First Rain

The incessant scratch of crows feet on our steep tin roof, the panicked baying of goats just outside my window, the booming bongo flava Swahili rap drifting from a nearby open air bar, tinny speakers crackling out the Muslim call to prayer, the diesel generator kicking in when the power goes out again and again, and the click, click, click of the air conditioning in offset unison, large trucks rattling over the humpy dirt roads clanging loudly into the yard opposite our hotel, and the constant thud, thud, thud of the poorly balanced fan over my bed.  The howl of the wind preceding the deluge and then it began.  The sky opens and drowns out all the sounds of Africa, and as the dry earth soaks up the first rains of the season, I fall into a deep and peaceful sleep.  The rainy season is coming.

The flying has been good.  The rig is now a long way off and there's quite a lot of flying, and training.  There's yet another new pilot on base and I've been running him through the indoctrination program, preparing him to fly the line.  He's a sharp fellow with plenty of experience and it makes my job easier.  He's got a great attitude and will be a welcome addition to the base, despite being in Africa for the first time.  I don't know what guys expect out of life but many come for one tour and never return.  I must admit, I enjoy all the training the new guys require.  An S76 crew is up from Mozambique and I had to take them offshore to brief the Helideck Landing Officers and Fire Crews on the ship, sitting in the jump seat behind the pilots and briefing them as we flew.  I haven't been in an S76 in well over a decade, so I quite enjoyed flying in the sleek Sikorsky once again.  I still think the Italian AW139 kicks it's ass though.