Gin and Marmite, the search for the Empire...: Via Japan

Wednesday 26^th October 2011

Sorry for the long delay…. Having been recalled to old country, Carruthers joined me after several weeks to escape the fever and mosquitoes of the rainey season. Darling Beni was left holding the fort at our recently acquired house and keeping an eye on the gardener etc etc.

In Blighty, Carruthers accepted a temporary posting to Japan, which has the pleasure of joining as a ‘diplomatic wife’. We had a splendid time in the shadow of Mount Fuji at the Asagiri Jam festival. The sun shone brightly, the music played loudly and the sake flowed freely. Whilst there, Carruthers took the opportunity to make an honest woman of me (really!).

On leaving Japan, we embarked on a journey in the vein of Phillius Fogg. Leaving Japan and arriving to Blighty 12 hours later we hurriedly re-packed the trunks and dashed back to the Heathrow aerodrome and departed for Dakar via Lisbon. In typical Johnny foreigner fashion, Portugal’s National Carrier failed to arrive in Lisbon before the departure of our connecting flight. On kicking up a jolly fuss we were housed over night in the Marriot hotel, which proceeded a pleasant afternoon perambulating about Lisbon’s old town. Delightful.

Onwards from Lisbon to Dakar; and the heat and hubbub of Africa again. We’re now back in our residence with Beni our ever-faithful hound and leisurely exploring the crumbling colonial hub of St Louis du Senegal (bloody French builders).