If this works I will eat my inspector hat!

OK, so I've now been sat at the computer for 1 hour and 4 mins and have only just been able to get on here. The internet here is just an all round painful experience, which is why we sometimes may be a little slow to reply to emails etc. I've uploaded a couple of photos - there were supposed to be about 20 or so but it seemed to go into some sort of overload. Luckily though it did decide to pick out an inspector gadget photo of me to show which is nice. Fortunately I am now over the worst of the burn and so the hat is down buried at the bottom of my rucksack (luckily for beth, and africa!) I should really have known when you said you liked it, mum.

We seem to have done so much since we last wrote, however the slow internet seems to have killed my brain so I'm not sure where to start. We have moved on from Entebbe; quiet, peaceful Entebbe and are now in the capital, Kampala. We were warned that the city centre maybe a shock to the system, but thought if we can brave the Trafford Centre at christmas then we would be well prepared....how wrong we were. It is actually insane. There are people, cars, bikes, buses, mopeds EVERYWHERE, and no matter where we are walking it is guaranteed that everyone else will be going in the other direction. We're fairly certain the moped's (or 'boda boda's' if we're using the local lingo) actually aim for us.

Non-Africans are called 'Mazungus' (not sure of the spelling) and even in the dead of night when I'm half asleep I'm certain that I can hear someone, somewhere shouting us. We're obviously pretty easy to spot and most locals think (probably deservedly so) that we are an easy target for paying over the odds for the, well the rubbish that they sell. Seriously, if you're looking for a blow up power ranger, an old embroidered pillow, a single badminton racket (?) then Kampala is the place to be.  I'm sure you all can't wait for the gifts we're bringing back!

In spite of the chaos, Kampala is actually a really nice city and we've spent most of our time so far here. However, we finally decided to escape the madness for a few days last week and headed South to Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi. We were dreading the 8 hour bus journey, however after a couple of travel sickness pills we were both out for the count and so the time flew by. The lake is such a peaceful place - it's so quiet, especially because it's rainy season (apparently most people check the weather of the countries they visit before booking the flights. We like things to be a little more spontaneous). There are 29 (fairly small) islands on the lake altogether. I was fairly convinced there were only 2 until a small hike up a steep mudslide proved me wrong. We were guided by a local boy called Duncan. The walk did nearly kill me and means that I'm now down to just one pair of clean trousers, but the views were so amazing!

We then got a canoe across to one of the islands. We were amongst a handful of people on the island and found the perfect spot for a day of sunbathing - there were 2 sunloungers on a swimming dock right on the lake with no one else in sight and there wasnt a rain cloud in the sky for once. We had literally just sat down after breakfast, books out, music on.....when Duncan arrived to take us on another fun filled day of hikes and local markets. Fortunately we managed to convince him that we didnt really need any charcoal or sweet potato and after an awkward 10 minute silence he left. We've had to endure a lot of awkward moments since we've been here. It's one of the main culture differences we've noticed. That and a lack of awareness of personal space - although this has stood us in good stead for the bus journeys. I was laughing to myself one time because the bus stopped and for a second I thought they were going to try and squeeze one more person on (bearing in mind that we were already cheek to cheek with 5 other people and probably sat on someone's knee). Then just as I thought I was mad to even think they would try and fit someone else on, another 3 people hopped in. I'm fairly sure they'd be breaking all kinds of laws at home. It's an experience though.

Anyway, I'm fairly sure this is just random babbling now and it's getting near tea time. we're back in Kampala until tomorrow when we'r off to the Sesse Islands - the equator runs right through the middle so you can have one fun in each hemisphere - no doubt the camera will be out for that. Then we're off on Safari at the weekend and white water rafting at the source of the Nile next week.

Thanks for all your comments. I hope you've not been harrassing the neighbours too much Dad! Keep us updated with everything that's happening at home...any more TV appearances Vicky etc etc.

Lots of Love xxxx