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SW Schools South Africa Expedition News
Departed: Tues 26th July- Returned: Mon 15th August
PDF South Africa Group 1's Diary
Certificate of Participation RSA 2011
This year we had 38 expeditioners travelling to South Africa, divided into 2 groups each with a leader and an assistant leader accompanying them.
TRAINING
Training for this expedition took part at Outposts Bush Camp , Somerset in October 2010 and April 2011. There were 2 groups travelling to South Africa: Group 1 had 18 young explorers and Group 2 had 20. They came from 13 schools in the south west and were led by Katy Cuckston, Lee Porter, James & Nicola Morgan and were accompanied by
Gail Izzard
(our Sales and Marketing Manager) who wanted to gain first hand experience of our expeditions "at the sharp end." They departed at the end of July for 3 weeks in country.
TEAM 1: Led by Katy Cuckston and assisted by James Morgan.
TEAM 2: Led by Lee Porter and assisted by Nikki Morgan.
Each bit of news will identify the team being reported on and where they are as they are often doing different things in different places at the same time.
News was added as it happened
The Journey has begun......
27 July 2011: Good morning to all parents, guardians and those who are interested in the expedition!
Thank you for sending your sons, daughters and wards with Outposts Ltd on this year’s expedition. As I saw them at LHR yesterday I congratulated them (and by proxy – you) for all the effort that has gone into raising the money for the trip. There was an aura of excitement, apprehension and just a few tears. But once they were on the way through to departures, their tails were up and the journey stated and then abruptly stopped..........!
The flight to Johannesburg was delayed in departing from LHR yesterday, but actually arrived at 0850, an hour and fifty minutes late. The connection to Durban departs at 1010 RSA local. If they miss this, SAA will put them on the next flight.........its Africa!
Team 2 arrived at Khamba Pot, the accommodation that we use for the Zulufadder Project, at approximately 6PM. Everyone was in good form and the delayed journey did not faze them at all.
Lee Porter reported that one ‘unnamed’ Expeditioner could not open the combination padlock securing her bag..................?
They set off this morning to their first day on the Project at 9PM.
The next bulletin will be Fri 29 July.
Thursday 28th July: The delay at LHR was compounded by missing their flight from JNB to Durban. (AWA = Africa Wins Again!). However South Africa Airways arranged for the Expeditioners to split into two and they all were at Durban by 4PM local time. A very long journey, but a lesson in life that even the best laid plans............
Team 1 arrived at Anton & Emma Robert’s house at approximately 7PM and were fed and looked after. This morning the sun was shining and the EAC was about to start.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALUM
It is Calum E’s birthday today and will be appropriately celebrated in the bush!
Poor Gail, who is Outposts Ltd’s Sales & Marketing Manager, has lost her luggage enroute, she is very resourceful so will manage!
Friday 29th July:
Team 1 (Katy Cuckston): Yesterday was the first day of the EAC and was a combination of classroom & bush. On their bush walk they saw giraffe, warthog, wildebeest, impala, vervet monkeys and more plains game. In the evening they had a bonfire and splashed in the pool! (The pool is tiny!)
As I spoke to them they were off to St Lucia for their Boat Trip on the St Lucia Estuary.
Team 2 (Lee Porter): Lee says: "Yesterday was super! The Team was fantastic!"
On their arrival at the Project they were given a rapturous welcome that ‘blew the Team away’. They met the kindergarten children and Alex J has found the one she wants to bring home. (I thought that her mother might want to know!!)
They then went to the Senior School, which is 5 minutes from the Project to decorate classrooms. By the end of the day they had done half of one. Their target is to complete 2 by the end of their stay on Sunday.
Gail got her luggage back yesterday evening; she was very happy!
Holly R says she saw a spider that would frighten her Mum! EEEK....
The next bulletin will be Sun 31 July.
Sunday 31st July:
Team 1: Text from Katy Cuckston: On Friday we went on a boat trip into the St Lucia estuary and saw hippos and African fish eagles. Due to the weather the game trail had to be cancelled so we all headed into town for chocolate, coke and shopping before getting sand blasted on the beach.
All the Expeditioners reverted back to being children and were drawing in the sand after the boys had finished play fighting!
Then followed a visit to the Reptile park which included a 10,000 rand bet on who would run from one end of the pen to the other!
Saturday started with a reptile talk from Anton R and was followed by a lesson on setting up camp and bush showers, in preparation for the game walks. Callum E and Sarah S were the victims to test the temp of the showers and how long 20 litres of water lasts!
Just before tea Josh B ended up in the pool thanks to some gentle encouragement!
This afternoon they will visit the Elephant Interaction Project at Itala Weavers and tomorrow head off to Kosi Bay.
Team 2: Text from Lee Porter:
The work at the project is nearly completed having decorated 5 (!) classrooms. The Expeditioners have been exemplary in their will to get the jobs done.
This afternoon they leave the Project and set off for their Environmental Awareness Course (EAC) with Anton Roberts.
The next bulletin will be on Wednesday 3rd August.
Wednesday 3rd August:
Team 1 (Katy Cuckston): Katy reports the following: On Sunday we had an amazing day at the Elephant Interaction Project and the Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre everyone was allowed to get a very close look at these two superb animals!
Harry L even made a good friend of Rambo the bull elephant after he nearly knocked him flying with his trunk!
Monday On Monday it was very cold and we were all chilled to the bone. We met up with Team 2 only for an hour over lunch. We then headed to Kosi Bay which is the most stunning beach I think any of us have visited.
Whilst snorkeling we saw tropical fish, crabs, starfish and loads more! A fantastic day but it left the whole group very tired, Ben L was the first asleep at 7PM but was closely followed as all were in bed by 9.30! A point for parents to note.
Wednesday We are leaving Kosi this morning, and are off on our walking trail now for 2 nights so hoping to see even more animals and other amazing sights!
Notes for parents / guardians: As a Company we do not allow swimming in the sea as the Indian Ocean has very strong undertow. Kosi Bay is a sea water cove, sheltered by a reef from the Ocean and is perfect for snorkelling and swimming. Take a look at Kosi Bay Nature Reserve on Google Earth and pan out until you can clearly see the inland bays and the reef to the North from whence the sea flows. Michael Kingscote
Team 2 (Lee Porter):
Tuesday Lee sent the following report about the Project work at Zulufadder.
Team 2 has worked very well together to completely clean and repaint 5 classrooms at the local secondary school as part of the Zulufadder project. The Team achieved the target that they had set.
They also made a big impact on the local students and the 2 groups of young people got on extremely well.
Some individual anecdotes:
Matt L spent one entire lunch break chatting to a group of 8 enthralled students.
Jack Y organised a game for over 50.
Henry W, Charles R and Ed H figured strongly in a great performance for the England Team against South Africa football match.
Emma D shown great skill and determination in a midfield role in England's 3-2 victory. Phew!
At the same time the girls' netball team battled bravely against a very good local team eventually losing 10-4. Oh Dear!
Notable performances came from Charlotte C and Charlotte H who showed great skill and commitment.
At the school the artistic skills of SJ W and Rachel G allowed us to leave a permanent record of our visit.
At the school Amberley L swept and swept!
Tom W, Will K and Anthony H painted and painted, while Alex J got lots of phone numbers!
At the local orphanage, Josephine G found real friends as did Molly B and Holly R.
Back at our accommodation Addie C and Jenna B with others caused the locals to come out of their club to photograph the crazy Brits swimming in the open air pool during the worst spell of winter weather anyone can remember.
Your kids are doing you proud! They were all bowled over by the children at Zulufadder and some formed strong friendship.
Nicky and Lee
Wednesday This morning, I spoke to Lee he reported that:The Environmental Awareness Course (EAC) is going well. Yesterday, Tuesday, they walked in the bush and learned about spoors and tracking. They then went to St Lucia and completed the boat cruise up the Estuary and saw many pods of hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and too many varieties of birds to mention them by name.
The Expeditioners have taken masses of photos, some of which are very good indeed.
On returning to camp they practiced the bush shower drill, which will be in operation on their walking trails......everyone got stuck in. The weather is good and is likely to hold.!
The next bulletin will be Saturday 6th August
Saturday 6th August:
Team 1 (Katy Cuckston): Team 1 have been on the walking trail and had an amazing few days experiencing sights and sounds you wouldn't believe.
Some of the group had a close encounter with a rhino and her calf whilst the other half stumbled across a cheetah with her 4 cubs! Night watch was an experience for everyone especially when the lions from the next game reserve started roaring!
We are off to the project phase of our exped now and time for the hard work to begin! Amy C also turns 16 today so we will all be wishing her a happy birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!
Team 2 (Lee Porter): Lee P sent through a report on Friday afternoon. He writes:
We have just completed an amazing four days at Umkhumbi Lodge learning about the African Bush and how to keep safe therein.
The course started off with learning how to set up camp in the bush. This led on to a boat trip up the St Lucia Estuary seeing a lot of hippo and crocs; this was then followed by a very good bush walk. We learnt about snakes, spiders and scorpions actually handling some of them!
We visited the Elephant Interaction Project and had very close encounters with elephant and then at the Cheetah Rehabilitation stroked Cheetah. A memorable couple of visits.
A few observations on the Team:
Will K is the most conscientious at tending the fire.
Emma D thought that she had lost her money....but found it!
Josie G & Addie C demonstrated how to take a cold shower in the bush.
Henry W, Jack Y & Ed H are now members of the newly formed ‘Wolf Pack’.
Matt L gives nightly philosophical talks around the camp fire!
Anthony H has bought another new hat!
Molly B nearly got eaten by a very relaxed cheetah!!
Amberley L achieved a life goal of seeing an elephant and she actually stroked it too!
Rachel G was very relaxed on the boat cruise.
Jack Y is always suggesting games & activities.
Alex J held a tarantula, though she was very nervous.
Emma D is the camp hairdresser each morning.
Charlotte H had her hand in an elephant’s mouth.
Holly R was especially excited to see her first giraffe, because her Mum loves them!
SJ W spotted the monkeys before anyone else.
Charlotte C had a Boa Constrictor draped around her shoulders.
Tom W is the professional photographer.
They are now off on trail for two days and will be out of contact.
The next bulletin will be Monday 8th August
Monday 8th August : Team 1 (Katy Cuckston):
Team 1, currently on project with Zulufadder have painted the inside of three classrooms. This is great progress. They are very busy on site and today the second half of the Team will go on home visits to see how the Zulus live. Katy C reports that there were some quite emotional scenes at the last home visit. It is Amy C’s birthday today and it was started with a rendition of Happy Birthday.......
This is the last day of the project and tomorrow they will join up with Team 2 and drive to Elaandsheim for the Battlefield Tours.
Team 2 (Lee Porter):
They are up at Kosi Bay with a clear blue sky. After their most enjoyable, if not a little cold and wet, walking trails they arrived at Kosi Bay at lunch time yesterday. Lee P reports that they saw masses of animals on the trails and despite a severe African thunderstorm it was the greatest of fun. They all took part in the dissection of an Impala, which also was quite educational and moving for some.
Emma D’s birthday has also been appropriately celebrated.HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!
Lee P also reports that the Team made a card for himself and Nikki M, thanking them for being such good leaders, then the boys did a little dance....!
The next bulletin will be Wednesday 10th August.
Wednesday 10th August:
Groups 1 and 2 together
The arrival at Elaandsheim was delayed by several hours, so yesterday was essentially spent travelling. Both Teams are now together and will be starting their Battlefield tour of Isandlwhana shortly. Tomorrow they will go to Rorke’s Drift and then to Zingela on Friday morning.
I have asked Katy C to get every expeditioner to write something for the web. This will be published on Sunday.Today is Nicci M’s birthday and she is back with her husband so.....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICCI
Return details:
The bus has left Heathrow. The estimated timings are as follows:
1030 - Podimore
1100 - Huish Episcopi Church Car Park (same as drop off!)
Traffic and loo stops may vary the timings slightly! I will be in the office on 01823 451959 and then 07771 721185 from 0930. I aim to be at Podimore for 1030. Fee.
The Team has landed! Slight delay unloading but Michael is in arrivals, waiting.... Once they are all on the bus he will give me a call in the office and I will be able to estimate the times at Podimore and Huish Episcopi and will publish it here. See you later, Fee.
The Team is expected to arrive at LHR T1 at 0655 on Mon 15th Aug. Michael Kingscote (07831269168) will be at the airport.
You can check online with SAA regarding the flight status, as follows:
Go to:
Flysaa.com
Click on ‘Check Flight Status’ then type in:
Carrier: SA
Flight: 234
Departure Date: 14 Aug 2011
The coach will meet the Teams and transport them back to Somerset.
The drop off locations will be Podimore Roundabout & Huish Episcopi Church Car Park. Fee Bellamy will be there!
Fee will publish the drop off times on this page after 0800 on Mon 15th August. If you are not able to access the Internet, please call 01823451959 after 0830.
Parents, guardians and of course Expeditioners, I would like to thank you for participating in one of our expeditions. You have persevered with the fund raising, training and now the adventure itself, the reward is the experience that the Expeditioners have had.
What the Expeditioners have learned about South Africa, themselves and their friends may shape the way they go forward with the rest of their lives.............
In due course Fee Bellamy will be sending out Appraisal Forms, please ask your sons, daughters and wards to complete them. I would appreciate any comments at all, good, bad, or indifferent.
PHOTO COMPETITION
There will be a photo competition between each Expedition . Please send the BEST 5 PHOTOS from your expedition by email, full size, to Fee and there will be a prize for the best. They will then be published on our gallery page.
South Africa 2011 - Group 1's diary
Daily entries were completed in the diary by the group's appointed 'Leader' on the day. Many thanks to Katy Cuckston, Group 1 expedition leader who 'typed-up' the diary entries and added some photos!
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