Hello and........ HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! I bet you never expected to hear me say that so soon, and on the actual day!

As you will now know, I have landed safely into Botswana and thought that I would update you on my journey so far........

Wednesday 13th October - Emirates Heathrow-Dubai (first leg)

Firstly thanks to Lucy for providing the pen and paper to write this with :-)

As the lights dim in the cabin, and I look at the ceiling to see small glimmering lights with the appearance of stars - yes stars! - I can now finally begin to relax....

I'm not going to lie to you, it's been stressful! The day started with a hangover for me and trace and Chad being late for work...and while I had been seeing groups of magpies to bring me joy all week, this morning there were only solitary ones for bad luck! The M25 was gridlocked so I was late getting to my dads for Ann to take me to the airport... I then handed my UK phone over to Ann for safekeeping while I'm away, only to find that all - and I mean ALL - my old numbers were no longer on my old phone (which I had got unlocked by a couple of lovely Asian guys on St Albans market). This would not have been such a biggy if I hadn't promised to call my mum from the airport to let her know that I was ok (she is a worrier like me, and this hadn't been helped by the fact I had called her in the morning crying my eyes out as didn't want to leave Felix). This therefore sent me into a bit of a panic.

The modern world being what it is, we rarely need to remember numbers anymore as we can always trust our mobile phones...hmmmm not this time. So I didn't have my mums number as she moved away from the family home (where the phone number is imprinted in my memory) not long back, I manage to recall dads home number so call there but no one answers and so I leave a garbled message. Grasping at straws I manage to recall the last 6 digits of Nezzas mobile number but had a possible 5 codes to prefix it with..... so in my panic I start dialling the combination of possible numbers - one of which turns out to be a premium rate number which is barred (oops) and the other I get a call back from a woman asking me who I am! It would have been hilarious if I hadn't have been so stressed! So I ended up spending about £5 and didnt speak to one person!

So here I am on the flight to Dubai. I've managed to watch 'Toy Story 3' so far and have laughed out loud throughout much of it, much to the amusement of the other passengers! How am I feeling right now? Content I'd have to say. It's still niggling the back of my mind that mum never got to speak to me (I hope that Ann managed to get a message through to her)... and also that I'm not quite sure who is meeting me from Francistown airport! Still, its an adventure for sure...

Thursday 14th October, Dubai - Johannesburg (2nd Leg)

Lucky enough to have been seated next to a man called 'Bill' from Nottingham who I find out moved out to Jo'burg 10 years ago. Its nice to hear the familiar midland tones and have a bit of banter with him. I thought that I had only been asleep for about 30 minutes, hence my rather amusing (according to Bill) panicked response when I was told that my breakfast was here! I thought that I had only just eaten but apparently had been asleep for hours.

I discover that Bill has two cats (Tracey you would be proud of me finding someone accross the other side of the world to talk cats with). He asked me if he was really sad for missing them when he travelled away! To which i obviously gave him the lowdown on Jinx and Felix - making me feel a little homesick...

Its mad to think that travelling at 913kmph we have covered 5253km during my time on the flight. Not long to go and then I will be at my third airport!

Thursday 14th October, Johannesburg - Francis Town, 2pm (3rd leg)

No idea how South African Rand transfers into GBP - I felt like I just paid £30 for a bottle of water I was handing over that much! Clearly I didnt - but still wanted to minimise the amount of monopoly money I was spending at the airport - so starved myself and bough my hosts Cecil and Denise a nice box of chocolates to say 'thank you' for letting me stay with them. This plane is tiny. I hope it gets me there in one piece!

How am I feeling now? Content, excited and looking forward to meeting Cecil and Denise. And curious about what on earth the rest of the day holds!! Oh, the weather (for those of you who are interested) is currently 19degrees C, but Botswana is supposed to be in the 30s..

Francistown

I thought I was going to be soooo sick on that last flight! I think the journey finally took its toll... update from 3.45:

I land to be greeted by what might be described as a hut - Francistown Airport! As I walk off the jet propellored plane, a blast of hot air hits me along with the realisation that I am finally here. I have arrived in Botswana!

The immigration lady is lovely and grants me 90 days stay (the maximum permit that you can receive) so things are looking good. Dragging my rather heavy rucksack behind me, I see what must be Cecil and Denise. They both greet me warmly and I know we will get on well. I am delighted - yes Trace, delighted!- to discover that they have not only Sally the dog but two small cats. Hooray! Im introduced to Stella the charities treasurer and Daniel (a member of a peace corp from America). In the very short time that I have been in Botswana - so maybe 30 minutes (10 of that in the sun) I have been sunburnt!!.... time to slap on the factor 50. Although the day is overcast, it just shows how strong the sun is here.

Cecil and Denise take me out to lunch-pizza! a treat from them and TOP Banana, which I really appreciate. We talk about ideas for the charity - there is so much that we could do!

After speaking at length with Cecil and Denise I now realise: 1. Sometimes the village can go without water for days. We are currently in this period so no showers or baths for me for the next few days. Festival life eat your heart out! Those fresh wipes are going to come in handy (thanks Curly!). But more importantly - it makes me realise how lucky I am to be able to have water at my finger tips back home.

2.When Denise told me that 'there are no bugs' it isnt exactly what she meant!! I saw 4 in a very short space of time in the house - one of which can only be described as a giant spider shrimp!

3.My nose is struggling with the changes in altitude as I have been getting a rather bloody nose since I left Heathrow. Apparently this is normal and should go away soon...

I need to get some shuteye now as have to get up at 6.15 tomorrow to go and speak to a shop about some clothing (I could be at Tesco!). Wish me luck with the mosquitos!!......

Friday 15th October

I didnt sleep well last night - a bug landed on my head and there were lots of odd noises! But I just need to get used to it!

Remember that I do not have anyones number! Mine is +26775306547 if anyone wants to text me! I may not be able to reply though :-(

My plan for the next week is to meet as many people as possible linked to the charity and take in as much as I can. I have given the jewellery and shirts to Cecil and Denise Chad and Trace and they are very Grateful! They are also very grateful Mum, Linda and Andrew for your donation to the kids - I will ensure that we get something nice for them!

Take care for now and have a great Friday!

Love me xxx