Week 27- England

Sunday, 29 November, 2009 9:13PM Northampton, England

We are now finished all our full concerts! How exciting is that? We have a few special events to do.

This past week some of our children and chaperones got sick, which is why we had to cancel a few concerts, everyone just needed to rest. So we stayed all together and just chilled. I wasn't one of the sick ones, so it was a nice break for me, even though we had some long nights checking the children's temps every 2 hours. It's what you gotta do, and I can't complain because they are all doing much better.

Tuesday we are meeting the Prime Minister of England and performing with Annie Lennox again, that'll be fun. On Wednesday we are on to Southern Ireland. We will be there until the children go home for Christmas.

It's been nice to be all together again, especially because it's the ending of tour, you really want to spend time enjoying each other.

The days are getting colder, most people here have said it won't snow until January. I haven't seen any frost yet, just rain and wind. (It was extra windy in Wales)

The children had a lot more energy today, almost back to themselves, they were much louder and more bouncy today, that's for sure. It's good to see. :)

Wednesday, 2 December, 2009 10:40AM On the road in England

We are on our way to Southern Ireland....it’s going to be a long trip. We were near London last night, and we started our journey at 8AM this morning.

Yesterday was a great great day. We spent it n London. First we headed to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, we ate lunch in the State dining room, that was pretty cool. Many important people have been in that room, we also were in the council room. Gabsile sat in Mr. Brown’s seat, the only one with arms. They have tons and tons of security there, Stormont Castle was quite similar. After that we had some extra time, and across the Thames River just happens to be the London Eye! It was really awesome, it was a nice day out too, very very cold though. It was a highlight of the day that’s for sure. Paul drove us through London to see all the special touristy things, I think the only thing I didn’t get to see was Harrod’s, there’s always next time... In the evening we performed at a special event for Annie Lennox in the Guild Hall, which is a very famous building. She had asked us to come, that’s how much she loved the kids! They were equally excited to see her, she is so great with them. She really wants to perform a song with the choir.

We just entered into Cheshire to give you an idea of where I am. It was also Nompie’s birthday yesterday, she is now 9. I took her picture with Annie, they both liked that.

I’ve recently been having a strange issue with my stomach. All the kids are doing much better, chaperones as well. Anyway, I don’t know what’s wrong but I’m in a lot of pain, it’s not a regular stomach ache, it hurts far more, the most my stomach has ever hurt before, and it doesn’t go away. Sometimes its not as bad at others, but it’s always hurting. It’s worse when I am standing, and I don’t feel like eating. I’ve eaten about 2 meals in the past 2 days. Eating doesn’t make it feel better or worse. It’s the worst when I wake up. I had some Pepto Bismol but it only worked for a few hours. I’ve been praying a lot, it’s taking away all my energy, and it’s just really frustrating.

Oh, we also performed on the 29th, for a special event called Gumboots. They are raising money to help educate children in South Africa, I stayed in bed for it because of my stomach, I was so glad to just lie and rest. I heard it was packed out, and there were people everywhere.

On the bus last night my stomach was hurting a lot again (as it is now) and I was almost in tears from the pain. I asked Nompie if she wanted to sit with me, remembering that it was her birthday, and it would be a nice treat for her. She had also asked me the day before, but I had already promised someone else. Anyway, she was delighted :) We talked for about an hour and then she fell asleep on my lap, she woke up and said, “Auntie, Are you sleeping?” I replied. “Trying to” and she went back to sleep. It was so cute, I love that girl. My stomach felt so much better, although I couldn’t sleep from the lights outside.

It was a day to remember that’s for sure.

We leave the UK today, it’s a bit sad leaving the place you’ve spent most of the last 6 months. This month I will be in 6 countries! England, Wales, Southern Ireland, Germany, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. That’s pretty cool, I have to say. It’s going to be a great month, lots of fun, I’m excited.

I’m off for now, I don’t want to waste all my battery power.

Now we are on the ferry, I’m glad it’s the fast one, most of the kids were feeling sick, had a few throwing up, so we decided to put them in the play area to nap, it’s solved the problem well, I was feeling sick too, so I took an hour nap, but I’m going to use the Internet in the Sea now. :)