40k, 40k, 40k onwards!

In two days' time Joyce will mount her trusty steed and pedal off on a Cycletta Charity ride to raise funds for Gladstone's Library and GOES. She's in training, getting lots of rest and practising not getting lost. While she's enjoying herself pottering along leafy Cheshire lanes and chatting to fellow riders, I'll be sitting in the cafe at Tatton Park chewing my fingers with anxiety and eating comfort food (cake, in case you hadn't guessed). Wish us luck! I'll let you know how the day went in a couple of days ...

Odds & Ends

Bit of a mixed week; work progresses on the next book, the fourth in the 'Malinding Village' series. This has the working title of 'The Alkalo' (The Chief) and is the story of Sirra and Ed's life together.
We've finally signed off Jenny's form for her Duke Of Edinburgh's Gold Award - she's managed the setting up of our web site and completed the application forms for GOES charitable status. Fingers crossed (don't need to - she's worked very hard for us, bless her!)
Bob and Lynn have offered us a large suitcase to pack the extra baggage Thomas Cook have allowed us - T.C. have been very kind to us over the years.
Don't know how much longer we can keep GOES going - a few more years, we hope. We just don't seem to be getting any younger; strange, we work hard enough at it!
House is a bit upside down, due to repairs to the kitchen. Thanks to family who have fed us during this time!

Stories for Gambian Children

From 3/9/12 for five days the ebook 'Stories for Gambian Children' is on free release from Amazon Kindle books. I was shocked a few years ago to hear that traditional storytelling was dying out in some areas of West Africa so I thought I'd add a few ideas of my own. They seem to work across national boundries - after all, a story is a story is a story! So, here you are - a pre-Xmas gift from GOES!

Paralympics 2012

GOES sends greetings to Benba Janu and Ida N'yang, the first Gambians to represent their country at the Paralympics. We hope they enjoy the experience and find themselves among friends.

Some days are better than others!

As I said - some days are better than others! Writing the fourth book in the 'Malinding Village' series the other day I managed to add two and a half thousand words to the story. This volume has the working title of 'The Alkalo' and is based on the events which bring a woman to be elected chief of her village. Drove home feeling very cheerful, decided to put 'Empty Bananas' on free distribution again (two or three days left if you haven't read this first book of the series) and went to bed happy. Next morning the door fell off the garage where we keep the bikes! Nobody hurt = good. New door needed = expensive = bad! We've been a bit worried about finance for the Charity and this was a blow. Postman arrives, bringing a donation of £50 for GOES! Back to being cheerful again. Many thanks to our benefactor - you know who you are!

'Mechanical Girl' free!

Just to let you all know that another book in the 'Malinding Village' series is available on Amazon (ebooks) on promotional free offer for five days (ending 15/08/12). Please feel free to download - if you enjoy this book you might like to buy the others in the series ('Empty Bananas' and 'Mussukunda') All proceeds go to GOES and from there to help needy people in The Gambia.
Many thanks and Happy Reading!
Tom

Slowly, slowly ...

Progress is positive but a little slow - but it's still progress! A few more books sold, a few donations - but each and every one means more help can go to where it's most needed. 

We were happy to watch the progress of Saruba Colley, the Gambian athlete who ran in the 100m qualifying race. She ran her hardest but sadly wasn't placed for the final. Her family and friends can be very proud of her.

We're planning a visit to The Gambia later in the year. It will be good to visit friends, schools and clinics to see what progress is being made.

best wishes & fingers crossed for Gambian success in the Olympics and Paralympics!