Worldwide Audience

Monday 9 June 2014: Local Time 15.44

Just a quick update: the guys are doing well and have begun to walk around the block using just their walking sticks as support. Eric still has stitches in his right leg, as they felt it still needed a little time to heal properly. They should be coming out tomorrow. There is still a long road ahead for them, as they have to relearn how to walk without the aid of any support, but the will is there and the spirit strong.

I often go and check the stats that Blogger have on the page to see who has visited our blog. Whether anyone is reading them we can't tell, other than the comments we read and the people we speak to. Regardless though, to date the blog has had over 860 views since we started; the most coming from India and Zimbabwe. (And before you ask, I have turned off the feature that tracks myself going onto the site. If that were the case there would be 800 and plenty views.)
So to all the visitors around the world we say thank you and hello.

India; Zimbabwe; South Africa; USA; Australia; Russia; UK; Germany; Singapore; Kuwait; Canada; Ukraine; Sweden; Cambodia; New Zealand.

Stitches Out

Sunday 8 June 2014: Local Time 11.00am

Today is the day that the stitches were removed and both boys are healing extremely well. Besides the fact that they are on the mend, I think what appeals to both Eric and Allan the most is that they will be able to take a shower in 2 days time. The past two weeks they have been given sponge baths every morning by the orderlies, first in bed and then in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet. Well that time has come to an end and soon they will have to stand on their own two feet, literally!

Below is a picture of the spare parts they have had installed in their bodies. We thought we would take a photo to show everyone as we wont be bringing the boxes back with us. (Knowing ZIMRA, {Zimbabwe Tax Revenue Organisation} they will probably charge us import duties for bringing in new equipment.) It's not as if we are not going to declare it either. Both Allan and Eric will want to tell the world about their new knees, so be prepared to hear the whole adventure we have had here in India.

Checking out the little manuals with each part

These are the spare part boxes. Available on the shelf at your
 nearest parts store, between CV joints and Axle Bearings.

More of outside

Saturday 7th June 2014: Local Time 22.08

Decided to take a trip out and walk around and take some pictures. Thought you might be getting bored of indoor pictures of the guys getting better and walking like troopers.

This guy flew right past, pointed and clicked. Luckily I got him

Playing with me ducking and diving in and out of the scrub

We often watch this flame from the corridor

Sunset and flame

Walking without Splints

Saturday 7th June 2014: Local Time 17:25

Today was another uneventful day, the two boys did their exercises and routine stretching. They now sit up in bed more regularly, more for a change of view but also to give their backs a breather. Both are now able to sleep on their sides, instead of being stuck on their back the whole day. Which brings a little relief to Eric and myself as Allan is the world champion snorer and he manages to fall asleep in 5 seconds flat. Right now he is asleep on his side and we cannot hear a peep out of him. Utter bliss!

After another round with the physio, both boys went for a walk and just outside the door they were told to take off their splints. Just after that, with the assurance of their surgeon, both walked a little way without splints or their walkers. As told to them, it's more about confidence rather than ability. Apologies for no pictures of this momentous occasion but I left the camera in the room. At this rate I think my job as cameraman is in serious jeopardy. God forbid they read this blog.
Anyway we will post photos of the "freestylers" at a later date. Even if we have to set the whole scene up. The magic of special effects.

Auditorium

Friday 6 June 2014: Local Time 15.14

After a relatively quiet day, when all in the land was at peace, we thought it would be a no news day.
Perish the thought!
In comes Khushboo Shukla, our ever present and pleasant Senior International Coordinator and whips me down to the auditorium at the lower floor, to watch a presentation on cosmetic surgery.
At first I thought it was going to be a nice movie to watch. I was waiting for popcorn and Pepsi to arrive so I could sit back and watch an epic Bollywood feature film. Alas, no!
It was interesting though, a presentation of all sorts of procedures from acne scar removal, breast implants or reductions, hair transplants and even Rhinoplasty (nose jobs).

On the health front, both Eric and Allan are doing well and everyday we see a little improvement in both. Just what the surgeons and doctors predicted. They are being worked by the physio, who takes a no nonsense approach or lip from them, to ensure that they stay on course to full fitness.

Right now everyone is enjoying their afternoon tea. Something we have all become very fond of. I have noticed that from around 3pm we all start getting fidgety. The price of addiction.

Pip pip, cheerio old boy!

A mouthful of biscuit

The auditorium, very snazzy.

Listening to the lecture on cosmetic surgery

View from Outside

Thursday 5 June 2014: Local Time 19.22

With the onset of cabin fever beginning to surface, I thought it would be a good idea to go outside and walk down some of the roads we can see from our window. The heat was intense, but to be honest, not as bad as I thought it would be. Although while out there one of the first things that popped into my mind was "Only Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the Noonday Sun".
Luckily I saw no mad dogs, I am not an Englishman and it was 4:30 in the afternoon. So all was good.
It was a pleasant walk and even managed to break a sweat, which was part of the plan from the beginning.

Hospital entrance

Even the cobras get respect. Respect!

Back view of the hospital. Looks like it right in the middle
of a wildlife park

Back road leading to the hospital. Honestly this looks like
it could be in Zimbabwe

Liked the door so thought I would try a little
creative photography.

Translate Feature

Thursday 6 June 2014: Local Time 09:05

Morning all, while playing with the features on this blog I managed to find the translate button (situated just below the main heading of the blog). It gives a wide range of languages thanks to Google Translate and should give those not fluent in English (or this type of rubbish I write), a good understanding of what is being said. I know translation software is not the best in the world, but they do help a little.
I translated the blog into Gujarati and Hindi and asked our assistants to read to see if they understood, and they did. So there you have it.
You are welcome!
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