The Grammar School at Leeds' BLOG

Malawi Trip - Day 21, Thursday 25 July 2009

The early morning breakfast call was met with real enthusiasm as everyone assumed that going downhill was easier than walking uphill. The first shock was the long haul out of the valley to the summit at 2100 metres for a team photo. The suggestion of swapping a night at Ryalls Hotel for another night on the mountain was met by stony silence as most of the pupils were already fixating on hot showers and baths.

The second shock was the difficulty of striding downhill. Knees and thighs were severely tested. Those who had invested in Mulanje cedar walking poles were reaping the benefit of an extra ‘leg’ or two. Despite this assistance one or two still managed to  have an argument with the odd rock (the rock won every time).

By early afternoon the entire party had reached Likhabula Falls but the appeal of  a hot shower overcame the desire for a plunge in the freezing cold water of the mountain river. Everyone deservedly felt a real sense of achievement and will treasure special memories of unspoilt beauty for years to come. As many agreed ascending and descending Mount Mulanje had been the hardest physical effort they had ever achieved.

No doubt tthhe hotel staff knew we had arrived as we all smelled of wood smoke and were in dire need of a long soaking. Keeping downwind of the fellow hotel guests we quickly headed for our rooms. A hot bath and a flushing toilet – what luxuries! Room service – a gin and tonic to the bathroom of room 231 please. Now where’s the soap gone?