We are home

Hi all

as most of you should now have realised The Team have now completed the Dream and after a 28 hour journey have returned safely home in designer trousers made specially in Malawi. Amazingly all luggage reached its final destination on time too - round of applause to BMI - for their support during this trip.

Our return trip from Malawi was not without it's hitches of course. On arriving at Blantyre airport early - or so we thought - it seemed that even although we had confirmed our return flights a few days previous - there was no record of us on the computer? After a two hour wait all but four of us managed to get a boarding ticket! Then for some strange reason - we like to think its because it was us - Sheena and I were suddenly given an upgrade - even although there were still two others without a ticket? .....and McLennan thinks he is the one with the hotline to Heaven?

There is no reasoning with African reasoning!!!!!! Anyway we eventually all got on the plane - only to find out that we were not the only ones having problems - after a slight mutiny by another passenger the flight was late in leaving. Meal time arrived - surprise!!!!!!!!!! SA airways had not only provided a GF meal for myself and Dayne but 14 GF meals for the whole team - hilarious - given that we were told before that there was no record of us on the flight!!! Of course we were very appreciative as on the outward flights they had forgotten to cater for us and we had no food at all.............as I say there is no reasoning with African reasoning!!!

When we arrived in Jo'Burg most of us hit the duty free shops - this airport has a range of shops to die for and therefore the top shoppers - Kirsty and Donuts - had to find some space in their hand luggage for more gifts.

On the 2nd flight from Jo'Burg 14 GF meals and 14 GF breakfasts were also provided - thumbs up for SA Airways - I think - not sure the others agreed ??? LOL - Rice cakes are not so bad Mark! A few of us dozed on and off throughout the flight and a few saw the flight on and off throughout a doze - lucky them. Can you believe that Danielle, Callum and Donuts slept through a 12 hour flight?

Arrived in London a little late and courtesy of a waiter, we very quickly knew we were back in the UK. In Aberdeen we were greeted by "RAIN" which of course did not phase any of us. Thankfully the bus trip to Nairn went very quickly as we were all very eager to see our families who were waiting.

Today and the next few weeks will be full of individual reflection for the Team but no matter how we feel we must not forget the efforts and support of the Nairn Academy Sports Leaders, families, friends and the wider Nairn & Highland Community who helped make this trip possible.

At the planning stages of this trip it would have been impossible to guess the effects, legacies or outcomes a project such as this would have on the people involved - we may never really know. One thing is certain the Nairn Academy Dreams & Teams Squad including staff left Malawi in no doubt their input in making Malawi more active had a huge impact on their Malawian peers and in return they gained and shared life experiences much wider than they could ever have imagined that will without doubt remain with them for the rest of their lives.

We hope you have all found homes for the hippos, elephants, bowls, mugs, paintings, jewellery & "The Chameleon" that found their way back to Nairn - we did try to advise but sorry teenagers know better. We hope to post missing photos over the next few weeks - so keep watching.

we wish you all a safe and happy summer - Eliz, Sheena & Calum