COME UNTO ME LITTLE CHILDREN

Come unto me little children of Africa. I love you and I think you love me too.

Today I am in Marsabit in northern Kenya. My visit to Marsabit has been hosted by Benson and Mworia of the Methodist Church. They have been very kind to me.

I am lodging at the Nomads Trail Hotel. Great value at 1,200 shillings for B & B. It is centrally located near to the bus station.

We went on safari in the outlying districts. We visited to Catholic Mission on the hill above town. I became a preacher and Sayer of prayers for the first time.

We then went 10kms to the north on the road to Moyale to see a great Crater and to do some filming.

Before returning to Marsabit we handed out some biros to the little children of the road.

I set out on the 8 hour bus ride to Isiolo at 8:00 am tomorrow morning.

The bandit problem in northern Kenya is much overdone. There is only inter tribal fighting over water and livestock issues. I have felt totally safe in northern Kenya and I would advise that travel here is not a problem.

COME UNTO ME LITTLE CHILDREN

Come unto me little children of Africa. I love you and I know you love me.

I have found no place on earth like Kenya, it is extraordinary.

I am in Marsabit today. Mworia and Benson of the Methodist Church in Marsabit hosted me. I have been lodging at the Nomads Trail Hotel in the town center. A fine place to stay if you are ever in these parts.

The bandit problem here in northern Kenya is overdone. There are only tribal disputes and occasional fighting over water and livestock. I have felt on danger to myself in this area.

Today I went to the Catholic Church on the hill above town where I was made preacher and Sayer of prayers. I met the Sister.

When it is not so dry Elephants, Cheetah and Hyena roam these parts.

Later in the day we drove out to a big Crater 10kms on the Moyale road. Here we did some filming of cycling in the desert.

COME UNTO ME LITTLE CHILDREN

Come unto me little children of Africa. I love you and I know you love me.

DRINKING BLOOD WITH THE SAMBURU

Dear Friends,

I am back in Isiolo after a daring mini expedition to Archers Post seeking the British Army. Instead of the British Army I found the Samburu tribe. The Samburu are semi nomadic now living by cattle and goat herding. They are the most beautiful people. With them I am now a hero in Archers Post. I have friends among the Samburu.

I drank blood and milk with the Samburu. They drew the blood from a goat's neck before my very eyes. The goat lives.

I saw the little children of the Samburu in their school house and sat in on their maths lesson. In the future it would be great to help the children of the Samburu, they are very poor materially but rich in spirit and goodness.

I am now in Isiolo. Tonight I will take a bus to Marsabit. A 10 hour ride. Maybe I will find evidence of Wilfred Thesiger in Marsabit. Will see.

After Marsabit I will come back to Isiolo by bus. Then with the Methodists I will arrange a short safari into Samburu National Park.

After the safari I will go to Nanuki to visit the British Army HQ and to stand on the Equator line. This before pushing on to Kisumu to get a cargo boat down Lake Victoria to Tanzania.

Best Wishes

Andrew

PHOTOS EQUATOR EXPEDITION

PHOTOS - EQUATOR EXPEDITION

TURKANA & SOMALIS around ISIOLO

Dear Friends,

I am safe in the good hands of Bishop Joseph and his colleagues in Isiolo of the Methodist Church.

My day started in Meru with a four mile walk in the company of my new friend Lawrence Ibuuri, brother of Rev. Duncan of Northwich.

We had breakfast then we went by car in search of Monkeys and Elephants on the road north of Meru. Sadly we found no Monkeys or Elephants. It was too early for the Monkeys and we found only Elephant dung by the road. On the journey we stopped and I sampled maize beer and khatt leaf.

Then I cycled 25kms to Isiolo where I met the Methodist bishops and leaders. We had lunch together. I did some filming and photographing.

We then drove out into the bush where I met the Turkana and the Somali tribes people. I adore the little children of Africa and they love me too. I am admired here and I love the people back.

God has given me courage in abundance and hope to use it for the common good in times to come. I was born to make this very journey and to meet these great people in East Africa.

Tomorrow evening at 8.00pm I will take a night bus to Marsabit, an eight hour journey.

The weather conditions are ideal.

Best Wishes

Andy

A BRAND NEW DAWN in KENYA

Dear Friends,

I have spent a wonderful sojourn with my new friends in Meru. Off to see the monkeys.

Then will cycle to Isiolo.

Catch you later.

Andrew

A PRINCE IN KENYA

Dear Friends,

I am safely in Meru town after a six hour bus journey. I have landed in the finest country it has ever been my pleasure to visit. I am photographing like mad. God willing, I will make Northwich proud in East Africa. I am staying with Lawrence, brother of Rev Duncan, here in Meru.

Tomorrow I will cycle to Isiolo. I will meet monkeys for the first time. This place is a joy. They love me here and I love them too.

Nest day I will try to get a bus to Marsabit and achieve glory.

I have been here barely 24 hours and already I have been in the national papers and 30 mins ago I stood on the Equator for the first of two times on this Expedition.

Best Wishes

Andrew

FAMOUS IN KENYA ALREADY

Dear Friends,

Ive been in Kenya for 15 hours and already I will be in the national newspapers. The National Media. All Expedition and charity details will be published in Kenya. In the UK the national media is so up its own backside they haven't got a clue. Ive never seen such dismissive arrogance from any person as that displayed by the news desk lady I spoke to at Channel 4 News.

Kenya is God's own land as I expect the whole of Africa to be.

Just going to get lunch then Im heading to Meru and then Isiolo to meet the Bishop.

This morning I saw a big tree with many Storks resting on the top. It was wonderful.

Best Wishes

Andrew

OBJECTIVE TODAY - MERU town

Today I have decided that I will try to reach Meru. A town north of Nairobi. I will travel by bus company 'Kensilver'. In Meru, I hope to meet Lawrence, brother of my friend Reverend Duncan of the Northwich Methodist Church.

I am just about to get my gear sorted for todays expedition to Meru.

Had a fine breakfast of fruit, pancakes, omelette, toast and coffee.

Andrew - 7.15 am Tuesday 17th January - guest house, Nairobi

BROADCASTING FROM NAIROBI

Dear friends,

As you can see I am making new friends all the time. Here is a photo with one of the very beautiful Emirates stewardesses. I am now a big fan of Emirates. God willing, they can take me anywhere on my globetrotting expeditions in the future. Their service is superb. They take bicycles for free. They also have a service to Durban which I hope to use.

I am now in the safe hands of the Kenyan people. They will not let me down, I know it now for sure. They are very handsome people. I think we will grow to love each other over the coming weeks.

I am staying at a good guest house near to the airport. In the morning I will meet my friend Zippy, manager of the guest house. I will then go to the city centre and visit the offices of a big national newspaper, get refreshments and then I will get a bus direct to Marsabit or just as far as Meru. If I go to Meru I will stay the night with Rev. Duncan,s brother before going to Isiolo and catching a bus on to Marsabit in the north.

Best Wishes

Andrew (would-be King of Africa).

EXPEDITION: Jack of all trades, master of all.

ACROSS THE EQUATOR TO ZANZIBAR cycling expedition:

ANDREW WRIGHT: Expedition Leader; medic; interpreter; photographer; film maker; media specialist; chief cyclist; public relations; diplomatic adviser; writer; researcher; accountant; financier; map specialist; navigator; logistics expert; advisor to the Leader; promoter; media specialist & all round good egg.

THAI FOOD IN DUBAI - EQUATOR EXPED

Dear Friends,

I have just eaten my first ever Thai meal. It was one of the finest, most tastiest meals I have ever eaten. Dubai is a truely excellent airport. Very friendly helpful staff. No rif raf here. Goodbye Ryanair & Easyjet. Service is what matters, not treating people like cattle. I will definately use Emirates again. They have a service to Durban in South Africa. From Durban, God willing, I can get to Lesotho with the help of Emirates.

Remember the charity the 'African Support & Assistance Project'. View: www.asapnet.co.uk
Donate by text or by cheque to John Reilly ASAP Treasurer at: Mid-Cheshire College. Make cheques payable to: African Support & Assistance Project.

Best Wishes

Andy

EQUATOR EXPED. REACHES DUBAI

Hello, it 10.15 am Dubai time,

I am safely in Dubai at the airport. All is in order. Emirates is now my prefered airline. Excellent service. I hope to use them to get to Durban later in this year of 2012. Had a good conversation about religion with my adjacent passenger. It helped to formulate my ideas. I have a long wait here at Dubai, seven hours. Will reach Nairobi at 7.15 pm local time.

Interested parties please focus all attention on 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait' at the Northwich Memorial Hall. Opening night: Tuesday 19th June 2012. Tickets will soon go on sale via the Northwich Memorial Hall's own booking system.

Best Regards

Andy

EQUATOR to ZANZIBAR - UNDERWAY!!

Dear Friends,

I have sucessfully passed through security at Manchester Airport. Ever lasting glory is beckoning in East Africa. I thank God that I am able to tackle the project. We will have a lot of fun together on this great journey. Flight to Dubai is delayed by a half hour. Then I have a seven hour wait in Dubai. Good for a kip I sholud think.

This afternoon I had a splendid send off from my neighbours and friends. I travelled aptly with 'Andy's Taxi Service'. And it was a good service too.

Best Wishes to you all.

Andrew

ROSS - A DRAMATIC PORTRAIT

It is looking very likely that at long last, after long endeavours and rejection that my dream of seeing the Sir Terence Rattigan play 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait' will be reality. Ross is based on the life of the hero 'Lawrence of Arabia'. It will be staged at Northwich Memorial Hall on the dates 20th June to 24th June 2012. Northwich Memorial Hall has hosted both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in its past. I will be the Producer of the play. A great lady called Brenda Spencer will be the Director and my friend John E Goodier will be the Stage Manager. The production will coincide with a big 'River Festival' at the Northwich Marina on the Weaver. Interested parties are invited to come to Northwich to see 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait'. Demand for tickets is expected to be high.

DESERT ISLAND DISCs - Andy's music

For a time there was the glimmer of an idea that I might appear on a 'Desert Island Disc' style show for Cheshire FM radio. So with this in mind, I made the following selection of music to accompany me on this desert island thus:

1. 'Dont Cry For Me Argentina'. For Argentina read Great Britain. Remember the Falklands.

2. Pavorotti - 'Nessun Dorma'. This is what I was listening to when the grape picking season finally ended in the early autumn of 2009 in the Beaujolais region of France.

3. Chuck Berry - 'Memphis, Tennessee'. One of the greatest songs ever written. If I can only choose one record to take to the island, this would be the one.

4. 'Rule Britania' or 'Land of Hope and Glory'. In honour of the greatest country on the face of the planet.

5. Elvis Presley - 'At the chapel, where people are of one accord'.

6. Amy Winehouse - 'Rehab'. The voice of a Goddess. I found her only after her sad death last year. This song has personal resonations.

7. Dean Martin - 'Napoli'. I have been to and seen Naples two times.

8. The Drifters - 'Saturday Night At The Movies'. I may have seen a thousand movies at the cinema in my time.

BOOK choice beyond The Bible and Shakespear is 'A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush' by Eric Newby.

LUXURY ITEM - Photo album of family and friends.

THE BUSH TELEGRAPH - ASAP Reference

Today was an important day for the Equator Expedition. The Northwich / Knutsford Guardian photographer came to Mid-Cheshire College to record the event. There are now official photos of the Expedition preparation. The Guardian will publish next week.

Here is 'The Bush Telegraph' of January 2012 is featured above. Double click to enlarge for reading.

Message to Ian R.

Dear Ian,

Glad you like the Israel photo. You may use my e-mail address: andywright8117@hotmail.com

Many thanks

Andy