from Starttheweek to Rocketboom

Not sure how I got to this site (I think it was via a link in Starttheweek from Paul Bayes) but I enjoyed this 'Japanese Street Painters' piece and various others when I arrived at Rocketboom 'daily with Joanne'! Lots of catty typists posted there on Monday 9 April.

back from the heat

The two weeks in Uganda were refreshing and far from dull, and the day after the wedding we were relaxing on the verandah of Sam and Abby's new home.



Over Easter weekend I had enjoyed a tranquil sunrise over Lake Victoria as the fishermen finished their night's labours


and there were warm reunions with many friends and their children ~ like the Atims ...



and the Owinos, for Sharon's birthday party

There were conversations throughout, at every level, about the threatened sell-off of part of Mabira (rain)Forest to a sugar corporation that wants more sugar cane production. At the top the government seems to agree the plan but it's opposed from many directions and a peaceful, legal demonstration was organised - but there were also riots, injury and deaths.

BBC News and the Ugandan newspaper "New Vision" online carry reports.

"The Monitor" doesn't seem to be online just now.

It's a messy, sorry, struggle at the moment while interest in money and power keeps the upper hand.

tropical wedding

Just off to the wedding of long-standing Ugandan friend Sam, and recent colleague Abby. There'll be time to catch up with friends, experience Easter celebrations in Kampala, and help with wedding preparations.

And then the big day itself.

They're a great couple, both very gifted, and it seems Sam has always been good with children ...

thanks Enriqué

Sorry if I haven't got the name right - but finally BonPrix connected me to head office customer services in France, and at last arrangements are being made to provide the long-awaited refund. Relief!

bad times with BonPrix

I seem to be stuck with BonPrix. Anyone else bought from them?

Order clothes in January (for a wedding on 14 April) and pay online by Visa - the money left my Visa account on 23 January.

No clothes reached me by 22 February. They couldn't refund because "they had no way of knowing that I hadn't received the order". They found the order back in the warehouse and delivered 28 February.

Once delivered I sadly found many items didn't fit. I kept a suit, a bag, and a dress, and arranged to return the rest.

Waited in a whole day 2 March and no-one came. Phoned and was advised I could post them and get the cost refunded.

28 March no refund received yet. Phoned and explained I'm about to go on holiday and want the money back. Was advised it will be arranged by Monday 2 April.

3 April £19 refund appears in Visa account - out of £117. Phone again and I'm told they are paying the balance by cheque because I paid by cheque. Apparently it's true because their system says so. At the same moment I'm looking at my internet banking which tells me all the payment went from my Visa account. Their cheque will take another few days to reach me and then even more days to clear so No, I'm not willing to wait for the cheque to arrive and send it back to ask you to put it into my Visa account. Why don't I believe I'll get a happy outcome today?

[The recurring answers are "we can't do that because the head office is in France" and "well that's what the system tells me" and "it takes 48 hours to get something dealt with through head office".]

What I really really want is for BonPrix to take an honest look at what they're doing and do something better.

BonPrix - appalling service