Camp Fringilla

Bradley had a great time camping with the other Year 5 students!!

Erik and I drove him and his friend, Fadhili, to the campsite Wednesday morning. We were following the bus with about 5 other parents. We had to go through a police stop and who do you think the police stopped out of the convoy?? Yes, us!! My van must have a special license number that says, "She will pay- stop her:)" We did not have reflective tape on the vehicle which is a 56,000Kwacha fine but Erik explained we were on our way to Fringilla with the school and we would get tape as soon as possible. The policeman let us go- Good thing I stayed in the car!!

When we arrived at camp it was a free for all on campsites and then putting the tents up. I was very impressed with the children's ability to put up their own tents. There is a lot of camping in Zambia, the weather is perfect for it and it is cheap!!

The campgrounds were actually on a farm so the campsites were surrounded by pinned up animals such as cows, goats, pigs, turkeys, and peacocks. There was also a pool on the campgrounds. Bradley was in a small tent with Antonio and Victor- 2 pretty big boys. I helped them set up their sleeping mats and pillows- they had to leave their bags outside because there was no room.

Bradley said they had a great time doing their activities during the day- they had to come up with costumes and have a fashion show. He made a mask of leaves and a stick with leaves on it that looked like a chicken's tail. They called him "Chicken Man". He had french toast and yoghurt(that's how they spell it over here) for breakfast, sausage and chicken sandwich for lunch, and chicken, potatoes and vegetables for dinner.

I did get a call from his teacher at 8:00 this morning saying he had vomited at about 4:30 this morning- "it was too dark to go outside" so he vomited in the tent. Sorry Victor and Antonio!! Victor woke up and asked if he was ok, Antonio was snoozing. That was the one and only time- I'm wondering if he had one too many marshmallows last night???

Stephen, the company's driver, went with me to pick Brad up this morning. He was with me when I was almost impounded. Now he will call me and say, "Good morning Madam- any violations today??" Isn't that such a blessing that I was able to teach him the meaning of the word, Violation?? Anyway, Bradley slept all the way home then took a shower and went back to bed. He is up now and feeling much better. He has his first swimming gala tomorrow!!