Thank you for
reading the blog and for all the encouraging, positive comments that have been
made.
Last day of summer school. |
Since the last
posting we have continued to have a challenging adventurous time, the day after
completing summer school we headed off to the Simian Mountains, the views were breathtaking;
we met a few Gelada Baboons, saw lots of different species of birds, walked in
the pouring rain, sang guide songs round a camp-fire inside the huts, the
evening came to a close singing ‘Taps’, slept in cold lodges and enjoyed eating
pancakes for breakfast watching the sun rise.
camp team & us |
On Friday 21st
we got up before sunrise, camp was being packed up around us while we enjoyed
breakfast, walked to the coach and set off back to Yekit Hotel to pick up our
main luggage. The staff at Yekit greeted
us like long lost friends, asking how the trip was, did we enjoy it etc. The staff looked after us they went the extra
mile to make sure our stay was as comfortable as they could make it.
Luggage loaded
onto the coach we set off on the 3 hour drive to Bahr Dar, we arrived in the
dark and pouring rain, not a good combination, we waited until the rain had
stopped to unload the luggage, a light supper and an early night, we were all
quite exhausted.
Tisisat Falls
were gushing, the rains had increased the volume of brown water flowing over
the gorge.
A boat trip to
the monasteries, the source of the Blue Nile and Hippo spotting was on the
programme for Sunday, we managed to see one lone Hippo as he came up for air,
someone managed to get a good photo. We spotted a few papyrus reed boats, made
using traditional methods. The paintings
on the church walls were very beautiful and well preserved.
Monday we said goodbye
to Elsa, she has been looking after us while on the project, we would have been
utterly lost without her advice & guidance.
Tuesday we flew
to Addis, checked into the Ras Hotel. We
visited BGIFC (British Guides in Foreign Countries) at the Sandford School, we
had a very enjoyable time with them, we taught them new songs and games.
Wednesday we
visited the National Museum to see Lucy and had a relaxing time at the Hilton eating
cake, ice cream and enjoying the hot spring pools.
The trip has
made an impact on all our lives, we have gone through a whole gamut of emotions,
we have laughed & cried together, we all have different special memories,
one of the very special memories that will stay with me is the joy on the faces
of the children every morning when they saw us, as our buses approached the road
leading to the school, all the children would be waiting for us and as the buses
came to a stop a great big cheer could be heard.
Four year old girls carrying water |
We were doing so
well with our luggage, nothing had been lost and the damage to suitcases has
been minimal, that was until we got to Manchester on Thursday, my suitcase, was
given an extended stay in Istanbul, the lady at the Baggage office said “it is
not unusual for Turkish Air” great !!! I
was assured my case would be with me the following day, I was not to be concerned
as it had been located. Friday afternoon
I needed to go out and telephoned to enquire as to what time it may arrive, I
was given the couriers number, when I called they told me it would not be
delivered until Monday, “MONDAY!” I exclaimed, “that is not good enough I want
it delivering today” they can’t do that
as the luggage arrived too late yesterday for the overnight collection, and
Turkish air will only pay for overnight delivery, I demanded the name &
number of someone who can authorise delivery today, my Malarone tablets were in
the case. Eventually I spoke to the
right person and my case was delivered at midnight on Friday, took the Malarone
and went to bed.
Until our next
trip