My dear friend Gay has finished the house building project and sends a report from Cambodia this morning:

We did it - we built 10 houses in two and a half days and it was the most wonderful experience to be able to work with the Tabitha local staff and the villagers. Building 10 houses isn't quite as tough as it sounds when you know that the foundations, pillars, corrugated iron roof and framework were already up, but it still meant hammering for upwards of 8 hours a day in tropical heat, so it wasn't easy either.
Everyone gave 100% and it was a marvelous time.

Gay is quite good with a hammer. She owned a picture framing company here in Seychelles for almost fifteen years, and sold it only recently, allowing her to fulfill a dream of becoming a LOL. (Lady of Leisure). Leisure means different things to different people, and thankfully her idea is one I can warm up to.

We had two tuk tuks for the day - oh boy, could I get used to this business of having a vehicle and driver at my beck and call - and visited the Russian Market, Royal Palace, Tabitha for a second visit, and lunch at a wonderful restaurant called Comme a la Maison...

Anyone familiar with tuk tuks will agree that 'leisurely' in no way describes this mode of transport ... frantic, noisy, jolting, smelly, but leisurely? I don't think so. The restaurant, however, does a lovely and leisurely lunch.

Five of us remain from the original seven - P. has been seconded by her daughter but I'm hoping to meet up with them at the weekend in Siem Reap, and we insisted that R. go see Angkor in her remaining day and a half rather than hang around with us.

Catching the bus to Siem Reap at noon today and should be able to be in touch from there.

Yes, this is how a LOL ... financially comfortable, fifty and fit ... takes a vacation from working in her garden, caring for her dogs and babysitting my kids.

Ya gotta luv her!