I'm sure there's a song to be written from Fiona's packing blog.  Me, I'm carrying the tick remover!

Never mind, here's a preview of our programme to help you travel with us from your armchair.

28
Leave 8.30 
Edin - London - J’burg - Blantyre 

29
Arrive Blantyre at noon
Car and driver to meet us and drive to Likhubula
Be met by Committee

30
Both attend Likhubula CCAP church 
Pm meet Likhubula Committee

1 or 2
Visit to Mulanje.
Meet Jane M to discuss Goats Project
Visit market and Mount Mulanje Mission Hospital

1 or 2
Briefing with Mr S and Mr N re the current S4 bursars and issues for future selections

3
Visit to Chambe Secondary School to discuss Bursary Scheme and bring messages from Dunblane High School

4
Visit Goat Project
and Mvano (Guild)

5
Personal day -
Fiona and Jenni visit Hannah and Charles C handing over funds from Dunblane Road Race for sports development in schools

6
Visit sewing machine project
and
lunch with bursars

7
Can attend different churches. Jenni preach?
Pm meet the Chiefs

8
Meet and address Standard 7 learners.
Final meeting with Committee

9
Leave Likhubula at 10am.
Visit Chifundo Artisan's Network Project.
Joined by Father M. Stay in Balaka Catholic Women's Organisation

10
Travel to Monkey Bay + Cape Maclear.

Stay Fat Monkeys Lodge

11
Over 10/11 visit Sinthana Community Learning Centre (supported by family of BS in Killin) +
graves of Livingstone’s missionaries

12

Travel to Blantyre

Overnight in Leslie Lodge 

13
Check-in 11.20 

14
Arrive Edinburgh 13.00 

Getting ready at Ramsay Drive

As the song says 'well my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...'  Well almost.  The bags are packed but I am waiting for our commissioned tea towels to be completed (with our partnership details on them) and some packages from Mary and then we'll be off.  Oh, I forgot, two more days of work to go......then we'll be off!

In the bags so far I have........

• approximately 100 toothbrushes and tooth paste
• 100 medals from the Dunblane Hydro Road Race
• approximately 200 pens
• 10 bars of lovely Arran Aromatic soaps for our Village Chiefs
• gift bags
• About 25 bars of regular soap for gifts
• Mosquito spray by the gallon 
• Clothes for me to wear (of course!)
• First aid kits for gifts
• A blank 'charity' cheque to give to Mr. Chiromo's cluster schools on behalf the Road Race

and of course...lots of other stuff.  I have no intention of bringing most of this back and filling my suitcase with all the gorgeous stuff I am planning to buy at Chifundo Artisans' Network!

Only a week to go

Next Friday, Jenni and I will be making the journey to Likhubula, Malawi as part of the Dunblane-Likhubula Partnership.  I can't wait!  It's been two years since I have been in Malawi and it has always held a special place in my heart.
This visit will be very productive and busy.  We will arrive at Likhubula House and spend 10 days there working with our partnership friends on a range of issues including meeting bursary pupils, visiting with the Guild, seeing the goat projects and so much.
On a personal level, we will also catch up with good friends Daytoney Malefula and Charles Chiromo and their families.  We will also visit Cape McLear, Lake Malawi and Chifundo Artisans' Network.
I am not sure what the internet access will be while in Malawi so this may be a 'post visit' blog.  Fingers crossed we will be able to keep everyone up to date on a daily or almost daily basis!