Thu 3rd July
As I hadn’t bought provisions the night before, I went out quite early in search of breakfast and discovered (5 weeks too late?) that there is quite a feast to be had – mandazis are like filled donuts (without the filling), cakes, sugar coated ring donuts, bread, chapattis – all served warm.

Heard from Richard Nerurkar that I (and 2 friends) could have 3 places in the Great Ethiopian Run at the end of November…

Also Daniel Dickinson, BBC correspondent in Dar emailed me to say my photos were now on the BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3035820.stm

Sat 5th July
This Saturday’s shopping trip "scored" a pair of track trousers with zips and toggles everywhere and the word KILIMANJARO repeated down the outside seams. I’m sure they’ll be the envy of runners in my homeland (not). Also got a CD of a Swahili singer that’s playing on every street corner, some more coffee and at long last my one-for-two shirt – just in time to look smart for the awards evening.

Discovered a place to buy big tubs of natural yoghurt, which I’ve taken to keeping in the office fridge. Yoghurt goes so well with the sweet fun-size bananas we get here.

Sun 6th
Breakfast sortie achieved warm pancakes – delicious with freshly squeezed mangoes.