Arrived!

Here we all are then...

 The week of madness begins. This part of Africa is very lush and green – that's the first thing you notice. It's the rainy season. You also notice how friendly and welcoming everyone is. If you mention that you're part of Comic Relief, they all say 'thank you' because the money raised directly helps them and their communities. And it changes lives. In fact, we have received letters from the Zambian President thanking us for coming here. That's how much Comic Relief money means to them

We all arrived sleepy and disorientated and were thrown in a big open-roofed van and driven 2 hours to the base camp and the start of our adventure. Along the way we saw several cars driven badly, one baboon, and a local man who had the same tattoo as Mel C.

Don't worry guys... I've got this. Gulp.

The most striking and wonderful memory of today was driving through several villages full of smiling children living in mud huts with absolutely nothing to be happy about. And yet they were – and it was so humbling to see that THESE were exactly the sort of kids this trip is trying to help out. Perfect timing to remind all of us why we're all here – to raise money for THOSE kids to give them the education they deserve so they can make something of their lives.

It's late – I'm tired, and I'm about to zip up my tent in the wilderness and sleep coz tomorrow – IT BEGINS! 120km down the Zambezi – 5 nights sleeping on islands along the way. Bring it on.