14. September 2026

Is This the Way to Nkhotakota?

So, it's been a week since Madam C and I embarked on our long road trip from Monkey Bay to Nkhotakota. I was so glad of her company; it would have been an arduous journey on my own. We managed to fill the car with top tunes and laughter, so it ended up being a fun day, if exhausting.

The welcome I've had since I've been back in the village has been wonderful. I've been treated like a long-lost family member - so many people have hugged me, shaken my hand, or fist-bumped me, and word has spread quickly that the mad mzungu is back!

Having the ability to pop to town in the car has been great and so for the first couple of days here I was re-orientating myself and replenishing the fuel tank and, just as importantly, the fridge. It's watermelon season, which is exciting - they're huge, sweet and juicy!

For most of the week, there was a high wind across the lake and the waves were crashing on the beach (a lovely sound to go to sleep to), so no lake swimming for me. However, having access to a swimming pool again was a real treat!

Meanwhile, Back in the UK...

My friend P, who visited Malawi with me last year, is coming out to visit in two weeks and has been busy gathering generous donations from our friends over in the UK. He has things for the school and the teachers, things for Open Arms, and things for the albino community. In fact, one of the cases of donations has arrived ahead of him; our host arrived yesterday from the UK and brought out one case of donations with him. A superb effort from everyone involved. I'm so grateful.

Road Trip #2 of the Week

The end of the week saw another road-trip opportunity for me and Madam C when, along with another friend, B, we headed north of Nkhotakota to visit her family.

Driving along the road which hugs the lake northwards, the scenery gets increasingly mountainous, green and dramatic. It winds past almost-white beaches, through rubber plantations and up into the hills. Stunning. It was so interesting for me to see yet another contrasting area of this beautiful country.

I really enjoyed seeing Madam C's sons and meeting her parents, who were delightful. I asked her father if he would adopt me, as everyone tells me I'm now part-Malawian, so I thought I really ought to have a Malawian dad. He said yes, so the deal is done. They're busy choosing a Malawian name for me (but don't worry, there won't be a baptism - haha!).

On the drive back we stopped at Nkhata Bay, which was equally stunning. I'm keen to go back there and spend a night or two before I head back to the UK.

More things to add to the list of why I love Malawi.

Back to School

So, for the next few days the students will be settling back into school. Yesterday, I dropped off one of the students I sponsor at the girls' hostel - she was nervous as she's starting Form 3 and knows no-one there (although by the time this is published, I'm sure that will have changed - she's a lovely, friendly girl).

I'm really looking forward to being in the classroom and to seeing the students again!

Blogging Off

There'll be a new post at the weekend (I'll be back on track for Saturday/Sunday posts as there are no road trips planned!). In the meantime, if you don't already do so, please feel free to follow me on Instagram @malawi_enjoying_ourselves. Thanks for reading!

Clare