Although a touch delayed, like my appearance at a main Everest test meeting, a snapshot of a day in the wilderness on safari follows.
My experience on the Zambezi was exactly the hangover cure that was needed when the sun was creating conditions where even the strongest of us would wilt. Trekking down into the gorge in the not so suitable flip flop footwear was not great prep for our white water challenge, but fortunately the scenic beauty and my aching swede took my mind off the unstable footings. Having teamed up with our skip and guide 'Vinnie' who gave us a crash course in drowning and saving yourself and others all in one hit, we were ready to take on the rapids. G and Simmo manned the heavyweight positions at the front of the raft while the rest of us fell into line behind.
As it was the end of the dry season, the rapids were at their most potent. Brilliant! With the marching orders to attack the first rapid, we paddled hard and fast (yeah we did!) into the unknown, and with much delight breezed through with all unscathed. Looking back at the other two teams following, we saw the third raft completely flip at the top of the rapid and all that were in it spread throughout the water. A reality check for us all, and when the sunken members were washed up, there were mixed reviews from ecstatic enjoyment, to exasperation and tears that there were another 8 rapids to go!
Anyhow without boring the crap out of all that have got this far, G Man, Curry and Shorty were all victims along the way, much to everyone elses amusement, and the raft stayed upright throughout. A great experience which i shall take to my daisy pushing up cabin (hopefully not for a long time).
My experience on the Zambezi was exactly the hangover cure that was needed when the sun was creating conditions where even the strongest of us would wilt. Trekking down into the gorge in the not so suitable flip flop footwear was not great prep for our white water challenge, but fortunately the scenic beauty and my aching swede took my mind off the unstable footings. Having teamed up with our skip and guide 'Vinnie' who gave us a crash course in drowning and saving yourself and others all in one hit, we were ready to take on the rapids. G and Simmo manned the heavyweight positions at the front of the raft while the rest of us fell into line behind.
As it was the end of the dry season, the rapids were at their most potent. Brilliant! With the marching orders to attack the first rapid, we paddled hard and fast (yeah we did!) into the unknown, and with much delight breezed through with all unscathed. Looking back at the other two teams following, we saw the third raft completely flip at the top of the rapid and all that were in it spread throughout the water. A reality check for us all, and when the sunken members were washed up, there were mixed reviews from ecstatic enjoyment, to exasperation and tears that there were another 8 rapids to go!
Anyhow without boring the crap out of all that have got this far, G Man, Curry and Shorty were all victims along the way, much to everyone elses amusement, and the raft stayed upright throughout. A great experience which i shall take to my daisy pushing up cabin (hopefully not for a long time).
