What is it: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, fever-causing viral disease that affects domestic animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels) and humans.  RVF is most commonly associated with mosquito-borne epidemics during years of heavy rainfall. Where could I get it: RVF is generally found in regions of eastern and southern…

Which countries are represented by these flags?  For the answers, see at the end of the e-news.

I went to St Moritz for a week in February – on a course in a place called Randolins in Survetta, a little way outside the town – not skiing.  Randolins is a not for profit organisation that caters mainly for groups, such as children on ski camps or adult learning.  It's a very nice…

Where?  St Helena is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, 5° 43' west and 15° 56' south, 1,200 miles from the south-west coast of Africa, and 1,800 miles from the coast of South America.  The nearest land is Ascension Island, which lies 703 miles (1,125km) to the north-west.  Cape Town lies some 1700 miles to…

One reader suggested going to a university and sign up to use the net, then try the local library, and then a net cafe.  Try visiting internet cafes in the morning and early afternoon (not quite so busy).  You could also ask at your hotel if they have free internet access. In one of the…

Meeting news from our branches around the world.

In this, Sally talks about her return to the UK for Christmas 2003 after having started a new life in Portugal.  It was very strange to be back in the UK.  I flew on 19 December.  At check-in at Lisbon airport, I was furious to be charged excess baggage by BA especially when the flight…

London meeting 3rd April 2004 by Padmassana John Douglas was our first speaker this afternoon, who showed us Norway’s Arctic Highway which begins life further south as the E6. John's photos took us through the roads history which began in the 1930’s, through the years of WW2 when the Germans used slave labour from Yugoslavia…

Mac is not responsible for finding these signs, he saw them on the internet and thought they may be amusing for readers of the Globetrotters e-newsletter.  Please, no complaints about being patronising, this is just for fun.  Spotted in a toilet of a London office: TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW In a…