Halfway through with my cup half full!

Friday the 19th of November marked the halfway point of the programme. 6 weeks gone, 6 weeks to go. Because of this occasion, we had something called the mid-phase review which is basically a weekend away to discuss how we think the programme has gone so far. Our weekend away was in a place called Obudu Cattle Ranch. We left 7am Friday morning and during the 5 hour journey we had a chance to take in the scenery. Jungle either side of the road and huge hills in the background with small villages every so often. It was beautiful and the journey gave me a chance to reflect and take everything in. We arrived mid afternoon at the bottom of the ranch and we had an 11km climb to the destination. Going up the mountain in a banger of a bus with the edge of the mountain just feet away was quite a thrill. As we got closer to the top, there were lushes mountains all around and not any man made structures to spoil them. To sum it up it was seriously breathe taking. We reached the top of the ranch and the weather was cool! it was amazing to feel a cool breeze for the first time in 6 weeks. We strolled around the area and it was extremely peaceful and everyone seemed to be in a philosopical state of mind...........'wow......a place like this just makes the world seem perfect'. The sunset came as the clouds were in touching distance and all we could see were the mountain tops as the sea of clouds were covering them. It was also getting bloody chilly. THE STARS WERE AMAZING! (sorry for repeating such words as beautiful and amazing but what else can i say!). They were diamonds in the sky! we sat discussing the stars when a huge shooting star crossed the sky to round up the night. I went to bed that night feeling rejuvenated, fascinated, privileged and extremely happy. The next day we got a cable car down the mountain to the water park and looking at it, it was like a death wish. Literally, the cable was joined from one mountain to another with the biggest drop in between. It took a lot of persuading to get everyone on. As we went over the first drop we could just see what can only be described as jurassic park! my mind was so sure of it that i was constantly looking out for dinosaurs! anyway, being suspended on a wire was incredible and the ride took 15 mins so it was another chance to be philosophical. We reached the bottom to go to the water park and it was huuuuge, surprisingly, we were the only ones there. The park had diving boards, water slides and 3 pools so we managed to keep occupied. My counterpart  Abbas cant swim but a few people convinced him to jump from the diving board (the deepest part of the pool) but, it was ok because people were in the pool READY to get him. He jumped and after a few seconds didnt come up. Everyone started panicking saying he was at the bottom of the pool. Que hero! So in a David Hasselhoff, Baywatch moment i jumped in, saw him at the bottom and managed to drag him up and get him to the side. It was so scary, but for the rest of the day, Abbas kept telling me i was his hero (ego boost). On sunday morning i had a freeeeezzzing cold shower and thought i was slowly catching a death. Later i realised there was a hot tap.......arrrgggghhh! Anyway, we left midday and it was just what we all needed after a very stressful week. We left with clear minds and good spirits, ready for the last push of work.