Wonderful show put on for expeditioners as a thank you from the whole school. Cultural visit proves an eye-opener!

Expedition leader Tom sends his final report from South Africa: 

Project complete! The team spent the first part of the morning tidying up the inside of the building and generally getting it ready to handover to the school, by mid morning everything was in place and we awaited the arrival of the students. As soon as the break time bell sounded hundreds of students descended on the grassy area outside the hall, they put on a great show with acts including kindergarten rap, traditional dance and poetry. 

Traditional dancing

The whole school turned out to thank us

Formalities complete the team handed out numerous gifts brought over from home and all were very gratefully received. 

Newly painted blackboard put to good use

After a quick lunch we walked out to one of the homesteads for a cultural visit, a formal bowed greeting on approach had us welcomed with open arms. All traditional customs were observed with the boys sat on benches and the girls on the floor, our host talked through the family values, way of life and the making of Palm wine with members of the team trying a small sip of the interesting liquid!

With the last day of the project complete everyone took the opportunity to relax before a delicious fish supper and bed.

Tomorrow will see a relaxed day spent down on the white sands of the bay before our final night in Africa! - Tom 

Community Project Work nears completion with fabulous results. Teaching requires some improvisation!

Expedition leader Tom reports to Michael Kingscote:

Today: (Thursday): Progress at the school today went on at lightening speed! The outside and inside have both now been finished, the black boards have been re-painted, holes in the floor concreted and a great octopus mural is nearly complete on the end wall creatively designed and painted by Jenny and Louise. Tomorrow will see the finishing touches put in place before a hand over ceremony/concert at lunchtime. Josh, Matt, Harry and Jordan participated in a maths lesson this morning and once the equations became too taxing they proceeded to teach the pupils gangnam style that could be heard throughout the school and drew an audience to every window! Lucy, Nicola, Dani and Lydia started the day in a Zulu language class much to the students' amusement they couldn't understand a word, luckily the timetable changed later that morning. 

Great job Jenny and Louise!

Louise takes centre stage in refurbished classroom

Yesterday (Wednesday): Renovations continued at speed with the outside walls now compete, two coats of blue paint on the bottom half and the windows painted. The base coat has now also been finished inside in preparation for further coats and colours tomorrow. We continue to put Harry's height to good use on top of a step ladder reaching the higher parts of the building whilst Lina and Kate resembled smurfs by the end of the day by sporting large quantities of blue and white paint. Annabel and Aaron tried their hand at some basic maths, almost being thoroughly out done by the class in attendance. Louise and Jenny also spent time interacting and teaching with an older group, all four thoroughly enjoyed the experience. After finishing late afternoon everyone took the opportunity to get some washing done and put it out to dry in the breeze before one of Tommy's legendary beef stews and some fire side stories with me.

I'm pleased to report that those with tummy bugs are now well on the mend - so all's good at Kosi Bay. - Tom

Happy in their work - expeditioners put undercoat on outside

... and walls get an undercoat inside too. 

Inside painting is finished - looks smart!

Playing ball at breaktime

A bit of colour makes all the difference as the first coat of blue goes on.

Kosi Bay and Community Project Work begins

Expedition leader, Tom, reports from Kosi Bay:

Progress at the school has been outstanding. All worked like Trojans to scrub, scrape and generally clear the hall inside and out. After only a day the outside has had two coats and the windows have been sanded back and under coated. The building is bigger than originally thought and we will need more paint, I proposed we use the money originally earmarked for the Zulu village (not up and running) to buy enough paint to finish the job in full, this was met with a unanimous 'YES' vote. We finished at three and took a leisurely stroll to the estuary mouth to wash off some of the paint and admire the view (see our photo below). Spag Bol for supper and an early night. Tomorrow we begin the teaching phase in conjunction with continued renovations. I think the whole team have now had a chance to reflect on how lucky their own school life has been. There were some upset tummies for 12 hours or so following the Pongola River phase but other than that all is well in Kosi. - Tom

Expeditioners hard at work on Community Project

Hardworkers break for lunch on Community Project

Kosi Bay on the Indian Ocean - perfect for washing off the paint!

Sunset from Expeditioners' camp at Kosi Bay

Adventure, fun and lots of wildlife on the Pongola River

Report from Expedition Leader Tom sends report to Michael Kingscote: 

All well here (Monday), we were out snorkelling on the river when you rang.

After arriving at the Pongola dam around noon we were meet by Peter and his team, a quick bite of lunch and out onto the water. Two to a boat and the first obstacle was the weir, nearly all took the plunge with Josh and Camala becoming well acquainted with the fish after a fantastic splash.

Paddling on the Pongola

On down the river negotiating various rapids and white water, until we reached our overnight camp right on the bank of the river. A large fire burned to dry everyone off and a huge spread of BBQ meat, potatoes, salad and homemade bread had everyone stuffed before bed. The boys opted to sleep out under the stars round the fire and other than us getting a little damp in the dew all enjoyed it thoroughly. A leisurely morning started with some warm up games instigated by Nicola before we hit the water in blazing sun ( the first for a while). Stunning bird life along the way included fish eagles, green pigeon, egret, bee eaters and numerous others. White water and rapids resulted in Dani and I taking a dip whilst taking photos! A mid way swim and chill on the beach let everyone build up some energy before padding the last few km to camp.

The amazing sight of main camp situated on terraced levels of sand right on the waters edge was warmly greeted and after a large lunch, beach volley ball, fishing and sun bathing were the order of the day. Ellie P celebrated her birthday in style round the camp fire, presents and cards from family and a large cake cooked by our resident chef. 16 more took the opportunity to camp under the stars and after a morning of snorkelling we hit the road for Kosi!

Tom

Tom reports on ... Elephant Interaction, Bush Camps & Walking Trails

Expedition leader Tom sends a report from Saturday:

"Well ... off road minibus driving is something everyone should try! We're on the open road!

We set off from Umkhumbi on Thursday morning and after a short drive arrived at the Elephant interaction in blazing sun, everyone had the chance to get up close to Rambo (the 'Daddy') and Mum, Rachel, feeding Rachel copious amounts of horse nuts and feeling Rambo's tongue and tusks. A short journey then had us at the northern end of Abu Madi reserve, the bush camp took everyone by surprise with flushing toilets and paraffin shower! The group erected military style 3x5 canvas tents and then we headed out on an afternoon game walk with Dillion, Gareth and Ryan our new guides. Black rhino tracks were encountered but nothing seen, wildebeest, warthog and impala were enough to wet our appetite for one day.

The evening started smoothly with a starry sky, at 0400 the heavens erupted into thunder, lightning and torrential rain, the tents stood up well and no one got wet but the night watch had to evacuate to the main veranda after the fire died and the watch tower turned into an outdoor shower. Friday stayed wet from morning onwards, however after a full day out on the reserve the groups had seen white rhino at a distance of 40m, mongoose, wildebeest, zebra, eagle owl and tracked numerous black rhino. Although very wet and muddy everyone was in high spirits and thoroughly enjoyed mountains of steak and homemade sausages round the camp fire. On Saturday a final walk produced a jackal and a few other small game but the black rhino remained elusive as ever however Dillon reckoned we were within feet at some points. After striking camp we set off towards the Pongola River* and the next leg of the adventure! " - Tom

Memorable moments include:

• The girls creating a rain dance that proved very productive! 
• Ellie P finally realised Africa is South of the UK
• Matt found the lightning a little scary and huddled up close to the other boys 
• Danny was nearly flattened by a warthog living in an aardvark hole

Photos just in of walking trails! Pongola River Phase next: Kayaking over the BIG drop, setting up camp at the riverside … and fishing for Tiger Fish!

Michael Kingscote reports:-

Spoke to Tom Saturday morning. They had just completed the walking trail, which had been conducted in wet and overcast weather, nonetheless they saw white rhino, close up; many varieties of plains game, they tracked black rhino, but did not get close enough to see him / her!

The walking trail was described by Tom, expedition leader, as being: "superb, with plenty of game, much excitement, no other people and just wilderness".
The intention, muddy tracks dependent is to drive to Pongola for lunch and then set off on their paddling along the River Pongola. They will be out of touch until Monday morning. But, everyone is well, spirits are high and they are looking forward to the ‘next phase’! -  Michael

Photo taken by expeditioner on walking trail

Guide & Ranger Tommy prepares an African BBQ called a 'Braai'

Lots of excitement on walking trails

PONGOLA RIVER PHASE:

On arriving at the Pongola River the team would have found two-man canoes waiting for them on the Riverbank along with their guides. They will have been paired up and then have taken to the water!

All ready? Let's go!

There is a surprise in store ... where they will canoe over a weir with a 3 foot drop (from the screams and excitement you would think it was the Victoria Falls!) - always great fun and a sense of achievement for everyone! Especially those who manage not to capsize!

The 'BIG' Drop! The Weir on the Pongola River

They will make camp by the riverside for the first night - before continuing down the River to the Pongola River Camp for the second night. They will have enjoyed sitting round the campfire in the evening, sharing experiences and laughter ... and listening to the unique night sounds of Africa!

Beautiful, idyllic African River: The Pongola 

Pongola River Camp

Keeping warm ... and tea!

Sunset over Pongola River viewed from camp