The Grammar School at Leeds' BLOG

Malawi Trip - Day 20, Wednesday 24 July 2009

The first rays of light illuminated the mountain peak opposite the hut as heads started to appear from inside sleeping bags - but not for long as the temperature was barely above zero. Not until the log fires were fully alight did pupils gradually emerge like GSAL butterflies from their cocoons. A healthy breakfast of warmed croissants, cereals and toast soon restored the circulation ready for the challenges ahead.

Depending how stiff your joints were from yesterday’s ascent the options available were a ‘short, easy’ stroll to Lenje Pools or the more arduous ascent of Cilembwe Peak. Surprisingly the majority opted for the latter. Unfortunately your correspondent had to remain behind to organise the ‘stroll’ to the edge of the plateau so the ‘immense effort’, ‘tough ascent’ and ‘incredible views’ are mere hearsay provided by the exhausted band who joined us at the pools some three hours later.

Meanwhile the leisurely group complained it was neither ‘short’ nor ‘easy’ but once at the pools all was forgotten as everyone gaped at the fantastic views across the Mulanje Plain and the 5000 ft drop to the tea estates below.

Some even braved the freezing waters for a ‘dip’ in the pools (no one lasted more than a few minutes).

Back at base camp Malawi’s answer to ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ soon had the choice of chicken a la king or spicy beans on offer. It was a close contest but I think ‘red peppers’ won the day as a second helping of chicken a la king had to be cooked – well done staff. For an hour after supper the pupils chatted away enthusiastically but gradually the ‘butterflies’ returned to their cocoons and conversation was replaced with gentle breathing and/or snoring depending which room you were in – which reminds me – another log on the fire and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.