Calm And The Storme

After all the existent of the first few weeks I needed a break or at the least a couple of chilled days. Luckily for me that’s exactly what was in line for me, boring days in the office. After being here a bit less than 2 week I had been deemed capable of running a course so on the23rd I started the 8-5shifts, (sorry dolly we start at 8 not 9). The first day wasn’t too bad I had a few things to plan, such as what on earth I was going to do with 28kids for 2 days and what they were going to eat. But after at most the first 2 hours had gone by this was pretty much sorted. So for the rest of the day I spoke to the cranes. Oh yer, the sight has a crane sanctuary on, of which the have the grey crowned crane, the wattle cane and the blue crane, all 3 of SA cranes. The following day the office life was getting to me but luckily in a strange twist of fate having no food turned out to be a good thing. It meant I had to go into the not so beating heart of Mooi River for a few supplies. As you can probably guess from the pervious sentence this was uneventful, buying rice was the highlight of the trp. On the 25th it was the same old torture so after ‘work’, I went for a run. My first proper run in far too long but it felt good to stretch my legs. What wasn’t so good was the lack of water in the shower. But TIA, so we went in trough the bathroom window of the neighbour empty teacher’s cottage and after waiting for the boil to heat up had a warmish shower. A day of absolute boredom follow then on the 27th my predicament was lifted as I had work to do, preparing all the last minute details for the courses arrival. Finally I had something to do on Saturday the course arrived and in the morning I had roads to check, keys to drop off, people to pick up at the office then a second trip to pick up what we’d forgotten. Id started early but after all these check it was 10 and they were due to arrive any minute. Upon arrival it became evident that these weren’t 8th graders as id been expecting but a mix from 7th to 12th, but never mind the show must go on. The course got off to a good start and apart from a quick jog and drive to pick up some keys which had gone walk about the day went smoothly and after a marvellous game of stalk the lantern and a campfire I went to bed a satisfied chap. But there’s no time for rest round hear as I was up at 0530 to pick up the laddies (our cooks) from the nearest settlement. After this early start I took my fist trip up to abseil rock where I was at a bit of a loose end not know what to do, but I enjoyed the view and got to see some baboons from a far. After a morning of abseiling I was down for lunch a quick crane tour then goodbye to my first group which had a fascination with my “adorable English accent”. As there were still plenty of daylight hours left we requested permission to drive to the nearest township to get some essential supplies (beer). But after hours of waiting were heard nothing so I went to drop off the car. It was then that I bumped into the boss who was looking for me thinking id driven off. Thanks to the marvellous of modern technology I had been given permission hours ago but the text never reached me. Once that predicament had been sorted I hit the road with the crew and went for a drive to one of South Africa’s finest establishments. NOT. Townships aren’t really the place to be at the best of times, so a Sunday at dusk wouldn’t be advised. Well at least not by any tour book, but me, it was fine, just don’t be a dick and you won’t get in the…trouble. So Sunday evening was spent relaxing and celebrating a successful course.

MEDIC!!!

It seems you don’t need something until you have it. For example before mobile phones we were fine but now we all need then or a new smoothie machine you never needed on but now you’ve got it everyday your having smoothies for breakfast, or a lv 2 first aid certificate. After the course had left my wish for sleep was not granted instead I had 2 and a half days of intense first aid training lined up. On the 16^th pretty much straight after the course leaving we also left for town, stopping to fix the car with a shoe lace and dropping some rubbish of fat the dump. As none of the staff had a current first aid certificate we had been rushed onto a weekend course which appear to be at a wine hose, no complaints there. But sadly we didn’t have a chance to taste. However in the evening after the ½ day of first aid and to celebrate and relax from the first 2 successful camps all the staff went out for a wee snifter at a couple of pubs having a lot of banter along the way. The following two days however were much more serious with a lot of learning, on the 18^th we completed our training sitting both a practical and theory test before been taken on a tour of the local paramedic/ any other problem you may have service to meet the guys and know how it all works, just incase. The following day they returned and it was back into the swing of 630. As the school bus drew into camp there was this strange feeling that something was going to go wrong, but all the 12^th graders got off and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary and they all behaved rather well so that feeling subsided. However when the groups got back from the orienteering exersize one young landy wanted ice for her ankle. Not a problem just a swollen ankle sure we can sort that, and I did. However when I returned with the ice there was another who appeared to be in a bit more pain, so I did as id been taught and with no reason to suspect a break applied ice then bandaged for support. Done, no more problems from this lot then. Wrong the following morning the foot and swelled massively and the pain increased so absolutely baffled we passed the problem onto someone more qualified and got on with the day. I was leading a group out on summit with Sanele but less than 1km in one member had to pull out with fatigue, but after that it was plain sailing all the way to the summit. To my displeasure it was reviled to me that one of the groups was suffering severally with shin splints and after less than 100 meters down couldn’t walk on her own. So we radio in just to update camp on our situation but thanks to doggy radios couldn’t get camp so had settle for second best, but this would be fine. However some members of the group disagreed so went running off for help. This wasn’t too helpful as it left me with a group in disarray spread out all over the mountain. But not much I could do about that, so I carried on with what I had, putting a support bandage on the leg and help the patient down the hill. Half way down the hill we reached another group waiting for me where I discovered we had a badly sprained ankle, so now I was half way down a mountain with 2 people unable/struggling to walk, hear I decided to radio in for a vehicle pick up for the wounded which as a group we would help them get to. An that exactly what we did slowly but surly working our way down the mountain carrying the guys in places to make it to the pick up, simple really. That enough first aid for one day surly. Well it wasn’t and don’t call me Sheryl. Back at base someone though they would faint on us, well there was already enough staff there so I was keen to stay out of this one. But it seems someone had other plans and soon I found myself at the center of the situation in charge once again. But like all the other incidents of the day it was nothing too serious and the patient eventually stabilized and my work was done. The following day was rather straight forward, summit cut shot by a thunderstorm and the same fate for rock climbing. So I just had night duty making sure they all went to bed and stayed there. The following day due to the rain we transported the kid in the back of a truck to there coach and waved goodbye with a sigh of relief.  

T.I.A

This Is Africa and you know its not too bad. Well apart from having to wait 3hours at the airport to be picked up but this was just a taste of things to come and something I would get used to. On the 9^th I eventually made it to Entabeni my home for the next 6 months where I met my co-workers for the next 6 months. Luckily there an alright bunch, Matt a local lad who seems to know every farmer in S.A, Senela he likes his book maybe a bit too much but for his own good but if you prefer reading to sleeping that’s fine by me and final S’mangele or sma the only woman in the house. The following day I was thrown in at the deep as a course of 112, 8^th grade (our year 7 I think)  boys were arriving. So I was quickly briefed on the basic, built 2 volleyball nets and then in was to work for the next howevermany days. The introduction was very formal the boys were to call us sir or madam and take caps off when been spoken too; I think it was a bit of a posh school. But the formalities were cut short but the African rain and we had to rush to get 112 boys into the correct dorms. This didn’t happen, instead we had about 30boys crammed into one room soaked through and slowly creating a sauna. Eventually the rain stopped and we got back to the activities nothing too flash just basic icebreakers to settle the kids in. On the 11^th it was up a 630 (this was to become the norm) to get breakfast ready before I accompanied Matt on a trek to the summit. Its not the most straight forward walk scrambling through the forest and up rather steep hills but it is rather good fun, but unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to summit. Obstacle course in the afternoon was the first group I took on my own but all went well with no broken legs and everyone behaving so that was jolly good fun as well. In the evening I was introduce to stalk the lantern, one of the best outdoor games IV played. As instructors we confiscated the kids torches, ran ahead and planted a lantern high up a hill a lay in wait for the kids to try and reach the lantern. But if they made a noise and only if, we could then shine our torch on them and they would be out, closest to the lantern wins. The following morning was rather plane sailing but in the afternoon I was asked to lead a group to the summit not think anything of it I accepted. But I son realized I was the only staff member going and I had 2 prefects for support to get 24 kids up a mountain and down. Well I didn’t kill any of them so that’s a positive. No there were a few hiccup such as not finding the entrance to the forest but I successfully made it to the summit and down again so really it was a very successful trip. The following day was a bit of a stressful one with some basic things not been done and much lateness and disorganization but in the evening I built a missive fire, shouting go big or go home, as I battled to get a tree truck close to my size onto the fire much to the amusement of my colleges. But they must have though it was a good idea and soon followed suit. So by the end of the days all my troubles had been forgotten and I slept like a baby. Somebody though it would be funny to get the kids up at 6 for an early departure but this meant I had to be up at 530, not cool and as per usual something wen wrong so they left late anyway, TIA. There’s no rest for the wicked, as almost as soon as the first group had left the second arrived and the fun continued. A smaller group of 12^th graders. The 15^th was a day full of actives, belaying for rock climbing in the morning and running the group dynamics (GDs) in the afternoon with another bonfire in the evening and for me bed, but the unlucky chaps on night duty had a night of mischievous kids. The following day we said as-ta-la-vista to the group and all of a sunned I had completed my first to camps just like that and I felt rather good. Id been thrown in at the deep end but id managed to swim and now I felt rather confident in myself and was ready for the next group, although a chance to sleep would be appreciated.

Welcome To Africa

Here we are again another 3 am start to drive down to the airport, this is my final escapades across the colonies (for now anyway) and Im' ending big with six months volunteering in South Africa. Upon arriving at the airport i met my fellow travelers at Neros and we departed for the adventure. It felt wired to be the oldest and most experienced traveler in the group, thinking back it made such a change to the first time i left home for a foreign land. The flight as per usual was uneventful. Etihad was a disappointment no hot towel, only one meal and fat annoying families who just wont shut up about wanting to get off the plane, if you wont to get off so badly love ill be more than happy to assist you in your wish. Eventually we arrived in South Africa. Getting off the plane i was not hit my a wave of heat or a hectic airport in fact it was quite tame, we found our driver with no hitches and made it too the hostel with not so much as a pop shot fired. Maybe the subdued nature of the city had something to do with it been 5.30 in the morning. Eventually we began our arrival briefing getting the usual quick history of the country and essential information before a shopping break and lunch before back to the hard graft of learning a country culture in an afternoon. No problem. The 8^th was a more interesting day with a trip to Soweto, the Birth place of modern South Africa, quite literally. Soweto is was the home town for both nelson Mandela and bishop Desmond tutu, as well as the sight of a high school protest gone wrong which kick started the revolution. After such an intense day I found a bar in which to experience some of the countries finest beverages and spend my last night with the Lattitude folks before starting my placement. But the bar wasn’t another for these guys who proceeded to through me a party back at the door. Good job the place was empty as this went on for a while.  After the previous night a 6am start wasn’t too appreciated but it had to be done take catch my plane in time. However for one the plane ride was quite enjoyable, catching a tinny plane from Jo’burg (a Jetstream if you must know) I had about an hrs flight looking out of the window before landing at Pietermaritzburg airport, basically one hanger with a friendly chap to greet you off the plane and make sure you don’t walk into any propellers.

Road Trip

Well it only seems right to fill you in on the last escapade of New Zealand before i head back to the sunny southern hemisphere. So here we go. On the 18th of December we pack our bags and said goodbye to Ashburton and hello car relocation. Somehow we'd managed to swindle a free car to get us from Christchurch back to Auckland airport and home in time for tea. After picking up the car Craig had one last treat for us, taking us to Christchurch's largest markets. The Market, like most, was filled to the brim with wired and wonderful items all of which were absolutely no use to anyone, still we had good fun looking around and after an hour or two of wandering we said our goodbyes to Craig and Christchurch and begun the 1,700km journey back. The wheel for this trip were a rather flash 1.3, silver, Daihatsu Sirion complete with CD player, but no AUX lead or cassette player so we had to install our own sound system, a minor setback. The drive to Picton was quite a pleasant 4 hr where we accidentally stumbled across a seal on a photo stop and saw a seagull at the whale spotting beach. On the 19th we had the ferry crossing, this time on the supposedly better InterIslander, but i wasn't converted and personally I'm a Bluebridge man. After the uneventful crossing we made our way up to Napier stopping at Greytown for lunch. It seemed the logical having stayed a week in Greymouth to visit another grey town. But it was rather no discript stop so will skip to Napier. In the 1920s an earthquake destroyed most of the town and due to art deco been; cheap, safe and in fashion, most of the town was styled accordingly. So its a very grand place with all the Art Deco structures and sculptures, even our hoslte had a grand art deco scheme, complete with pool table ( as everyone knows a well know accompaniment to the art deco scheme). In the evening we treated ourselves to a fair well New Zealand meal at GMK, no idea what it stands for but the food was good and Angus the bull was tasty (red wine) so it was a most enjoyable send off to New Zealand; unless you were the lamb i ate. The following day we cruseise the town admierign the art deco some more and took a trip up bluff point to take in the spectacular view. After that it was off to gisboren for lunch, 'only a shot drive away', 'shouldnt be more than an hour' I was informed. well i was misinformed but 2 and a bit hours later we reached our lunch stop and it was so werth it. Gisbore in the Mairo capital of the world and so instantly the coolest place in New Zealand. After getting our fill of cool it was back to the road. We had hoped to take in the beaches on the bay of plenty and at Whakatane we got our icecream and headed over the flood defences to find the estry. It appeared we pick the only stop along the coast with out miles of golden sands and cystal clear waters. But never mind we invented ice cream cruising, the best form of transportation, driving along the sunny highway keeping cool by nibbling on an ice cream. Our night stop was our old friend the MacGreger. It was great to see them again and have a little reminder of our first wwoofing place and how much we'd done since then. So after spending as long as we could there playing in the paddock fixing motorbikes and other boyish behaviour we said our sad goodbyes again and headed for Taupo. Here we met up with another old friend and celebrated our last day in New Zealand in style with ice cream, lake swims and relaxing in the hot river with a few beers we into the night. On the 22nd we drove up to Auckland giving our American Friends a life to the hostel. Stopping for lunch at mount Eden, over looking the city that had borught us into New Zealand all those months ago and would now take us away from the land we had come to love. but we hadent left yet and after our lunch stop I drove our friends right to the hostle door, much to there delight and surprise and then after driving round the airport for a lengthy time stumbled across the car drop-off left the car and legged it. only jocking the car was fine so we got a lift to the airport and after the usual waiting around said goodbye to New Zealand and 48 hours later with another uneventful plane journey. well i did convince an Aussie that we all live in castles so it was better than most. we arrived back in a dark, wet, cold, grey, England. Oh how i missed New Zealand.