Hi Everyone,

Well it has been an interesting few days! With eleven days to go before I fly to Namibia I was informed that my Visa for entry into Namibia had not been granted and I needed to complete a new Visa entry form and send my passport to VSO in order to try and get the correct documentation before departing. In addition, I was also informed that my CRB check had not yet come through, and that I may not be allowed to go without it. Oh dear!!! I spent half a day telephoning VSO, CRB and Norfolk Police offices as a consequence, trying to find out where the hold-up was. It was at Norfolk Police, they finally rang me Friday to say that they had processed it and sent it to the CRB offices. It is now a matter of time and whether it can get back to VSO on time.

On the positive side I went shopping on Wednesday and bought enough medical products to open my own chemist. I'm not sure what a lot of the pills do, but I am told I may need them. Anyway, I think I am pretty well covered now, although I didn't buy the gumshield! (VSO in-joke). I've had to have lots of injections, including meningitis, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and on Monday I will be getting my third, and last, rabies jab. Luckily the malaria tablets I am taking don't seem to be affecting me too much so I will continue with them while I'm there.

Following the problems with the Visa and CRB checks, the week ended on a positive note when Vicky from VSO telephoned me to say that they would accept my current CRB from Norfolk as an alternative if the new one was not returned on time.

Just the Visa to go and I should be almost ready.

Barry