tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45077297887107253202024-03-13T18:11:49.088-07:00Kayak MadagascarSKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-4971028324582967472008-01-02T04:54:00.001-08:002008-01-02T04:54:57.753-08:00Finished for nowWith mixed forecasts, talk of the train derailing and the road in poor condition from Manakara we decided to finish our first half of the expedition in Manajary. We are just under half way around Madagascar and will be returing to finish our circumnavigation next year. Our journey back to the capital with the kayaks has gone smoothly so far. The kayaks were carefully tied to the roof of a taxi we arranged to get us to Madagascars second city, Fianarantsoa. The 5 hour journey took us past pristine rain forest and raging rivers. We hope to leave the kayaks at the hotel and take time to explore the interior of the country before we fly back on the 10th. The last week of paddling along the beach went smoothly. The surf was always there but was not too big to land and launch through. The winds stayed on our tail and we spent around 9 hours a day covering good distance. We only landed at the end of the day to limit the number of times we had to tackle the surf. On the whole the expedition has gone amazingly well and we have seen so many spectacular places and met so many friendly people. We are both very much looking forward to the rest of the journey. On our return we will upload a gallery and a report on the expedition. Thanks to everyone for their support. <br>Simon and Phil<br> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-60014464436520269852008-01-01T01:37:00.000-08:002008-01-01T02:38:23.521-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>madagascar update</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>30-12-2007</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Had a call from Simon a couple of days ago but haven't been able to get to a computer till now. All's good with both of them and they are making sound progress. They only have 150 KM to their get out and have about a week to get there, so as long as they have no bad weather between now and then we should be seeing them back home by mid January. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Happy New Year everyone:)</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-45316114845541973862007-12-28T02:17:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:55.028-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>New Update</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>27-12-2007</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Had a trip report fom Simon yesterday to say that they had made it as far as a town called Mahanoro (see map). Good paddling conditions are enabling the guys to make better progress and with a good forecast for tomorrow they hope to cover more distance. The surf is running at about four and a half feet and things are looking good. </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Simon and Phil will be returning to the UK on or around the 10 January, travel logistics mean that if they go too far south they will have trouble getting back to the countries main airport.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148970387784124514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs4XevwzuFhyTe_XNcqVpsu0NBJFq96muAlYvWZ69pLNCJGanuz-SfflMQfbwdEO7Ild2yOu_Wa4xDt9DST1G11NoEbrdF5CERxf7FDEoGSf_h1MUTvqa-H3-HGp30DEHj2sdz2XVkE-H/s400/Madagascar-map-new.gif" border="0" /></span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-84749707790629419912007-12-25T08:02:00.000-08:002007-12-25T08:08:26.794-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Update </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>25-12-2007</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Just recieved an update from Phil to say that they had a lay in this morning, when they got up it was very windy so they decided to have the day off and celebrate xmas with a tin of raviolli and Ferrero Rochet (i think thats spelt right). </span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-72044827427725063492007-12-25T01:25:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:55.422-08:00<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Xmas Update</span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">25-12-2007</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Phil called yesterday to say that they had made good progress, with strong following winds surfing them along. They ended the day in a place called Vatomandry, managing a good 35 kilometers in seven hours of paddling.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Merry Christmas!!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147843147847485490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2u6GZW4_z6QK_5LP66Bzu4ewqULfplF5Ko0goh6ZDvH2azktmmGiCPJgsL_st59fYdmRhkYVwjjhMASgmhAV-WzKwg7MlX9AoWmRagK0QHerz7AZnBLvkK1QaMJ2obWG2RsjJCDWw93D/s400/Madagascar-map-new.gif" border="0" /></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-47505950201470913412007-12-23T14:10:00.000-08:002007-12-23T14:14:15.652-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Up Date</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>23-12-2007</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Had an update from Phil today, there was so much interferance that I couldnt make out what was being said fully. I did understand that they were making good progress with tail winds, he sounded happy so alls well I believe.</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-14452842399929189692007-12-21T04:18:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:01:55.764-08:00The port of Tamatave (Bateau Ivre)<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi0s8m2cYMwDifc-FBS9iMGkdLdd1t8OYFvpWS1bqBOWuMYIaVrpjVDbgXvi_2qOK8TeU4zmAhgxbslarDoT71N2QFuluZ-hIxL5-lsycfGVz6YPv7R-kE5Wfss7OwBLvc8Koyyq84aBF/s1600-h/IMGP6064-705168.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi0s8m2cYMwDifc-FBS9iMGkdLdd1t8OYFvpWS1bqBOWuMYIaVrpjVDbgXvi_2qOK8TeU4zmAhgxbslarDoT71N2QFuluZ-hIxL5-lsycfGVz6YPv7R-kE5Wfss7OwBLvc8Koyyq84aBF/s320/IMGP6064-705168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146399489080215570" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0lt5MYhu_1DVhfC5q_liB1yedPWnbhmc9ndeE2QWcrMFFkYoCXTBCJw3Ya0Z0GqCmHuvA4d9w7L95i_t_mf6ztLcOL2AXyROEfgW8hObY3OCdQMJbnmeYoyVjajZiOBNRepwp86qirpO/s1600-h/IMGP6066-705771.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0lt5MYhu_1DVhfC5q_liB1yedPWnbhmc9ndeE2QWcrMFFkYoCXTBCJw3Ya0Z0GqCmHuvA4d9w7L95i_t_mf6ztLcOL2AXyROEfgW8hObY3OCdQMJbnmeYoyVjajZiOBNRepwp86qirpO/s320/IMGP6066-705771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146399493375182882" /></a></p><div>Its great to have made it to Tamatave. It is the largest port in Madagascar and our last major resupply point for a while. It also signifies the start of the long sandy straight beach all the way to the south. We fortunatly have a reasonable forecast to get us started tommorrow. The past few weekes have taken us to some amazing remote parts of rural Madagascar. We have stopped in villages where they dont see tourists and dont speak french. The Coast has been diverse with coral reefs, sandy beaches, crossings and cliffy headlands. Behind it all has been a constant headwind that has finally decided to turn into a tail wind to help push us on our way. Lets hope it stays. </div> <div>We have been able to update the site with photos due to the kindness of the owner of the resteraunt Le Bateau Ivre. He has let us keep the kayaks under the resteraunt to save us carrying them into our hotel room in town! We passed our first bouy today and proberbly our last. We shopped for the festive period today and bought an extra tin of raviolli and 6 ferrero rochee (excuse spelling). </div> <div>Thanks to Jeff for his hard work on the updates and to Karel for his excelent forecasts, keep the northerly winds coming.</div> <div>Happy Christmas Simon and Phil</div> <div> </div> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-79964501532785162562007-12-21T04:02:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:55.925-08:00We have had a few sections of straight sandy beaches but we have alot more to come!!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkUGdY32nORiiBZugMmIFwYFDUaVtEifLIR-pgimbj0Cbi5lqM2DOEWKe29q8wRfQ_QDjinhwUnTGYLBeO3q8yuVMuis15v7WyYs7hG7IHxIFBeedSzv-rE9mQ8H-CSCC02Bunqze2O5L/s1600-h/IMGP5876-780459.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkUGdY32nORiiBZugMmIFwYFDUaVtEifLIR-pgimbj0Cbi5lqM2DOEWKe29q8wRfQ_QDjinhwUnTGYLBeO3q8yuVMuis15v7WyYs7hG7IHxIFBeedSzv-rE9mQ8H-CSCC02Bunqze2O5L/s320/IMGP5876-780459.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146395516235466754" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-71881464151635812842007-12-21T03:58:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:01:56.047-08:00Finally after 22 days the headwind dramatically finishes<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj852SMnw3BS2SD1sWyph-hbosRLCJ6hDi0JBnElryxP4sOoZCr-_K-jPcnDFJCUOMAlxH6JV-mHCQ-peAcX7SQ8uUw7gAfIsQ1TLtVGT535OsZFh_srm4kQW4t7eWHARgDH7Dc2hAT9fHt/s1600-h/IMGP5915-707801.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj852SMnw3BS2SD1sWyph-hbosRLCJ6hDi0JBnElryxP4sOoZCr-_K-jPcnDFJCUOMAlxH6JV-mHCQ-peAcX7SQ8uUw7gAfIsQ1TLtVGT535OsZFh_srm4kQW4t7eWHARgDH7Dc2hAT9fHt/s320/IMGP5915-707801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146394343709394930" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-8556223389205162872007-12-21T03:55:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:56.220-08:00Gutting fish bought from the fishermen<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HzwwYX_kmKS-a1LZ6a8_VHgy5X8erdx5jaiYr4D_GZT1zD_Pct7QviYkA_oLe0oHNw8KJuBLwkfVdD2-H80ipKC-kkazCQ8wRcZ4SVKxLBfE8v5avoUB_pYVTSJUH8XStHzNdztsGRRV/s1600-h/IMGP6033-777868.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HzwwYX_kmKS-a1LZ6a8_VHgy5X8erdx5jaiYr4D_GZT1zD_Pct7QviYkA_oLe0oHNw8KJuBLwkfVdD2-H80ipKC-kkazCQ8wRcZ4SVKxLBfE8v5avoUB_pYVTSJUH8XStHzNdztsGRRV/s320/IMGP6033-777868.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146393793953581026" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-59309034432106266992007-12-21T03:53:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:01:56.649-08:00We have had some amazing times getting to know the locals over the past few weeks<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WjDo72NSiK4taKSvtPBMk4EOpDgF112lhwWvWSyAHGL-2mUswqaE7YjnzTZydA-u7IjSp3-umH9RgLPgFb7igxPcG2fUOE_xtL3rNbqaK24_9m16nVO9wPSyJ7EW9U1YBUu1MYzFGnMn/s1600-h/IMGP5977-714042.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WjDo72NSiK4taKSvtPBMk4EOpDgF112lhwWvWSyAHGL-2mUswqaE7YjnzTZydA-u7IjSp3-umH9RgLPgFb7igxPcG2fUOE_xtL3rNbqaK24_9m16nVO9wPSyJ7EW9U1YBUu1MYzFGnMn/s320/IMGP5977-714042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146393085283977154" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBhUNQFXwwci368mylGLRfOpLu1V3GDzn-yfGvZpQmOsr15tRm4IxFOUBZcwAMikcF5flR3GNAHSBeELgMv13-BmHraevbzZBTn1iICSZo8iffGPMpPWD3NNa39R_ENF-VXIJ1GNwgHq8/s1600-h/IMGP5981-714851.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBhUNQFXwwci368mylGLRfOpLu1V3GDzn-yfGvZpQmOsr15tRm4IxFOUBZcwAMikcF5flR3GNAHSBeELgMv13-BmHraevbzZBTn1iICSZo8iffGPMpPWD3NNa39R_ENF-VXIJ1GNwgHq8/s320/IMGP5981-714851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146393089578944466" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-43914775921879825362007-12-21T03:50:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:56.770-08:00Turtle eggs for tea?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57lp9lRRyWFL2Ba12VepiE7ijugMowh2YQQo2Z369ork8xp2U1CsKYXAdJ4GTYqgdn7AyT5cFBSfPk-sX9QfLrWGFHkRQlgu2E6jwfJQnH08vS8XbIkfLoz82UnOBs8oRHEbfFw7kAS0H/s1600-h/IMGP5874-776988.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57lp9lRRyWFL2Ba12VepiE7ijugMowh2YQQo2Z369ork8xp2U1CsKYXAdJ4GTYqgdn7AyT5cFBSfPk-sX9QfLrWGFHkRQlgu2E6jwfJQnH08vS8XbIkfLoz82UnOBs8oRHEbfFw7kAS0H/s320/IMGP5874-776988.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146392496873457586" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-1534087500335387462007-12-21T03:47:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:01:57.353-08:00A local slashes and burns next to our camp<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ36SaI858cxD8MKIAlRilJ-CTtbnt0LTD9GD9jCNpFy9PpWe0zsga9KRgXFn3cv7Zid3qqjccDthqFetvZd_yIB55-IKHV4o50BmPC1LoxWCHyuoJ4ThwawExqDSi58JxSfqbk1wEc2z/s1600-h/IMGP6007-748722.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ36SaI858cxD8MKIAlRilJ-CTtbnt0LTD9GD9jCNpFy9PpWe0zsga9KRgXFn3cv7Zid3qqjccDthqFetvZd_yIB55-IKHV4o50BmPC1LoxWCHyuoJ4ThwawExqDSi58JxSfqbk1wEc2z/s320/IMGP6007-748722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146391517620914082" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-11872748463619464112007-12-21T03:41:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:57.526-08:00Phil showing his camera to the local children<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvFRm1kwD2q4SwTuIKGM9PRuYDZvmDSAMOHiDJbTEHpY_pff0OgHbLmz1T7iUF8gKpVMTDyhf_AjwBjKEBTuFr_vkKJgiZSG2jP3y67Un0uz8EskT3j0j-9BL-waDge7T7rhitMlrEKoW/s1600-h/IMGP0393-735586.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvFRm1kwD2q4SwTuIKGM9PRuYDZvmDSAMOHiDJbTEHpY_pff0OgHbLmz1T7iUF8gKpVMTDyhf_AjwBjKEBTuFr_vkKJgiZSG2jP3y67Un0uz8EskT3j0j-9BL-waDge7T7rhitMlrEKoW/s320/IMGP0393-735586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146390169001183122" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-46644535573255393282007-12-21T03:40:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:01:57.679-08:00Phil getting to grips with the local way to travel<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimA73-jvh8RVTR72abOBO2xe4ajjvqvZ9ZBcJ7BFVwOX99wPF2P4C9V6StHyIpOMkFz4hwfmA2Os6HPmO_CNbEddvs99z1KpS6AeZ4jShoxVjMPNltgyh3L5OuHC4rOdx-xI1GfkzU6A9/s1600-h/IMGP5929-739543.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimA73-jvh8RVTR72abOBO2xe4ajjvqvZ9ZBcJ7BFVwOX99wPF2P4C9V6StHyIpOMkFz4hwfmA2Os6HPmO_CNbEddvs99z1KpS6AeZ4jShoxVjMPNltgyh3L5OuHC4rOdx-xI1GfkzU6A9/s320/IMGP5929-739543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146389760979289986" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-73914591921807562382007-12-21T03:37:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:01:57.886-08:00Simon asking for directions out of the reef<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y2LkoWhIUCJPZoyFW9A9LtlJ__1kePbRYu5MRcwuFKXgJCNvymwqsKlD2i8QJA8pt2fotfDmQL602chM_gLRh6VVFm_11oRRnITIw3kGalN7_9_aXWMgvbNQQMaWhGIURccjTDd3Y_tF/s1600-h/IMGP0350-740024.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y2LkoWhIUCJPZoyFW9A9LtlJ__1kePbRYu5MRcwuFKXgJCNvymwqsKlD2i8QJA8pt2fotfDmQL602chM_gLRh6VVFm_11oRRnITIw3kGalN7_9_aXWMgvbNQQMaWhGIURccjTDd3Y_tF/s320/IMGP0350-740024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146388901985830770" /></a></p> SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-58912177031230624802007-12-20T12:54:00.000-08:002007-12-22T20:53:51.988-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">Update </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">20-12-2007</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">Had an update from Phil today to say that they couldnt get a signal on the Sat phone yesterday but before landing they managed to buy some fresh fish from local fisherman they passed on the way in to land, so supplemented their food supplies with some good fresh protein. They stayed at a place called Foul Ponte last night and left this morning making good progress. They have now made it to an Island I think (signal was breaking up) with a lighthouse on it. The officials there were very official, asking to see their papers, which they took away and checked. When they returned Phil and Simon withdrew their secret weapon for officialdom (the bottle of Brandy they purchased a few days before) and made the <em>officials</em> a little less official. Both Simon and Phil sound very happy and moral seems high. They are making better progress now with the winds easing back a bit.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">Just incase you lads read this, I have over the last few days spoken with Louise, Kevin, Roz, David, Helen, Eric and Gill (albeit in cyberspace) and they miss you loads, wish you both good luck, a very merry christmas and a happy new year. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">Roz is off in Central America on her own adventurous travels, so anyone who is interested here is a link to her blog </span><a href="http://www.rozleahy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">www.rozleahy.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="color:#ffff00;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">she is having a great time to by the sound of things.</span></span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-79705437698485118002007-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:58.124-08:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7xBnk2EHMtbQIoZUg1_fiRi4IGG0ZMHLB9ymJF8L3MkVkW2rTkCLjOwgKvjyq0oZOiLq3-fVlQP2o6ysoD2BNxBW9JwnAdfvPKNVWTNmdcl2n0CocL2tryjUAA9R6ya3kS9kPayB8rC6/s1600-h/15_slabbert.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145462378755835746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7xBnk2EHMtbQIoZUg1_fiRi4IGG0ZMHLB9ymJF8L3MkVkW2rTkCLjOwgKvjyq0oZOiLq3-fVlQP2o6ysoD2BNxBW9JwnAdfvPKNVWTNmdcl2n0CocL2tryjUAA9R6ya3kS9kPayB8rC6/s400/15_slabbert.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#ffcc00;">Madagascar Surf</span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Update </strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>18-12-2007</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Spoke with Simon today, they had another good day on the water, paddling in nearly perfect conditions, they paddled back from Isle St Marie to the mainland, on a heading south west and they managed to cover 40-50 kilometers to a rather indistinct river mouth (this info is mainly for Karel who is plotting their weather for them) which had quite a lot of confused wave action in the mouth of the estuary, they wouldnt have gone close if it hadnt been for some dug out canoes coming out. So they landed, through about 2 metres of surf and set up camp for the night. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Simon and Phil are about to set off on what is probably one of the hardest stretches of coastline they'll have, endless miles of sandy beaches! sounds idyllic unless your a paddler, this means there isnt going to be a great deal of escape when it comes to the surf environment. There's a reason why Madagascar hasnt been done before guys, and this is probably going to be it, fortune favours the brave, if there's two guys who can do it, then its these two.....happy paddling lads, thoughts are with you, from both family and friends.</span></div></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-72611939800553805262007-12-17T07:12:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:58.573-08:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">update<br />17-12-2007</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF__ve1y91ljIRsrtQzUWnqgY9b8-_eXgzXaFDmtIVKmYPpIF3yJXG51d-OoXCHHz6dvJAQuCY3Lj7gN1BsWGGveHs-0D-20fMdLvMbhSglGx99AeX88h_oGcDBHlATLeb7ThvxXDmtFc/s1600-h/Madmap_StMarie..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144962680785782594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF__ve1y91ljIRsrtQzUWnqgY9b8-_eXgzXaFDmtIVKmYPpIF3yJXG51d-OoXCHHz6dvJAQuCY3Lj7gN1BsWGGveHs-0D-20fMdLvMbhSglGx99AeX88h_oGcDBHlATLeb7ThvxXDmtFc/s400/Madmap_StMarie..jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">The lads crossed in perfect conditions to St Marie today, no winds at all which is a blessing as they have managed to rest up, recuperate and replen, they even got a bottle of rum to celebrate xmas with. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">The Island is a very popular tourist destination, famous for its whale watching.</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144963269196302162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FyuTQLPW5Y2-ponADLDXq4bNcM8pXf3Rn0fkzrOzs0RkLisQgb_rhEdb9yR__eVTocI-uyxfQe_ei_XJWGECou13e3jq_cvAFL6Z3GHL3jwxl8svTzzb6a42YHQC7e4zhZtXZsEVwZHD/s400/crique.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Isle St Marie, Madagascar.<br /></span></p>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-26543530624421501012007-12-16T10:44:00.000-08:002007-12-16T10:50:23.385-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">Update</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">16-12-2007</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Just had a message from Simon to say that they had a very warm and friendly send off from the villages they met yesterday, they are making much better progress, still using the Coral Reefs for protection from the swells, still lots of wildlife and as they landed for lunch today children from a nearby village climbed trees and picked them fruit, which was much appreciated. They are camped on the beach now waiting to paddle across to Isle De St Marie which is almost on route but well worth the slight diversion as it is reknowned for being a beautiful place to visit.</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-23711703150306635572007-12-16T04:33:00.000-08:002007-12-16T04:41:37.634-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Update</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>15-12-2007</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Had a message from Phil to say that they had left Cap D'Est and made it to the Southern point the day before yesterday and were poised to make a fairly large crossing to what the termed 'The Mainland' again. Rising early yesterday morning they set off and made thye crossing in 101/2 hours. They landed in a small and beautiful bay were their was a small village, no one spoke any English or French but they came across a French Missionary who was passing through and spoke with him. All is good with the boys and they say hi.</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-86207997843627038462007-12-14T06:35:00.000-08:002007-12-14T06:43:21.086-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">Madagascar Update</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">13-12-2007</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">Had an update from Phil yesterday to say that they had departed from Cap Est and were heading off into a fairly remote region, no road contact at all for the next few days, paddling inside and outside of Coral reef. On the outside the seas are quite large, and they have in the main been seeking the protection of the Coral Reef's. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">As they went in to land today they came in to the beach just as some locals were launching out in Dug outs, they exchanged boats for a while and had a good laugh with the locals. The area is very beautiful and life is good.</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-21937573811903711522007-12-12T07:12:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:01:58.722-08:00<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">Madagascar Update<br />12/12/07</span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8VqX1zTDRohqV0KfvHrTbyircUhBCOGFJIGJ82x4MooekfJ_dBnzZtROoo_YDPs3J8139SJRTTntZc4N2Y7N4Bf9edepViXWO-zzFiJ5YYD2eSv6z6sg8XASaOEiIRotr8TAf6AmhXD8/s1600-h/madagascar+S&P+position.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143106981522021906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8VqX1zTDRohqV0KfvHrTbyircUhBCOGFJIGJ82x4MooekfJ_dBnzZtROoo_YDPs3J8139SJRTTntZc4N2Y7N4Bf9edepViXWO-zzFiJ5YYD2eSv6z6sg8XASaOEiIRotr8TAf6AmhXD8/s400/madagascar+S%26P+position.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Just spoke with Simon on the phone, they are now camped on the most easterly point of the Island, up at 3.45am this morning and getting as many miles in as they can once more, but they are noticing that the winds are gradually easing a little the further south they go, this is normal conditions for this time of year apparantly. The surf isnt particulary big but due to the steepness of the beaches, what swell there is, is creating a nasty shore dump on occassions. They have managed to navigate inside of coral reefs at times which has made their progress quite interesting. They both sound happy, Simon is looking forward to seeing his young sister and they both say hi to their families and friends.</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-24863984127251431532007-12-10T07:37:00.000-08:002007-12-10T07:53:01.161-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">Madagascar Update</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">10-12-2007</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Had two updates today, one from Phil which must have come in yesterday and said that they had some more head winds to deal with as well as a bit of a nasty shore dump, they had launched early to avoid the daytime sea breezes and had to land by midday. Then Simon rang this morning to say that once more an early start had been the order for the day, but by midday the winds had not materialised and they had managed a good eight hours of paddling. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Yesterday they made it almost as far as Sambava, so Im expecting them to be there by now if not beyond. Whilst paddling today they paddled across the top of a whole school of Rays, about 15 in total which sounded pretty amazing listening to Simon describe in detail the experience. Once more dumping surf and coral reefs were to be negotiated before landing safely.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;"></span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4507729788710725320.post-59954578963781784062007-12-07T13:04:00.000-08:002007-12-07T13:05:57.862-08:00<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Update<br />07-12-2007</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Recieved a call from Phil today to say that they were making progress, albeit quite slowly, due to the winds,.<br />Funnily enough I recieved the call whilst in London with Phils good friend Harry Whelan, who he circumnavigated Gt Britain with a couple of years ago, Phil interestingly enough said<br /><br />" Jeff if you get a chance give Harry a quick kick in the B---s for me will you"<br /><br />which i did of course, after all thats what friends are for at the end of the day.<br /><br />Phil then went on to tell me that their daily routine had now become a daily routine of getting on the water as early as possible to avoid the strong winds, they had just replenished their stores to give them another 7 days of water and 14 days of food, on landing today they met with a lady on the beach who was digging for Turtles eggs. Anyway they are up early and paddling in the wee hours to avoid the strong sea breezes which are causing them problems.<br />Keep going lads, have a good lead up to the Xmas period, everyone here is thinking of you, stay safe and paddle strong.....</span></div>SKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06457242497999104578noreply@blogger.com0