We get hypothermia

Wednesday...day 6... :D

Hello everybody! Lottie and Catherine here writing to you about (in our opinion) the best day we have had so far.

Well...once again we apologise for how late this post is, our non stop schedule and lack of Wifi have made keeping you up to date difficult (plus we like to keep you on your toes, otherwise you just wouldn't appreciate how much you miss us).

Wednesday started bright and early with a brand new school, they weren't expecting us but due to the miserable weather (rain and fog!), we had to visit a school who's journey was traversable (Lottie doesn't know the meaning of this...). After the head teacher rounded up some 300 local kids and others were drawn in, by the sound of our musical talents, some even came from their classes, lessons began!

Our 3 hours with the children resulted, not only in their learning, but also in ours. Personally, we (Catherine and Lottie) learned "gwapaneka" a 'fist pumping' greeting for the cool kids (a group we of course belong to). As a group we also learned a new song called "Like I do, like I do!" - a far more musical version of Simon says.

A vital detail which we have hitherto left out is that our truck (Terrance) was feeling unwell and so remained in bed whilst we travelled in far more comfortable style (the boots of land rovers!)

After our day at school we picked up our skirts from the tailors (most of which fit) by journeying through the narrow, local market, which was a very exhilarating experience, and scary (says Lottie).

Our journey back to Fisherman's Rest was again in car boots; one of which closely resembled a cage. Banas (one of our translators/helpers/newfound friends) cut his head on the door and we spent dinner applying first aid (through the very able Kirsty). Banas and Blessings (Mphotso in Chacheywa) then joined us for lunch.

A few of the more brave members of our group (including the EXTREMELY brave big Lucy) took a dip in the pool which was, of course, EXTREMELY chilly. Unfortunately a few members of our group are now in hospital suffering from hypothermia...NOT!!!!!

Hahaha LOL

After the feeling had returned to our icy limbs the group prepared EVEN more craft materials before having a more sociable evening.

We had prepared chilli con caren, and then took it to the other house as there was a local band there. We spent the first 20 long minutes waiting for the other group and eating. On meeting the other group, we decided they hadn't been worth the wait!!!!!!!!!

We spent the rest of the evening dancing to the Malawian music with Banas and Blessings, learning new moves and playing "like I do, like I do". We can all say that it was scary watching Banas' crazy legs; as his top half was STILL and his legs were w.o.w. Although we do admire his grooving abilities. After dancing away hours (whipping out the dad dancing) and laughing the night away we had to say goodbye to Banas and Blessings and go inside to watch a film.

It was a documentary about a Malawian man who was taught to paraglide by a Canadian whom he had met only three weeks before flying down Mount Mulanje.  We then met the man who had achieved his dream before retiring for the night. We all felt that we would have enjoyed the movie far more if it had been earlier on in the day as our action packed agendas leave us wanting nothing but sleep by around 9'o'clock in the evening (it also leaves us with no time to be homesick or miss you, sometimes we even have to remind ourselves what your names are ;)

And so we leave you, tired but happy after a productive and rewarding day.

Lottie and Catherine


Also from The Impalas
Xoxoxox

Dear Anning family, I am well jel of your Nutella pancakes and omelettes! But I am having a wonderful time having cornflakes and Cadbury choc; DON'T enjoy the beach and weather - JOKES! Have loads of fun and I hope you aren't missing me too much and I'm not missing you at all :D Jo, don't you DARE sleep in my bed. Lots of love lot pot xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Jesson family, 1 if you are reading this then you are very naughty because I told you not to! 2 I forgive you and will tell you all about everything when I get home. You don't get the really juicy bits on here ;) I'm thinking about you, promise! I think you'll get a shock when I get home, I'm not quite the same anymore, the hippo didn't like me very much, I have a few less fingers...only joking!!! Hahaha. Love you all lots, Isabel you had better be in your own bed and not mine! And my seat should stay empty in honour of me please, I would like you to make a shrine, candles and everything please! See you later stinky 'oles from stinky girl (aka Treen)

Dear Williams/jones family,
Hiya nan and Lauren (when she gets home) Having a fab time, sad to say I'm not really missing home that much and actually hardly thought about my phone! You will be pleased to here I am still in one piece! I hope my room is looking good! We have done loads and looking forward to the rest of the week and to docs(the bus driver) meal tomorrow! The schools we go to are amazing and such a different experience to England!!!!! Hope everyone is okay back home and say hello to auntie Linda and family for me:) say thanks to Esther for her help in learning language as it has really helped and her toilet advice! Currently sitting in front of the fire in our 'living' room chilling and dong craft things! Hope you are enjoying peace and quiet without me!! Love you lots like jelly tots nan:) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Quiggan family and friends,
Thank you all soooo much for the lovely comments/messages you have sent me. I wasn't feeling very well earlier so it was lovely to hear from you all. To Alain and Christian if you are reading this then I have two things to say to you. Firstly, where are my messages?! Secondly, I am actually starting to miss your techy convocations!
One of my leaders (Lucy) is currently showing us how many different types of moustache you can make out of one pipe cleaner. It is safe to say I may come home being even more crazy than when I left with this kind of influence on me  for three weeks! If only you could have seen all our leaders dancing earlier!
To Lizzie I promise I will name any hippos I meet josh and Gladys but I can't promise to marry them unless they agree and they may decide to eat me if they don't like the idea....
Thank you for the catch up on news and say well done to dad and tell Lee to shush his gums. To Auntie Laura, yes we are in a different house to the one on the video but it is very similar and on the site still. The only difference is we share the pool with the other house and it is slightly bigger bedroom wise as we have more people than the other group does.
Loads of love to you all and missing you lots! Prepare yourselves for a big hug when I come back! Cuddles and kisses to you all!!! Xxxxxxxx

Dear Meachin family,
Hope you are all having lovely weather in England, it's pouring with rain here today! I am having an amazing time here and laughing soooo much :)
Ok so you will probably laugh once you've read this all the way through, but well.......I broke my finger on Tuesday. (First person to injure themselves!) I was playing football with some of the kids at the community centre down the road from where we are staying. Anyway I was goalie, the ball came flying towards me and ended up smashing my finger. But I did save the goal which is what counts :) please don't worry I am absolutely fine, all bandaged up and I can't feel a thing. My finger was a lovely blackish purple this morning :D so I guess I will need to go to A&E when I get back haha
Mum and Olivia: have fun in Russia (hope you're packed by now!) liv try not to let mum spend a fortune and remember to leave some Russian dolls behind for the other tourists :)
Dad: hope everything and work is going ok. Sorry to disappoint you but I am absolutely terrible at football! Duff genes again I think ;)
Olivia: good night Sherlock!
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello Mumma, Daddy and Fais Parker!

Mumma, WS prep sounds good and it looks like you are ver organised! I'm looking forward to the sewing/swearing session too and my skirt is amazing and I love it and it fits perfectly! Faith,  your comments are amazing and hilarious and I love them and your hair sounds super cool! What colour is it? I have now been in the pool and it was cold and I have seen an impala too! Also, I have found no more notes? Clues please!! Have a great time at WS and make sure you tell everyone in the 5th that I say hi and am thinking of them! Their craft supplies are being very much appreciated!

Cathefrina, the island idea sounds good, I will stay with you plz and the weather with you sounds better than the continual misty rainy weather with us! NEW GIRL OMG was it the Ellie Goulding moment bit? OH THE FEELS I miss your face, but I'm having loads and loads of fun and can't believe we've nearly been here a week now! Also, my face is a little bit sunburnt, even though it's been cloudy... Whoopsie XOXO

Love to everyone, hello CH2J!

xxxxxxxxxx


Dear Hermitage and Mills followers,
I am ok, and enjoying my 'note a day'. Sadly, the Pringles are running low, but I did get hold of some bourbons today at the shop. Loving the comments on the blog, and also that you are feeding Carwyn, I'm sure he is wasting away. Mum, after all the crafts we have done here, I am pretty sure I have a new term planned for rainbows, and at least, without me there, u will be up do date with county work. Lala, tell fin, I have only showered once, and I shared it with a lizard, plus I haven't changed my trousers since I left England. Tell Katy I saw a spider about 3 inches wide today (including legs) and took a very brave photo for her. I have tried texting/emailing, but it normally seems u guys don't get it :(.
All those who donated to see me burnt, I feel u may be disappointed....more likely to me wrinkly and wet. Probably shouldn't have sung 'singing in the rain'...lesson learnt.
Love u all, speak soon. Love Luce xxx
(Ps, happy birthday benny!)

KIRSTY

A big  heddo to Mumzi (treacle) Hadgrid and Orphan kid. ah also J-girl if you are reading this. Having a wonderful time in Malawi and missing you all lots. Being kept busy and having a wonderful time at the schools. I've caused mayhem at meal times along with leader lucy breaking out into song at random times and using various utensils to make musical instruments! Hadgrid I've sung a few musicals too!
Will continue to keep you updated, keep following the blog, I must warn you the girls are responsible for the majority of the posts on here and they do get carried away. On the way home from a school the other day I have to ride in the back of a truck which was more of an animal cage! Anyway. Hope all is well, lots of love to everyone I know at home reading this. See you all in a few weeks. Love Kirky xxxx

Hello to the Simons fam

I hope those of you in Scotland are enjoying it, that one in Europe is loving it and that sibling in Thailand is still fully functioning :) the weather here has taken a turn for the worse and we might as well be in England :( but the schools are still fun and the people are still lovely and I'm not sick of them yet!!! I hope you are all having a wonderful time wherever you are and I'm looking forward to seeing you when I get home in a couple of weeks (and hearing Aaron's good ;) news) and fingers crossed I shall have some awesome things for you all :)

 Dear Meadows People etc.
glad to hear you guys are having fun on holiday and yes I'm sure he cheated ;)
Hope your ankle feels a little bit better soon Adam so you can play more golf!!
Oh and the hiccups have returned...

Hello ickytoria followers also know as (little) Vicky.

Hahaha, dad you know after the first weekend you said I was being reserved and quiet, well today they have just said they can remember how quiet I was the first weekend and how I didn't say anything XD, where as now they cant shut me up and i m sooooo loud XD they also said I used to hide under my hat XD , I miss him :( can you say hi to Colin for me, I think he's on the end of my bed or on the floordrover.

I would also like to say thank you to everyone who is reading this in Harrietsham, its nice that you are all keeping up to date and following our actions, and can't wait to tell you more about it when I get back!

Thanks again Vicky

Xxxxxxxx

Hi to the Holden family,Monty and any of my other friends that may be bored enough to be reading this!
We are all having a fab time here(as you may have read) although the weather has been atrocious the last couple of days so don't think I will be coming back with much of a tan :( Mont,you will be pleased to know that I have not lost the ring yet! Mum and dad,I hope you are looking after my fiancé and not letting him go hungry (I'm sure you are).
Anyway,better go as I think we will be having a bit of sing song (as usual) before bed.
Love you all lots and miss you.
Xxxx

Hi Rabble, Martyn and anyone else that knows me,
Having a fab time. The weather has been quite wet so it feels like home! The schools have been great, and the kids have really enjoyed themselves, although we have had a few crayon thieves! One boy rolled up his jeans with 6 crayons in. Mum and Dad we nearly had 2 extra members of the family, there were twins at one of the schools and I am pretty sure they would have fitted in the holdalls to come home! Rachel, I think I am in competition with you for bites! I don't have anywhere near as many as you did in Thailand but I have been bitten on my lip! Doc the bus driver (although he insists we call it a truck) is great and has even joined in with our dancing and singing. Banes, Ernest and Blessings, our BookBus guides are amazing and have been a great help with translating. Please make sure there is lots of hot water for a shower when I get home, at the moment Chloe and I am in competition for being the smelliest as we haven't found much time for a shower!
Miss you all,
Helen xxxxxxx