out of town gallivanting

We recently finally made it out to one of the more accessible yet lengthy local hikes, Nkhoma Mountain. It's been on the list for awhile, but we've been caught up with town-shaped chores and getting back into the Lilongwe swing of things.

looking northwest towards Lilongwe

So we piled into Nikky, our little tiny pickup, strapped the dog into his bed in the back, and took off down the dusty road that connects our northeast neighbourhood to the southbound Blantyre road out of town. We had almost reached the 'highway' without mishap when a passing vehicle approached in the oncoming lane, a touch too close for comfort. Devon steered our chariot to the side, but just as we were squeezing by, the aft passenger door opened into us, apparently with purpose. He quickly wheeled around and after a few minutes of wild arm waving and not a small amount of yelling, we managed to get an apology out of the guy.

It was a strange start to the morning.

and south.

Just out of town, we turned at the sign to Nkhoma Hospital and drove the 10 km or so east before parking the car under a mango tree near the local cathedral and releasing Rusty from his restraints. He reminded us he's not much of a climber over the next few hours of scrambling up through boulders and thick underbrush. It may have just been for show and a treat. He's attention oriented.

It turned out to be a goat-filled outing. Apparently the goat-herding is taken very seriously in Nkhoma village. Herds (pods? groups?) of the darn things were scattered over the hilltops, minded by packs of children and the same numbers of skinny, tending-on-vicious dogs. We didn't mind them much until they exhibited a bit of that vicious behaviour, mostly taking it out on Lusty. Scrambling higher on the peak seemed to lose them. I tucked our poor pup under my arm for the steeper sections.

Made it back to Nikky unharmed. Too bad we didn't get a goat for dinner, though.

made it. 

view across the valley. I hope there are fish in that pond.