Moving in

Yesterday James and I were at school for 7am to prepare for the 8th grade pancake breakfast.  By 12:30 we were moving in to our house at TCNN.

Our house

It still looks like a builders' yard outside and there are plenty of things that need fixing inside but we slept here last night are enjoying finally being able to get all the suitcases unpacked.  It's been about 5 months since we moved out of our home in Dingwall, James hasn't been in a proper bedroom since but now he no longer has to sleep in a tent or  utility room.  It's going to take weeks, if not months, before everything's sorted out - the maintenence department at the college is not known for its speediness or efficiency, but we can make do.  Having said that, we were taken by surprise when all the lights went out in the evening.  We shouldn't have been having lived in Nigeria since August but we've been spoiled by the generator at our previous compound and I hadn't fished out the torches.  We managed and it was a good opportunity to see the beautiful night sky.  After the tall trees, security lights and high walls of the compound in Jos, we  truly felt we were in Africa as we walked home from tea under the stars and the smiling crescent moon.

View over police barracks from back door

View from back door

View over TCNN from front door

Living room

We've been struck by the warmth of the welcome of the college community.  Two families came to welcome us yesterday, another invited us for tea for which I was extremely grateful as we have hardly any food in the house.  In fact, apart from breakfast, we don't have to prepare a meal until Tuesday by which time I should know my way around better.  Even the dog is settling in.  After a scary experience yesterday with the exuberantly friendly dog next door, today they have made friends.  I think there's even a slight case of hero-worship going on.

Besa and his new friend K9