Palm trees

Sophie took the opportunity to spend some time with her two aunties today - Machi and Gery (both Geoff's aunties actually), as they went to pick up some palm tree husks for the pineapple plantation here at the base. Soph loves helping out, and has been spending lots of time at Machi's place after school in the afternoons, helping collect the eggs, and just chatting with Machi, Aunty Gery, or whoever is around. She loves having one on one time, and over an hour each way in the truck with TWO aunties, plus being allowed to take the digital camera was something she just couldn't pass up!

They took the big blue truck to fill it up with husks to use as mulch for the pineapples.

We drove through one of many palm tree plantations earlier in the week on our way to Bemuta Village.

From what I understand, they did A LOT of standing around and waiting for their truck to be able to be filled. Flies were everywhere, and the only positive thing was that it was overcast today, so they didn't fry in the hot sun. While they were waiting, a lady offered to take them on a tour of the factory - something that would never be done in OZ without much paperwork I'm sure! The factory runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and produces large amounts of palm oil.

I was surprised to see how bright and colourful the palm seeds are.

The empty husks look just like echindas!

Sophie came back this afternoon tired and hot from the trip, but quite pleased with herself with all the photos she took (nearly 100!)

While Sophie was gone, Geoff and I continued with more musical practise with the youth group, and the other girls played under the house with the kids from the base (as they do nearly every day). We had quite a heavy down pour this afternoon, and everyone is pleased because the water tanks are just about full.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner tonight of home made hamburgers. The fresh bread shop in Honiara provides lovely fresh bread every day, but it is always a bit of a lottery as to what you will be able to buy. It was a small miracle to discover hamburger buns there today, having never seen them before! (We were planning on having our hamburgers on just normal bread!)

Tomorrow is Sunday, and we are looking forward to church in the morning, followed by a quiet afternoon (no musical practise). It is good to look forward to a bit of a break in this hot and tiring weather (although today hasn't been too bad at all, and the other night I found myself getting a little bit cool with just the sheet on - first time though!)

I'm thinking of everyone back home, and hoping all is well.