Today is a day for frantic packing and last minute arrangements. Took my first Malarone tablet today. Malarone is an anti-malarial pill which we need need to take daily now until after a week of being back. Malaria is a significant problem in Sierra Leone causing many fatalities. A number of our Leonian friends have had it, and suffer from recurrent ‘shakes’ or fever. I think that the siting of our hotel will be in a relatively mosquito free area – it is the mosquitoes that pass the disease on through their bites – but I don’t want to take any risks. I also have a plug in mosquito deterrent device for night-time. Enough for now – time to get back to throwing things in a suitcase!

Fishing boats near the Family Kingdom

Had an email from the Family Kingdom today to confirm that our room is as hoped a twin room rather then a double. I love the internet! In the days before email, it could take a month to get a message to Sierra Leone and get a reply back. These days? No time at all (assuming the net is up and working in S.L. which it appears to be much of the time).

Yesterday I delivered my visa form, passport, letter of invitation and photos to Tim who’s kindly offered to take them to the S.L. High Commission today. All being well I shall pick them up next week.

I can’t believe how little time there is now until we leave! Now that the tickets are booked, accommodation sorted (emailed Family Kingdom to find out what sort of room we have been allocated, just waiting to hear back), and visas in hand, we need to give some serious attention to our itinerary. Firstly, how shall we get across the river to Freetown from Lungi airport on our arrival – ferry or helicopter…

I must make sure that the room that has been booked for us at the Family Kingdom has two single beds rather than one double!