Dear Friends,
I have enrolled on the International Mountain Leader award programme with the Mountain Training Association. Becoming IML is far from easy or quick to achieve. It will take a good few years and quite a few trips overseas to gain log book experience days and do the training courses and assessments. On this road I will go to the Polish Tatra mountains in June to trek and get some days in. I like Poland and its people generally. I was last in Poland in 1997. Will see if things have changed, maybe it is now more pricey. In late October I am booked to do the IML summer training course at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia, north Wales.
Best Regards
Andrew
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Sunday, 17 February 2013
GETTING THE WORLD IN ORDER
Dear Friends,
I got back safely from South Africa and a trip in which I was tested almost to the limit. It was a tough trip and I think probably the toughest Ive done. I believe I was lucky to escape, I could so easily have been trapped if my passport and all my money had been stolen in Kokstad. The robbers left me with enough resources which they did not find to enable me to make my way to Cape Town, 1000 miles away.
There were one or two good points:
1. Reaching Befole primary school after a persistent hunt.
2. Crossing of Lesotho
3. Visit to Rorke's Drift battle site
4. Visiting the spot where WS Churchill was captured in the Boer War
5. Hitching hiking with the help various farmers and such.
6. Improved understanding of geography and culture in South Africa
Stolen items in robbery:
Cash
Travel cheques
Credit and Debit card
Drivers Licence
European Health Insurance card
BMC Membership card
Short wave radio
Machete and Masai scabbard
Spare clothes
Important items left to me:
Bus ticket Kokstad to Port Elizabeth - Thanks to the bus conductor I was able to travel thro to Cape Town with only this ticket.
Small stash of sterling and euros - I found one bank in Kokstad which did currency exchange on a Saturday.
Lonely Planet
Torch
Passport
Key to bicycle lock - If the key had gone my bike would have been useless.
Since getting home I have been trying to reinstate the stolen items back into my kit. Also reassessing and evaluating objectives. Hopefully I can take away some lessons for the future.
Best Wishes
Andy
I got back safely from South Africa and a trip in which I was tested almost to the limit. It was a tough trip and I think probably the toughest Ive done. I believe I was lucky to escape, I could so easily have been trapped if my passport and all my money had been stolen in Kokstad. The robbers left me with enough resources which they did not find to enable me to make my way to Cape Town, 1000 miles away.
There were one or two good points:
1. Reaching Befole primary school after a persistent hunt.
2. Crossing of Lesotho
3. Visit to Rorke's Drift battle site
4. Visiting the spot where WS Churchill was captured in the Boer War
5. Hitching hiking with the help various farmers and such.
6. Improved understanding of geography and culture in South Africa
Stolen items in robbery:
Cash
Travel cheques
Credit and Debit card
Drivers Licence
European Health Insurance card
BMC Membership card
Short wave radio
Machete and Masai scabbard
Spare clothes
Important items left to me:
Bus ticket Kokstad to Port Elizabeth - Thanks to the bus conductor I was able to travel thro to Cape Town with only this ticket.
Small stash of sterling and euros - I found one bank in Kokstad which did currency exchange on a Saturday.
Lonely Planet
Torch
Passport
Key to bicycle lock - If the key had gone my bike would have been useless.
Since getting home I have been trying to reinstate the stolen items back into my kit. Also reassessing and evaluating objectives. Hopefully I can take away some lessons for the future.
Best Wishes
Andy
Monday, 4 February 2013
ATTACKED in KOKSTAD
Dear Friends,
I was attacked and robbed by two men on the outskirts of Kokstad in Natal Province on the night of the first of Feb at 10 pm. I made the mistake of camping out too close to town. The attack lasted 30 mins. One of the robbers pinned me to the ground while the other rifled through my belongings and took many thinks. Fortunatly they left my passport and a little money and the bike and some basic gear. They had knives. I tried to fight back but my efforts were useless.
I took the long distance bus to the shelter of Cape Town where I am staying at the Blue Mountain Backpackers on Long St. I have rescheduled my flight to 6th Feb with Emirates.
Sorry to impart this bad news. I will muddle through and get home in one piece or half in that is not possible.
Best Wishes
Andy
I was attacked and robbed by two men on the outskirts of Kokstad in Natal Province on the night of the first of Feb at 10 pm. I made the mistake of camping out too close to town. The attack lasted 30 mins. One of the robbers pinned me to the ground while the other rifled through my belongings and took many thinks. Fortunatly they left my passport and a little money and the bike and some basic gear. They had knives. I tried to fight back but my efforts were useless.
I took the long distance bus to the shelter of Cape Town where I am staying at the Blue Mountain Backpackers on Long St. I have rescheduled my flight to 6th Feb with Emirates.
Sorry to impart this bad news. I will muddle through and get home in one piece or half in that is not possible.
Best Wishes
Andy
Friday, 1 February 2013
IN KOKSTAD
Dear Friends,
Just had my best days cycling. 70 kms accomplished. Maybe I will break this fitness business yet. I have just rolled into the town of Kokstad. My idea now is to get a bus ticket to Port Elizabeth.
Sorry not so many words.
Love to my friend Inna in Belarus and her beautiful little daughter Zhenia :).
Best Wishes
Andy
Just had my best days cycling. 70 kms accomplished. Maybe I will break this fitness business yet. I have just rolled into the town of Kokstad. My idea now is to get a bus ticket to Port Elizabeth.
Sorry not so many words.
Love to my friend Inna in Belarus and her beautiful little daughter Zhenia :).
Best Wishes
Andy
Thursday, 31 January 2013
STILL MUDDLING THRO.
Dear Friends,
I crossed Lesotho as best I could by hitch hiking or travelling in the mini bus taxis. Mini bus taxis expensive and you are crammed tight in with boxes and luggage and dismantled bicycle. Lesotho is remote in the extreme and could have been the middle of Gobi or Patagonia.
I was able to visit Befole school to object of the charity African Support and Assistance Project. But for the time being my report is for the Chairman's eyes only.
The bike is not running great. I was given a significant problem when I received the bike from the airport. The baggage people had broken my front break lever completely off so I only have a rear break. I dont trust the rear wheel, there is play in it. Also chain problem. Hopefully I can nurse the heap to Cape Town. I mean the bike not me.
I have freshened up today in my first 'Backpackers'. They have every thing.
Best Wishes
Andrew
I crossed Lesotho as best I could by hitch hiking or travelling in the mini bus taxis. Mini bus taxis expensive and you are crammed tight in with boxes and luggage and dismantled bicycle. Lesotho is remote in the extreme and could have been the middle of Gobi or Patagonia.
I was able to visit Befole school to object of the charity African Support and Assistance Project. But for the time being my report is for the Chairman's eyes only.
The bike is not running great. I was given a significant problem when I received the bike from the airport. The baggage people had broken my front break lever completely off so I only have a rear break. I dont trust the rear wheel, there is play in it. Also chain problem. Hopefully I can nurse the heap to Cape Town. I mean the bike not me.
I have freshened up today in my first 'Backpackers'. They have every thing.
Best Wishes
Andrew
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
MUDDLING THRO IN LESOTHO
Dear friends,
Sorry for the lack of posts. I just got back into South Africa after 5 days getting body....Internet room now closed. Sorry.
Andy
Internet is rare & brief here.
Sorry for the lack of posts. I just got back into South Africa after 5 days getting body....Internet room now closed. Sorry.
Andy
Internet is rare & brief here.
Saturday, 26 January 2013
ARRIVED IN LESOTHO
Hello friends,
Thankyou for looking at the blog now. I am in the Lesotho town of Buthebutha. This cycle is rather tough going due to the hot weather and the fact I have too luggage on the bike. I have picked up the habit of hitch hiking with the bike and it has been effective. I have met a good number of kind souls through this. I mension in despatches Basil and Trisha and certainly the great Lieb of Dundee town. I visited Rorkes Drift battle site on the rough back roads. I am pushing on today possibly to reach Hlotse or Maseru. No promises.
Please excuse the brief entry, this happens when I am slogging my way through.
I expect that provided I can get some lifts I will be in Lesotho for about 6 days. So I hope I take your luck.
Best Wishes
Andy
Thankyou for looking at the blog now. I am in the Lesotho town of Buthebutha. This cycle is rather tough going due to the hot weather and the fact I have too luggage on the bike. I have picked up the habit of hitch hiking with the bike and it has been effective. I have met a good number of kind souls through this. I mension in despatches Basil and Trisha and certainly the great Lieb of Dundee town. I visited Rorkes Drift battle site on the rough back roads. I am pushing on today possibly to reach Hlotse or Maseru. No promises.
Please excuse the brief entry, this happens when I am slogging my way through.
I expect that provided I can get some lifts I will be in Lesotho for about 6 days. So I hope I take your luck.
Best Wishes
Andy
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
ROOF CLIMBERS
Hello,
A lot of hopes for The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion rest with the Oxford Playhouse Theatre. The Playhouse has had the play for the best part of 3 months. This I take to be a good sign. A sign that they are giving it serious and substantial consideration. If the Playhouse dont take the play we will have to think again and look at other options, probably along the lines of a staged reading of the play. More news at a later date.
Best Regards
Andy
A lot of hopes for The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion rest with the Oxford Playhouse Theatre. The Playhouse has had the play for the best part of 3 months. This I take to be a good sign. A sign that they are giving it serious and substantial consideration. If the Playhouse dont take the play we will have to think again and look at other options, probably along the lines of a staged reading of the play. More news at a later date.
Best Regards
Andy
LESOTHO EXPLORATION EXPEDITION
Hello,
My trip to South Africa and hopefully Lesotho is near. I set off on Friday afternoon. Flying with the excellent Emirates to Durban via Dubai. Take off time from Manchester is 8:15 pm. There are 3 hours of waiting in Dubai airport. Not a bad thing. Dubai airport has everything, including free internet access point. I will reach Durban at 5 pm on Saturday. It will take a couple of hours of flaffing at the airport, rigging the bike up and such. I hope to be able to buy a sim card before leaving the airport to try and find a camp spot. I will be taking my gortex bivi-bag, so it could be a rough camp. Somewhere sheltered and away from view.
Day one (Sunday), I will begin moving north with the ultimate objective of Rorke's Drift. Not sure how far it is but I may need to get a lift if the going is too slow. Another battle site I hope to visit is Isandlwana, which is about 15km from Rorke's Drift.
The prize of this expedition is to enter Lesotho and cross that country. Sometimes when you read about Lesotho it is like contemplating something out of King Solomon's mines. Will see.
Best Regards
Andy
My trip to South Africa and hopefully Lesotho is near. I set off on Friday afternoon. Flying with the excellent Emirates to Durban via Dubai. Take off time from Manchester is 8:15 pm. There are 3 hours of waiting in Dubai airport. Not a bad thing. Dubai airport has everything, including free internet access point. I will reach Durban at 5 pm on Saturday. It will take a couple of hours of flaffing at the airport, rigging the bike up and such. I hope to be able to buy a sim card before leaving the airport to try and find a camp spot. I will be taking my gortex bivi-bag, so it could be a rough camp. Somewhere sheltered and away from view.
Day one (Sunday), I will begin moving north with the ultimate objective of Rorke's Drift. Not sure how far it is but I may need to get a lift if the going is too slow. Another battle site I hope to visit is Isandlwana, which is about 15km from Rorke's Drift.
The prize of this expedition is to enter Lesotho and cross that country. Sometimes when you read about Lesotho it is like contemplating something out of King Solomon's mines. Will see.
Best Regards
Andy
Friday, 4 January 2013
THE OXFORD ROOF CLIMBERS REBELLION
A play by Stephen Massicotte for which I have great expectations. We have been working on this play 'The Oxford Roof Climbers Rebellion' for about 3 months. We are trying to organise a production to coincide with the TE Lawrence Society symposium in September 2014. We are awaitning a decision from the Oxford Playhouse Theatre.
BLOG RE-LAUNCH - SOUTH AFRICA
BLOG RE-LAUNCH - 4th JANUARY 2012
A significant expedition is imminent, inshalla.
Objectives:
1. To fly Emirates to Durban
2. Cycle to Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana battle sites
3. Cycle to Ladysmith
4. Inshalla, cross into the small mountainous kingdom of Lesotho
5. Cycle dirt roads to the centre of Lesotho and try to make contact with representatives of BEFOLE Primary School.
6. Cycle a winding mountain road to a Col of over 2,000mts to pass back into South Africa
7. Cross the Drakensburg mountains to reach Durban.
8. Get train or bus from Durban to Port Elizabeth
9. Cycle the Garden Route to Oudtshorn.
10. Visit Ostrich farm and see if I can train to ride on these birds.
11. Cycle to Cape Town.
12. Climb Table Mountain from base to top.
13. Fly Emirates Cape Town to Dubai.
A significant expedition is imminent, inshalla.
Objectives:
1. To fly Emirates to Durban
2. Cycle to Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana battle sites
3. Cycle to Ladysmith
4. Inshalla, cross into the small mountainous kingdom of Lesotho
5. Cycle dirt roads to the centre of Lesotho and try to make contact with representatives of BEFOLE Primary School.
6. Cycle a winding mountain road to a Col of over 2,000mts to pass back into South Africa
7. Cross the Drakensburg mountains to reach Durban.
8. Get train or bus from Durban to Port Elizabeth
9. Cycle the Garden Route to Oudtshorn.
10. Visit Ostrich farm and see if I can train to ride on these birds.
11. Cycle to Cape Town.
12. Climb Table Mountain from base to top.
13. Fly Emirates Cape Town to Dubai.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
WHILING AWAY THE DAYS
Dear Friends,
I looking forward to home very much. To see relatives and friends and to get on with various Projects. I have done everything in East Africa that my budget will allow. Today I am in Isiolo. I want to make contact with acquaintances Bishop Joseph and Rev Alfred, but I cant find them around and my mobile connectivity is not working here. So I have found a guest house in town for 800 Kenyan Shillings. Projects:
1. Aircraftsman Shaw researches
2. Preparing slide-show.
3. Catching up on correspondence which has built up over last couple of months.
4. Hoped for lead with RWWHs.
5. Gardening to be put in order.
6. Planning France
7. Planning RAGBRAI
8. YHA Wardening week
9. MCFS walking
10. Working with Conservative Party.
11. Cleaning all my gear.
12. Other Project to remain a mystery.
Best Wishes
Andy
I looking forward to home very much. To see relatives and friends and to get on with various Projects. I have done everything in East Africa that my budget will allow. Today I am in Isiolo. I want to make contact with acquaintances Bishop Joseph and Rev Alfred, but I cant find them around and my mobile connectivity is not working here. So I have found a guest house in town for 800 Kenyan Shillings. Projects:
1. Aircraftsman Shaw researches
2. Preparing slide-show.
3. Catching up on correspondence which has built up over last couple of months.
4. Hoped for lead with RWWHs.
5. Gardening to be put in order.
6. Planning France
7. Planning RAGBRAI
8. YHA Wardening week
9. MCFS walking
10. Working with Conservative Party.
11. Cleaning all my gear.
12. Other Project to remain a mystery.
Best Wishes
Andy
Monday, 5 March 2012
ROSS - A DRAMATIC PORTRAIT - A PLAY TOO FAR
Dear Friends,
It is with some measure of disappointment that I announce today that 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait' cant be produced in June 2012 due to lack of support and interest within the Northwich and area theatrical and acting community. The Director Brenda Spencer, Stage Manager John Goodier and other faithful supporters did their level best to make our vision happen. It is easy to take a horse to water but you cant make it drink.
I have now tried to get Ross stage in 2010 to coincide with Rattigan's centenary and now in 2012 to coincide with the River Festival and all to no avail.
We will have a look at matters when I am home. It would be a shame to allow the knowledge we have gathered to disappear into the either.
Best Wishes
Andrew
It is with some measure of disappointment that I announce today that 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait' cant be produced in June 2012 due to lack of support and interest within the Northwich and area theatrical and acting community. The Director Brenda Spencer, Stage Manager John Goodier and other faithful supporters did their level best to make our vision happen. It is easy to take a horse to water but you cant make it drink.
I have now tried to get Ross stage in 2010 to coincide with Rattigan's centenary and now in 2012 to coincide with the River Festival and all to no avail.
We will have a look at matters when I am home. It would be a shame to allow the knowledge we have gathered to disappear into the either.
Best Wishes
Andrew
Friday, 2 March 2012
REACHED NAIROBI AFTER 10 HOUR BUS RIDE
Dear Friends,
An uneventful, thirsty and hungry bus ride from Mombassa. The bus set out at 6:00am and arrived 10 hours and 500 kms later in Nairobi. Think Ive had enough long bus rides to last me a while. Have checked into a hotel on River Road and I am now mooching about till bed time.
Best Wishes
Andy
An uneventful, thirsty and hungry bus ride from Mombassa. The bus set out at 6:00am and arrived 10 hours and 500 kms later in Nairobi. Think Ive had enough long bus rides to last me a while. Have checked into a hotel on River Road and I am now mooching about till bed time.
Best Wishes
Andy
Thursday, 1 March 2012
GETTING READY FOR HOME
Dear Friends,
Just a note from Mombassa. I am seeing home on the horizon. Feeling a bit tired and a small amount of home sickness these days. There is a lot to do at home, it demands me. Not sure what the remaining ten days will bring. I hope I feel a bit more refreshing and inspiring than I do at the moment. Maybe it is just the humidity of Mombassa that is reflected in my mood. Will make the big push to Nairobi in the morning. Once I would have feared Nairobi. The first thing any backpacker guide book does is warn you of the danger. God willing, I have found this to be nonsense. So I will do some exploring in Nairobi. They have a National Park right in the city. All my clothes and gear remain travel stained and dirty. Hope I will feel cleaner in the fresher air of Nairobi. See you in Nairobi.
Any messages kindly recieved.
Best Wishes
Andrew
Just a note from Mombassa. I am seeing home on the horizon. Feeling a bit tired and a small amount of home sickness these days. There is a lot to do at home, it demands me. Not sure what the remaining ten days will bring. I hope I feel a bit more refreshing and inspiring than I do at the moment. Maybe it is just the humidity of Mombassa that is reflected in my mood. Will make the big push to Nairobi in the morning. Once I would have feared Nairobi. The first thing any backpacker guide book does is warn you of the danger. God willing, I have found this to be nonsense. So I will do some exploring in Nairobi. They have a National Park right in the city. All my clothes and gear remain travel stained and dirty. Hope I will feel cleaner in the fresher air of Nairobi. See you in Nairobi.
Any messages kindly recieved.
Best Wishes
Andrew
MUDDLING THRU IN MOMBASSA
Dear Friends,
I am back in Mombassa after a short excursion into the sticks. I am staying in a guest house overlooking the bus station. I have a ticket in my pocket for the Nairobi bus tomorrow. It departs at 6:00 am. Not sure how many hours it will take. It will be nice to slip off the cloak of heat and humidity which envelops this city. Everything I need is very close to the guest house, restaurant, cyber cafe and bus.
Look forward to seeing you in Nairobi son.
Best Wishes
Andy
I am back in Mombassa after a short excursion into the sticks. I am staying in a guest house overlooking the bus station. I have a ticket in my pocket for the Nairobi bus tomorrow. It departs at 6:00 am. Not sure how many hours it will take. It will be nice to slip off the cloak of heat and humidity which envelops this city. Everything I need is very close to the guest house, restaurant, cyber cafe and bus.
Look forward to seeing you in Nairobi son.
Best Wishes
Andy
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
A CHARITABLE PROJECT NEAR MOMBASSA
Dear Friends,
I feel much recovered after my nights lodging and a good breaskfast at the Glory Hotel, just off Moi Avenue. Communications are now open again after the cyber silence of the coast road from Tanga to Mombassa. I am back in Kenya with a reliable phone reception.
Today I may be meeting a contact, a Massai fellow called Ero, who is running a charitable Project of the Northwich Methodist Church. A few months ago a frieght container was sent over containing all manner of useful things. I meet Ero at 2:00 pm today.
I must check out the train to Nairobi as well.
Best Wishes
Andy
I feel much recovered after my nights lodging and a good breaskfast at the Glory Hotel, just off Moi Avenue. Communications are now open again after the cyber silence of the coast road from Tanga to Mombassa. I am back in Kenya with a reliable phone reception.
Today I may be meeting a contact, a Massai fellow called Ero, who is running a charitable Project of the Northwich Methodist Church. A few months ago a frieght container was sent over containing all manner of useful things. I meet Ero at 2:00 pm today.
I must check out the train to Nairobi as well.
Best Wishes
Andy
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
ROSS - A DRAMATIC PORTRAIT - ACTORS NEEDED
Dear Friends,
Maybe Northwich hasn't got the balls to stage 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait'. Prove me wrong at the auditions this coming Sunday 4th March 1:00pm - 4:00pm at Barnton Memorial Hall. We see lots of run of the mill tripe locally. Why do we endure that when we could have something special like 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait'.
Best Wishes to my true Friends
Andy
Maybe Northwich hasn't got the balls to stage 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait'. Prove me wrong at the auditions this coming Sunday 4th March 1:00pm - 4:00pm at Barnton Memorial Hall. We see lots of run of the mill tripe locally. Why do we endure that when we could have something special like 'Ross - A Dramatic Portrait'.
Best Wishes to my true Friends
Andy
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