I would like to begin by thanking Carte Blanche of turning me into a film star!!! I felt so honoured to have been on this most prestigious programme and feel simply overwhelmed by the response from all the supporters of my journey. Thank you Diana, Derek and the wonderful crew for creating this programme that I adored being a part of. I hope we can meet again, to continue this magical adventure.

I awoke this morning with a mission on my mind. I wanted to drive back and see the cane furniture stand that Giles wouldn’t stop for on our way here– without him this time! I set out and unfortunately took the wrong turn, what looked like a smooth dirt road turned out to be a football pitch... being Malawi, help was at hand in the form of a group of people who literally picked Tracy up and moved her, with me inside until we were freed. To show my gratitude I offered pens. With the flick of a Bic, I had a swarm of children with grabbing hands desperate for their own. I literally could not move. I ordered them, they needed to behave and form a line. Which they did! They were so happy. Kenny, your Bic pens fly out like hot cakes! Thank you, again and again and again for - what I’m finding- is most wanted gift throughout Africa.

A HUGE success.

I saw men selling mice on a stick at the roadside, apparently this is a delicacy! I was offered one to try. I declined very politely.

Eventually I made it to the Cane furniture factory situated on the side of the road. It is owned by a gentleman manager, his work is superb. If I had a truck I would have taken the lot but I don’t think Tracy would be able to balance a sofa on her roof.

Further down I stopped and spoke to some farmers who told me how they use paddy fields with water from the lake to grow rice. They have it laid out on huge sheets of old canvas bags, being dried (pic) Rice is one of the products exported from Malawi to various countries. Including Asia of all places! I was wary of bicycle’s on the road. They are everywhere! They gather in usual taxi rank fashion waiting to carry people to their destinations. I got chatting to one of the drivers, he claimed they only had one customer on each taxi. However, on one bicycle I saw two kids on the front, one with a baby on the back and a man on the seat - pedalling furiously! I think they are brilliant, this is an industry that could be looked into as a form of transport for us in South Africa. I must add that driving with bicycles here is like being in the middle of the Tour de France.

I got back to Cool Runnings for a quick bite for lunch and then went off again with Samantha and Harriet to visit the charity projects within the community. First we went to the school library at Parachute Battalion Military base, the library was absolutely amazing. It is run by a soldier named Gift, he is as fiercely passionate about books as I. I could see his frustration at the lack of resources. However he still gives 100% and makes the most of what they do have, what they have achieved and not dwell on what they do not. It is in immaculate order, he takes great pride in his library.

What upsets me most, is they don’t have enough books for the number of students. How can one teach hundreds and hundreds of student with one book? The library is wonderful but small and is intended for over 650 students. The children here crave knowledge but simply do not have the resources to get it. I personally feel so passionate about the importance of literacy, I’m bringing shine to start their journey of the written word only to be blocked in older children because of this issue.I’ve seen the desperate need for curriculum books. Some here are dated 1950! So I am appealing to everyone who is following me, to please, see if they know of a way to donate curriculum books for secondary school students to this wonderful cause.

If anyone can help, please PLEASE contact Samantha at Cool Runnings.

coolrunningsmalawi@gmail.com

I would not have been able to survive these fee days without Harriet – whom for some reason I continuously refer to as Rebecca? She is here volunteering for Samantha. I have told her to write a post on how she has found her time here and why she came. This evening she took me into the market, as I wobbled down narrow paths with stalls on either side of me, covered in a cluster of vegetables, fruits, fabrics... there was nothing we didn’t see! I bought some bananas for pudding and we jostled our way home for a delicious supper of fresh water white bait fish, butterfish and rice. It was DIVINE.

I could stay here for weeks. But tomorrow sadly, we move on to new experiences. I couldn’t recommend enough, for a family holiday, or even a lone traveller, Cool Runnings.

Samantha Ludick has created an absolute paradise of lush green grass to pitch your tent and a warmth and hospitality that you seldom see. Her aura exudes energy and kindness.

I will return here, that is for sure.