Formal Dinner - Swaziland 26 - 28 November

Formal dinner this year went to Shewula Mountain Camp in the north eastern corner of Swaziland. We left at 5am on Sat 26th November full to the brim with everything to make our two nights there super comfy and luxurious.
The actual formal dinner was delicious (thanks to Lisa and Mark Shaerer) but of course the weather had to play a part and it blew the entire time we ate. Floor length dresses were quickly abandoned for tracksuit tops and pants and the candles were mere decoration. But it was a fantastic dinner nevertheless (with many a toast given to 'the Animal') as only an Explorer's Formal dinner can be. The traditional game of cricket was played on the local community's soccer field. Lots of alcohol was consumed and many a 'bat bat bat' and 'viking' and 'bunny bunny bunny' was played.
Here's to next year's Formal dinner being just as awesome!

- Brigitta Annegarn

Team Dufli goes for a play

Wendy Eleanor and Stacey had a play with James, Daav and myself repectivly, at Gatsien. The bottom hole was working nicely and gave us all time to work on our spins, some clean, and ends. I am happy to report that our crogan (window shade) to trick ratio is improving. At the end of the day James and I concluded that we may just be crappy kayakers (opposed to not quite crappy yet)
Daav played so much he could hardly stay awake on the drive home, he looked like a kid with a new toy.

Eleanor's first day at playschool

So Bryden Soekie and I went to the Vaal; with Eleanor a croc and a stubby with a leaky splashdeck. Soekie was a little intimidated by the run in to the hole, which resulted in a complicated run/paddle around. The hole was awesome, I did a loop (well according to bryden i did a loop) and a couple of phonics-tortis's. Bryden had one swim but a lot more succesful rolls (roll to swim ratio was pretty good...) We forgot the camera, so only some crogan photo's from the camera-phone.

-The Daav

Eleanor Arrives

Dave Rice or as we affectionately know him ou-Daav or Dawie, purchased himself a brand spanking new Large Fluid Flirt in yellow. He bought the boat from ex-explorers member Hugh du Preez owner of Whitewatertraining in Parys. After which Dave, Bryden and James went for a paddle at Gatsien which was the lowest it has been for a while now, flowing 10 cumecs.