Hey Mikey,
hope everything is going well at home and the pub haven't been ringing you every five seconds. We are going on a safari soon so i will do my best to get you a present but don't have loads of money!
See you soon, love you lots, Amy xx
Hi mum, beth, joe and will,
everything is going well here. We have been snowed in, i have burnt my face horribly but now everything is back on track. We are currently staying at an orphanage and its awesome! Hope everything is well at home and you've all got amazing tans in France. I will do my best to get you all a present but i am running low on funds! Love you all and miss you all loads, Amy xx
Dear all Osbornes,
Missing you all but absolutely loving every minute. Hopefully your all distraught from missing me so much and taking advantage of having mugs in the kitchen. See you all in a week, lots of love, Eloise xxx
Hi there, thank you for the message. Hope you are having a lovely time in Turkey, love James.
Hey family, everything is going smoothly, we are staying at an orphanage for project, it's amazing. Hope everything is going okay at hope. love you all, Alex
Hi everyone, i am having a fantastic time and miss you all loads. Hoe you are having a great time in Singapore. I will see you all soon, Rachel xxx
Hey miltons,
I am loving Africa! I am looking out for presents for you all but keep finding myself distracted by the amazing children at the orphanage! I am missing you all loads, see you next week! lots of love daisy.
Hey Luke,
Don't know if your reading the blog but if you are i hope your jealous of what im doing hehe! I miss you so much and cant wait to return home next week to see you, Love you lots, Daisy
Hey all,
Hope your not missing me too much, I am having an amazing time and don't want to come home! But missing you all so much. I hope the pony is fit for when i come home. Can't wait to see you in a weeks time. Ness xxx
Monday, 1 August 2011
Sunday, 31 July 2011
A MORE DETAILED UPDATE
Day one. We started the trek with our 65 litre bags high on our backs as we set off in the sun into the Drakensberg mountains. The 12.8km was quite challenging as we made our way through mini waterfalls, under caves and up very nearly vertical paths! However, we all kept smiling through the achey backs and hips and made it to our first hut. We had to cook in the dark and hide our food from the Jackles but all in all we woke for the next day happily.
Day two was was the shortest of all days with a total of 9km to complete. The walk started with a steep climb and as a result altitude tired us out quite quickly! As the route flattened we enjoyed the South African views and scenery. We saw a family of baboons ontop the mountains not far from where we were.. we were then assured we were definitely in South Africa! Our hut for this night was slightly more like a house but still, no electricity or comfy beds like at home! We began to apreciate the good we get at home with clean water and heating but the adventure was still unmissable!
Day three was another 12k, we completed this in about six hours as we began to ignor the aches and enjoy the walking we were getting faster. We bumped into some antelopes on the same path as we were on. They soon decided the big muscely walkers were too scary so ran far away! We collected more food today so our bags were slightly heavier but we kept fighting as we knew a meal was awaiting us only 6km later. We pushed ourself on a road that streatched 2km and completed it in only 17 minutes! We were treated by the teachers at the rondavels with bananas and custard! yummm
Day four was 13km. We were tired and blister plastered with the odd knee taped up but everyone pulled together to finish at the last hut where we had electricity and only one day left! We came across a family who were walking where we were who assured us snow was on its way! We were all worried as we only had one day left and we really wanted to complete the Giants Cup Trail but feared the snow could stop us! We ploughed on that day to get to the hut in enough time for a visit to the shop and an early night.
On day five we were welcomed by a little frost and a little rain-no snow. It was safe to begin walking at about 6.30am but about an hour into the walk the snow began. We pushed forward with only one break in wet boots, wet clothes and wet bags-now we know what waterproofs NOT to buy! We arrived at our collection point feeling accomplished but had to sit in an emergency shelter before running to a shop to make hot drinks and waterbottles in the snow on the trangias! We treated our selves to plenty of chocolate!
The next two days were slightly delayed as the snow was too much for us to get to Lesotho on horse back. We stayed at the horse farm until it was thought safe to ride to Lesotho.
We began our horseriding to Lesotho on the wednesday, the snowy surroudings were incredible to look at. However, after about five hours on the horses, the snow became too much for us to carry on into Lesotho. We were forced to spend the night in the PM of Lesothos renovated lodge where we sat and dried around the fire.
The next day an attempted evacuation back to the horse farm lasted all of about 45 minutes when we lost sight of the track and had to turn back for another night in the cold mountains.
That night, two other groups arrived in the house designed to take 16 people to 60+. We awoke with people sharing beds, laying on the floors and sofas where we shared kitchens and bathrooms. We set off for the boarder with a deadline for four oclock with a total of 18km to cover. A few had to walk and some had to lead horses through the passes.
WE DID IT!
However, we were unable to make it to our project in Lesotho.
We were settled once again in rondavels at the horse farm where we enjoyed cottage pie and extra breakfast the next day! The sunny weather came as a definite surprise so we made the most of helping collect fire wood before moving to the project!!
Day one of the new project began with a bit of R&R with the children in the orphanage, Cluods Of Hope in Underberg. The children here are all orphaned from parents who have died of AID's.
We played games with the children and became attatched very quickly and didn't want to go in for bed when we had too :(
Yesterday we awoke early and visited church with the orphanage before returning to start work! We split ourself into groups of gardeners and decorators.
The gardeners were assigned the job of clearing out the old vegatable garden that the snow had
destroyed. We started out thinking it would be easy but soon descovered the weeds were a little deeper than we thought. We managed to get rid of most of the dead corn and clear the soil in about 6 hours work.
The decorators had to fill in the cracks and holes and paint the huts. Yesterday three huts ended free from holes and drats!
Today we are on our last day to complete clearing the garden and painting the walls in the bedrooms.
We will leave tonight for the horse ranch leaving our new friends behind which we think could cause a few tears!
We will most likely be able to give another update once our R&R is in progress! But for now it is safe to say that everyone is enjoying everything even if it isnt going to plan!
Day two was was the shortest of all days with a total of 9km to complete. The walk started with a steep climb and as a result altitude tired us out quite quickly! As the route flattened we enjoyed the South African views and scenery. We saw a family of baboons ontop the mountains not far from where we were.. we were then assured we were definitely in South Africa! Our hut for this night was slightly more like a house but still, no electricity or comfy beds like at home! We began to apreciate the good we get at home with clean water and heating but the adventure was still unmissable!
Day three was another 12k, we completed this in about six hours as we began to ignor the aches and enjoy the walking we were getting faster. We bumped into some antelopes on the same path as we were on. They soon decided the big muscely walkers were too scary so ran far away! We collected more food today so our bags were slightly heavier but we kept fighting as we knew a meal was awaiting us only 6km later. We pushed ourself on a road that streatched 2km and completed it in only 17 minutes! We were treated by the teachers at the rondavels with bananas and custard! yummm
Day four was 13km. We were tired and blister plastered with the odd knee taped up but everyone pulled together to finish at the last hut where we had electricity and only one day left! We came across a family who were walking where we were who assured us snow was on its way! We were all worried as we only had one day left and we really wanted to complete the Giants Cup Trail but feared the snow could stop us! We ploughed on that day to get to the hut in enough time for a visit to the shop and an early night.
On day five we were welcomed by a little frost and a little rain-no snow. It was safe to begin walking at about 6.30am but about an hour into the walk the snow began. We pushed forward with only one break in wet boots, wet clothes and wet bags-now we know what waterproofs NOT to buy! We arrived at our collection point feeling accomplished but had to sit in an emergency shelter before running to a shop to make hot drinks and waterbottles in the snow on the trangias! We treated our selves to plenty of chocolate!
The next two days were slightly delayed as the snow was too much for us to get to Lesotho on horse back. We stayed at the horse farm until it was thought safe to ride to Lesotho.
We began our horseriding to Lesotho on the wednesday, the snowy surroudings were incredible to look at. However, after about five hours on the horses, the snow became too much for us to carry on into Lesotho. We were forced to spend the night in the PM of Lesothos renovated lodge where we sat and dried around the fire.
The next day an attempted evacuation back to the horse farm lasted all of about 45 minutes when we lost sight of the track and had to turn back for another night in the cold mountains.
That night, two other groups arrived in the house designed to take 16 people to 60+. We awoke with people sharing beds, laying on the floors and sofas where we shared kitchens and bathrooms. We set off for the boarder with a deadline for four oclock with a total of 18km to cover. A few had to walk and some had to lead horses through the passes.
WE DID IT!
However, we were unable to make it to our project in Lesotho.
We were settled once again in rondavels at the horse farm where we enjoyed cottage pie and extra breakfast the next day! The sunny weather came as a definite surprise so we made the most of helping collect fire wood before moving to the project!!
Day one of the new project began with a bit of R&R with the children in the orphanage, Cluods Of Hope in Underberg. The children here are all orphaned from parents who have died of AID's.
We played games with the children and became attatched very quickly and didn't want to go in for bed when we had too :(
Yesterday we awoke early and visited church with the orphanage before returning to start work! We split ourself into groups of gardeners and decorators.
The gardeners were assigned the job of clearing out the old vegatable garden that the snow had
destroyed. We started out thinking it would be easy but soon descovered the weeds were a little deeper than we thought. We managed to get rid of most of the dead corn and clear the soil in about 6 hours work.
The decorators had to fill in the cracks and holes and paint the huts. Yesterday three huts ended free from holes and drats!
Today we are on our last day to complete clearing the garden and painting the walls in the bedrooms.
We will leave tonight for the horse ranch leaving our new friends behind which we think could cause a few tears!
We will most likely be able to give another update once our R&R is in progress! But for now it is safe to say that everyone is enjoying everything even if it isnt going to plan!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Back at the horse farm after two days in the snowy mountains attempting to get to our project school in Lesotho. We had a great trek on the horses but unfortunately the snows came and we were forced to stay in a mountain lodge, not too bad as it was the prime ministers personal lodge!
We tried to get out the following morning on foot but decided the weather was too bad so turned back to the lodge. Two other groups were also forced to stay in the same accommodation-very crowded! But we coped.
The following morning 6o of us left for the horse farm, some on horseback, some walking. It took us about five hours to battle the 18k through the snow, but it was a great adventure!
We are leaving today for an orphanage in Underberg to work hard for the next three days before heading for St Lucia and continuing with our R and R.
Everyone is well and happy so far and getting on well in the now sunnier weather!
The team.
p.s. we miss everyone lots!
We tried to get out the following morning on foot but decided the weather was too bad so turned back to the lodge. Two other groups were also forced to stay in the same accommodation-very crowded! But we coped.
The following morning 6o of us left for the horse farm, some on horseback, some walking. It took us about five hours to battle the 18k through the snow, but it was a great adventure!
We are leaving today for an orphanage in Underberg to work hard for the next three days before heading for St Lucia and continuing with our R and R.
Everyone is well and happy so far and getting on well in the now sunnier weather!
The team.
p.s. we miss everyone lots!
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Hey everyonee!
Just to let you know we are all okay and the trip is going to plan so far..
The 11 hour flight was okay besides not much sleep occurred and poor little claire was sick! However, now she is feeling much better.
After landing a few minutes late we RAN through Johannasburg airport carrying all our luggage apart from those who were assisted by the helpful porters. It was insisted we left our bags with the porters and board the flight asap without any passport checks! We boarded the plane last and made it 9 minutes before take off!
We arrived an hour later in Durban where we waited and waited and waited for our luggage.
Which never arrived.
We left for a 20 minute drive to Nomads backpackers where we spent the night in bunk beds with a pool and lovely garden! We ate tea after visiting tyhe supermarket and then hastily made our way to bed.
We were just drifting off as our lost luggage finally arrived! We were all relieved we could change the clothes we had been in for the past 2 days and be able to shower in the morning!
On day two we packed up and set off for a four hour journey to the horse ranch in Lesotho where the weather was a little different to Durban. We enjoyed the day time temperatures but night time proved to be a challenge when temperatures dropped to minus numbers!
We wrapped up warm and prepared for what was surprisingly quite a nice sleep and woke this morning feeling refreshed and enoyed another helping of porridge and toast.
Today is a preperation day for the next 5 days of trekking! Some of us are lending a hand on the farm while others are shopping for the food that we will be carrying for the next few days.
We will be spending our time in mud huts in the cold so are depending on our sleeping bags to keep us warm in the -14 degrees that have been present over the last few weeks.
There have been a couple new friends made already! Including simon the horse and smeagal the dog.
Simon is a horse that is treated much more like one of us.. while cooking yesterday we were greated by a big horse that willingly helped himself to alex's shoulder. DONT PANIC he doesnt have rabees and nothing was left besides a little red mark.
Smeagal is the sheep dog who is almost the same size as little ness and is honestly quite dangerous looking. We are forbidden to touch or feed smeagal because he is a working dog.. i dont think many of us would want to anyway!
Pembs was warned early on about the dog so when he was crossed by a little baby jack russel (not smeagal) he was eager to get out of the way and scream out loud 'IS THAT THE BIG WHITE DOG!?'
The people here are lovely and everyone is healthy and happy, i have been instructed to tell everyone at home we are al missing you already!
We will keep you updated as much as possible. We havent been able to get hold of our tracking info for you but you will be able to find it on the true adventure website by emailing.
Daisy and Ness
Just to let you know we are all okay and the trip is going to plan so far..
The 11 hour flight was okay besides not much sleep occurred and poor little claire was sick! However, now she is feeling much better.
After landing a few minutes late we RAN through Johannasburg airport carrying all our luggage apart from those who were assisted by the helpful porters. It was insisted we left our bags with the porters and board the flight asap without any passport checks! We boarded the plane last and made it 9 minutes before take off!
We arrived an hour later in Durban where we waited and waited and waited for our luggage.
Which never arrived.
We left for a 20 minute drive to Nomads backpackers where we spent the night in bunk beds with a pool and lovely garden! We ate tea after visiting tyhe supermarket and then hastily made our way to bed.
We were just drifting off as our lost luggage finally arrived! We were all relieved we could change the clothes we had been in for the past 2 days and be able to shower in the morning!
On day two we packed up and set off for a four hour journey to the horse ranch in Lesotho where the weather was a little different to Durban. We enjoyed the day time temperatures but night time proved to be a challenge when temperatures dropped to minus numbers!
We wrapped up warm and prepared for what was surprisingly quite a nice sleep and woke this morning feeling refreshed and enoyed another helping of porridge and toast.
Today is a preperation day for the next 5 days of trekking! Some of us are lending a hand on the farm while others are shopping for the food that we will be carrying for the next few days.
We will be spending our time in mud huts in the cold so are depending on our sleeping bags to keep us warm in the -14 degrees that have been present over the last few weeks.
There have been a couple new friends made already! Including simon the horse and smeagal the dog.
Simon is a horse that is treated much more like one of us.. while cooking yesterday we were greated by a big horse that willingly helped himself to alex's shoulder. DONT PANIC he doesnt have rabees and nothing was left besides a little red mark.
Smeagal is the sheep dog who is almost the same size as little ness and is honestly quite dangerous looking. We are forbidden to touch or feed smeagal because he is a working dog.. i dont think many of us would want to anyway!
Pembs was warned early on about the dog so when he was crossed by a little baby jack russel (not smeagal) he was eager to get out of the way and scream out loud 'IS THAT THE BIG WHITE DOG!?'
The people here are lovely and everyone is healthy and happy, i have been instructed to tell everyone at home we are al missing you already!
We will keep you updated as much as possible. We havent been able to get hold of our tracking info for you but you will be able to find it on the true adventure website by emailing.
Daisy and Ness
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