Is it possible for a human to contract hoof and mouth disease? Don't laugh, it's no joke! I think I have it! It started as a sore throat, then I noticed blisters on my hands. Then a serious rash on my back, arms, legs and feet. Now blisters in my mouth too. I'm treating myself with Cipro, penicillin cream and Calamine lotion. The good news is, the rash is getting better, not worse, so the doctor's assessment is, the patient will live! So funny and fitting to get hoof and mouth, (if that's what it is,) on a grazing reserve!

We're still on Kachia. The past two days have been a struggle, to say the least. First the drillers ran out of diesel, so took the flatbed to Kachia town, almost 80 km away, to buy more. But no diesel in Kachia, so they drove another three hours to Kaduna where they were able to get two drums worth. On their back, the flatbed broke down. We urged them by phone to hire a pickup and send us the diesel so the work could go forward, but they wouldn't do it, giving the added expense as the excuse. So finally, we took out the seats of the Toyota and drove to find them. They were just 18 km down the road! They could even have hired two motorbikes and sent the diesel that way! But instead, they delayed the work all that entire day. Anyway, we loaded the barrels into the Toyota, and were ready to drill the following day.

The first borehole, at Wurogiji village, produced ample water, to our great joy, and that of the community, as there are no rivers, streams, dams or wells anywhere in the area.

The second borehole, the fourth and last for Kachia, produced nothing but stone dust. Aliyu and his assistant, carrying water divining rods, walked the surrounding area and still found no sign of water. After an hour or so we went back and flushed the bore, and saw a little flow, so decided to let the well develop overnight to see if there will be water this morning. We're on our way there now, praying there will be water.

Phyllis