Day Two of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017

February 11, 2017Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, WaterbergSophie Neville

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~ A young male white rhino on Ant’s Nest game reserve being protected by armed guards ~

One aim of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017 was to raise funds for Save The Waterberg Rhino. On the second day of the ride we split up into two groups of six riders with the aim of observing rhinos in their natural habitat and learning about their plight.

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As the rhino are accompanied by a 24 hour armed guard, in constant radio contact with game rangers, it was not difficult to find a pair grazing on the reserve.

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The horn of each rhino on Ant’s Nest has been chipped and treated with chemicals that render it poisonous for consumption in order to destroy its commercial value and help protect the animals from poachers since the horn can be traced by Police and customs officials.

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We moved on, coming across other wildlife such as this rare sable antelope bull.

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We also saw waterbuck, kudu, eland, impala, blesbok, zebra and warthog with piglets.

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Because the rains had come unsually late, many animals had given birth in January. We saw this female wildebeest with her own calf and a nursery of young.

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Finding water for the horses was not a problem as waterholes were beginning to fill.

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We spotted a number of kudu, but photographying them wasn’t so easy.

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Just before lunch the rain fell on us but we made it to the lodge at Ant’s Hill where the horses were untacked at the sables and we could dry our shirts by the fire.

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Thunder began to roll, lightning cracked overhead and heavy rain began to fall, causing watercourses that had been dry for months to flow with much needed water.

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After drying off, the riders were treated to a delicious lunch. We were pretty tired after a total of only about six hours in the saddle. How where we going to cope with another twenty- four hours? At this stage we had about a hundred and thirty kilometers to go.

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The rain passed and as we walked out on the horses we came across a family of giraffe.

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Riders were able to watch them peacefully browsing on fresh acacia leaves.

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It was a good opportunity for the sculptors taking part in the ride to watch the animals natural behaviour and take reference photographs.

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There was also quite a bit of fast riding. By the end of the day, the group riding with Ant Baber had covered 36 kilometers on horseback. After a quick change of clothes, Juliet Maddan and the riders presented Tessa Baber of Ant’s Nest with one of the limited edition Elfinglen trays made especially to raise funds for The Waterberg Trust’s projects.

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We had gathered for an illustrated talk by Kelly Abram of Save The Waterberg Rhino.

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The facts and figures are startling and the need for action clear.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

Support the project on Social Media and receive news:
To share posts on The Waterberg Trust’s Facebook page, please click here
For Save The Waterberg Rhino’s Facebook page, please click here
For the Lapalala Wilderness School’s page, please click here
Find out more by clicking here: Save The Waterberg Rhino
Make a donation to The Waterberg Trust, please click here for the address
Donate via The Waterberg Trust Justgiving page

As a UK registered charity, The Waterberg Trust can claim Gift Aid on eligible donations, and organise transfer of funds to South Africa efficiently. You can add a note to specify ‘Save the Waterberg Rhino’ or ‘Lapalala Wilderness School’ or another project with your donation.

twt-ride-day-2-talking-about-rhino-horn-with-jess -TWT Riders learing about Save The Waterberg Rhino from Jessica Babich –

Riding through Ant’s Nest Game Reserve on Day One of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017

February 4, 2017Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Waterbergadventure travel, Ant Baber, Ant's Nest game reserve, Anthony Baber, challenging horse ride, Events, horse safari, Horseback challenge, horseriding, hot weather riding helmets, image of roan antelope, image of wildbeest, long distance horse ride, Long distance riding, photo of wildebeeste, photographing wildlife from horseback, photos of roan antelope, photos of white rhino, riders with rhino, riding horses in Africa, riding in Africa, Riding on Ant's Nest, riding with game, Safari, Sophie Neville, TravelSophie Neville

We started spotting wildlife the moment we drove in through the gates of Ant’s Nest, a private game reserve in the Waterberg. This young roan antelope was in our path.

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Twelve riders had flown out from the UK and Australia, at their own cost, to learn about the Waterberg by riding across the plateau with Ant Baber and his experienced guides,

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TWT Trustee Sophie Neville, who was once a horse safari guide in the area, met the group at Johannesburg airport and explained about projects supported by the Waterberg Trust, as she accompanied riders on the expedition.

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Although we covered some distance on the first afternoon, the important thing was for riders to try out their horses and get used to the long-distance saddles while there was still a chance to make changes. Juliet Maddan, who had gathered the group together, was also wearing a hot-weather helmet for the first time.

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It was a delight to come across wild animals who are used to grazing in the reserve with the horses and allow riders to get very close.

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The wildebeest were unperturbed by our presence and the horses were relaxed.

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We saw a variety of plains game and had time to take a few photographs without dis-mounting

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Some riders came across white rhino with Ant Baber that very afternoon, and were able to learn a bit about their territorial behaviour.

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Disaster struck at the end of the day when a gasket blew on a landcruiser as it was going up a steep slope. With no engine power the vehicle slid backwards but the riders were fit and jumped out as the guide steered it into a bush. It proved the start of an adventurous week.

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That night there was plenty to talk about as we gathered around the fire and made plans for the long ride ahead of us.

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For an overview of the Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017 please click here

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of the trust please click here

Another successful TWT challenge ride

January 24, 2017Africa, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Education, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Trustees, Waterberg, Youth#wildlifephotography, adventure, Africa, Ant Baber, challenge, challenging horse ride, Horse, horse safari, Horseback challenge, horseriding, Long distance riding, photo of rider, photo of roan antelope, photo of wildebeeste, photograph of wildebeest stretching, photographs of white rhino, riding horses in Africa, riding in Africa, Riding on Ant's Nest, riding with game, Riding with rhino, riding with wildlife, Safari, Sophie Neville, South Africa, Travel, Wildlife on Ant's Nest, wildlife photographySophie Neville

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-Ant Baber leading The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017-

Twelve intrepid riders from around the UK, and one from Australia, successfully completed the third Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride covering 181 kilometers at some speed, crossing rivers and rocky terrain.

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-Riders from Yorkshire crossing the Melk Rivier on horseback-

The six-day expedition proved a real adventure, traversing four different private game reserves and stretching everyone to the limits.

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-Climbing up from the Palala River on Jembisa game reserve-

The horses were beautifully looked after by the guides and back-up team from Ant’s Nest who hosted the expedition.

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-Riders from Yorkshire encountering white rhino at Ant’s Nest on the third TWT Challenge Ride-

Riders, who paid their own travel and safari costs, had to raise a minimum of £1,000 each for The Waterberg Tust to support community projects in the Waterberg.

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Funds raised will be divided between Save The Waterberg Rhino, Lapalala Wilderness School and Lethabo Kids Club in the township of Leseding, with support also being given to other health, welfare and educational projects. The 2017 riders were able to visit projects already supported by The Waterberg Trust. They all took part in an inspirational workshop on the importance of wildlife conservation at Lapalala Wilderness School on the Palala River.

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-Meeting the educators at Lapalala Wilderness School-

The Waterberg Trust riders’ fund-raising efforts in 2016 made it possible for 125 children and their teachers to attend a residential course here. We met the first group from Meetsetshehla Secondary School in Vaalwater:

-Some of the 125 students sponsored by The Waterberg Trust-

Students from Mokolo Primary School in Vaalwater will be able to come another week. As The Waterberg Trust also paid for pupils’ transport, local children from all backgrounds will be able to gain a grounding in environmental awareness, develop leadership skills and establish contact with a mentor who can help with wildlife issues.

-Pupils from Meetshesethla Secondary School learning about treats to wildlife-

Having said goodbye to the horses, riders saw an anti-poaching security post donated to Save The Waterberg Rhino by The Waterberg Trust Riders in 2016.

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-Save The Waterberg Rider’s new security point ready to be manned on a 24 hour basis-

They also met children at Lethabo Kids Club in Leseding township who showed-off the school uniforms purchased with grants from The Waterberg Trust in 2016 to ensure every child goes to school.

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-Lethabo Kids Club that has been running for 15 years in the township of Leseding-

The needs of older students who have shown more than ten years commitment were discussed. Some are seeking sponsorship for tertiary education.

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-Meeting the youth who help with Letabo Kids Club in Leseding-

It was a joy to meet the people of the Waterberg, learn of their cultural heritage and explore the bushveldt so rich in natural history.

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-TWT Riders on Jembisa-

The ride was led by Ant Baber following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather E.A. Davidson, who explored the area on horseback in early 1900’s.

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-Ant Baber who has been leading horse safaris for more than twenty years-

The Waterberg Trust, a registered UK charity, was represented by trustee Sophie Neville who, along with the twelve other riders, whould like to extend heartfelt thanks to our hosts, the land-owners and all those who sponsored the ride, especially Ant’s Nest and Jembisa.

If you would like to make a donation to support The Waterberg Trust please click here.

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A fundraising talk by wildlife film producer Alastair Fothergill

December 5, 2016Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Nature Conservation, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized#wildlifephotography, behind the scenes in tv and film, behind-the-scenes, Charity fundraising, Charity fundraising event, Charity fundraising talk by Alastair Fothergill, Elfinglen trays, Fundraising event, Fundraising for the Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride, How the BBC series 'The Hunt' was made, inspirational talk, Juliet Maddan, make a difference, Making a Difference, natural history filmmaking, Nature Conservation, new techniques in wildlife filming, Save the Waterbeg Rhino, Talk on wildlife filmmaking by Alastair Fothergill, television producer, wildlife conservation, wildlife filmmaker, wildlife filmmaking, wildlife photographySophie Neville

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Multi award-winning filmmaker Alastair Fothergill, who’s produced most of the landmark natural history series presented by Sir David Attenborough, along with five feature films for DisneyNature, flew from Los Angeles to speak at our charity fundraising event in Yorkshire hosted by TWT rider Juliet Maddan and her amazing team.

sophie-neville-alastair-fothergill-and-juliet-maddan — TWT Trustee Sophie Neville with Alastair Fothergill & Juliet Maddan

Every penny raised by the talk went go straight to The Waterberg Trust who have a cost-effective way of sending it to projects in South Africa.

50% of funds raised went to Save the Waterberg Rhino and 50% went to educational projects benefiting the rural community including Lapalala Wilderness School and Lethabo Kids Club

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Sponsorship was found for the drinks reception held before the talk when TWT riders served wine and canapes

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This enabled people to meet Alastair and learn about projects in the Waterberg

caroline-gardner-with-peter-scrope-vice-lord-lieutenant — Former High Sherrif Mrs Caroline Gardner with Vice Lord Lieutenant Peter Scrope

The Yorkshire Party Company supplied delicious things to eat, while others kindly donated wine. Asygarth School gave the use of their auditorium and facilities free of charge.

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Juliet Maddan saw everyone was settled in their seats

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before Alastair’s multi-media talk on his series ‘The Hunt’ made for BBC Television.

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It featured animal behaviour never before captured on film.

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We also learnt quite a bit about how the sequences were made.

A couple of questions from the audience were taken after the talk.

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A fundraising raffle run by Jolenta Henderson was drawn for a case of proseco donated by Edward Theakston, Alastair’s book, an Elfinglen tray and other lovely prizes.

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TWT rider Mairi Hunt painted two watercolours of rhino for the event, one of which is depicted on this special limited edition Elfinglen tray, now available for £100

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To buy one of these large handmade trays made in aid of The Waterberg Trust please contact Elfinglen by clicking here.

Limited edition bird trays are also for sale for £100 each

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A sculpture of a rhino with her baby by Unity Heald was sold in a secret auction.

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Very many thanks to all who supported this memorable event

that has been covered by The Northern Echo and other regional newspapers.

Here are some of the film clips Alastair showed us:

Objectives of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017

October 4, 2016Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Education, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, Waterberg, YouthCharities in the Waterberg South Africa, Charity fundraising event, Charity fundraising talk by Alastair Fothergill, combatting rhino poaching, Grassroots conservation projects in South Africa, Lapalala Wilderness School, Letabo Kids Club Leseding, Making a Difference, Nature Conservation, Save the Waterberg Rhino, Sponsored ride, Talk on wildlife filmmaking by Alastair Fothergill, The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017, Wildlife filmmaker Alastair FothergillSophie Neville

On 15th January 2017, twelve intrepid ladies from around the UK set off on horseback across the Waterberg Plateau in South Africa to gain an understanding of this pristine wilderness and learn about challenges faced by the rural community. Lying three hours drive north of Johannesburg, the Waterberg is home to the third highest population of rhino in the world. As up to four rhino are being poached in South Africa every day, it is imperative to guard this upland area where they can be protected.

A challenging section of the Waterberg Charity Ride

Would you help us to raise funds for Save The Waterberg Rhino, who are combating anti-poaching, Lapalala Wilderness School, who help ensure local children grow up with an understanding of nature conservation, and other community projects in the region?

LWS pupils with python

The twelve riders paid their own way, so every penny raised in sponsorship will go straight to The Waterberg Trust, a UK registered charity who can send donations, plus any Gift Aid, to these small but effective projects in South Africa. Funds go a long way to really make a difference in the Waterberg where they are administered by trusted conservationists with years of experience. You can meet those who are striving to Save The Waterberg Rhino and protect the wilderness while uplifting communities in the Waterberg, here:

Those taking part in The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017 were able to observe a number of white rhino living on Ant’s Nest game reserve, while being updated on anti-poaching initiatives by Tess and her husband Ant Baber who is leading the six-day ride.

They then crossed the Waterberg hills on horseback, traversing Kwalata private game reserve to Lapalala Wilderness run by Anton Walker, who also appears in this film. He cares for wildlife reintroduced to the area thirty years ago by his father, the author and conservationist Clive Walker seen here speaking to TWT riders in 2016:

LWS meeting Clive Walker

While on this reserve, riders visited the Lapalala Wilderness School where teenagers from Vaalwater come for a residential course on wildlife conservation sponsored by TWT. Students testify how this experience changes their outlook on life, giving them an appreciation for their environment and the future of South Africa’s wild animals. The children take their enthusiasm into the community whose support is essential if poaching is to be combated.

After thirty-two hours in the saddle, the ride ended at the Palala River on Jembisa private game reserve. Before leaving, riders visited Lethabo Kids Club in the local township of Lesiding who minister to the poorest of the poor and ensure all children attend primary school.

50% of funds raised by the sponsored ride are going to Save The Waterberg Rhino and 50% to support community projects in the area.

Riding safaris at Ant's (60)

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

Support the project on Social Media and receive news:
Share posts on The Waterberg Trust’s Facebook page, please click here
For Save The Waterberg Rhino’s Facebook page, please click here
For the Lapalala Wilderness School’s page, please click here
Find out more by clicking here: Save The Waterberg Rhino
Make a donation to The Waterberg Trust, please click here for address
Donate via The Waterberg Trust Justgiving page

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017

August 22, 2016UncategorizedSophie Neville

Following the success of our second annual ride in 2016, we have a group of ten experienced riders preparing to set off on a sponsored horse safari in January 2017.

They are busy getting fit and raising funds for Save the Waterberg Rhino along with education and welfare projects that uplift communities in the area.

Riding safaris at Ant's (1)

Riders’ overall dates: 14th January to 21st January 2017 + option of one extra night

Saturday 14th Jan: Fly out to Johannesburg

DAY 1 – Sunday 15th Jan Riders will be met off their International flight at Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg and driven north, about 3 hours, to Ant’s Nest Private Game Reserve deep in the African bush. Lunch will be served on arrival. After settling into the lodge we will go for a game ride so that everyone can try out the horses. As the sun goes down, they’ll meet white rhino living on the reserve while Tessa Baber gives a talk on the work of ‘Save the Waterberg Rhino’. The Waterberg is home to the second largest population of rhino in South Africa after the Kruger Park, so their protection on the plateau is vital.

DAY 2 – Monday 16th Jan We’ll spend the day riding up to Ant’s Hill, viewing game on horseback and looking for a breeding herd of white rhino, along with buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and antelope. Any non-riders will have the choice of game walks, fishing or mountain biking. We will meet up for lunch in the bush, hopefully by a dam where we can swim with the horses. We are hoping to find Sophie, a rhino cow with her calf Scorcher, before leaving the horses in a kudu breeding camp in the far north of the reserve and returning to Ant’s Nest for the night. Each rider will pack a small bag with a swimsuit, wash bag and clothes for the next two nights on safari.

Sophie Neville watching rhino

DAY 3 – Tuesday 17th Jan We’ll set off early, riding north through the reserve and onto sandy roads where we can canter for miles on our way to Kwalata Game Reserve. We’ll ride up to a picturesque picnic spot, where we’ll be joined by any non-riders who will have had the opportunity to do activities on Ants Nest (Drive, walk, fishing, Mountain Biking or just relax at the pool). After lunch we will ride through the reserve to leave the horses in an elephant boma while we spend the night at the lodge. We may get the chance to see elephant.

DAY 4 – Wednesday 18th Jan We ride through Kwalata into Lapalala Wilderness, which will give us the chance of seeing white and black rhino along with primate species, as we should spot vervet monkeys and baboon. Lunch will be enjoyed at a dam with the hope of spotting hippo. Non-riders will be taken on a tour of this amazing area in search of game or iron-age settlements. They saw crocodile last year so opted not to swim in the river.

The night will be spent at the retro Kolobe Lodge where the leaders of South Africa have stayed. Hopefully the warden will be with us to talk on community projects.

DAY 5 – Thursday 19^th Jan We plan to spend the morning visiting a charitable project in the Waterberg when we can meet those running initiatives that uplift the local people while providing education.

We then ride to Jembisa, a private game reserve on the Palala River where we hope to find more plains game including giraffe, jackal, warthog and red hartebeest. We could sleep out under the stars if the weather is favourable – although last year we opted for comfy beds.

DAY 6 – Friday 20^th Jan We’ll ride across Jembisa hoping to find hippos and perhaps see crocodile before meeting up with non-riders at the furthest point of the ride to grab a few photographs before bidding our horses farewell. There will then be time for a swim before dinner at the lodge.

DAY 7 – Saturday 21^st Jan After breakfast outside we will take a game drive to see the ancient bushmen paintings on the reserve before brunch and drive back via an excellent sewing project selling curios and educational project in the township enroute to the airport.

Sunday 22^nd Jan – Your flight will arrive back in the UK early am

Six riders are opting to stay an extra night at Jembisa to unwind. This will cost £150per person, fully inclusive of drinks and activities. They will all depart from Johannesburg airport on the evening of Sunday 22^nd Jan to arrive back early morning on Monday 23^rd January.

The ride is a unique opportunity to ride alongside wild animals in this beautiful area, now proclaimed a UNESCO biosphere. The itinerary may change – but hopefully only for the better! Riders who need to be fit and experienced as there will be approx 25 – 35km’s of riding per day, spending a total of 32 hours in the saddle.

The cost is £1,600 per person, sharing, inclusive of all meals, local alcohol and soft drinks, accommodation, riding, game drives and bush walks, as well as road transfers to and from standard flights landing by 8.00am on 15^th Jan and leaving on 21^st January.

Flights, tips and travel insurance are not included. To secure your place we need a non-returnable deposit of £600. The balance of £1,000 must be paid by 30^th November 2016.

(Please note: Additional transfers will be charged if we don’t all travel together!)

We can take non-riding partners. It will be high summer in South Africa, so the bushveld will be green. It can be hot and sunny and could be overcast or rainy but will not get cold.

The horse safari will be led by Ant Baber who owns Ant’s Nest. Sophie Neville, a trustee of TWT who became a safari guide in the Waterberg back in 1992, will lead the group.

Ant Baber

To participate, riders need to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1000 for The Waterberg Trust. As a registered UK charity, Gift Aid can then be added. 50% of sponsorship raised will go to Save the Waterberg Rhino Trust and 50% will go to community education and welfare projects in the Waterberg. While we encourage riders to find sponsorship some of us are raising the donation of £1,000 in other ways such as hosting a sale or asking for donations instead of birthday gifts.

makeapage_your_white justgiving

Please contact Sophie for help with fundraising ideas and making a Justgiving page

Tel: 01590 610586 sophie@sophieneville.co.uk

Flights and Transfers: We find it is best if people book their own flights to Johannesburg – try Trailfinders or Flight Centre. It’s best if riders can liaise and fly out together.

NB: please book flights that arrive in S.Africa no later than 8.00am and depart from Johannesburg no earlier than 7.00pm. Should you need to arrive late or depart early, a private transfer will be supplied at additional cost.

Make your way to the information desk in the arrivals hall where you will be met and driven to Ant’s Nest for lunch. At the end of the safari we will arrive at Johannesburg airport at a time suitable for all flights departing after 7 pm.

Do I need a visa? Check your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date and has at least 3 blank pages. Visas are not needed for those with British passports.

What vaccinations do I need? We recommend your tetanus to be up to date.

What are the horses like? They have been carefully chosen from various South African breeds, known for being able to walk-out well while being able to cope with tough going. They live in the bush so are familiar with wildlife. Breeds include Friesan-cross, Boerperds, Anglo-Thoroughbreds, and the S.A. Warmblood. They range in size from 14.3h. to 17h. Tack is McClellan long-distance saddles and usually snaffle bridles.

Are riding helmets compulsory? Yes – bring your own hot-weather helmet and half-chaps.

What should I bring? Not too much: Comfortable riding clothes in earth colours – (not red) long sleeved shirts, riding helmet, bum bag, lip salve, sun cream factor 30, short boots and chaps, swimming costume, Barbour raincoat, camera with extra memory cards and extra camera batteries, small torch (or head torch) and toiletries. (Voltage the same but round pin plugs.) Do bring out any old children’s clothes, especially grey/black/white school uniform or sports wear as we can donate it to one of the schools or welfare projects in the Waterberg.

What is the accommodation like? Ant’s Nest and Jembisa offer comfortable lodge accommodation with ensuite bathrooms. Kolobe and Kwalata are simpler and some have to share bathrooms. We will have picnic lunches, evening meals cooked around the fire.

Single supplements? If you want a single room there would be 50% supplement.

Is there a laundry service? We hope to be able to offer a limited laundry service.

Do cell phones work? Will be riding in areas of no coverage but take radio communication.

Useful contact numbers: These can be used the case of a badly delayed flight. Please give loved ones the Ant’s Nest phone numbers: Tel 1 : +27 (0) 83 287 2885 Tel 2 : +27 (0) 87 820 7233 Tel 3 : +27 (0) 83 681 8944 (Emergencies only)

Money: We suggest you don’t change too much money into the local currency as your trip is fully inclusive – however there is a craft shop at Ant’s Nest that takes credit cards.

Ant’s Nest ~ www.waterberg.net

Lapalala Wilderness ~ http://lapalala.com

Kwalata ~ http://www.kwalata.co.za

Jembisa ~ www.jembisa.com

Save the Waterberg Rhino ~ http://waterberg.net/save-the-waterberg-rhino

The Waterberg Trust ~ http://thewaterbergtrust.com

Further photos from the Waterberg Trust Cycle Ride in March 2016

July 15, 2016Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Nonprofit, The Waterberg Trust, Trustees, UncategorizedCambridge to Norfolk, Charity, charity cycle ride, Charity fundraising, Charity fundraising event, Donate, Fundraising event, long distance cycle ride, mens fellowshipSophie Neville

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Just to show that although it was good fun the TWT cycle ride was challenging! Conditions were foggy and puddles frequent but the back-up team came armed with a teapot.

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The gallant riders made the 82 miles from Cambridge to North Norfolk in one piece – and without a even puncture.

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Funds raised will go to educational projects in the Waterberg region of South Africa, carefully channelled though The Waterberg Trust who have a Justgiving page here

2016-03-12 16.08.15 HDR

photographs by Sam Franklin

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Cycle Ride

July 7, 2016Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, The Waterberg Trust, Trustees, Uncategorized, Waterbergbike ride through the Fenlands, Cambridge to Norfolk, Charity, charity bike ride, Charity fundraising, Charity fundraising event, cycling, Fundraising event, Long distance bike ride, MAMIL, men's bike ride, sponsored bike ride, Sponsored rideSophie Neville

TWT Truste Barry Burles reports:

The delights of many adventures are the unintended benefits. The thought of 84 relentless miles to North Norfolk was daunting. My first outing recceing the 20 miles of the route to Ely resulted in me peddling through the flood waters alongside the River Cam with frozen and wet feet. However, it forced me to find an alternative that resulted in us taking National Cycle Route 11 to Ely through Wicken Fen. The benefits were great because Route 11 was on mostly hard cycle path surfaces suitable for the road bikes. And it took us across some fabulous open Fen wetlands with great bird watching, wild-looking highland cattle and rare breads of horse. The natural distractions and frequent punctures during our training rides meant that we missed many trains back from Ely, where we invariably stopped for a scrumptious poached egg and hollandaise sauce breakfast, doubling whatever calories that we might have burnt.

The next 20 miles was a straight sprint along 10 Mile Bank to Downham Market after which we were noticeably in the Brecklands navigating our way down rutted and puddly farm tracks and through numerous hamlets with extraordinary names such as Totenhill, Wormegay and Blackborough. This was a long haul through the 55 mile stage when energy simply ran out and the banter stopped as the determination to simply keep going switched on.

To add insult to aching muscles, we encountered our first hills. Never has the support team been such a welcome sight with their broad grins and stupid questions asking us what took us so long? Our condition was quickly remedied by their freshly brewed coffee and tea and the wonderful consommé soup, flap jacks and scotch eggs to die for. But our cause to complete the distance was more pressing. After warming up in the Paddling Duck pub, we slowly recovered and were ready for the final 20 miles that went surprisingly easily as we all seemed to find our second wind.

It was not long before we were in front of another pub crossing a river (picture above) where cars can no longer go. Refusing to be distracted, we peddled on along the pilgrim route through the Walsinghams, cycling past black caped churchmen walking towards us along the Holy Mile to the slipper chapel. Knowing that Langham was now close, the hills to Binham and then on up to Langham were easily managed.

We arrived to the welcoming cheers of wives and girlfriends. We knew from the church clock chiming four that we were just in time to watch England beating Wales that added to our glee. A few beers, a great rugby match and delicious dinner and wine all provided a delightful end to a happy day.

A bunch of men playing hard together engenders the best of camaraderie. The highlight of the adventure was the good spirits that everyone brought with them and kept sharing throughout.

We have since organised a second bike ride along the same route with a riders from the Cambidge Rugby Club. Together we have raised just short of £7,000 for The Waterberg Trust which was a rewarding effort in itself. Many thanks to all our sponsors.

TWT Challenge Ride March 2016

June 29, 2016Africa, Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, WaterbergAnt Baber, Horse and Hound on safari, humorous photos of giraffe, humorous photos of horses, on safari, Photos of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride, Sophie NevilleSophie Neville

Horse swimming

Not everything on The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride went quite as expected.

Giraffe at Ant's Nest

Taking photographs on horseback is not always as easy as it looks

Horse scratching

What the wildlife thought was beyond us.

Banded Mongoose

No one guessed we would be actually handling reptiles

LWS Anne with python

or riding a spotted animal

Dom on Kwalata

It is difficult to take picture of horses cantering – but it felt we were flying

Horse flying

We faced unexpected challenges

wrapping up the saddles

along with a bit of precipitation

Loving the rain

Although some admitted to getting a little tired

Susie Airy

others graciously hid the fact they were exhausted.

!cid_FBEE9B83-BCB3-49C8-8B03-22366E099106@home

Despite the thought of hidden danger

the intrepid wildlife photographers survived

Hippo hunting

the hippo remained safely in the water

Jane Newton

We had time to relax

Susie Greenwood

and read a bit

Reading Horse & Hound in South Africa

as did the animals.

Cotswold Life's South African readership

Everyone enjoyed being in the African bush,

Dom with giraffe by Anne Lester

no one was eaten by a crocodile

Susie swimming

and good fun was had by all.

Ant after doing the ant dance

We made it safely through to live another day.

Sophie Neville

You can subscribe to these news articles below and follow The Waterberg Trust on Facebook. If you’d like to sponsor any of these intrepid riders, their Justgiving pages are still active – please click here.

Sundowners by Anne Lester

Coverage of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Rides 2016

June 21, 2016Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Education, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, WaterbergAchievement, activity holiday, adventure, Africa, Barry Burles, Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club, challenging horse ride, Charity fundraising event, Cotswold Life letters page, Donate, Game reserve, horse safari, Horseback, Jared Taylor, Jarrod Taylor, Limpopo Province, Marlene Vermaak journalist, riding in Africa, save the rhino, Save the Waterbeg Rhino, Sophie Neville, South Africa, Southern Africa, sponsored cycle ride through Cambridgeshire, Sponsored ride, WaterbergSophie Neville

TWT Ride 2016 newspaper article

TWT’s sponsored ride across the Waterberg on horseback, as well as TWT’s cycle ride through Norfolk on 12th March 2016, received favourable coverage from Marlene Vermaak in South African newspapers including Die Pos (above) with a colour photo in The Post:

TWT Ride 2016 newspaper article in The Post

Marilyn Cook wrote about TWT in The Source – the magazine of St John’s Church at 24 Rivers in the Waterberg – and we have a photo in the letters page of Cotswold Life, July issue:

rhino

Barry Burles continued his TWT cycle ride initiative by holding another last Saturday! The cyclists came from the Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club and completed the same 82 mile route to Langham in north Norfolk. This time there was a head wind…

Barry was interviewed on Radio Cambridge, and did brilliantly, talking about the work of the Waterberg Trust. Jarrod Taylor, who took part, originates from South Africa and once played rugby for Border. Having just retired from the Cambridge rugby team, he was also interviewed on Radio Cambridge and gave his just giving link inspiring listeners to give.

To listen to the interview, broadcast at 15.45 on Radio Cambridge on 15th June, please click here

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A transcript of the article in The Post by Marlene Vermaak:

12 RIDERS – 180KM – 6 DAYS: THE WATERBERG TRUST CHALLENGE RIDE 2016

After the success of 2015’s inaugural event, The Waterberg Trust (TWT) organised the second annual Waterberg Challenge Ride, which took place in March 2016, hosted this year by Ant’s Nest and guided by Ant Baber.

This exciting event, held to raise funds for various Waterberg projects, involved 12 experienced riders crossing 180km of Waterberg wilderness in 6 days. This year’s route went through Ant’s Nest, Kwalata, Lapalala and Jembisa game reserves. Funds raised will be going to Save The Waterberg Rhino and other community projects including the sponsorship of 125 local underprivileged children to attend The Lapalala Wilderness School.

The Waterberg Trust has already been able to help Save The Waterberg Rhino by funding the purchase of vital equipment, such as radios and a metal detector for the police officer dedicated to working with rhino poaching incidents in the Waterberg. Being a UK registered charity, TWT are able to access grants that are not available directly to South African registered Non Profit Organisations, and is able to make increase some UK donations by adding 25% Gift Aid. A number of the UK Trustees have long-standing links with the Waterberg and are committed to helping the people who work so hard running grassroots projects.
The first event hosted by Horizon in 2015 went from Horizon, Koshari, Ant’s Nest, and Lindani, to Jembisa, thanks to support from Shane and Laura Dowinton, David Baber, Dean van Heerden, Ant and Tess Baber, Sam and Peggy van Coller and Charles Whitbread. This sponsored ride raised fund for HIV/Aids programme support, involving nurse training and two year support for an after school club at the Waterberg Welfare Society. This includes the rental of a house in Vaalwater for the homework facility. TWT was also able to support the Northern Education Trust, sponsoring a Waterberg student through accounting studies at Pretoria University. They are also raising money for Lethabo Kids Club in Leseding who run a much needed Back to School programme, providing school uniforms and more for primary school pupils. Riders were able to visit this project and the Lapalala Wilderness School while they were in the Waterberg.