Back in the UK, Filley told me the power supply is now excellent, new generators have been installed and the power supply is on more often than it is off. I have heard it before and was dubious.

We returned to Gambia, in late September with all of our UK possessions in a container following us and sure enough the power was very good to good, on average we definitely had enough regular supply to keep the freezer compartment frozen in the fridge at least 50% of each 24 hours we had a power supply.

The local welder was busy every day, it made a fantastic difference, the GTS Restaurant was closed but had it been open the generator would have hardly been used.

We think of the season really starting in early November and NAWEC has failed to provide a power supply even worth considering - we are back again to thinking of NAWEC as the backup and our own generators as the main supply.

Since Saturday the power has been so bad it has been impossible to keep mobile phones charged up and desptie having a new secretary starting at GTS and GETSuk we have had no power to even turn the computer on.

And our welder man - well all work has stopped for him, for us he is needed to do some welding before the builders can finish so once again the usual services problems here in Gambia.

Tourists visiting hotels and lodges etc are generally unaffected as most establishments have heafty generators they can run. So do not be put off your holiday the worst you are likely to suffer is being offered less that cold beer or soft drinks because of the power shortage.

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