norbert Elias to find that I hold the same value set. So, just like bad breeds bad, good breeds good. Mind you, I also believe that we are all have good within ourselves, however one may manifest his/her outer persona. You may be wondering where all of this is leading? Well, it's about family. Not the one that I know but the one that I tracked down during me recent/current ancestral research.

My stand up father had an elder brother. And given that Elias's views are replicated by my behaviour and value set being similar to that of my father, it comes of no surprise to recognise that his brother was also a stand up sort of guy as well. We met his son John and daughter Helen and their respective spouses for lunch only yesterday. It was a cold day that was brightened up by the warmth of their reception and interaction with me, my grandson, wife and two of our daughters. To put it mildly, they were lovely people. Worldly wise, educated and able to engage in social intercourse over a range of diverse topics. I thoroughly enjoyed their flying stories, no not BA and Virgin, but Cessna and other single or twin engine craft with self leveling horizon or not. I have no idea what they thought of my 'fire' stories, but Pauline admitted in the car on the long journey home from Aberporth that her jaw hurt from laughing. Funny really, because the stories in themselves were no laughing matter and related to the few people that I have personally saved during my long career. Lunch was delightful and it was nice to note that they were tolerant of our eighteen month grandson in that he had no intention of sitting still for anyone. Well with a huge hotel and many rooms and several flights of stairs to explore, would you have sat still?

Uncle Len, I salute you. You certainly done a good job bringing up your family and it is delightful to gain their acquaintance, even if it is in their twilight years.

Expectations and Proportionality

I sell and buy a few things on Ebay, usually to feed my passion for making models in various scales from waste materials. The Norman Motte and Bailey in the previous post is an example of one of my larger Ebay sales. That was based on one inch hardwood ply, and constructed of polystyrene, card, sand, manufactured flocks, paint and glue (PVA).

Every once in a while someone passes by my Ebay listings who doesn’t quite get what’s going on. They think that the £46 worth of finely detailed painted lead soldiers are included with the £2.50 model or believe that Scratch Built is some new multi national manufacturer. Sorry to disappoint you folks, but the lead soldiers are staying in the tin, and 'Scratch Built' means made at home. Well in my case, in the garage, with the up and over garage door open, and usually in the dead of winter while wrapped up in a scarf and a bobble hat.

And then there are expectations. Mine are quite low, as I recognise that no one is out to scam anyone, and even with the P&P (Shipping) there are highs and lows. What you gain with one transaction, you probably loose with another. Plus of course there’s your time, the costs associated with materials, Ebay fees, Paypal fees and postage. I cannot recall ever leaving poor feedback for a seller. No one held my hand while I made the bid, it was my choice. Even when the item does not meet my expectations, I can always make improvements or add something nice and sell it on. Or simply put it in a drawer and mark it down to experience.

I suppose that’s where a sense of proportionality comes in; I normally buy and sell low cost items. I’m not buying a £250,000 house or a £75,000 car so I can afford to keep my head. So why do others loose theirs over £3.99? They need to recognise what Scratch Built is, and understand that those fabulous figures that dress the model won’t be arriving in the box, maybe just maybe their expectations will be better placed. And, even after this explanation they still don’t get what’s going on then all I ask is 'please, please, please' email me before the end of the auction so I can explain it all over again. Bidding is their choice, I’m not holding their hand and no one is forcing them to decide how much (if anything) to bid. If they make that choice and are unhappy when they receive the item, then the buyer needs to analyse the choices that were made rather than proportion blame this end. And if after all of that they still don’t get it, then please, please, please don’t be a John. Drop me an email before leaving poor feedback, as we will work something out. It may not be exactly what they want but it will be a resolution.

Maybe this is where the British went wrong when they plundered Africa and other colonies. If you have the right things to sell, then Trade routes could have been opened without aggression. All that was needed was the right level of expectations, proportionality and interaction. Instead there was greed and a lack of proportionality with high expectations on the outcome. Expectations that were wholly one sided and failed to consider both the initial and long term interests of the other party.

Castles and Defence

Castles are an important part of the British heritage. Imported into Britain by the Norman conquerors when after defeating Harold they established a series of earth and stone mounds known as a Motte with an outer barricaded courtyard known as a Bailey. The Normans were prolific Castle builders and one huge example was built in an astonishing 8 days. The Norman castle building took off after an uprising in the North of England and the subsequent punishment issued by the Normans that destroyed homes, livestock and land and which led to thousands upon thousands of deaths. The subsequent completion of over 500 Motte and Bailey castles gave way to stone castles as the Norman leadership strived to increase their hold on the United Kingdom. Wales in particular was known as a land of thieves and held in low esteem by the Normans. And that's what people do isn't it? Unfair judgements based on ad-hoc and usually low key experiences. Human beings are keen to judge and historically the British are as bad as any other nation. The Zulu wars from 1879 are a prime example of British opinionated superior ism. But as I come to the end of two books written by the Historian and Author Ian Knight, I can only conclude that the Africans were in many ways superior in culture, tactics and strategy. Theirs was a just cause, but unfortunately they lacked the technological advantages of evolving weaponry. And after Iswalanda the Africans were too keen to inflict further defeat without understanding the true value of a defensive area where a rifle could keep warriors with stabbing spears and cowhide shields easily at bay. Rorke's Drift was no castle but the defensive principles are in many ways the same as the Norman Motte and Bailey. Invaders establishing a safety perimeter and lording it over others. Britain in the 11th Century and Africa in the 19th.

Anyway it's great to be back and I send best wishes to all of those that check into the Blog from various parts of the World.

The photograph shows a Norman early wooden version Motte and Bailey model. The model was constructed for 15mm high war gaming soldiers. The water is made from PVA and the white area dried clear after the photograph was taken.

On to Spean Bridge

As you can see from the photograph, our Pauline likes Castles. This one was Dunstaffnage Castle And Chapel near to Connel and Pauline is striking a typical Blonde pose letting you know where the castle is. Well we had to get in at least one castle with so many fortifications throughout Scotland. This was quite a nice imposing Castle, but a tad too much building work going on for my liking. Plus Pauline thought that the wooden staircase was a bit scary and declined the ascent. After enjoying chocolate on the ramparts, we headed towards Spean Bridge, with a stop off at Fort William.

Distant Hills Guest House at Spean Bridge in Inverness-shire came in as a recommendation, and a good one at that! The accommodation and the owners were lovely. We were greeted with fresh coffee, tea and biscuits in the lounge. A tad up market from the last place we stayed at, as at that guest house guests did not appear to be welcome in the lounge. Strange I know, but sometimes people are unable to separate business from other activities. I have stayed in several lovely guest houses in and around Carmarthen and Kidwelly and what sets them up above the rest is that the guest feels as if he is integrated into the family. Distant Hills made the grade and Pauline and I were very pleased. Address: Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire. SatNav Postcode: PH34 4EU. Telephone: 01397 712452. Please mention the Blog if you make that call. Recommendation: It could be worth booking in advance on Laterooms.com as Distant Hills appears to be extremely popular.

But probably not as popular as Russell’s Bistro, a delightful truly up-market restaurant located just a few hundred yards along the road back towards the village. Wow, we were bowled over by the Service, cuisine and price point. This meal was astonishingly good value at only £75 for three superb courses, half a bottle of decent wine and the tip. A memorable experience enjoyed by one and all, more so as the maître d' likened me to Tom Jones. Well done matey, if only I could sing and then see the Rhondda one more time. Not one of Tom’s songs, but nevertheless a favourite Welsh ballad of yours truly. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I couldn’t sing for toffee, but I really did appreciate the compliment. Unfortunately for the other restaurants along our ‘Pauline isn’t cooking this week journey’, Russell’s was simply too good, too up-market and too cheap. Russell’s is probably my number one dining experience of all time. And you don’t get to be this size without dining out a lot. Address: Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire. SatNav Postcode: PH34 4EU. Telephone: 01397 712335. As with Distant Hills, please mention the Blog if you make that call. Recommendation: Definitely book in advance. Website: http://www.russellsrestaurant.co.uk/



I like military history almost as much as I like food and Spean Bridge was not to disappoint in that regard either. The local Hotel has quite a few images etc relating to the Commando units that trained in the area and we managed to visit the Commando Monument the very next day after popping into the Clan Cameron Museum. With one member of the Clan becoming a VC winner, visiting the Museum was also a must to do. A nice military, scenery, food, chilled out experience that was Spean Bridge. We now headed further north towards the real Highlands and probably in terms of scenery the highlights of the trip.

Easdale

The Tourist Info people suggested a trip to Easdale. This turned out to be a good choice. The stunning scenery was complimented by my first opportunity to enjoy the Scottish single track roads with passing points. This experience stood me in good stead for the long journey through the Highlands planned for later in the week. The scenery was enhanced slightly as we moved slowly over the Atlantic Bridge enroute to Easdale. Wow, we simply couldn't see beyond the bonnet of the car as we crept over the apex. Not a place for a recreational vehicle. Having driven past yet another Loch, the view of Easdale and the coast was stunning. Time for a short nap before heading into town. Now that is something that I did miss while in Ghana. It's nice to have a 15 minute break each day. It's the only way to turn off the brain and to relax the mind. Pauline and I got good at this throughout our week in Scotland. We simply pulled over and had a nap whenever we felt like it. I suppose that's the benefit of being on Holiday and moving at your own pace. A pace that suited me at this moment in my life.



Easdale was a delight. It was almost like stepping back in time. As you can see by the photograoh, Pauline had nabbed my windproof water resistant fleece and was nice and cosy for yet another boat trip. This time it was on the Seafari out of Easdale. A tad pricey, but hey ho. What the lady wants, the lady gets. The 2.5 hour trip lasted over 3 hours as the Skipper was customer rather than profit orientated. We were on our way back when another boat spotted three blue nosed dolphins so he turned around and headed back out, very kind of him. The Seafari included moving close to isolated bits of the headland. So I enjoyed watching the Brown Mountain goat high up on a rock, the pair of Scottish Sea Eagles and the four deer on a deserted cove as much as the other sea birds and our quest for the elusive Whale. The Whirlpool was fun as well, but although our boat could cruise at 25 knots and reach 40, the Whirlpool was still a bit scary and somewhere that I did not want to hang around too long. The seats of the ribbed boat were good fun as well, almost like sitting on a rocking horse. Albeit a very fast and turbulent one!

Oban

Day two at Connel meant that we had the opportunity to visit the nearest town. Oban like Accra is a coastal community. Fortunately, unlike Accra, the shore off Oban was calm. This meant that I could chance my arm with a boat trip. No mean feat for yours truly as I suffer from chronic sea sickness. We skipped the pleasure boat running from the Station Pier and instead took the more sturdy looking trawler type boat from the North Pier in Oban. That was a good choice, as the crew were friendly and a little old lady from the United States joined the trip. Lucky us, as this old dear has been visiting Oban for the last 25 years and provided an extremely informative commentary as the boat chugged across the bay. We learnt about the Watch Tower where the locals looked for signs of the Viking invaders. The lovers island where a very naughty girl got caste off in a small rowing boat on a stormy night by her husband. Mind you it was worse for her lover, as he got run through with a sword for his troubles. And we saw the monument that was erected in memory of some clever chap who made Oban what it is today.

We even managed to catch sight of the Ferry running from Oban across to the Islands. Brilliant, as this particular Ferry is the star attraction on a television programme watched religiously by our grandson. "What's the story in Balamory" is a constant theme tune in our home. Well the ferry doesn't run to the fictitious Balamory, instead it plies its trade to the Tobermory community just across the bay from Oban that is the real life setting for what is after all a great childrens programme.

Well one exciting boat trip should have been enough. I'm not one for taking risks and we should have quit while we were ahead. Nevertheless we tucked into fish and chips sat down in the port. It was quite an expensive park bench as the fish and chips came in at £13 for the two of us. £7.50 for the boss and £5.50 for me. Well I know my plaice in the pecking order.

The sun shone through and we headed to the Tourist Information Office for inspiration

Dining in Connel

We stayed at aGuest House in Connel for two nights. The first of which was spent in the pleasant company of a young couple away for the weekend. Well, that’s what young couples do isn’t it? But when you get older your stamina increases and you make the break last a week. They were a lovely couple. She a nurse and he a rich farmer, he denied the richness of course, but we all know that you rarely meet a poor farmer. Well his recent holiday across Canada says it all. We met in the restaurant at the Oyster Inn Hotel in Connel near Oban. And we followed on from the excellent meal with a drink in the Ferryman’s Bar next door. Address: The Oyster Inn, Connel, by Oban, Argyll, SatNav Postcode: PA37 1PJ. Telephone: 01631 710666

It was a lovely evening. The food and service was excellent and the view was to die for. They sat Pauline and I side by side with a joint view through the extensive glazing out onto the Loch as the sun set. A perfect setting for dining, complete with excellent food, and for only the cost of a few pennies. We began with their Haggis Tricolour consisting of Layered Haggis, Neaps and Tatties served with a Whisky Cream and then parted on the main course via Pauline’s Chargrilled Scottish Rib-eye steak served with chips, mushrooms, onion rings and tomato. While I went for the ‘catch of the day’ consisting of a fillet of Haddock in an exquisite sauce containing butter, lemon and lime. My meal was superb, simply superb. But what we didn’t know at the time; was that this meal would be trumped later in the week. This was surprising really; as I would place the Oyster Inn at Connel, amongst my all time favourite dining experiences. And one that I would recommend to anyone heading to the West Coast of Scotland. It's touch and go whether or not the fish at the Oyster Inn was as good as the fish served by Jeffers and Tamara or the one that we had on the coast that hot, hot evening back in Ghana.

Connel? No Bennett… Roger Bennett

The journey between Loch Lomond and Connel was not without incident. The weather was atrocious with apparently a mini hurricane loitering around that part of Scotland. At one point driving the Volvo S60 D5, I thought that I was James Bond… for the duration of the 007 theme music pumping in my head, ‘da da dra da dra, da da daa, da da daaaaa… the Volvo aquaplaned.

‘Slow down’ shouts Pauline, I can’t I explain, none of the wheels are touching the ground. Thankfully for us, it was a straight line on a straight road with no oncoming traffic or sheep. It had to be 200 yards if it was a foot. Wow, film making must be really exciting!

We went to Scotland looking forward to seeing the many falls. No one explained that the waterfalls would appear at the side of the road as we drove through the evening to our first overnight destination. We spotted the bridge in the distance and pulled effortlessly onto the Guest House drive. The owner flashed us a glance and greeted me as I got out of the car. ‘Mr. Bond?’ she said, ‘no’ I replied, ‘Bennett, Roger Bennett’.

The long, long road ahead

We started our 8 a.m. journey with a stop off at our local petrol station for a natter with the owner and some goodies for the long, long road ahead. Our plan was to head towards North Wales, cross over and travel the M6 motorway up through England and stop off at West Moorland Service Station and Farm Shop for lunch. West Moorland is probably the or at least one of the best Service Stations in Britain. The weather was windy but dry and given that it was a Sunday we managed to make good time. Our first stop was not at West Moorland but at a roadside seller just north of Wrexham. Although it was windy, it was good to get out of the car. We had just come across a road traffic accident involving a car and a caravan over turned on the dual carriageway. We were one of the first at the scene and therefore were static for quite a while. So the bacon and black pudding sandwich and mug of tea a mile or so further on was a welcome treat. The strange thing was, we were getting tired before West Moorland and pulled over for a lunch break that Pauline had prepared before we reached that far north. Well rested after a nap and a bit of fresh air we pressed on to Loch Lomond. Well to be exact, the village of Luss on the west side of the Loch. A location that will be familiar to anyone who has watched the television series ‘Take the high road’. We always eat at the lovely Coach House Coffee Shop. Address: Loch Lomond, Luss, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire G83 8NN. Telephone: 01436 860341. Always a lovely treat and this time it was coffee and a cream scone for me and ice cream for Pauline. Mmmm yummy, and a great start to our holiday.

Welcome Back

It has been over a month since my last post and it is probably the right time to restart the Blogging and to continue with the social and other commentary. We have just been away for a long week in Scotland. The driving was less than that which we completed on our grand tour of Europe two years back, but it was still long enough to provide some solitude and to remind us just how big the United Kingdom is. I have always thought of Scotland as a beautiful country full of lovely people. But until now my experiences have mainly been limited to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and the countryside in between. We have had lovely holidays in all three locations. Glasgow drew us as it is the home of a good friend of mine; Jim Mann. Edinburgh because of its culture and architecture, while Aberdeen was an accident. A fortunate accident, but an accident nevertheless. It was a while back and we were booked in for a weeks holiday at a caravan park on the coast near to Glasgow. We pre-paid and arrived to find that the park matched the marketing imagery. The problem was that if you turned around, then instead of the lovely scenery you were met by what looked like a power station. We probably could have managed that disappointment, but the roaming dogs and the copious amount of dog litter along with the barbed wire fencing was enough to put us off. We left the caravan park and stayed in a hotel at Glasgow Airport. Jim stepped in and we stayed for several days at his sons house on the east coast of Scotland near to Aberdeen. Followed by quite a few hotels across Scotland and a family holiday that is remembered by all as 'the best holiday ever'. Pauline and the girls referred to that trip as 'living like rock stars'. The next time that we ventured north of the English border we headed for Aviemore and toured amongst other places; Lock Ness and Inverness. I didn't spot the monster, but I did gain a good liking for the Haggis. A liking that is shared by my wife Pauline. And one that was probably enhanced by the standard of the food some three years back that we enjoyed while staying at Crubenbeg House near Newtonmore. That was a good holiday and the most recent one was also good. Therefore the next sequence of posts might just help those of you that intend to venture north of the Welsh and then the English border.

Zulu

What astonishes me about my Zulu studies, more than anything else, is how little I knew. Yes, I had a vague understanding of the horns and body formation of the main attack plan, and through conversations with Michael, I knew about herbs and rituals to prepare the warriors. Albeit Michael is from an Ashanti warrior tribe and not the Zulu region of southern Africa. Nevertheless, he tells a good story about his grandpa and the tin bath and his ritual immersion as grandaddy wanted him to experience the warrior preparation. That story ends with Michael's Mum chasing and shouting at the old man. Certainly a good beer story and one for the women, almost as funny as the 'stumbling into the elephant story' while out hunting. Maybe story telling is an African thing. It certainly engages the fairer sex, but of course story telling is an important part of maintaining a record and handing down the history. European encroachment into Africa brought with it a new dimension to the record keeping. But not necessarily a more accurate copy, as traders and others had their own agenda when relaying the story relevant to tribe or leaders concerned. Much of that approach was about how to secure land and resources for further exploitation. So, genuine people who cared for their kin were portrayed as the devil. Military defeat was blamed on poor hardware or lack of resources. It was difficult for the European to accept that the native Zulu warrior were better prepared, better fighters, and often had better leaders. Warriors who adapt to the terrain, and could plan with expertise. There are examples of European and Boer cavalry being drawn onto land that was unsuitable for the horses but enabled the Zulu to rush forward on foot with great success. Engagements, where the Zulu picked the terrain to channel superior resources into small openings and the effective use of guerrilla warfare. Unfortunately the Zulu cause was doomed from the outset, as England in particular had superior weapons, and significant human resources to reinforce their army. Once a decision was made to exploit the land and the people, there was little that could be done to stop the rot. Albeit there were some stunning successes by the Zulu army, although their most significant victory at Islawanda was also their greatest defeat, in that the army was badly mauled and the leader was criticised for not paying full attention to the ritual. The English success at Rocke's Drift was more about secondary commanders ignoring the instructions issued by their leader, and like Islawanda, warriors being to keen to engage without careful preparation. Given the last major encounter where the English fought off the Zulu in open ground while formed in a square, the barricades at Rorke's Drift sought of add to the inevitability of that outcome. Mind you, the significant number of 11 VC's were awarded at that minor engagement in 1879 (and military heroics is another interest of mine). If you think that heroics were restricted to the English as commented upon by their military historians then you are very much mistaken. Valour during battle was equally displayed by the Zulu, often with the award of livestock and land. Although unlike the Europeans, a lack of valour by the warrior could and often did result in execution. And although this is a downside of Zulu military history, the social aspect of a post campaign analysis and punishment did maintain a sense of order and power. The Zulu leadership held the Power Monopoly amongst their people and warriors who did not perform sufficiently (or were accused of a lack of valour even when they fought well) were dispatched. That aspect of the intricacies of tribal relationships is still prevalent throughout the World today. Not 'tribal' as in Africa, but within any group of people that are formed for whatever reason. Those who are liked are often safe, and those that fall foul of the monopoly holders live in fear of punishment.

Family

It is always important to provide a good welcome to friends and family. And I suppose that link provides an excellent opportunity to upload a current picture of one of my three lovely daughters. Someone who always looks after me when I visit her place and we get out and about in the City. And I enjoy providing a good welcome whenever she visits us on the coast. Hospitality is important, but sometimes you don't get what you bargained for and I will explore that point in my next post about Zulu leaders. Sound Commanders, whose military ability was as good as the best, that Europe had to offer.

Warmer

The warm weather reminds me of Africa. It has been a lovely weekend, mainly because the forecast rain held off. This meant another few days of shorts and sandals, chatting to friends in town and the odd meal out. Even the 112 lengths of the swimming pool across Saturday and today was a relaxing joy. The cool water with the warm air outside, brought a total of 218 lengths completed this week along with 2 hours and 29 minutes of walking. I even managed to cut the grass and do some model making and airbrushing in the garage. And tonight I started painting again after a long lay off. A Katherine Jenkins Music DVD, my acrylics and steady progress towards completing a 'Heroes' painting that I promised one of my daughters some time back. Although, it is hard going indoors and a storm must be brewing. But however 'close' it gets, or however high the temperature sores, the 31 degrees of the other week pales into insignificance compared to the heat in Ghana. The very heat that the 44th President of the United States of America has just enjoyed. I wonder if President Atta-Mills made Barack Obama as welcome as Jeffers and Tamara made me?

During his visit to Ghana, Barack Obama told the Ghanaian Parliament that "Africa must take charge of its own destiny in the World" and that good governance was vital for development. I believe in fate, and only this week I was searching what was meant by good governance. It can mean many things to many people, but one thing that is certain, is that it includes maintaining democracy and the upholding of the democratic process, be it at local or national level. Governance also applies to organisations and public bodies and the need for them to function albeit with support, in a transparent and equitable manner that is open to scrutiny and challenge by the communities that the group, politicians, authority serve and in true democratic style are answerable to. The First Lady visited Slave Castle, a pilgrimage that I had intended to make during my visit, but unfortunately circumstances took over, and the intended trip along the coast was put off. For me, that would have been the highlight of my African odyssey. Alas it was not to be, but maybe that will be the reason why I return to Africa at some point in the future.

Democracy

And of course following on from my last post; achievement is a great thing. The election of Opposition leader John Atta Mills as President, was a great achievement and a new beginning for Ghana. The fact that the election was in the main without incident (given the circumstances surrounding the voting), is a credit to Ghanaian's. The success of Ghanaian democracy is an example to all on the Continent of Africa. But who would have thought that America's 44th and first Black President Barack Hussein Obama, would pick Ghana as his first port of call for an inaugural African visit? For Ghanaian's and Africans everywhere, this must be regarded as a historic moment within a historic year, and further strengthening of the values of democracy in Ghana.

Social networking

The 35 minute walk is not too long. It's just right for a healthy lifestyle and to fit neatly into the lunch break. The hill work raises the heart rate, but the total distance is probably not that far. However, distance is always relative. And whatever the walking distance, the length of road journeys and the duration of a flight - what never ceases to amaze me is the way in which Social Networking sites and mobiles phone connections really do shrink our World. I just received a tagged photograph on Facebook of Jeffery A. Adjei, AKA Jeffers. It is really nice to see Jeffery and Tamara looking so happy and enjoying time with friends. It was also nice to receive a text message from Jeffery in Ghana the other day at just gone Midnight. Albeit the circumstances of the text message was not so good as he was enquiring about the Michael Jackson news. What was good, was the ability to instantly interact across Continents, and all in all it really is quite inexpensive for what you are actually achieving.

Hills

316 lengths is good, but of course it's not the be all and end all of the physical activity regime. Today I managed that walk during my lunch break. Out of my current office and up a hill, down another hill, up a third and much steeper hill and then back down the original hill and into the office. 35 minutes in all and that really got the heart and lungs pounding. I cannot remember seeing that many hills in Ghana. They were there as I remember the trek by taxi through the pot hole ridden roads to and from Mrs. G's in the severe rain and flooding, but whenever I was walking it was always on the flat.

316 Not Out

Well the weekly target tumbled this morning. Another 50 lengths and the 300 barrier was broken with a weekly total of 316 lengths of the University swimming pool completed. Not bad considering that my weekly target is now 200 lengths in total and a few hours walking. Each of the 5 sessions at the end of the week consisted of 50 lengths or more and the early morning swimming on the way to Carmarthen at the start of the week each brought in over 30 lengths. Tomorrow it's a hill walk during my lunch break in work. That will get the heart and lungs working, and is a nice way to break up what after all are very long days with the 3 hour commute.

Targets Tumble

Bula matari or not, one myth that has been broken is the number of lengths that I am capable of swimming in a single day. The previous high was 80 lengths, 40 in the morning and 40 in a second session later the same day after a significant break. That value was replaced with the current high of 84 lengths in one morning session last Saturday. But even that target tumbled when I managed 60 lengths yesterday morning with a 0730 start before work and another 52 in the evening starting at 1730. For me, an astonishing single day total of 112 lengths. To cap it all, although it was the weekend, I got up early today and arrived at the pool for 0900 and another 54 lengths. My single session target has fallen, my daily total has fallen and with 266 lengths completed so far this week it looks like my weekly maximum number of lengths will also tumble. Bula matari folks, we can all do it if we are motivated enough.

Bula matari

The African words "Bula matari" translate to English as; "Breaker of myths or rocks" and comes from the African language Swahili. This is spoken in Eastern Africa in regions or countries such as; Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda etc. Michael from Ghana has used this phrase many times when referring to me. Which of course can only be regarded as a great kindness considering the value he places on the phrase and its use.

"Bula matari" is in fact a Kenya wise saying or phrase. Very wise indeed, especially when accompanied by Ghanaian Michael Appiah's favourite phrase "keep Hope Alive". Well as a "Bula matari", hope must always be kept alive. So it will come as no surprise to note that I managed the 70 lengths that were required on Sunday. In fact I surpassed that figure and managed a total of 72 before I popped out of the pool in order to make contact with a friend that I had heard has had a bad week. Hope and myth breaking must always including caring for others. But I had to complete the target before I could calmly make contact. You too can become a "Bula matari", it just means pushing yourself a bit more, maintaining a sense of purpose and direction and thinking of the bigger picture.

The 70 Minute Mile

I managed to break all boundaries on Saturday and for the first time swam a mile. The pressure was on as I had only managed 46 lengths due to the conference in Lampeter and although 46 is good for a single session, it fell far short of my 200 lengths per week target. When I arrived at the pool on Saturday, I mentioned to the attendant that even if I was to swim 75 lengths that day and again on Sunday; I would still fail to reach my target. A quite daunting prospect and maybe what drove me on to dig even deeper from my personal reserves. Two 75's were not enough and 46 is quite difficult. The most that I have ever swam in a day was 80 lengths. 40 early in the morning and 40 some ten hours later. I didn't have twelve hours this time to complete the lengths and have the breathing space. It was Saturday and the pool opens later and closes earlier. Important decisions that require action also require people. Someone who understands the importance of the situation and is willing to push themselves. I pushed hard, very hard indeed. The first 40 were tough, the 46th was tougher. Then they fell, 50, 60 and on past my single swimming record of 66 lengths in a 25 yard pool. I stopped for the first time at 70 lengths completed, and had a well earned 60 second rest. Then I pushed off again; 75 lengths and then 80 and then a final push to 84 lengths. Very pleasing indeed, and I only needed to swim 70 the next day to meet my 200 lengths weekly target. But lets put that into context. 70 will be my second highest ever number of lengths. I was exhausted from walking some 4.5 hours during the week and swimming 130 lengths. I was tired from the Conference and warn out after the single session that hit 84 lengths. But you can't break myths and stones by sitting quietly to one side can you?

Exercising the mind

I managed 3 hours and 25 minutes walking and 46 lengths of the swimming pool so far this week, but that exercise pales into insignificance compared to the exercising of the mind that I completed at a PSMW conference from Monday to Friday in Lampeter in the County of Ceredigion. For me, the Conference was a stunning success. Not only did it afford me an opportunity to broaden my understanding and horizons, it also lit a burning desire to make a significant difference. The next phase is to determine how, and to see if I can become the 'Breaker of Myths', a term that Michael has assigned to me since 2007 when he told me and has often reiterated that I am destined for great things. That would be nice, as we are all placed on this Earth for a purpose, and I can think of no other wonderful thing than to contribute to the greater good. My passion is improving the wider safety and social agenda. I am not constrained by trying to achieve that in Wales or the UK and would be as happy to invest time and energies wherever change for the better was needed or useful.

During the week I heard many World Class speakers. This conference success is down to the hard work of those that work for Public Sector Management Wales as it is for the speakers themselves. It was lovely to be part of such a stunningly successful week of learning and growth. I engaged with a range of subjects that included; diversity, cultures, communication, economics, solution focus, and so on and so forth. All of the speakers, workshops and special events were delivered within the context of Leadership in Turbulent Times. And delivered with passion. The PSMW Summer School Webpage is worth a visit; http://wales.gov.uk/psmwsubsite/psmw/ss09/?lang=en

The Human Rights speaker from India spoke with Passion, as did others. It was a privilege to be part of the event and to look forward to next year. One speaker in particular hit home for me. Both in terms of the complexity and relevance of the topic and because of the passionate way in which it was delivered. I drew comparisons with Norbert Elias, and for those that have read this Blog, this will not come as a surprise. As a disciple of Elias, I often see links that may not always be there. But this is trivia as what matters is the speaker. Nick spoke passionately at the PSMW Leadership Conference in Lampeter and both enthralled and engaged his audience. I enjoyed a short chat with Nick during the evening about Elias and Insiders. Well that was what I was talking about as I exercised my mind but of course Nick's work is complex and his understanding goes far beyond mine. What struck me the most was the passion and conviction that he brought to the Conference, and how that passion rubbed off on me. In particular I intend to embrace Nick’s proposal that I need more fun.

I also hope to cross paths with Nick in the future as well as looking forward to reading his Blog; http://www.life2point0.com/2005/12/whats_here.html

And of course, writing in this Blog about Nick. Diolch yn fawr iawn Nick a gwela i chi yn fuan dwi’n gobiethio (thank you very much Nick, and I hope to see you again soon), Roger

Links

Well as you can see so far, each Blog entry has to have a link. Today's link is Balls, not any old balls mind you, but meatballs. I'm away in Marlow in Buckinghamshire and just had beef and pork meatballs in a nice Italian Restaurant on the main road. The beer was a bit steep at £5.95 for a bottle, but quite nice thank you very much. This is the place of £1M+ houses. If you have a house worth that much, then you can afford £6 for a beer. A far cry from Africa but very nice nevertheless. The African ball was played with quite a lot at the party yesterday. You know the one, the one that has a mind of its own and doesn't necessarily roll in a straight line. That's nothing to do with whether or not you put spin on the ball. It's an inherent quality from its original slightly ball like shape when I bought it from the street vendor in Haatso. It was never round to start with, although it's great fun to play with as one of the toddlers realised at the party. But link or not, time is moving fast and the Grandson was one year old yesterday. That year has flown by and there has been little time for Blogging. Well it's all relative isn't it? The faster he moves the slower things become for me. The slower movement of others speeds up our own movement or the sense of movement. And I suppose in many ways my renewed interest in physical activity has also sped up time. Over 2,000 lengths in the University Pool have been completed in the last three months. Along with over 30 hours of walking and many good books. Well you have to exercise your mind, don't you?

Balls and more balls

The Grandson has lots of Balls. The African one, a fish face one that worried him at first, and some Disney styles. He is going to like footy but he doesn't know it yet! The next ball and the football net have already been bought. The thing is, time moves on so quickly and with a new lease of life for yours truly; there has been little or no time for Blogging. African memories are great, African friends are better still, but family must always come first.

Daylight hours

Football is big in Africa. While in Ghana I came across many groups kicking a ball about up until the daylight failed. I even came across a street seller walking along the main highway through Haatso, carrying a large net containing an array of footballs. Needless to say, I bought one and brought it home for my Grandson. All the way from Africa, an odd shaped ball; not quite round. But very colourful and I suspect when it is played with, it is good fun. The bonus being that we have electricity and street lights and playing is not restricted to daylight hours outside of Accra. Mind you in some parts of Wales, the County Councils are starting to turn off the street lights in order to save money. So maybe we are not that different from Africa after all?

Still Running

Maybe to the surprise of some readers; the jog and walk has been maintained. I went out for around 24 minutes each day for three days and then put in a good walk on the fourth day and again on the seventh day with 40 lengths in the swimming pool following the two rest days. The swimming was at four sets of ten lengths with a breather in-between each set.

Today’s walk was good fun, but the driving rain was hard work as was the cold wind. I am nicely settled down with a good beer at the moment and enjoyed the last hour playing with my Grandson. All in all no complaints, other than to ask; ‘where is Match of the Day?’ I do love the footy, but not the International matches. I don’t know why but they seem to lack something. The Premier League or to be more specific, Match of the Day is a bit ritualistic for me. The familiar music, the chance to check the news between games, my lack of interest in the post match analysis. It’s all good stuff.

Although to be quite honest I often fall asleep after the first two or three games. But not tonight as it’s International night. This is good news for the blog, as I was able to write this entry.

Run Roger Run

Well it’s great to be back after a gap of 8 years; running that is. Well, more like a jog and a walk. But 22 minutes nevertheless, and to make matters better, this included the enjoyable company of my eldest Jodi. I bought my new running shoes in Cardiff the other day. I bought them from a lovely lady in a running shop opposite the Railway Station called Run and Become. The shop is in Wood Street, Cardiff and the lady made me try on a test pair and run up and down along the pavement outside of her shop with my trouser legs rolled up while she judged my running style and what I needed in a good quality pair of road shoes. Well she got the prescription spot on as the shoes fit a treat! A high and deserved recommendation from me to all you runners out there.

So the fitness is slowly coming back. Although I have been poorly for the last two weeks I have managed a walk each day. This includes walking to town as part of my lunch break in work and a walk along the promenade after the long journey home. So the jogging walking addition should make a great difference.

The difference should be exponential when we factor in the renewed Gym membership in order to go swimming, and my intention to get my Road Bike out of mothballs. A new me, and it’s not even a mid life crisis. I think it’s all about my Grandson and the need for me to keep up. The running is great and thankfully it is in the cool of Ceredigion and not the heat of Africa.

Grandson

My eldest has been kind enough to upload a few more pictures of our Grandson who still enjoys watching the n-gauge model railway. Maybe I should upload a few model railway pictures as well! There is no getting away from it; a larger layout has to be built in the garage. And as readers of the Blog and friends will know; I have been trying to clear out the garage for a while and for that purpose.

Unfortunately though, the garage clear-out has been on hold as I have been poorly for just over a week. I intend to pop back to the Doctors on Monday and then hopefully refocus for next week and the following weekend. There is so much that I want to do, and being unwell places all of that on hold. Mind you I have managed to get quite a bit of fresh air as I have had difficulty sitting for long periods due to the pain. There is nothing worse than pain, so the fresh air was a nice bonus as the weather in the UK is very pleasant at the moment. I even managed to do a lot of office work, but that had to be done on my terms and at various times into the late evening. Life is a balance, and I supposed that scheduling is as well. So the garage clear out isn’t done, but the photograph’s of our Grandson have been uploaded. So it’s not all that bad, is it?

“7 out of 10 Coffee lovers prefer Costa”

Well, I’m not surprised. They do make a superior brew, and staff in the Aberystwyth Costa coffee shop are always friendly. I think that the Mecca had the edge, but unfortunately that closed down. The coffee and the owner in the Mecca were really nice.

I tried my hand at the Orangery for a long time and even took Princess Patricia along to indulge in their drinks and ice cream, while she was visiting Michael. It was a favourite of my African friend Michael and me. Anyway, things for me tapered off with the old Orangery and I tried my hand with Costa just as the old Orangery closed down. I deliberately differentiate between the old Orangery and the new one with the same name. I like Costa like I used to like Starbucks. The coffee is reliable and the people are friendly. I went to my first Costa in Egham, when my eldest was an undergraduate at Royal Holloway University College of London. The coffee was consistently good there as well. Consistency is sometimes important, but we must be mindful that sometimes it can mean consistently bad or to a consistently mediocre standard. But in Costa Aberystwyth the coffee is consistently good and staff are consistently friendly. Well done to the Manager, I say. Bravo, bravo.

Now the coffee in Africa was OK as well. Nescafe coffee granules contained in a small tin with a resealed lid. Very expensive compared to wages, but it’s worth spending out for a good cup of coffee. I remember liquid Camp Coffee when I was younger, and have had some terrible cups of coffee throughout my life. Bitter, burnt, cold, and tasteless: these are some of the terms that come to mind. Not that any of these terms apply to Camp Coffee if it’s still going. It’s just that for a quick brew Nescafe stands head and shoulders above the rest. Now as you can see, I like Nescafe a lot, but not as much as Costa.

The Big Clear Out

The last few weeks have been taken up by clearing out my garage and with it a lot of my past life. Enough paper to fill several sacks have been shredded, and twelve rubbish bags removed along with a lot of card. Gosh I feel good. It's important to have a good clear out now and again. Mind you, I could have picked the Summer rather than the worst Winter in the UK for the last twenty years to work outside.

Only yesterday I had to drive through snow across country to attend an important meeting in England. The weather was so bad that I had to slow right down on the Motorway, and many roads appeared to be un-gritted. Then again there has been a shortage of road salt in the UK and everything costs money and there is a credit crunch going on.

Mind you, financial crisis or not, I was able to afford to buy a huge array of 90litre clear plastic boxes complete with lids for my garage clear out. Now things are to hand and those that know me, know that I like to be organised. No more wondering where the bubble wrap is when I complete that all important scenery model. No more searching for the used envelopes to send the model and no more squeezing along through what was a narrow opening running the whole length of the garage. For the new Roger Bennett; there is space and time. And we all know what we get with space and time. For me time has slowed down, because it is all relative and I no longer have to spend time moving items, searching and moving items again.

Yes, the big clear out has been a success and now back to the Blogging.

Snowy Feb

The drive home from Carmarthen was very Grey last night. The snow clouds loomed and parts of Mid Wales were hit badly. Luckily the snow stayed away from Ceredigion, but I heeded the travel advice and stayed away from those treacherous roads. The good news is that I managed to clear a lot of work and emails and now feel on top of the World. The bad news is that all of the snow will soon be gone, the picturesque landscape will change and summer will be upon us. That’s good news for those looking forward to the Summer break but bad for me as I haven’t decided where we will spend our holiday this year.

Snow, snow, and more snow. Brrrrrrrrrrr

It may have been -10 when I last blogged on the 7 January 2009, but gosh it’s getting cold today. The snow hit the UK like a runaway bus; whoosh and the roads were clogged. Mind you, with chaos all around – I managed to travel from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen, onto Milford Haven, back to Swansea into Cardiff and up through Merthyr and Builth Wells and across what I affectionately know as the Khyber Pass. For those of you who live in Canada, the States or Ghana, it would be worth looking the route up on a map. Some 350 miles with various roads closed at various times. But not closed for me when I ploughed my way through for work. Strange isn’t it, I wonder how many people stayed at home and claimed that they were snowed in when I travelled the length and breadth of West and South Wales and across some notoriously difficult tracts of land.

The snow has taken the UK by surprise and some County Councils are now using Table Salt to grit the roads. Whereas in Canada you are probably thinking; “that’s not snow”. While in Ghana a few people are probably wondering; “what is snow?” A strange World indeed as I believe that it is now the hot season in Accra. Well it’s certainly hot when Michael gets in touch. Not so much the four seasons, but one. Well, varieties of one; hot, very hot, and blinking hot over here mate.

Take care everyone and just to let you know it’s nice to be back! I have been poorly and very tired for about six weeks and only now emerging out of hibernation. And just when I think it’s safe to venture out, bang – it snows.

-10 and a New President

It hit -10 degrees Celsius yesterday morning when I started up the car at 0715 and the temperature stayed around -7 all the way to Carmarthen. Now that's nothing new for Patricia and Michael with their new home in Canada and seasonal weather at -10 daily, but this is Wales. I have had a car with a temperature gauge for 5 years. Well two cars over five years and both with a temperature gauge. The lowest that I have ever seen the temperature hit was -5 and that was rare. To find -7 last week on my way to Carmarthen and -6 outside the house before I started off, was a first. The new -10 and -7 all the way is a new low, or is that a high?

Well it's certainly a high in Ghana; especially for the new President; John Atta Mills. A great result for Democracy and an even better result for President Mills.

I can think of no better way in which to relay the result other than to repeat the current CEEFAX listing from the United Kingdom that appears on page 115 of today's listings: "Ghana's new leader takes office. John Atta Mills has been sworn in as Ghana's new president following a cliff-hanger election victory. Mr Atta Mills, 64, took his oath of allegiance in front of thousands of people in Independence Square for the inauguration in the capital Accra. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate beat the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo in a hotly contested poll by a margin of less than 0.5% of votes. President John Kufuor has stood down after serving the maximum two terms."

I have visited Independence Square, albeit not with my friend Michael as he was a bit busy when I travelled over to Africa. It was a lovely quiet and sunny day. Only disturbed by an armed guard marching his prisoner to the prison bus. I bet there were a few armed guards in place for the inauguration. We must now hope that President Mills is allowed to serve his term of office unhindered and is able to instigate improvements for the welfare and future of Ghanaian's in line with Elias's cycle of continuous improvement. Congratulations Mr. President. I thought that I would throw that one in, just in case he ever reads this Blog. Well, it has two followers and who is to say that they are not the two most important new Presidents to take their place firmly on the World stage this year. I suspect that it is a great time to be American, a great time to be Ghanaian and a great time to be Black. But hey ho, things aren't that bad for this Welshman. Yes, there is a recession, but we live in a democracy with free elections and choices. Something which we share with the States and Ghana.

-7 and the Result is still not in

While the election hots up in Ghana, the weather is really cold in the United Kingdom.

The BBC World News for Africa reports that the Ghanaian Presidential Election Polls closed some five hours ago (at 1700 GMT) in the district of Tain. This is the last of Ghana's 230 constituencies to cast a vote. Tain could not vote in last week's run-off because of problems distributing the ballots. Soldiers and police were deployed across the district and the final result is not expected to be announced until tomorrow at the earliest. At the time of the BBC report the leading candidate was 23,000 votes ahead with Tain to be counted. The current president has called for calm.

You need a bit of calm, especially when driving on the UK roads at this time of year. It was -5 outside while I defrosted the car at 0700 GMT to set off on my trek to work, and the wind speed and rising sun caused the temperature to increase to -2 at one point; but it then dipped for the last hour of my journey to -7 degrees Celsius. That's the coldest I have ever seen on my car temperature gauge. So cold that I tip toed my way to work and stayed on those roads that looked as if they had been gritted with salt by the Council. With Christmas music playing, the car heater and my hat were both on throughout the journey. My mind a million miles away from the heat in Ghana. A long lingering heat, and one which is hotting up for two candidates as they come to terms with the final result, the appeals and the realisation for one of them that the dream is over.

Happy New Year to Everyone

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb oddi wrth fi. Pob bendith i chi am 2009.

It's too close to call

The Presidential Election - The Electoral Commission have stalled announcing the result until this Friday so that they can conduct an audit on some disputed results and permit one area to vote that is still outstanding. Apparently the position is so close that the single area votes could swing the result in favour of the current second placed candidate. I suspect that any disputed results that are altered could have a similar affect. In the UK we have heard of one party giving away ice cream and drinks to cool down the angry crowd that gathered outside the Commissions Headquarters and a story about the military firing warning shots into the air to disperse angry protesters. Given that Ghana is an example of African democracy it would be a grave pity if the country was to slip into any form of violence as a result of election difficulties. This is the fifth election since Ghana returned to democracy in 1992 and it is essential that the losing side accept defeat and that the victorious new President is humble in victory. Given Ghana's new found oil wealth, maybe this is a time to build political bridges and to find a place for the unsuccessful candidate within the new administration so that Ghanaian's can join together to shape the future strategy for the good of the people.