Entry into Malawi was a humerous affair....with Mark finding a fellow Man U fan amongst the border officials... you'd think he'd let us off the fact we had completed our border cards in red pen - the colour of his team - but no - we had to rewrite them!

We love Malawi. Not sure what it is about the country but it appeals to us much more than the other countries we have visited so far. Despte it being the 8th poorest country in the world - the people are lovely here - quick to smile and welcome you to their country!

Our campsite in Chitimba is on the banks of Lake Nyasa. The lake is huge - 20% odf the country and it is hard to believe you aren't at the seaside! Our second day in Chitimba was the highlight of our stay - we had a tour round the local village in the morning, visiting the primary school, hospital and witchdoctor! The tour was bittersweet - the people were fantastic but the conditions appalling.... We saw 140 kids in a concrete shell of a classroom sitting on the floor in rags. We saw medical instruments being sterilsed over a log fire in a hospital corridor.... very sad indeed!

In the afternoon we had a carving lesson with a local family. Sitting in the shade of a tree drinking beer Kim attempted to carve an elephant out of a solid lump of teak using saws and chisels....Mark attempted a Rhino. Both were naturally fantastic (with a little help from drunken locals).... a surreal but hysterical afternoon!

The day was topped off making a small child cry...our white skins were clearly a big shock to the toddler and he clutched to his mothers skirts screaming as she tried in vain to get him to say his learned phrases of welcome 'hello, how are you , i'm fine thank you, welcome to Malawi'