Ghana 66 Lock Down Over

Nearly at 10,000 persons. Reckon a lot more if the real count was given out, but you know so what ?   All getting a bit boring and tedious truth be told. Going to work, home, eating, few beers, sleep, going to work, home..............................

Sure I posted something like this a few weeks back. Well it ain't changed much since then. But decided to get out and about this morning. Had a drive along our pipeline routing and got held up by a farmer with his cows crossing the road.

He was taking his time letting them graze as they wondered over from one side to the other side of the road. Funny but those few minutes sitting in the car watching was a real welcome break from the general slog and monotony.  Lots of grass and various goodies for the cows. They seemed happy and so did he. Quite envied him in a way as he had plenty to do and not a care in the world. Sadly did not see my old trombone player from the other day which would have been an added bonus.

 

Ghana 65 Lock Down Over

Same same.  Life seems to blend day into day. Today 4th June. Another Friday. And still the numbers keep going up and up. We seem to be increasing by about 200 per day. Lock down is over and I can go shopping etc etc. Great. Up to now I have been leaving the maid (yes I have a maid) a message and some cash every time I need suppliers. I leave it on the table as I never see her. I've left the house early morning and she has completed her work and gone before i get back. Lets face it.  Not too difficult is it to look after one small condo with one one guy staying there. And yes I'm clean, most of the time !!!!!

Imagine me, I go to work and leave cash on the table.  Simple note requesting she refreshed 5 crates of beer, buys wine (as per empty bottle next to message !) and a few veggies etc. Plus any domestic stuff she needs, cloths, soap washing powder etc.

The beer is delivered by pickup form local shop. If you ask they will supply a couple already cold !!!! Of-licence for wine and whiskey is only 50 meters away. The rest well.... She can organise that.

Is this me being really lazy or what. I know you'll thinking what have I got to complain about ? Nothing really. Bugger all in fact. Life is sweet. Just no planes, no family and a bit tedious. But really nothing to complain or moan about.

And tomorrow is the weekend again !!!  Morning swim, cold beer.  God its tough !  🍺🍻

Stay safe and enjoy yourselves.

Ghana 64 Lock Down Over

Just when I thought things were beginning to get back to normal we started hitting 200+ persons a day.  now hitting 6486.  Its been steady going up a hundred or two every day for last week. No real discussions about it. Well what is there to discuss. I when in the car saw from BBC to local radio.  Difficult to tell which is which!!!!.  All they talk about is the "the Virus".

No worries I think we are all getting a bit how do you say ? Not fed up but yes I suppose that's right. Seems to drag on and on. Well I am getting there as well.  Walk around forgetting my mask etc. Then realize no mask and feel naked. 

A say back to normal... We were on site out in the sticks the other day looking at part of our pipeline route. Nothing but trees and crap and stuff around.

Couldn't believe it.  Standing with his back to us was a guy playing the Trumbone.....  Worth the 29 seconds to watch....Maybe this is the new normal...

Really bazaar..

Enjoy your weekend....

Ghana 63 Lock Down Over

Time is flying by.  It's the only thing that is !!!!! Not seen  a plane for ages.

Keep looking the the Ghana Corona 19 results.  Stays the same for days then the numbers jump up by the hundreds. And then we also get the rumours circulating of big numbers appearing near our works.  Bit concerning. Next door 3 persons proved positive over the weekend and then a fish factory earlier had 58 persons positive. All within a few kilometres.

In the meantime the days are getting blurred one into the other. The work side of things is going slow and its very difficult to get action and progress.  For me that makes for very long days and is it now getting very monotonous.

As for life in Ghana, it's difficult to work out how the recommended social distancing is going.  Some places you see people sitting around all apart just looking at phones.  Others are wearing masks and gloves and looking to make a really big deal of it. And some, not a care in the world. Me, I find the middle route !! I sometimes wear a mask and sometimes not.  I have to put the mask on when entering some shops. That's my middle route !!!

There was a big issue in one of the northern towns couple of days back where about 28 market ladies were arrested for not doing social distancing.  Bit difficult to do when you are in a crowded market trying to sell food stuffs. Police chief was asked if the AK47 his men were using really was only firing rubber bullets and why the tear gas !!!!  All good fun and games.  Apparently The ladies got arrested and charged.  Those who could not meet bail were locked up. Took the local MP a few hours later, to get them all released. This was on the local radio but all a bit fuzzy the way it was reported. More seriously though it does sort of give you the feeling that there is an underlying frustration amongst the people trying just to survive.....  Makes me realize again how lucky and privileged I am. Till next time.

Ghana 62 Lock Down Over

As if we don't hear enough about Corona Virus and I'm going ot add some more....

I had been busy blogging about my woes for a few week and stopped. Actually did not realize I had stopped writing. Not until I looked at my last post and thought "whow, that was ages ago ".

I really do not know where this last week has gone.  Mid May already and time is flying.  We even had the May1st holiday (joke) same as every other day....Stayed home. Actually went to the shop for some bread. Had to wear a face mask. Wash hands out side etc.

Palace Mall which I went to the other day is a big outlet and also has the same regime but even more sophisticated.  They make you wash your hands and provide the water, soap etc.  And paper towels.  Then they also provide the plastic gloves. Compulsory.  You know the sort, use them for painting etc, very cheap and cheerful. Last about 5 minutes if you are lucky. Absolutely paper thin and difficult to open.  Even harder to put on with wet hands.  Found the solution. Blow into them.  But of course you have to remove the face mask to make this work... Get a few strange looks while doing this I can tell you. Bit of a catch 22......

Quite a mental and physical work out just to get into the shop.  And a lot of folks at the entrance foyer all going in. Most with all the time in the world... Having to do such physical dexterity as to be quick.... So all a bit chaotic. Then there is the choosing of a trolley which also needs the handles cleaned and dried..... You get this far and think great lets get this done, out of here then home !!!!!!  But no.  Then the real challenges begin.  Hands covered in plastic, you try and open a plastic bag to put vegetables in..... You know the ones you find them at the end of the veggie area in rolls. Takes forever to get that sorted. Plastic on plastic.  Nightmare.  Removing the wallet from my back pocket and sorting out money is also a challenge.  I have enough trouble opening my wallet at the best of times !!!!! Let along when I have the added gloves and mask and need to extract the store card as well.

So apart from extreme physical work out at the shops I've been going to work, back home, sleep, going to work, back home, sleep,  you get the picture. Well, while we are being told officially Ghana is improving, all under control etc etc, and the lock down is over, with some restrictions not much seems to have changed.  Except............ the numbers keep rising. yesterday we jumped from 2016 to 2719 in a day !!!  Big percentage and I'm sure there is a lot more to come....

Dreading my next shopping trip.... 😎

Ghana 61 Lock Down Over.....

Well whats changed.  Nothing as far as i can see. We are slowly rising up now 1154. But at the weekend the President removed the Lock-down sighting 'good' reasons that the numbers looked  better etc etc.

Seems the local Medical profession had different thoughts, didn't share his view but made theirs knows....... and they mentioned it might instead have something more to do with reopening parliament and the upcoming Presidential Elections.  Personally I cannot see a connection with letting people get on with their lives unrestricted and some upcoming election ?  Can you ?  I could of course be wrong.😍

I asked "Well whats changed?" For me not much if anything at all.  Still going into work same way and returning back home the trips take longer, more cars, but whats really noticeable in only the last few days is how the dust has risen and the place beginning already to feel a bit grubby. Amazing what a few days without cars did and how quickly we get back into our old habits. Will look back with nostalgia to the "good lock lock down days". Never know this might turnout to be true. Have less time now for Netflix  ........

Well whats changed in real terms.  For me directly. A lot. No flights so cannot get back to Thailand by end of May when my annual retirement/long stay visa runs out.  So I'll have to get a 30 tourist visa.  Then after that I cannot get me driving licence renewed. Might not sound much but dealing with authority I hate at the best of times, then add in the Thai administration factor and it turns into  an absolutely bloody nightmare senario...... Enough I've got myself resigned to it. Pissed off but resigned to it.

Only real activity this week has been building an aquaponics system, I know yet another one, this time for a colleague. Should be full of fish by Saturday. Hardly a life changing activity but... when not much else is on, you go for what you can. Bar B Q Tilapia is clearly a few months off.

Ghana 60 Lock Down Day 19

Left out yesterday  Day 18.  Only so many repeats are possible.

Today we hit 641 confirmed cases and yesterday it was 636.  Numbers are receding. Everyone getting to see if lock down gets extended this weekend. Sunday night as things stand it gets lifted. Two schools of thought. First lot, being sure it will be lifted, but this is only naive optimism by a few..... most believe the lock down will continue and be extended week by week. If they announce a 4 week extended lock down at one time there would be huge public outcry and anti social reactions so best they drip feed,  seems the way to go. Me, I reckon the latter as well.

Anyway far more importantly I went shopping yesterday for some bits and pieces. As one does. And outside the supermarket I did a double take.  A Yamaha Bolt.  Just like mine. Made my day. As they say its the little things that count. God I miss the open roads and ......................

Ghana 59 Lock Down Day 17

Well we've had the Easter Holidays, apparently. Hence no postings. Busy dong nothing. I survived, passed through it without noticing much going on. Not sure anyone else here really noticed either. And currently sitting here reminding myself I had promised some Blog posts. Now new excuse forget Corona, all a bit passe, new one, it's called writers block !  In fact a better excuse as there is F;*^ all to write about. Difficult to write about "not much". 😁

We are up to 636 cases here in Ghana.  Been jumping up about 10% daily. Assuming these figures are true. And yesterday, big shock, a guy on the adjacent work site to us was reported positive. Pretty close to home if you ask me !  He apparently according to their Company Public Relations Department, and you've got to love this...... worked, fortunately for the rest of us, on his own in almost total isolation on a crane.  Yeah  Yeah Yeah !!!!  So if they say so must be true right ?  But seriously it is now becoming a bit more of a concern as it is so close. Real problem is it is all so intangible.

And I've given up watching the news on TV.  Well frankly there is no real news anyway just corona virus and more corona virus and some statistics and of course inevitable interviews with Prep school teachers or some nurses or others who claim to be experts in this or that. All bullshit to fill up time.  To cap it off, on DStv my cable channel they have stopped showing the rugby. Thing is awash with crappy football and other none important sports and reruns of films.  I've seen Bourne Identity 5 times in as many days but whose counting  !!1!!! There managed to get my rant in.

God I feel better now for writing this Blog all about nothing !!!

Enjoy your day, please safe and keep away from any known crane drivers you never be too careful !!!! If you are really bored I can recommend Bourne Identity as a good watch !

Ghana 58 Lock Down Day 11

Same o same o.... day 11 seems like day 111..........................

Today has drifted along as if I was in a trance.  Been to work but slow and I mean slow.  Nothing seems to be happening and all the talk is about numbers of cases, deaths, the situation in other parts of the world . Places I've never even heard of. Good point !!!!!!  Think about it,  a positive,  the virus is good for learning geography and statistics.

But seriously here the Chinese are under immense pressure and they are seen and the original carriers.  One told me he dreads the thought of having to attend a local hospital of any reason whatsoever let along a high temperature !!!!!!.  He'll get attacked is his major worry. Pretty frightening.  And I hear in China they are making a lot of the Africans go home.  So not much love going on at the moment.

I did write yesterday that we are coming up to Good Friday. So in an effort to cheer myself up I've gone and bought some fresh cray fish for the Bar B Q.  Share them along with red wine with a work colleague who lives in my block.

And that my friends is all I can tell you. 

Ghana 57 Lock Down Day 10

You've got to wonder how people in solitary confinement cope particularly in prisons ?  God only knows.

Bad enough just going from room to room with internet, cups of coffee etc etc. And of course the ever present cable TV.   I know, and I am still going to the office for a few hours each day. Which is a welcome break but whatever, I'm still getting pissed off !!!!

And to top it all, (hysterical laugh, lots of it) ... you could not write this stuff, we've got a long weekend coming up. Whow didn't plan for that....  Should have seen it coming.  If I had not been so busy doing nothing I might have picked up on it. Bummer.

Ghana 56 Lock Down Day 9

Tuesday already, and yesterday we were are 214 cases but over night jumped to 287. Bt unsettling to say the least.

Government announced yesterday at for the next 3 months water would be provided for free. However those not on a mains supply are no better off as they still buy from private tankers. Causing a lot of stress when people are told its free but the delivery drivers are still charging. Private enterprise. So they need to make money to run the tankers etc etc. I get that but the locals don't.  Been a few scuffles already.

Some however are enjoying it.

Ghana 55 Lock Down Day 8

Gave Sunday a day of rest. No Blog.

Well after all there is only so much you can write about doing nothing !! So I gave myself a day off !!!! I did get up early, not by choice just worke up, shitty really but could I do. No way I was going back to sleep.  Had a decent lunch and played the old guitar and keyboard but motivation. Whow thats hard to find when you know after 30 miutes or so when you finished some short piece there is still another 12 hours before bed !!!

But here the government system seems to be holding together with still only 214 cases and the death toll has sat unchanged at 5 for a few weeks now. Might be that in a couple of weeks the country will open up again. I said before the place feels differenct, air so clear and the general feel of no dust and absence of wind swept plastic is a welcome change. I still don't know where all the street sellers have gone nor the beggars.  Suppose they are managing somewhere else.

It was reported on the local radio yesterday that a soldier shot a civilian apparently by mistake.  Seems the local guy tried to argue with a soldier and in the scuffle his rifle, not agun went off and killed the guy. Why oh why does a soldier amonsgt his own people need to be carrying a loaded weapon? Bit scary. Some investigation is apparently going to happen but sure it will all just fizzle out.

Would be good if dear old coraona virus would do the same thing. Just F@#$^&* off.  😀

Ghana 54 Lock Down Day 6

Its Saturday and I had no plans to write anything today. That was fine until I got a WattsApp from a Mate telling me there is an extension is for another while,   Stay Home  Another decree from the President.

Only on day 6, image what my rants are going to be like in a few more days.  The streets are again very quiet and even the few shops that are open have little trade.

It made me think of all the bars and restaurante etc. Closed. No customers, so I started thinking, no customers means no business means staff not getting paid, suppliers have no buyers etc etc.  The links go on and on. And its having knockon effect at work in simple ways as well. We have dispensation to work which is fine, but, of course special arrangements are needed to transport and feed the workers. Street side places which sold food are nearly all closed. Public transport is non exitant and as I said earlier taxis are not really allowed out. All just a big hassle.

Enough !  Wait till I get excited on Monday !!!!!1

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.....  cough cough cough......  🙏🙏🙏

Ghana 53 Lock Down Day 5

TGIF means so more this time that usual.  This weird week sort of working, but not really achieving and no people and lot hand washing and temperature measuring and huddled conference calls keeping distance and wattsapps and more and more bitty things going on and on has been driving me crazy all the week.  Even me writing asentance is weird.......   A cold beer tonight is looking really good.....

As I say TGIF.

The roads till empty going in.

Couple more days of this and it will be total boredom on my side not seeing any cars or people around.

All changed on the way back. Fast ride all the way back to end of motorway.  Then a 30 minute blockage while one, yes correct one policeman vetted everyone. 

Anyone who should not have been there, mainly taxi's were turned round and the passengers left to walk the remaining 2-3 kilometers into town. And its hot. I mean about 30Deg+.

You've just got to love this virus.

Lets see what what weekend brings...

Ghana 52 Lock Down Day 4

195.  Big number.  Yesterday I thought 161 was not to bad.  Big jump in a day.  Is it real? If so why? Are we doing more testing, telling more truths or what?  And I'm travelling to work.... All a bit if'i.  (not sure thats a word?).

But travelling to work I seem to be about the only one.  Probably less visus on the street than in houses !!!! Maybe safest place to be...  Theres a thought.

Took this at 7.00am this moring. Empty.  Any other time you couldn't see the tarmac as its covered nose to tail with vehilces and street sellers. And the air is fresh, so fresh. I think Accra being on the coast makes a big difference but the actutual lack of movement by people makes you realize what a lot of devastation we cause.  So jumping in the car and yes, there's no need to close all windows and put on the air con. Quite amazing. Great feeling. Poor street sellers, where they have gone and how they are coping, I've no idea.

Anyway here we are.  Back in the office once more with very quite surroundings. Bit eirie.  😕 

I plan to go out on site later today and see what if anything we can actually get achieved for the project in a safe manner. Wonder if in some ways if it is not all counter productve. I know we can in some places work at safe distances away from the local communities and away from other activities resulting in making us fairly self contained. But...........  I say that, and only 100 meters away are loads of kids playing football. And if they are not playing contact sport on the pitch they are in their houses which are literally on top of each other. Eitherway they could not get any closer to each other. Seems a bit crazy to me. Maybe more just illogical.

Lets see what Day 5 will bring us.....  I'm guessing the local population will start to creep out onto the streets and we'll see a slow build up on getting back to the 'good old'  ways. Lets see.

Ghana 51 Lock Down Day 3

April the 1st and I've gotten permission to go back to work.  Is this a joke ? Well actually no. The Mayor of Tema gives dispensation to several strategic companies and projects to carry on. Ours being one of them.  I'm pleased in one way as I did not want to get stuck indoors but also slightly (read highly) anxious about being out and about when not strictly necessary. We jumped in Ghana from 152 cases to 161 today including 5 deaths. Not many in the scheme of things but still a statistic we don't need.

I am working on a port project so you could argue that 50% of my work space perimeter is the sea so my risk drops by 50%   ?????   Does that make any sense.  Not really. Even as I write it, it sounds a bit crazy...... I can only assume..... Or pray.

I've got to take this time in the next few days as an opportunity. Seize the moment as it were.  Its a chance for me to catch up with work and focus on how we move forward in a week or 2 from now when things get more back to normal.  Or as normal as they will be.  Do you think things will return to how they were? I somehow doubt it. We are going to see some new habits, different work practices and socializing will be considerably reduced. That's my take on it.

I'm taking a few photos more to show how empty everything is. Markets have all be sprayed and people only venturing out on an as required basis.  Street vendors gone. Do hope we avoid social unrest.  Any sign of that and I am locking myself away. Photos of our construction site,  offices and surrounding areas.  Note:-  no one in sight !!!

Right so my driver picked me up at 7.00 this morning.  He got to my place by motorbike. Was not stopped.  We drove to work. Streets almost empty. Drive is normally 45 mins today easy 30 mins. At the motorway toll only 2 of 8 ticket booths open. And no holdup.....  Some police around all assisted by army.  My driver did observe the army guys were carrying guns "and why would they need those ?" was his question... I refrained from answering. Enough to concern me without AK47's added into the mix.

Well work... Place is deserted. Few guards on the main gate. Temperature check was made. Mine showed 31.2 degrees.  At that I should have been dead ,  far too cold..... So maybe the batteries are not working or sensor s not calibrated or  or ....... Just checked google.  I have or an showing signs of hypothermia apparently !!!!!!  Whatever the reason another cause for concern as it is clearly a perfunctory test for show.....

The office . Well only two expats are in.  Rest staying home till Monday when we get things back up and running. Good side.  It gives me time to write this 😊

More tomorrow.

Ghana 50 Lock Down Day 2

49 posts and adding this the day before April fools day. Well I had almost given up writing and found myself just thinking one day I'll get back to it. Whow last couple of months been quire a roller coaster. And yet could not sum up the energy or interest to write.

What with work on go slow and now the Corona Virus.  I found myself  sitting with Wanna whats best, should she deciding to go home and stay with Mum and Dad and leave me here or wait and see what transpires. She made the right choice and left for home.  Two later airport was closed.  That was 2 weeks ago and now here i am at home. Well isolation in my Condo.  Ghana government passed a decree that starting 01.00 am this last on Monday morning no movement of people between districts etc. Not an absolute no go everywhere but good enough for me to want to stay in. Site work cancelled and its strange how you adapt. Genevieve already in lock-down in London, Simon my nephew caught the bug in Singapore and stayed for weeks in hospital. Sarah in Seychelles running out and about, abet the kids are off school.

Me confined to my place and doing work through the internet. Amazing what you can achieve.  Technology.  Think about it.  There I am sitting in West Africa talking and video conferencing guys in France, Germany, South Africa etc. Quite something. I image more of this is going to happen as  time goes on... In fact I suspect it will become the norm.

I decided on the first day to make and effort with some discipline.  Get up time and SHOWER.  Yes correct, not get up drink coffee, scratch myself and then turn on the TV. And maybe later in the day put some shorts on etc. Me in my wrap round towel not a pretty sight I can assure you.

The streets are almost empty and there is a strong wind.  Whats is really noticeable is how clean the air has become.  Street dust seems to have disappeared.

Its sunny and about 32Deg. So early morning swim is the way forward.  More a wallow and going  slowly up and down a couple of times but it does feels good. Followed by a shower etc and a simple breakfast. All before 7.30am. Then call family on Watts app.  Another great invention. Can even have three way conversations. Clever....

Then I have to turn to work, emails etc till round lunchtime. Have to try hard not to stop early for food. Always a temptation when it is in line of sight !!!!!

This I am telling myself is already turning into a good routine and I'm only on day 2.

Talking of time I'm due my afternoon tea. Another bigger temptation is to catch up with a colleague who lives in my building in a condo a couple of floors up.  Catch up is a euphemism for drinking cold beers and chatting !!!!

Is that him at the door ?  Must go.......