Starting to howl

The winds of departure are starting to howl. Today is the last day ever for Max and Victor at Primary School. Thats big! They aren't boys anymore - they are young men and growing strong. Here they are with their Nepalese friend Kiran and his younger brother:

I have been busy trying to get everything organised well so that I can spend some quality time with them over the next six weeks. Some of this weeks highlights included:

[*] We visited our local doc and we all had blood taken to check our types. Both the boys broke out in nervous giggles during the act. The first aid kit is now almost complete and it is packed with exotic goodies that I hope we don't have to use too much. I drew greatly upon the recommendations provided by the Institute of Tropical Medicine here in Antwerp http://www.itg.be/itg/GeneralSite/Generalpage.asp and also from Stephen Bezruchkas book on trekking in Nepal http://www.amazon.com/Trekking-Nepal-Travelers-Guide/dp/0898865352. The latest edition of this book is only more inspiring and invaluable as it was twenty years ago.

[*] I dropped in and had a last dance and roar with Stef Miquel, who gives body movement and voice classes at the restored Stadsmagazijn http://www.politiquedesgrandesvilles.be/en/cities/antwerp/city-contract/ontmoetingcentrum-stadsmagazijn.aspx

[*] I bought a great 175kg anvil from Seerp, my blacksmith teacher http://users.telenet.be/smid/. My goodness its a heavy sucker and I now have to organise a plastic pallet to ship it back on. I am looking forward to entering the phase of life where this apparent unending accumulation of goods and materials reverses.

[*] Peter (our funky hairdresser neighbour) turned 39yrs old and to celebrate I forged him a spiral pendant in mild steel. He loves it.....