Missing photos

I hope that you all had a lovely first night home, and that Charlie got to Germany ok!?

Herewith photos from your final day in South Africa which didn't make the blog..

Very best to you all, Fee

All home...

All landed safely and on their way home!

Nearly home...

The intrepid expeditioners are now on the final leg of their journey from Dubai...
See you later...

Leaving South Africa

Goodness me, 3 weeks has passed! The expeditioners are all well and just about to board the plane for the first leg of their return to London Heathrow.

Animals...

A really good day yesterday with the group being lucky enough to see 3 of the Big 5 plus many other animals. Elephants were a big hit along with giraffes, zebra, rhino, buffalo and many many more!

Sunset from camp

Yesterday was a chilled day which consisted of travelling from Kosi Bay followed by a visit to Antons snake garage!  After lunch they did some conservation work and helped with some alien plant removal before heading back just in time for sunset .  An early start today, 5.30am, for the game drive in Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park. 

Final day of exped and kosi bay

Katy writes: A really good day where they finished exped for lunchtime.  All did really well considering some very hot conditions and very tough navigation! 

This afternoon they have handed over the project to the school.  They all had a chance to go into a classroom and experience some teaching with Dan, Harry and Alex bring thrown in the deep end having to teach maths, geography or about the economy! At the end of the school day they played a great game of netball with the entire school watching!! Unfortunately the Kelly team didn't manage a win but the school were very pleased with their new kit - 2 new football strips, 2 sets of Netball bibs, football and volleyball nets, whistles, stopwatches, footballs, netballs and volleyballs!!

Exped Day 2

Yesterday was a really good day although quite warm. They camped up in Bungnek School with their guide eating rice for the second night running!

D of E Exped Day 1

I have just spoken to Katy.  The team are doing brilliantly!  

Yesterday they paddled from the estuary through lake 1, lake 2 and into lake 3 to camp at lake 3 campsite within the KZN Wildlife National Park. They all paddled superbly finishing the paddle ready for lunch! Only one pod of hippos observed in Lake 3.   This meant that they had a longer paddle as they had to take a slightly wider angle out of the channel than previously planned!!   Wonderful experience. 

After a chilly but beautiful night in camp they set off today with their rucksacks.  They days are beautifully warm and clear.  The following 2 nights will be spent in the grounds of small schools.  Next scheduled phone call is Thursday morning, but we will try to get some photos for you over the next couple of days!

Spear Fishing!

Spear Fishing in local Fish Traps - Kosi Bay.  The traps are passed down generation to generation.  Our expeditioners are extremely privileged to have permission from this family to try their hand at this traditional fishing method.

 

Project photos

Sunset over Kosi Bay

Painting and Home Visits

Everyone working hard to finish the bulk of the painting of the building  ready for our artists,  Jessie and Grace, to do the pictures on the end walls of Nemo and a starfish.
Today, after lunch the students are also going to head back with one of the Zulu kids to visit their home and family. In groups of 3 they will experience the walk home from school to meet the family and learn about the Zulu culture.  They are taking a food parcel with them to say thank you to the family for hosting them.

The heat is on in Kosi Bay ....

Temperatures are high today in Kosi Bay.  The team are panting away having prepared the walls for the middle classroom by cleaning and polyfillering it yesterday.

Later on they will visit the homes of the of some of the students which they are very much looking forward to.
  
Here they are enjoying a game of French Cricket!

Pictures from the Walking Trail

The team in the Bush...

Kosi Bay

The Walking Trails were a great success and 9 expeditioners have become a super team now well versed in the climate of Kwa Zulu Natal.  Today they are in Kosi Bay and will start to prepare one of the school buildings for repair.  Tomorrow will be spent with the children and visiting some of their homes.  Just waiting for a gap in the internet and photos will be forthcoming!  

Elephant interaction

In preparation for encounters in the Bush, the expeditioners spent time this morning interacting with Elephants!

Elephant interaction

They have now arrived at Abu Madi camp ready to start the walking trails! Girls beat the boys by about an hour putting the tent up!!!
This afternoon they will have their first game walk and on return they will alternate being on overnight watch, ensuring the camp is safe.

Walking Trails Bush Landscape

Impala Dissection

As part of their Environmental Awareness Course, the expeditioners dissected an Impala.  

Impala Dissection

Blowing up the lungs!

The students learnt about both the positioning and function of each of the organs within the body.  All of our dissection animals are from areas where the number of animals is too high to be sustained by the land. This game management is a necessary part of conservation to ensure that the animals and ecosystem survive.  Nothing is wasted and for the meat eaters amongst the team there was Impala for supper!

Inquisitive Expeditioners...

Lydie with Mr Monitor Lizard

Jess and new best friend!

Is it poisonous?

Inquisitive Giraffes...

I spoke with Katy this morning.  Everyone is very well and very happy.  They had a little bit of rain when they drove up to camp from the Airport, but otherwise lovely and dry.  Temperatures are low at night but very pleasant during the day.

Yesterday was spent with Tommy.  Part of their Environmental Awareness Course included a walk.  Wildebeest, Nyala and Impala were seen a plenty.. "What a shame we didn't see a Giraffe they cried!"   Then, just before getting back into camp, there they were.. 2 gentleman Giraffes ambling along the track.  Everyone sat down quietly; low and behold the 2 gents went over to them had a little look at this strange collection of humans in the track and mosied off!

Snakes today...

The Team has landed!

The Team have arrived safely in Durban. They will be transferred by Anton up to their camp near Hluhluwe. Time to settle in, listen to the sounds of the South African Bush before snuggling down for their first night under canvas.

Boarding connecting flight from Dubai....

The team have landed in Dubai after a very comfortable first leg of their flight. Now about to board the connecting flight to Durban.

Checked in

All checked in and ready to go! Main bags next seen in Durban, SOUTH AFRICA.......

Fantastic to see everyone at Kelly College this morning.  At last the adventure begins and the Team are now en route to London Heathrow ........  take no notice of the bus route written on the top of the minibus!

1 week to go

Next Monday is take-off!

Very much looking forward to seeing you all at Kelly College for final admin details and waving you off to Heathrow!

Kelly College D of E Expedition to South Africa

Just over 3 weeks until "The Team" led by Katy Kelly, head off to London Heathrow to catch a plane to South Africa!

At that point any information about the expedition and how they are all doing will be posted on this blog.  Do share it with family and friends so that you can all keep up to date.

If you have any queries before they depart please email Fee Bellamy: