Tuesday June 24

Today was easy in comparison to yesterday, well nearly anything has to be easier than the 37 patients we operated on and after a late night philosophical discussion about the work of mercy ships and the way it is different to other NGO's. We actually did well this morning too. One of my favourite operations - taking out cataracts in a 6 year old girl who tomorrow will see for the first time. As I collected her to carry her to the OR she happily cuddled up to me and was very content to allow us put her to sleep. I'd love to see her face tomorrow when the bandages come off.

The morning had gone smoothly and the afternoon soon passed including a short spell in the unit where the instruments are sterilised which brought back happy memories. A sun drenched deck with chairs, a good book and a cup of tea was very inviting at 5.00pm when I finished work. I just thought I ought to at least make an effort to look as if I had seen the sun while I've been here. Just as well I went when I did as we are now in the middle of a tropical downpour. It's windy and the water is a bit rough considering we are moored in a port so much so that the ship is moving albeit only slightly.

After dinner I headed to the crew galley (kitchen) to attempt to make a chocolate fudge cake. Not having quite all the usual ingredients was a further challenge. I just hope the Hershey's chocolate syrup works and thet the Ritter bitter chocolate on top counteracts the sweetness of the syrup. The cake is owing to the fact that tomorrow will be my last day operating with the eye surgeon and he likes chocolate cake. If the recipe works I'll have to call it Dr Glens version!

The recipe has to be done in stages so while the cake was setting I line - danced. I'm not sure if the instructor is used to quite such hilarity or with students who struggle to master such simple steps but she was exceedingly good natured about it all. The one hour class continued for a further 30 minutes such was the fun.

The chocolate should have set by now on the base since I returned to the galley to complete stage 2 of the cake before writing my blog tonight. By now it should be ready to cut and as the saying goes " The proof of the pudding is in the eating" so off I go.........