South Africa: Somerset West.

Sunday 29th March

La Piazza, Somerset West: It's hard to believe, but it is only 6 weeks ago today that John & I set off on our overland trip to Nanyuki, in Kenya, just north of the equator. In that time, we covered 9000 kms on all sorts of surface, consumed 1050 litres of diesel and stayed at lodgings that went from Camping to 1-5 star hotels, to positively "only in an emergency" will I stay there! And we did!! Our carbon footprint is a great big paw print, but last night I did my bit, switching off all the lights in my house for one hour. 

As 8.30pm struck in each timezone, 4000 cities and towns in 88 countries switched off the lights to mark Earth Hour, a World Wildlife Fund sponsored campaign to highlight the threat of climate change. I just hope that the 6 tea light candles we burned for that hour didn't produce more emissions than we saved!

I had a much needed sleep, only waking up at 11am today. Gus & Kina set off at 6.45 for their 2 day drive to Johannesburg. When I called them at 1130am, they were already in Beaufort West, making great time. They're hoping to make it to Bloomfontein by nightfall, 1000kms away, in a 1980's Land Rover Defender! Looking forward to welcoming them back on the 6th.

I'm going to head back to London around the 9th or 10th of April & then to Ireland soon after. John & I will start our journey again in June, travelling from Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique before heading for the Kruger park in SA. 

Tony Cunningham, who should have been with us for the last 6 weeks. He tells me that he won't be able to join us for the return leg either. He was going to be with us when we departed Cape Town but owing to some last minutes problems he encountered, he had to cancel his trip. We had really hoped he could join us for the return, but sadly no. He has missed out on some wonderful experiences although he also missed out on some 'rough' living.

Anyway, back to the itinerary for the next leg; Departing from London to Nairobi on the 8th June. Departing Camp David on the 12th June, for Uganda. Leaving Cape Town for London 6 weeks later, richer in knowledge & happiness.  

Tomorrow is the 2nd anniversary of the death of my beloved wife Chrisanna. 

Those who knew us both, know how much she meant to me, and how it has altered my life these last four years, since she was diagnosed with cancer in February 2005, and her untimely death on the 30th March 2007, aged just 45.


I was privileged to have shared her life for 25 of her 45 year life and if ever there was a guardian angel looking after me, or someone urging me to fulfill a dream, it would have been Chrisanna. A very special thanks to Fr Vincent Docherty in Southsea, near Portsmouth, & Fr Kevin Dadswell in Strand (South Africa) for their prayers and remembrance tomorrow at their respective mass. Their love & support these last four years has been a blessing in itself. On a lighter note, I wouldn't have stood a chance in hell of getting her on a trip like this. Mindy wanted her to do a safari in Kenya but she just asked if there was a socket in the tent to plug in her hairdryer!  She was a room service queen. She would have happily supported my journey though.

I'll do another post with all the info for our next trip so it'll be easy to pop back and see what's happening regarding our plans. Stay tuned and thanks once again for all the support and messages we received along the way.