Monday 20th July pt 2

A couple of pics of the small gardens at Lawson Tama Stadium

I’ve decided that I hate Solomon Islands Telekom. It may not be their fault, although that’s a bit like saying GWB2 was a bit misguided about Iraq. I spent most of the day alternatively swearing (while Tiffany was out of the office) and resetting the adsl box and splitter. It would work for a while then just drop out entirely for another hour or so.
With luck Telekom will be out sometime this week to check the connection. Or possibly next week, it is the Solomons.
We started taking the tray off the little truck today. I wasn’t watching too closely, and now we have one stripped nut from using the open end of the combination instead of the ring spanner. And it’s in the most awkward position, I doubt I’ll be able to get to it with a nut splitter or grinder. Oh well, just another day at the office.
I’m sticking to 45 min for the walk to work, I was trying to beat it this morning, but the heat builds up quickly if you move too fast, so I’ll just stick to a fast walk. I can get into Point Cruz, about 2/3 of the way in 30 minutes, then another 15 minutes past town to Rove, carrying the laptop and shoulder bag is more than enough.
Solomon Island politics always amazes me. Sir Alan Kemakeza. Former Prime Minister, owner of Savo Island Sunset Lodge Resort, has finally had to leave Parliament. He was convicted of corruption a few years ago, went to prison, came out, back into Parliament from prison, then because his sentence was longer than the get off free clause, he had to appeal to Parliament to be allowed stay. He’s finally withdrawn his appeal and stepped down as MP for Savo, so there will be a by-election soon. After which, Sir Alan can then stand again in the election next year for Savo Province. It is getting to feel like prison is a pre-requisite to being a MP here.
I had one former MP working with us at Rove Prison, similar thing, all the development money was going to his wantok, and not being dispersed throughout the province. He’s due out next week, and is standing again next year for re-election, and he’ll probably get in. Which is good for me, he wants to start a horticulture training scheme in his province, and hopefully I’m on his list of people to help set it up.
Our little truck came back this morning, a week to replace a brake line, and when I climbed under to check there was brake fluid dripping off the connections. All they had done was connect the nuts and do them finger tight. I got 3 turns with a spanner before they were leak proof, then we had to bleed the air out before we had brakes again. And this from a fully trained and qualified mechanic here. We’ve got a long way to go with stuff.
If I thought Honiara looked grubby on Saturday, going in this morning it looks worse. All the weekend rubbish was everywhere, all the roundabouts were full of cans, paper, plastic bags, and the street was just a mess of rubbish everywhere. Add in the smell where a few people had used one of the gardens by NPF Plaza as a toilet, and we’ve got a long way to go before Honiara can climb out of the filthy grubby town category.
There are 2 American warships due next month for the Guadacanal Campaign Anniversay, August the 7th, which will be a good time to be well away from Honiara. The last time they were here there were fights all along the main street, sailors drunk all over the town day and night, and a few problems with the girls, not all of whom were willing participants.
We’ve got the Memorial Gardens spruced up, and the sign is being re-painted, which will be good. All I have to do is keep chasing the traders out of the Gardens whenever there are visitors.
Steve offered to look for another house for me, I’m wary of moving, after 6 months I’ve settled into the area, I know most of the neighbours, shops etc, and I’m used to the quirky water system, even if it does frustrate me at times. I told him it would be good, but not to go rushing around about it.