I'm not sure there are words enough to describe just how absolutely mind-blowingly amazing an experience it was to see Mountain Gorillas in the wild last week. Even now thinking about it my chest is tightening as I remember how close I got to these magnificent creatures that really do look like humans dressed up in hairy suits. We visited the Hirwa group in Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. Hirwa is the Silverback and his name means Lucky in the local language. It is a relatively new group, formed just a few years ago when this hotty of a gorilla stole himself a harem of lovely gorilla ladies and made them all pregnant within 2 years. The group has now got 12 members including 5 babies, each of which are incredibly fluffy, playful and adorable. ... read more

Heelloo, how are you? Jambo, you want to look in my shop? Looking is free my friend. Pole pole, take your time sister. Look necklaces, look earrings, look simba...you like my friend? I give you good price, best price, student price. You volunteer, I give you volunteer price? Good price for you. Where you from? Ahh Eeeenglaand, very nice, Karibu. London? No! Where from? You are very welcome. Look look, slowly, no rush, akuna mata. Look elephant, look Tingatinga painting, look here hippo, here flamingo, this one crocodile, you like? Just buy small thing, maybe t-tshirt for your brother? Take two! I give you good price for two. Just one then, I need to feed my family, sad eyes. What's your name? My name is Mr Cheap! Jambo, how are you? Just looking, looking is free. ... read more

It's one hell of a journey but boy was it all worth it when through the dark I spotted the lonely light of Bulungula Lodge shining like a beacon guiding us across the rolling hills of the Transkei. Having taken most forms of transport known to man, and endured 4hr delays at possibly the worst airport ever, then flown in a tempestuous thunderstorm, the final 100km from Umtata to the coast were a delight. As the road disintegrated further the smile on my face grew bigger as I knew we were getting ever closer to paradise. With each gravity defying roll of the ancient 4x4, with every bounce in and out of the craterous potholes, the rest of the passengers winced and wondered if it was really all worth it, thankfully I knew it was, and ... read more

"Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you." They say that Africa gets under your skin - and I'm not just talking about the freaky parasites you have to dig out of your toe with a safety pin - the drums of Africa are beating loud and true in my heart and drawing me back to this exotic continent... ...There will be the wonder of seeing the school at Nqileni built and full of children happily being educated while their parents have the chance of a reliable income thanks to the amazing work of the Bulungula Incubator . ...There will be encounters with wild beasts and birds galore, those David Attenborough DVD highlights will play out in real time before my very eyes - maybe it will ... read more

Just in case I haven't already text you or screamed down a phone at you...I've reached John o'Groats! Yes that's right folks, I've completed my marathon bike ride across Great Britain and Ireland, and the grand total mileage is 1228 miles for all you crazy people who sponsored me by the mile. In Wick now waiting for my marathon train journey back down south. I'll be back tomorrow and ready to hassle all of you who haven't paid up yet! Will update blog with photos and descriptions of glorious Bonnie Scotland in a day or two when I'm home and recovered! fxx... read more

Ok, I think I'm ready to talk about the past couple of days now!! Having eaten and slept I'm a little calmer and collected now. Day 15, Sunday 17th August: Drogheda to Rathfriland 45.76 miles average speed 11.6 mph total ride time 3 hours 54 mins Decide I really must do at least one bit of sightseeing on this trip so this morning I head to church. Not because the bike ride has been so stressful I've turned to God I'm afraid, no, this trip was to see the pickled head of Saint Oliver Plunkett. Yes you heard it right, the guy was hung, drawn and quartered however many hundreds of years ago and made a martyr, so they kept his head, as you do, and plonked it in a glass box in the church for ... read more