You almost didn't get this as i have had a stressful 24hours where i left my iphone on the island and i thought never to be seen again - but it's back more later! So started writing this half way through my camping trip to the Nosy Hara set of small islands. I'm here with 8 French people probably in their late 40's , early 50's- and lovely. But quite isolating being the only one speaking English. I keep thinking by being immersed in French I will absorb it and ...

1st December hey so I've been away for a month and everyone at home is starting their advent calendars. Christmas feels a million miles away for me. Before I get started - thank you to all friends and family persevering and reading this (despite spelling errors via iPhone typing - apologies again) and particularly the messages and comments that I love getting. You've also probably noted my entries are a bit more frequent so have slightly replaced by paper jou...

Tick - been quad biking for the first time Tick - I tipped it over and it fell on me - more bruises! Tick - went swimming in the beautiful Indian ocean - but stubbed my toe on a rock and now it's painful to walk! So it was a great day out but again I have a very red nose. It must be growing (my nose that is) and not fitting under my hat anymore, I never used to have this problem. I went about 45km on the bike , all around the peninsular - three bay areas. ...

I feel I've had a bit more of a productive morning but I have to remember its hot in the tropics and to slow down in more ways than one. I don't have to tick everything off my to do list (yes I still have them - I'm not going to change that much) all at once! So - found Air Madagascar office, couldn't book flights as their computer system was down so suggested to come back tomorrow! I've also looked into the car option rather than flight to my next stop which is...

So I have arrived to a humid, hot and very sleepy old colonial town. Just had a walk around to get my bearings, I knew from the guide books everything shut down in the afternoons but I should have guessed that meant Sundays too. Not even anywhere to get a beer, so back in the lovely hotel bar deck- but no-one else around! And having to have a large beer (65cl) all to myself! The hotel is a bit posh for what I've been used to and few a bit soleless so far but I'm...