Nic arrived Saturday 8th February with ‘the boys’;  Andrew Smith the proprietor of Andrew’s Estate Agents, from Neston along with Tom Brunwin & Dave Lambert, Army Air Corps   helicopter pilots, Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

Dave & Tom are entering the Talisker Atlantic Rowing Challenge 2015, a 3,000 nautical mile race from St Sebastiean, La Gomera in The Canaries to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua in the Caribbean, raising money for both OAKS & The Doughie Dalzell Memorial Fund.

A hectic & varied itinerary was proposed:

  • Friday

Meet at Gatwick for daytime flight to Lungi, Freetown.  Ferry and overnight in Freetown.

  • Saturday

Tour of Freetown; Visit to ‘Beach No2’; Quick view of OAKS school; Margaret’s cuisine & beer!

  • Sunday

Church @ OAKS; A walk around a parcel of land known as ‘The 24 Town Lots’ – a potential site for building a Senior Secondary School; Stroll to local venue to watch satellite football; Welcome party in OAKS Compound for our neighbours, teachers & dignitaries 3pm – 8pm.

  • Monday

Whole school escort from the compound to school; Morning assembly; Presentation from each class in school hall; Lesson observations; Football match against local school ‘Sluim’; Local community native dance in Compound & school yard; CTA meeting in school hall with parents.

  • Tuesday

Visits to other local schools – Gateway Private School 3 – 12 years;  Sluim Muslim Faith School Class 1 – 6;  Aladura Mission Government Assisted School 3 – 14 years;  Agape Way Private School 3 – 13 Years; Training centre for local youth offering – sewing & embroidery, hairdressing, carpentry, welding and building.

Tour of Bo via Honda bikes, as passengers.

  • Wednesday

Sports Day.  9am – 7.30pm.

  • Thursday

3 hour trip to Gendema Ferry – inland bush community on the banks of the river Sewa.  Walk around village, meeting with local chief, view proposed site for village school and brief tour of very basic mining site.

Big night out – ‘Black & White Club’ in Bo.

  • Friday

    Andrew, Nic, Tom, Maggie & Dave - all packed & off to Freetown

    Andrew, Nic, Tom, Maggie & Dave – all packed & off to Freetown

Leave 8.30am for journey back to Freetown.  Visit beach.  5pm ferry to Lungi and airport.

Arrive Gatwick – Saturday 06.30.

WHAT AN ADVENTURE!