Champagne

Enough said.

Added later - actually the Champagne was lovely, the TV was huge - great to watch but the flat bed was really uncomfortable - all lumpy.

Had a better sleep on the Euro Atlantic 'Etihad' charter from Abu Dabi to Islamabad which had older foam seats that you just sank into.

Pakistan Again

I can't seen to keep away. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated today and
we are sending a large team to watch the fall out - if any.

Its not all bad news. Will be flying first class if Tim gives me his
boarding pass (economy if not). And our destination is the Serena in
Islamabad - my favorite hotel where the door men welcome me by name.

Just like a second home.

Merry Christmas

OK so its not actually like this - a bit damper.... but we have hope.

You may ask why I am sat doing this and not opening presents - simple really...

I'm at work :-(

Speech & Language

Good news to report.

We have just had confirmation that Ben is going to start getting all the help he needs in school and dedicated Speech and Language therapy sessions again.

Its taken 6 months and we only had to have one or two small barney's but thankfully its all sorted now. Just hope Ben's old therapist will be able to work with him again as she is very good.

Many thanks to all those who have helped so far at the school and the LEA.

Undisputed Champion

Photo here with Martin Geisler from ITN (South African Correspondent) who I met first in Pakistan went we went on a military tour of North Warizistan. See we do get on.... through gritted teeth. Strangely taken in the hotel bar - which like the rest of the hotel was bare and still smelt of wet cement.

When Dan, our producer from the South African Bureau, booked in a couple of days before we arrived he went to his room and found nothing - when I mean nothing - nothing - no furniture at all not a bean - or a bed - nada. He changed rooms. Still by the time we got there only one set of lifts were working so huge queues to get anywhere. The carpet on my floor was still being laid as I moved in. The restaurants couldn't cope. In fact I can't think of anything worse for the poor hotel staff - most of them new to the job - to be faced with hundreds of guests - and journalists to boot, all wanting everything - NOW! If the hotel is that full again I'll be amazed. Seemed like a huge white elephant.

At last I got a chance to take some more photos - on the way to the airport no less. Whilst waiting in the early morning traffic in down town Kampala there was a preacher in the middle of the road, bible in hand ensuring that we wouldn't be dammed.... possibly too late.



Two up - well when you to get there, then you go by what ever means possible. Better than on the handle bars, especially when drunk and speeding down hill - but that's another story from a very long time ago.



Not sure why this was on this side of the bridge as we were going to the airport - not coming from it....



As for the Nile Beer - from the source of the Nile no less - we passed the brewery when going a couple of days before. Perhaps that is why the source is so wide - to make beer out of. Drinking it was relatively pleasant - it was cold and had the desired effect - so job done.

Passing countryside.. beautiful and green.



Lake Victoria - which looked beautiful and tranquil - a shame we didn't have more time to stop and admire it properly.



I love sign like these...



And it must work as I did not see any ones shoulders being driven on at any time.

Just outside Entebbe airport, no bullet holes in the buildings we went to... was another small sign for beer.



Undisputed Champion - ah yes. The day before when we had nothing else to do as both Charles and the Queen had left and our flight wasn't until the next day we went 10 pin bowling. Well what else do you do when by the banks of one of the greatest lakes in the world.

Back to the bowling - after some very intense competition I came out as the Undisputed Champion of the Royal Media Ugandan 2007 tour. The fact that only Sarah, Tim (a snapper) and myself were playing - two games only - one I won, the other drew - is, I think irrelevant quite frankly.

To The Nile...

The source of the White Nile. Surely the source can not seriously be a waterway that is 100 meters across can it? It has to be a little bubbling flow that comes out of the ground somewhere midway to no-where up a mountain?

Apparently not, and this was it - with Charles and Camilla slap bang in the middle spoiling the view.



When they weren't taking photos of us....



As you can see we had suitable life jackets provided by the Foreign Office. Small compact and easy to use with a camera on your shoulder - just like Charles and Camilla's.



Ian, the photographer for the Daily Telegraph, kindly warned Sarah about the crocodiles and piranha's and not to put you hands in the water. He then dared her to put her pinky in the water & he would do the same. As soon as she put her hand in he jumped and she almost fell over board with shock. Funny - yes very!! Yet apparently they did sweep for crocs that very morning too!!



As for me as you can see I am wearing my infamous Tilley that had been giving me heartache. The day before I left it in a coach and though it would be gone for ever. Spoke to the High Commission to report it missing and started praying. I kid you not its been with me for 4 years now and still going strong. Having a new one just wouldn't be the same - though I would still have the mickey taken out of me for it. I found it safely hanging in the bus. Its just been reproofed too so water runs off like a ducks back again keeping my locks bone dry.

Back to our day. Before we reached the 'source' of the Nile we stopped at a school where they staged what can be described as an unusual display. Charles and Camilla were asked to venture from their seats and stand in the sun to get a better look. Looking very unsure they did as bid - obviously not forewarned about having to get up.



Wooo... along comes a bike in front of them followed by a scooter - heavily laden and they crash in front of C & C. It was really quite funny especially as the girl driving the scooter screamed at the top of her lungs before falling off. Then a couple started to beat each other up with sticks. Accidents tend to be different in Uganda then. Very well done - careers in the stunt industry for all involved.

Once we stepped over the trickle that was the start of the Nile we were once again party to a short speech and some dancing.



This included bouncing up and down like a crabby thing.... note the rug tied to his butt!



It really was that funny!

Most confusing this, I learnt that Prince Charles isn't going to be King Charles either - more over something like King Ethelred. Strewth!!

Meanwhile back with Queen Elizabeth II - where we weren't (but now I'm a confirmed Royalist...) - the Queen watched and short show at a school where she quite literally got a rock stars welcome. The kids went mad for her - so to speak.



Sang and danced to.



And she left to a standing ovation - which again was quite weird but nice.

Charles on the Road

Its quite interesting how slums are the same but different. Basically born out of the same circumstances, an unstructured and unsupported need for huge amounts of housing in towns and cities due to large influxes of people. The pressure, finances of the incumbent infrastructure just can't handle it.

The people who live there do - which to quote Dr Who - just shows how amazing the human race is - adapting and surviving and using all kinds of ingenuity to find solutions to problems.

Back to Kampala and the Kawempe slum Prince Charles was due to visit. As always we arrived early to get into position and was able to see the slum in a near normal environment - before the mayhem.



Compared with India slums it seemed less depressing - it is hard to point out why. Not necessarily the weather, not the construction, I think it comes down to the people. Indians due to caste system expect so much to be done for them, either up or down the ladder - and so it is more squalid.

Africans on the other hand seem to have this sorted out and are generally happier and work together better. There is less of a fatalistic that will do attitude in more hope. This could be a direct reflection of the overriding religions Hindu vs Christianity. (I know this is a generalisation.)



A couple of boys waiting on a handy pile of bricks - bored but then so was I.

I can't believe that the people here are any better or worse off than their Indian counterparts but the seem healthier and happier. One outstanding difference is that none of them begged at all - not that they didn't have needs but the whole psyche was different.

This door was great - a window to the outside world.



And behind it happy smiley faces.



Fresh water is always one of the major factors in life in a slum and there were a number of taps. The one in the top photo was private and you had to pay to collect your water. These are the children of the owner - the oldest boy not shown, about 12, was in charge of filling up the peoples cans as they came along.



One thing that doesn't change is the interest in outsiders and children who have little else to do must wonder at some of the things we do. Unlike most visitors who will be shown the grand tour, we will sit down, eat / drink / just like they do and where they do. Hence the strange looks.



Must admit I'm not a fan of linen trousers (white especially) in a slum - bit like wearing a suit in my mind - though as we were with Royalty I'll let Sarah off. As for me, got to have the Tilley hat on. It may get lost otherwise. Damn snappers in the background ruining the shot yet again!! :-)



When Charles arrived he was given a tremendous welcome - people did appear from no where - it was really quiet up to a minute before he showed up. They came and the loved him.



I am not sure what he was like before Camilla but I think she has had a good influence on him. He was really friendly and concerned in people. He made many impromptu stops along his walk talking to people - not just an individual but groups as well. He popped into a shop (now to be renamed the King Charles Corner Shop) and also someones house for a couple of minutes. When he came out they were so happy - dancing and squealing.



Its me... its me.



And then there was the music - heavy beating drums - you really can't beat it - its hypnotic and makes you feel good - syncing into your heat beat and making the blood pump. Obviously nothing to do with the dancing and frantic shaking of the booty - as long as you have rug tied to it.... they do love their big booties!! I'll see if I can dig a photo out from somewhere.

Here Charles is visiting a center where ex-prostitutes are taught new skills - hair dressing in this case. There were about 8 or 10 girls lined up in pairs each doing a different style and he made the time to talk to every single one - joking too.



I was very impressed and am quiet happy to be a Royalist.

The Queen & The Infamous Handshake

As was widely reported in the press - when in Uganda - the Queen, shook hands with an aids patient for the first time.

Well she almost didn't as neither myself, nor the photpgrapher there, nor the Queen's Press Secretary saw it. When asked by the pool journo who was there about the handshake we denied it. He catagorically said it happened so we had to check the footage back again. It did and it didn't.

Here it is and as you can quite plainly see from the screen grab the Queen is shaking hands with this gentleman (who has Aids.)



When you play the footage back the Queen starts on the left of the Doctor (in the blue coat) and offers her hand. She then disappears behind the doctor and the man profers his hand and bows. They then separate and the Doctor moves out of the way - so there you have it - undeniable proof that the deed actually happened.

The snapper didn't get it as he was on my left and the Doctor was giving 'good back'.



The man's daughter looking on as the Queen is told how many of the family have aquired Aids.

Later on during the visit some of the children at the hospital (Mild May) put on a fashion show for the Queen and Prince Philip. This little girl and the others who followed were all very cute and seemed to get younger and younger wearing traditional costumes.



They really seemed to enjoy it as well.

This baby sadly didn't get to see the Queen but is in the very good hands of the staff.



As my first pool event on a Royal tour it didn't go too badly and the Queen didn't complain about me wearing shirt and tie - together with my hat - well she was wearing one too and it was hot and sunny. Obviously didn't recognise me or see me from the night before.

Power Cut

Shock horror power cut hits Surrey.

Not so much of the shocks really.

Strange not hearing the generator kick in after 38 secs though. So
much for living in the first world. We will just have to sit here till
it comes back again.

Life is so tough! :-)

What Did You Do Today?

Was it any thing like this?




(Sorry its so jerky - will work on it.)

Never guess what the story was but 'canal rejuvination' - namely the building of a new lock at the future London Olympic site. Well we had to get there and back some how didn't we.

On the boat we had John the skipper, Richard from British Waterways (at the back) and Richard our producer. Just checking that we didn't have anything in tow before heading back.



Going through the esses on the River Lee down to the Thames.



Good job I didn't shave as would have got really cold at the bow.



Not bad for a phone any way.

On the final stretch as we hurtled down the Thames past the Dome at about 50mph John's hat blew off. One of very many lost in all his years on the river. We gave him our condolences.

Beats actually 'working' for a living though!

The Day I Met The Queen

It was a warm and sunny when we stepped off the plane at Entebbe in Uganda. We, being Sarah Hughes our Royal Correspondant and myself to cover the Comonweath Heads of State meeting over the coming days. Warm and refreshing from the chill November air back in the UK. Not really but it was nice all the same. Unlike British Airways - a terrible flight - the most uncomfortable seats and food that was well - not food really. A stale cheese and cucumber croissant for breakfast. Lovely. Give me Virgin any day.

Moving on.... after a day of sorting ourselves out - which I will write about later - we got to evening and time to meet the Queen & Prince Philip. With invitation in hand we set off with the rest of the royal media - other journalists and snappers (photographers) all dolled up in suits and looking very dapper.




We arrived at the hotel - sister to the fantastic Serena in Islamabad - to be man handled through security and shown to a small bare meeting room with the promise of alcohol. Whilst waiting for Her Majesty to arrive I chatted with various snappers young and old including the Sun's infamous Arthur Edwards - who is not only a great snapper but also very much into the royals surprisingly enough. Another one of the older ones, Anwar, knowing it was my first time guided me through the affair letting me know how many times he had done this over the years and years and how it worked...

Sadly the Queen was quite late. I say sadly as being a bunch on hacks all together in a room with free booze the evening could only go one way as far as we were concened. Very well!

With her arrival impending we were all ushered towards the door she would enter from - so it didn't look like them and us. I wasn't first in the queue by any means but joined a line that was being serviced by Prince Philip. He got to Anwar who was next to me and made a joke about the good old times on Britannia - and I agreed that those stories must be worth listening too. And he was off.

We waited a short while and the Queen came along the same queue. Anwar - again first, when asked by Her Majesty what he did said they had met many times before and he was a photographer. She quipped "But you all look the same behind your cameras".

Looking back I think I could have been a bit hasty. I offered my hand and jumped in that I was here on a mission to better my wife who had met Charles in India last year and meet her instead. To that she replied "You are both very competative then". Her hands though gloved seemed to be quiet sweaty - probably from the nervous media.

Swiftly, she moved on.

So much for a bit of Dutch courage getting the better of nerves.

Sadly no photo's of the event exist as it was a private affair - and fairly well oiled by the end of it as well.

Not strickly true. There was a film crew in the room shooting a documentary on Prince Philip for ITV, hosted by Sir Trev, so the object was to try and be in the back of every shot - just to make editing a challenge and increase chances of being in a 'Royal' doco!!

All in all not really as exciting as Kathy meeting Prince Charles which will one day be written about as well. No pictures of that either - though it does involve a fair amount of Champagne!!