Social and Environmental Projects
in Madagascar

Sponsored Cycle ride through 5 African Countries to support the Andrew Lees Trust

Edwina Mattinson completed the Tour d’Afrique in a wild adventure cycling 4,460 kilometres (2770 miles) in 37 days from Lilongwe (in Malawi) to Cape Town passing through Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Edwina, who is 59, raised £10,000 for The Andrew Lees Trust in memory of Marek Mayer to honour his wishes for increased support for Andrew Lees Trust projects in Madagascar. Marek Mayer (1952 – 2005) was a Trustee for the Andrew Lees Trust for over 7 years.

Edwina's update - 15th May 2006 from Cape Town

" I cannot believe how the Tour d'Afrique has grown since I did it 2 years ago - there were about 75 of us who pedalled into Cape Town.  The media were thick on the ground - I even saw one of our group being interviewed by the BBC.  We had an olympic style ceremony with flags of each participant's country followed by a champagne reception which we all enjoyed immensely!  My ever loyal cousins, Jane and Penny, were at the finishing line to greet me - it meant so much having them there.  I vowed that I wouldn't shed a tear coming into Cape Town this time, but the minute I saw them I burst into tears!!

We had our farewell dinner last night which was such fun and attended by all sorts of dignitaries.  The Canadian consul was there and commented how clean we all looked as opposed to when we cycled into Cape town!

Next step Montreal.  Can't wait to see you all again

Lots of love Edwina "

Edwina's update - 23rd April 2006 from Botswana

" Hi everyone

Thank you so much for all your e-mails - I can't answer personally, but lovely to hear from you.

I have now been on the road for 2 weeks and it's wonderful to be pedalling in Africa again.  I started off in Malawi and then through Zambia and now we are in Botswana.  One of the highlights of the trip again has been Victoria Falls.  When Livingstone went to find the smoke that thunders“ and finally arrived at the Falls, he thought the scene so lovely that he said “it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight“.  I couldn't agree more - it's breathtaking and actually brings tears to the eyes it's so spectacular.  We also went white water rafting on the Zambezi which was a thrill while going through cataracts with cheerful sounding names such as “terminator“ and “judgment day“!  One of the guys in our raft fell out and was unceremoniously hauled back in by his shorts - we fully expected his voice to be a few octaves higher by the end of the day!

I had forgotten just how delightful the Zambians are - as I pedal along I hear a chorus of “seff junny Madam“ (translation: “safe journey Madam“!).  Sometimes the locals pedal up behind me on their ancient and rusty bikes, but despite my 21 speed Trek bike they still overtake me!!

We are now in Botswana riding along the appropriately named Elephant Highway.  I try to leave camp around 6:30 in the morning as it's cool and I'm slow!  The sun is just coming up and it's absolutely beautiful - I slip into a kind of euphoria especially as I saw an elephant grazing off the road a couple of days ago.

Next stop Namibia.

Love from Edwina "

Many thanks Edwina !