Sunday 14 February 2016

Sunday - final day

Not much to report today: last night we got to Bushman's Baobab safari camp and settled in to the place, including checking out the viewing deck, enjoying a 3 course meal, sitting round the campfire chatting, and even seeing a little hippo wander through the edge of the camp!

Today, everyone went on a game drive in the morning which involved getting up for a 5.45 start. Worth it though, to see elephants, gazelle, waterbuck, kudu, warthogs etc all roaming free in their natural surroundings.

We returned to camp to enjoy a full english breakfast - delicious, and not a grain of rice in sight!

then we loaded up again, and drove for an hour or so to the place where Stefan is working for a year with the Mlambe project. For those of you who don't know Stefan, he used to teach maths at Oak, but left in the summer to go and work in Malawi. It's been really good having him around this week, and seeing him really loving his life out here. Today it was very special to be able to go and see where he lives and works - a 30 min drive away from the nearest tarmac road, and with no electricity except solar power, and with no running water except from the borehole.

We are now back at Lilongwe after a lot of hours on the bus, and many are enjoying the showers, the swimming pool, and a bit of downtime.

final blog tomorrow, and then we'll see you Tuesday bright and early :-)

love to you all




















29 comments:

Mum and Dad Beardmore said...

What a Journey x Totally incredible to see all your pictures and hear all your blogs. Can't wait to see you and hug you x spray, net and pop x mum x Saw a picture of your dancing ... Couldn't resist a little jig hay oli x

Unknown said...

Hi Penny ! Safari looks amazing ,what an adventure you have all had.im sure you will have lots to tell us all when you are home.
Just the long journey home but what a amazing trip you have had.

See you bright and early Tuesday.

Even Twin 2 is coming home to see you.

Love you loads

Mum& Reebs.xxxx

Unknown said...

Ive so enjoyed reading the blog everyday and seeing the pictures of your adventures this last week or so but im so looking forward to having you home on tuesday. You all seem to have certainly made the most of your time in malawi and should all be proud of yourselves and your achievments this week. Just want to say a massive thanx to Bex for making it all happen and putting up with my child, ur a star. Safe journey home to all and see you soon xxxxx

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hey Elz.

I've loved reading all the blogs and see what a great time you have had. The safari looked great and I bet you loved the English Breakfast. Hope you are relaxing ready for your journey home tomorrow.
What an adventure you have all had. Can't wait to hear all about it when you get home.

Happy Valentine's Day babe

Love you lots and lots

Love mum. Xxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Sammy
Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday and hearing all about your experiences. The safari looks amazing and I am sure the whole trip will have provided you with memories to last a lifetime. A big thank you to all those involved in making these experiences possible for you all.
Here's to a safe trip home. Hope you get some sleep on the flight (after you have done your revision of course !! :) )- although I am sure you will head for your bed when you get in!!
Be prepared for a BIG squeeze when I see you. Love Mum xxxx

Unknown said...

Can't wait for you to be home now. Really missing you now. Safari looked amazing. Hope you have lots of pics to show us.Callum's missing you to 😙 love you lots mum & dad xxx

Unknown said...

Hope you had an amazing time on safari, you better have some good pictures! Love from Josh+Chantelle x

Michelle said...

Wow, great couple blogs to read that brought tears to my eyes (rather embarrassing when I'm sat round the pool people looking at me!) but it's so great to hear your stories and today we also visited a Gambian village home so
I can relate to what you are saying we gave hairbands, pencils, rubbers, notebooks and bits to the children and it's so humbling to see their smiles of excitement and also went into their house. The children will remember your visit forever and cherish the gifts you have given and be proud to say you gave it them X
I hope you have enjoyed the safari today and look forward to hearing all about adventure.
Can't wait to see you Jemma feels like such a long time without even talking to you and seeing your many stupid faces we really miss you. Love and hugs Mum and Steve xx

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hey sash,missed you so much but bet uve had an amazing time away. Cant wait for you to come home and tell me all about your african adventures. Love you lots carly xxx

Sara said...

Hi Abz , well done to you all , what a journey you all have been on & what joy you have all brought to lots of people over the last 10 days . Abby I can't literally wait to see you , I've missed you so so much & ive decided your never leaving home as I would miss you too much & our day to day chats etc lol . Safe travels home & well done everyone , you've made us so proud .
love you Big Girl xxxx

mumma page said...

Hey Lamara
The pictures look amazing!
cant wait for you to come home missing you so much!
Nan and grandad have been reading the blogs everyday but not good with technology and writing a comment lol

Hi Lamara how is it going
From Layton X

Lisahopton said...

Love you Boo Boo. Phil says hi. He's been practicing sooooo much. Harrison has too. Enjoy you last hours out there and have a safe journey home. Love you more than black berries xx

Callum Scoulding said...

Safari looked awesome not long now cant wait to see you again miss you livvy xx

Fi said...

Great blogs .... Thanks everyone!
What amazing experiences you have had and the happiness you have brought to so many people. So proud of you all.
Enjoy the rest of your time there and safe journey home

Dan ... I know you won't want to be thinking about normality back home just yet but some positive news for you - you are going to be starting beach training when you get back and you are now going to do the coaching course and wont be going to Kettering.
We have really missed you so prepare for a big hug!! Even Jay has missed you loads xxxx

mandy said...

Hello megan moo
Reading the blog each day has taken me through amazing journey of your experience in Malawi.
The safari looks fab wish I was there, hope you got some photo's.
I'm counting down the days and hours till your home, your never believe how much I have missed you.
Bet your not looking forward to the long journey home, stay safe sweatheart and I'll see you soon. Love mum dad danielle asia xxx

P.s I managed to make Yorkshire puddings today they came out good, first time ever. Xxx

mandy said...

Hello megan moo
Reading the blog each day has taken me through amazing journey of your experience in Malawi.
The safari looks fab wish I was there, hope you got some photo's.
I'm counting down the days and hours till your home, your never believe how much I have missed you.
Bet your not looking forward to the long journey home, stay safe sweatheart and I'll see you soon. Love mum dad danielle asia xxx

P.s I managed to make Yorkshire puddings today they came out good, first time ever. Xxx

mandy said...

Big shout out to Bex's and Helen.

Thank you both so much for everything you have done, because without you two, my girls would never of achieved this experiences that they have gained. Xx

mandy said...

Big shout out to Bex's and Helen.

Thank you both so much for everything you have done, because without you two, my girls would never of achieved this experiences that they have gained. Xx

Nehpets said...

♠ ♠ ♠ JACQUELYN ♠ ♠ ♠ - What an excellent way to finish of your perfect week - Seeing all those wonderful animals OUT of a stinking zoo in their natural habitat, so envious of you.

Just imagine if we had had to wait for you to come home to develop the film before we could have seen any pictures :( (wasn't that long ago)

FYI . . . at the time of writing 20.36 it's zero degrees outside

Take care and be careful on the long trip home ♥ ♥ ♥

Unknown said...

We can't wait to see you Lewis!!
Such amazing photos of all the children, I bet it was emotional having to say goodbye :( The safari looks awesome, I hope you took loads of photos! Have a great journey home and don't forget to pack a jumper in your hand luggage, it isn't quite so warm here :P We love you lots and can't wait to see you on Tuesday morning and listen to all your African adventures :D I turned your goodybag back on so you can message me when you get to Heathrow. Safe travels beautiful, see you soon!! Much love and big kisses, Mum, Dad and Max (Who is totally pain free now! :)) xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Sash i dont know if you still got the clothes in your handluggage that are clean but just make sure you have a hoodie to put on as its not very warm here xxx

Unknown said...

Hi everyone,

Looks like you have had an amazing trip bringing happiness to all the children you have been working with. Hope you all have a safe journey home even though it's going to be sad to leave.

Dan- I can't wait to see you and hear all about your amazing experience. I hope you have taken lots of photos (with my phone haha) to show me.
Happy Valentines Day- hope you liked you card.

Have a safe journey home, see you soon!
Love Yas xx

Unknown said...

Hi Lewis!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip from you when you get home. All the blog posts and pictures are great, I'm glad you're all having a great time. Although I can't believe they managed to drag you out of bed at 5.45 am ;)

Love you loads and can't wait to see you love Lucy and John xxx

Unknown said...

Sammy, I've just figured out how to post....whoops!
I've been reading everyday, it really sounds amazing and I can't wait to hear all about it! What an amazing journey. Not talking to you has been so hard, but I can't wait to see you when I'm back from skiing. Myself and your mum have been missing you so much, but it's not long now! Have a safe journey home, can't wait to give you a massive hug! P.S say hi to Oli and Bailey x

Unknown said...

Wow! Just been amazing heating about your days. I know Chloe you won't want to come home. Looking forward to seeing you and hearing more about it live you lots.