Firstly, I am so sorry for not updating this in absolutely ages, Ive been terrible recently, and have not used the internet. Im mad at myself because now I have forgotten everything thats happened but I will start a clean slate next week.

Ive been ill for about four days but finally better. Was in bed for this whole time but I never realised being ill could be so sociable. Despite feeling really bad, its been great to have loads of people over to just spend the afternoon in, chatting and reading magazines. Nonetheless still glad to be better and looking forward to a large pizza ce soir.

Valentines day was not as depressing as usual this year because all the volunteers spent it together. Susannah, Lucy, Georgie and I made cards for all the guys here with some hideous attempts at poetry and heart shaped lollis in true Valentines Cringe style. During the day, Lucy and I went out for lunch and felt the perfect way to drown our single sorrws was take a horse carriage trip through Saint Louis. We got an hour and a half tour for four pounds which was probably pricey but we did want to ensure the horse got fed that night, as some of them clearly don't. We saw a lot of the city we hadnt seen and lots of dried out dead hammerhead sharks. The trip was going swimmingly until some little girl made the slitting throat gesture and then pointed at me laughing, which I must say dampened my memories a little.

Later that night we went to a Vietnamese restaurant right on the Northern point of the Island with everybody else. It was great food and a beautiful setting, right on the river looking over to Langue de Barbarie, the fishing quarter. We had planned speed dating for after the meal but nobody could be bothered so that is happening this week, though Kristina wants to call it "Speed Friendship" which I personally feel is the cringiest thing ever, but each to their own I suppose.

Im being bullied by five year olds. Yes the little brats fight back once again and now theyre favourite activity is laughing in my face when I shout at them and repeating everything I say in a mocking tone (its not doing my confidence in speaking Wolof any good). Even Susannah, who started a couple of weeks ago and loved it, is starting to go mad and now carried a cane with her wherever she goes.

Today, two truly HIDEOUS events collied in one short morning at school. I saw my second REALLY big cockroach, and it was crawling on a little girls shoe. She sson caught wind of this, kicked her leg and sent the cockroach flying towards me. I started screaming and ran out of the room, at which point the cockroach ran off into Susannahs bag, and my dignity flew out the window. Then, only half an hour later, I was working with five children through breaktime, on these pointless collages of "ma famille' which have taken about ten years to complete and are getting gradually worse as everyone looses interest and chucking glue and little bits of card about becomes much more appealing. Tata Adama came in and put something on the shelf in the corner of the room, which hasnt seen the light of day in decades, and there was suddenly a torrent of toy brinks and board cames as the shelf collapsed and everything came down with it. Not only that, but Adama then turned decidedly pale and ran out of the room herself yelling "BIG SPIDER". Sure enough, there was the biggest spider I had ever seen EVER retreating into one of the toy bricks. This time even the kids were freaked out and everyone, me included of course, ran. Then, I regret to report, a terrible error was made by Adama, the original spider hater herself... she asked the clown to deal with it. So off he went, into the classroom, ready to put an end to it, or so I thought. So I stood by the door, waiting to go back and finish the gruelling craft task when I was suddenyl aware of him running at me with the brick AND spider in hand. I feared that screaming "no, please don't" in French would not stop the clown once he has embarked on a mission of terror, and I was right. He chased me right out of the school gates, with me still screaming for all the world to hear, and I was half way home before I finally lost him, and that damn spider.

Once I had braved going back to school, the rest of the day was filled with many a spider joke and demands from the headmaster that me and Lucy restock their first aid kit and buy stationary for each classroom - something tells me our labour may be being exploited but only time will tell, though judging by the way he was talking to us, if there is no new glue sticks tomorrow, murder will probably be on the cards for both, if not at least one of us.

Have had lots of good nights out etc, including afnacy dress party last week which I went to as a chav - put on too much fake tan to describe and looked disgusting - was a good night. Also had a party on one of the volunteers roof terrace, which was so good. Her house is right on the beach and everyone had a really nice night, eating plenty of senagalese cakes, and needless to say, the hugely classy Don Garcia was flowing as always.

Off to Zebra Bar, in the national Park, again at the weekend. I was in a terrible mood the last time we went so looking forward to going again and relaxing. Its such a chilled out place and its two nights with duvents and hot showers - two things I really do miss.

Patrick and Verity leave next week and they are two of my favourite people here. Imgoing to miss them so much and cant believe its all coming to an end so quickly. Alas this is what travelling is about, and we wil make the most of the time left, and I will keep you posted on all that happens over the next week.

Missing you all as always, times up so must go but chat to most of you soon hopefully xxx