Paris 27 Nov

Paris is freezing although strangely sunny. Have a cold to compliment the weather. Saw unstoppable a movie about a runaway train. As a genre and when done well one can have ones heart set to full throttle. Although Denzel does a great job in this as the retired railway man the movie while not exactly yawn material did stretch the bounds of reason somewhat. And what's more the blatant and ubiquitous use of the cnn style news reporting format told me exactly who was gaining financially from their investment.  Even down to the viewer being in the know as facts previously presented in the movie are bent as reported on the movie screen as if they were the news. Weird how trust in media is built. However the scenes where the train does wheelies were remarkable. Not one for train spotters.

We have decided to return home as planned and not seek respite in Hong Kong. This means we will be home on Friday Dec 3 as we will stay in Sydney after the flight deposits us late Thursday.

Dakar Paris Thur 25 Fri 26th Nov

Our last day in glorious Dakar is spent swimming with children and proves to be a wonderful, emotional and warm time.
We pack and board via an hour long queue through which the rich and powerful ease like the minnows of the lido. blending perfectly and uncatchable.
we fly by night and
I see Tours and the Loire valley hill top chateaux  orange lit and beclouded.
Paris greets us with snowy blasts and masquara wielding workers, warm motherly petit dejeuner at the absolut and early morning harry potter and we are once again snoring at the wonderful hotel du parc. Soutine is more visible now that the leaves have flown south.

Dakar wed 24 Nov

Today was beautiful swimming all day at the Maison D'Italie.

Dakar Tuesday 23 Nov

I made a mistake for the first time with our joint account and signed off on an incorrect amount. The difference was only 200 aud yet like everything in Dakar has implications. A liveried vehicle arrives and meets me on the Pharmacie coin and I hand over cash to the driver who has no doubt been like us on the difficult roads for at least three hours. The cash given over I can only j'espere" the young woman who rang up the numbers still has her position.

We hit the marche to buy cadeaux and visit an immense bookshop for cadeaux noels.

We will soon be in cool Paris and perhaps vene again briefly on our bikes. I've been trying to ride wherever  there is a machine to keep the legs alive but have lost the Bellagio legs.

Saly Monday 22 Nov

Today we wake bitten badlly and scratch our way to the Parc Bandia to see the wildlife among the baobabs.
Our guide Jagi ? was expert at delivering our hired 4x4 within meters of some wonderful African fauna. Then we dismount to view the Baobab which is the tombe of a local griot or story teller complete with bleached skull to match. The tree is vast and has apparently existed for a 1000 years. The juice is good for mal l'estomac.

I was amazed at the range of creatures in the relatively new and small parc. The rhino(s) took us by surprise and yet were remarkably patient as we clicked and gesticulated like proper monkeys. The giraffe drinking was special and despite its vulnerability with two dislocated front legs was again patient as we lumbered by.

Un bon experience and one which brought back all kinds of memories while making its own.

Saly sunday 21 Nov

After a huge and muesli filled breakfast we soak up the surf and loll by the pool. The afternoon is a  special massage and spa for the women and I return to the games of Kasparov, replayed with time to understand. His mastery of time and the attack and defense in a single move make his games wonderful to follow. I also manage to solve a tough sudoku, take photos and enjoy the scenery. The sunset is wonderful. All in all a lovely day for us  all.

Saly Sat 20 Nov

Today starts with the return of the price of a robe and ends in a glorious 5 star resort complete with fly whisk.

We wait in the mall impatiently while the shop girl who has maintained a falsehood as to the readiness of  a tailored dress for a week and a half, flounces and prevaricates. Finally the deposit is rung from her like juice from a baobab.
We depart for the coast Saly and lamantin a fabulous resort to which some tourists come and  go never seeing Dakar. The way is north as there is only one road and thence south again after interminable Pikine. .
We arrive to a wonderful two storey thatched hut and every luxury. The uniforms were the shades of my jesuit college and brass buttons greet our every move. Dinner is buffet style and after a swim in both sea and pool very welcome indeed.

We sleep like lambs au claire du lune.