North African Football Fever

An Update to this post with some pictures my dh took in Cario, Egypt VS Algeria match 2009









In and around Cairo City!









This weekend we have been gripped with football fever in my life and home. My dh flew out to Egypt last week in support of his country and good for him mashaAllah. This trip soon turned in to terror for us at home, his family in France and Algeria.
All was well until this see all types of footage here.

It all became very worring for us for the safety of my dh who went there on a very happy note for a friendly match and we did not expect all this horror.

I had endless phone calls from his family abroad asking about his safety and well being , my children worried sick. This really ruined what was to be a happy occasion Allah Al Must'aan.

He was due to return later this week but i had to purchase a new ticket for him for today for his safety and alhamduilah he is on the flight back to London now as i type. I am not sure if he was attack at some point but all will be revealed soon.

Anyhow here are some pictures of our peaceful pre match party!












Despite all this madness we did have a pre-match party in my home , my children wanted to celebrate and we watched the match very peacefully at home masha Allah!

Iam dreading the re match tomorrow in Sudan , i can only pray for peace.

The Gambia

We sat and chatted into the early hours about her expierences and thoughts while in The Gamiba.
Here are is a small selection of pictures she took that captured the mood for me. Also do you remember in the summer and this charity event i organised? Well the money we raised was for this very compound my friend visited.
First we can look at the poverty of The Gambia
At the school none of the children knew what a globe was , how was it possible to view the whole world , so the teacher drew one for the children to understand.


Quran stands that have been purchased with some of the money we raised.
The Orphanage



a nearby project that needs money to get it upright and finished.


Inside one of the class rooms where there are no blinds or protection against the scorching sun and the students move around to dodge the heat.

No tables just benches to sit on during class, no paper , no pencils nit even chalk and board.

some if not most falling apart

The roof of the class room and in the rainy season they get wet!



Now the natural beauty of The Gambia












This is a picture house in the town single screen complex!

Ricotta And Spinach Cannelloni

My dear traveller friend returned from The Gambia. I was busting to hear all about her adventure and see her pictures. Also after 2 weeks of no electricity and no running water. Limited diet and a basic way of living, i guessed she was ready for a treat. I cooked some of her favourite food.
Ricotta And Spinach Cannelloni Recipe

I have never made Cannelloni but decided to try it and i use this recipe. The dish was fairly easy to make and very tasty, full of flavour.





I served it with steamed vegetables


For tea we had pineapple upside down cake and mint tea. Now i have made this cake before and thought it was on my blog , in fact i am sure it is but i could not find it . So i am going to add a recipe here

I threw away my silicone cake mould as its rubbish and it ruined my cakes on many occasions. Have a look and see what it did.



I had to cut away the burnt top and sides to reveal a delicious cake!