Trip
News (4)
22 July 08 ~ 13.20hrs ~ Phone
call from Esther McCall
After an 8 hour drive yesterday, everyone is now enjoying
some well deserved downtime. Esther wanted to say how well
the students are bearing up to these long drives, particularly
as they are often sitting in cramped conditions in the land
rovers. There was praise also for all staff members who have
found themselves in the driving seat! As you can imagine road
conditions are not the best. Put it like this, a Hornbill
flew into the windscreen of one of the cars yesterday getting
itself killed in the process!
The campsite itself is lovely and she described it as looking
akin to one of those ‘protest’ sites with lines
of washing hung everywhere. She reported that the students
themselves are doing well on the laundry front and said all
the parents should be proud.
Today was yet another very early start as they went on a
game drive deep into the Chobe National Park. They were hoping
to see some lions, but the nearest they got was seeing some
footprints. Nevertheless they did see a Puku (a very rare
antelope) which is unique to that part of Botswana. They
also saw a Sea Eagle and Mr. Threadgold spotted three different
species of Kingfisher.
Some of the team are currently sat around the swimming pool
relaxing. At 15.00hrs they are heading off for a sunset cruise,
when the students are very much hoping to see the first crocodile
of the trip. Afterwards they will be going for a buffet meal,
described as “eat all you want”.
The plan for tomorrow is to cross the border into Zambia,
via the Kazungula Ferry. That is the plan! Unfortunately,
recent changes to limit the number of vehicles allowed on
the ferry, has meant that they have observed long queues of
traffic waiting to board. Given that they also need to secure
visas into Zambia, they are hoping this part of their journey
won’t prove too traumatic and that they arrive in Livingstone
on schedule.
The problem with the phone has not resolved itself, but once
at Liyoyelo Farm there will be access to the internet so it
is hoped future reports can be sent via email.
22 July 08 ~ 17.30hrs ~ Message
from Michael Epstein
Charlotte called to see if everybody at home was ok. They
had been on the cruise and were going to a restaurant tonight.
She said she had been sick last night but 100% better now
and looking forward to the restaurant. She told Eliza that
there are monkeys everywhere and they keep thinking they are
going to take their washing but they don't. She sounded like
she was having a great time.
23 July 08
~ 18.25hrs ~ Email from Esther McCall
We've finally arrived at Alan and Oriel's
farm.
Once again our day started with a wake
up call at 4:45am, followed by breakfast at 5:00 - 5:15am.
Our aim was to leave the Chobe campsite at 7:00am. We have
had to get up this early as it has been taking us 2hrs 15mins
to get going in the mornings. I'm pleased to say that we
were able to get up, have breakfast and break camp in 1hr
28 mins.
We had a long wait for the Kasungula ferry.
The lorries that I thought had been waiting for three days
had, in fact, been waiting three weeks. We had to miss the
first three ferry's as they were too full. Having finally
crossed into Zambia we had quite an ordeal getting through
Passport Control. There was no queue as such and there were
about 200 people all trying to get their Passports stamped
with only about two officials working.
Everyone is very pleased to now be at the farm and to have
pitched their tent for the next two weeks.
Whilst we are at the farm there is now the opportunity
for parents to telephone to talk to the students. The number
they must use is:- 00260 213 32 77 69
Any parents wishing to
phone must only do so between the hours of 7 and
8pm GMT on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
There are power cuts on the other evenings.
We respectfully ask that
you do not call outside of these times.
Could we also remind parents
to keep their phone calls as brief as possible as
there will undoubtedly be other parents trying to
make contact.
|
We will be going up to the school for 9:00am tomorrow morning
for a welcoming ceremony and hope to get started with at
least the painting tomorrow afternoon. Everyone is very
keen to get started. They are also looking forward to tomorrow's
lie-in until 7:00am. The latest we've got up this trip is,
I believe, 5:00am.
My phone still isn't working, but I'll try to get a picture
sent for the website.
23 July 08 ~ 20.55hrs ~ Message
from Julie Williams
Spoke to Tom tonight. They were sitting around the camp
fire. He said it is fantastic and has been beyond his expectations.
He was looking forward to sleeping in till 7:00am tomorrow
before they visit the school. Everybody is having an amazing
time and he can't wait to show us his photos.
24 July 08 ~ 19.05hrs ~ Message
from Trish and Mike Blake
Finally after 16 days of no contact we
spoke to Thomas at 19:05pm!
Said he’s seen lots of animals – lion, elephants,
crocodile and lots of monkeys. He said a one handed monkey
got the better of one of the students when it stole an apple
from him – smart monkey! Enjoying the adventure so
far but not the early starts and the cold nights and mornings.
He said the Welcoming Ceremony at the School this morning
was really good especially when the children sang, danced
and clapped for them. Also some children tried to teach
him to play the bongos but he found them too difficult!
Did lots of painting today and is covered in paint. Taken
lots of photos and even some with himself in them (which
is unusual as he hates taking photos). Thomas said
he was about to go to bed which is not unusual for him as
he loves to sleep but he said he might get up early from
now on when he gets home as he has realised he is wasting
a lot of time asleep! He is not looking forward to coming
home as he is having such a great time.
That’s it for now – it was so good to hear
his voice.
24 July 08
~ 19.09hrs ~ Message from Michael Epstein
Spoke to Charlotte this evening, all she
kept saying was "it's amazing". She said they
had been to the school today and the children were singing
to them and the women were dancing, so they all got up and
"had a boogie" with them. Again she sounded so
happy.
|
