Blood, thicker than water

It’s time for Malcolm to return home to his family.

 Before doing so he did first go to see if he could give blood in Uganda. Unlike the UK the location for donating is much more relaxing – like sunbathing under the shade of a mango tree. 

Now that's how to give blood.

 The only problem is that in Uganda there are 3 reasons why Malcolm couldn’t give blood, which don’t really apply in the UK:

-          He has high blood pressure

-          He’s too old!!!!!!!!

-          He’s on malaria tablets.

The good news that as a result of this disappointment Malcolm has discovered that after being back in the UK for 6 months (having returned from a malaria country) he will be OK to try and donate, being neither too old, nor prevented as he has medication for high blood pressure.  Yippee!!!

The first stage of the journey home was a 50 mile drive to the airport. This was going well until, in a Kampala traffic jam, the engine ‘refused’ due to an electrical fault. After a 15 minute hunt around the minibus to find out where the battery is, Malcolm and Rory surprisingly found the owner’s manual. (How many used cars in Uganda do you think still have an owner’s manual????) Only problem is, neither of them could read Japanese. Doh!

Now we know where the battery is!!!!

Eventually the battery was found, and a temporary fix made to get the minibus to a KFC for lunch. Here, their friend, Rashid, a mechanic, met them to do a proper repair.

Thank you, Rashid

So, finally, it was farewell to Rory and Uganda, for Malcolm’s flight back home.