Boundless Southern Africa Expedition 4 - Sehlaba Thebe Day

We arrive in thick mist, in the dark and the cold. The Landies bounce down a rocky track to meet with the mountain bikers and pony trekkers at Sehlabathebe National Park, where huddled around a fire in one of the huts, we have a great evening. Mike Nixon gives us a hair-raising account of the challenges of climbing Mount Everest, having to pee in a bottle inside your sleeping bag because the temperatures are way below zero, and the thrill of getting to the summit. Mike and his climbing partner AndrÈ Bredenkamp quickly become fantastic expedition members - not only because of their never-say-die toughness of spirit, but also for their great sense of humour around the campfire.

The Lesotho Minister of Tourism arrives by helicopter from Maseru and hundreds of local people walk or come by horseback for our next Boundless community event. Three sheep and a beast are slaughtered, there's traditional dancing and singing, an art competition with a conservation theme, the presentation of 'box libraries' to local schools, Rite to Sight spectacles for the poor-sighted and a horse race. Mad Mike Rumble begs a ride on the helicopter and parachutes down with a symbolic soccer ball that he hands over to the minister to kick off the Boundless Soccer Challenge. Government ministers and community elders message the Scroll. It's a wonderful day of nature, culture and community with so much dignity - traditional culture is alive and well with people in conical Basotho hats and colourful blankets. And, as always, it is a huge privilege for me to be adventuring with Mashozi and Ross, doing great stuff with an interesting bunch of fellow expedition members.

The expedition Landies pull up at Leqooa Primary School, where the kids are playing soccer with a football made from bits of scrap plastic tied together. Out of Landy come three brand new balls, soccer bibs and whistles. Then it's over the Matabeng Pass, along the switchback track through the Malutis following the banks of the Senqu River, on to Mokhotlong and then back to the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment to rendezvous with the mountain bike team at Sani Top. Will keep you posted.