The villages in the area were originally set up by Christian missionaries as communities for freed slaves and some of the sights had a hint of English village about them. In the village of Leicester (below), we passed the Anglican church, complete with stained glass windows, from which a packed congregation, in their Sunday best, was giving a hearty rendition of 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'.
On a day like today, it is hard to imagine the hardships the early settlers endured, both freed slaves and missionaries. Of the 70 adult missionaries sent out by the CMS from 1804, by 1824 38 had died in the harsh conditions of climate and disease they found here
In addition to the British heritage of the missionaries, there are also signs of the US heritage of the freed slaves. Many of the house designs are reminiscent of the US, where many of the returnees would have previously worked as domestic staff.
In addition to the British heritage of the missionaries, there are also signs of the US heritage of the freed slaves. Many of the house designs are reminiscent of the US, where many of the returnees would have previously worked as domestic staff.
Although it is quite high above the city, it was still hot, and we stopped off for a welcome cold 'soft' at a roadside shop, before the urban sounds and smells started to rise up through the trees to meet us.
On arriving back among the hot throng, we jumped straight in a minibus taxi. For 40p and in 40minutes we were on the beach and able to cool our feet and have a beer.
And here is one last picture. It adds nothing at all to the flow of the narrative and I am only including it because I can..
