Lakeside

Lake Bunyionyi, Uganda

This morning was not a good morning. Chilli camp was buzzing, with lots of small groups of people. There was a queue for the two internet-enabled PCs, so no-one was going to bother – until I suggested they use mine wirelessly, whereupon a ten-person queue formed. They were using it until about 11pm.

This morning, though... I had a beer, went to bed at 11, and didn't get a great night's sleep. The bar was noisy until around 2am, with people walking back and forth past my tent. At one point, I was woken by the tent goat grazing by my head – I could see a massive goat-shaped shadow on the tent wall. Two hours later, I was woken to the sound of two random blokes discussing how to get said goat into their mate's tent. Quite amusing at the time.

This morning, I was in a foul mood. Shower gel had leaked over some of my stuff, I had no time for breakfast, Jess had lost my fleece – I'd loaned it to her the night before. To cap it all, I was on to the bus last, and got a shocking seat. I'd wanted the fleece to wrap around the bar I was wacking my head against.

Anyway, the day picked up. It turned out that no-one had slept very well. Everyone was either grumpy, sleeping, or both. After three hours, though, things seemed to change – or maybe it was me. I moved up to the front, had a word with myself, and did a spot of dj'ing. I've now been dj for two days on the truck, to critical acclaim. I think it's due to my slightly oversensitive nature, but the playlist is iron-clad – every one a winner. Apart from 'Hips Don't Lie', that is (which I blamed on Emma). We struggled to find somewhere to stop for lunch. It was a day drive, and there were villages scattered along the whole way. We stopped for lunch about seven hours after we left. Rob told me if they stop in a populated area, they get hassled. He said people will just come up to the tables and take food. They're not starving here, but if every day it's plantain, plantain, plantain... We eventually stopped by the side of the road, and eight school children appeared. They stood, watching us. I felt like Tippy Hendren in 'The Birds'. We often give away left over food to children, but didn't this time – Boyo pointing out that there was too little for all the children, and that it would cause arguments.

So what else, then? Oh yes, stomach is feeling a tad better, but I now have a very sore wisdom tooth and sore throat – this flares up whenever I'm run down. So, I'm taking some antibiotics Derek has given me. Derek is a psych-nurse from County Killkenny. He's hilarious. I can't understand a word he says, but he's very good value. Anyway, I'm taking these, and hoping they have some effect soon.

Oh yes, Jess found my fleece – along with a cup of mango pieces and a bikini – in their tent when they put it up at the camp. They'd been in such a hurry that morning that they'd broken it down without checking it was empty. Luckily, my fleece and the mango had remained at opposite ends of the tent bag.

So, we're taking day packs tomorrow, and heading up in four-wheel drives to see the gorillas. Wish me luck...