fish wives and swine flu

So, last week I had the kids off school all week because they were ill; this week they are off school all week again, to keep them away from the other kids at school who might be ill. No irony there, then (also, no time in the gym, spa, and definitely no time for writing the book).

The problem is the whole scary old swine flu thing which has finally made its way to Nepal. In fact, the first case picked up in the BGN community was in Hubby's workplace.

Twin 2 is within the category of those who might suffer complications from swine flu, as she is under five and has borderline asthma (not sure if the cerebral palsy is really relevant). Secondary healthcare in Nepal is pants. So, after a lengthy conversation with the doctor, we decided it might be prudent to keep her away from possible sources of infection - ie school. But then we realised that there was no point keeping her off school and sending the other two in, as they could just as easily pick it up and pass it on at home. Hence, they are all off school.

Also, shortly after we decided on this course of action, our first lot of visitors arrived (bearded cousin and Welsh girlfriend - not that there is anything wrong with being bearded, or Welsh, or both; in fact I have several bearded Welsh relatives of both sexes). But you know, trying vaguely to 'home school' when there are exciting visitors to flirt with is almost impossible. I have resorted to just giving Son lots of books from my Usborne stock, and letting him get on with it.

Feel like such a fraud keeping them off as we are all perfectly fine - apart from being bored silly.

The only thing of interest recently has been Meena and Sanu's big row yesterday evening. Hubby asked if someone could come in and do a bit of washing up in the evening whilst we have guests, and asked if Meena and Sanu could work as a team to try to make this possible (Meena has been going home before six, now the evenings are darker, whereas Sanu finishes at three, but lives on site). There was much tears, bitterness, accusations and recriminations. I wish my Nepali was better because it sounded like a right fishwives brawl. Still, those two have always had an uneasy relationship, ever since our predecessors left Sanu with their old microwave and Meena had a huff and wouldn't speak to her for two months. The only thing that got them talking then was when we sacked Dinesh, the driver.

The obvious way to solve this rift and get them chummy again this time would be to sack someone else, I suppose. However, there is no-one left to sack - apart from either Sanu or Meena, which would be counter-productive.

Sunil promised to come tonight with a couple of shirts. What are the chances he'll turn up now, d'you reckon? Even at warp speed he'll never reach it through the intergalactic highway from Betelgeuse by nine.

Hubby has just phoned from Pokhara. He has had lots of whiskey and is now contemplating spending the rest of the night in the 'X-bar'. I'm wondering if Anna Kournikova knows about this? Perhaps she has quit 'Crazy girls' for the 'X-bar' or perhaps she has given up her pursuit of Hubby and returned to Enrico? He said, in a slightly slurred voice, that Pretty Woman was on the telly in his hotel and it made him think of me. Which is gratifying, I guess, except that I couldn't really look any less like Julia Roberts if I tried, so I think he may just have been thinking about women, pretty or otherwise.

Hmm, yet another day of exciting 'home schooling' to look forward to tomorrow. I'm counting down the days until Twin 2's swine flu vaccination arrives...