It's not easy being lean...

...in Namibia. I know, I know, I said I'd try to focus on writing about my mission instead of a 'good grub guide to Windhoek' but I couldn't let these little gems go unmentioned.

The Gourmet Restaurant -  is a lovely chilled out eatery off the Post Street Mall in the centre of town. Ideal for sampling one of their delectable and value for money lunchtime specials. Here I enjoyed a warm game salad and lime soda for lunch one Saturday, delicious!

When my friend Beth from Okonjima came to town a few weeks ago, we met up for dinner at the Cattle Baron in Maerua Mall, where I tucked into a great gilled steak.

I indulged in yet more meat in the form of a 'raunchy open sandwich' at the Cicada cafe at Wilde Eende, raunchy because of the yummy bacon.

...and satisfied some of my sweet cravings at Sugar and Spice in the Bougain Villas complex, Sam Nujoma Avenue where I polished off a delectable fruit cheesecake accompanied by a Viennese coffee (Melange) on more than one occasion.

In my last week in Windhoek, I treated myself to a warm prawn salad and chocolate brownie with Grand Marnier cream at the Stellenbosch Restaurant , naughty but very nice!

View of the courtyard from the Stellenbosch restaurant

Ten Ten

My colleagues Cathline and Grace took me out on the town one balmy Friday evening. We went to the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre to watch an up and coming Namibian Reggae band in action called Ten Ten. 

Energetic, colourful with a style and sound slightly reminiscent of the great S African Lucky Dube, who the band paid tribute to during their set, Ten Ten soon had everyone up on their feet boogying along to tracks from their latest album "Love related issues - lesson 1" 

They are definitely a band to watch. Exhilarated and foot sore, we left the gig after Ten-ten's numerous high energy encores in search of something to eat. Alas, Windhoek on a Friday night is a somewhat quiet place compared to London, a city that never turns in. We drove around and around looking for a cafe or restaurant that was still open.

Eventually we decided to drop in to Nando's and heartily chomped our way through flame-grilled chicken and chips, luvverly.

Tingly

Unfortunately in October I fell ill with shingles. At first I thought I had been bitten by an insect or spider during the night as I had painful and itchy lumps on my head which rapidly spread to around my eye and across to my ear, but as they didn't clear up within a couple of days and the pain got worse I went to the doctor and was signed off from work immediately and given tablets and painkillers to take and advised to bathe the affected area in ether. What a palaver! But it worked. The doctor and pharmacist were very efficient but the consultation and treatment did cost. I have to say it made me thankful for our NHS back home!