25 June, Tuesday: Chimwemwe Camp -> Bridge Camp

The morning was warm, making it easier to get up and on the bikes. I was thrilled to be back on my bike, well my adopted bike, comfortable and ready to take on the day. We were blessed with yet another stunning day, the sky clear and the sun shining warmly with not a breath of wind, what a perfect day to cycle. We cycled along the T4, which was surprisingly quiet and we had a large enough shoulder to ride in. Todays cycle was lovely. We hardly passed any villages. The road is quite secluded. We went through one town but the rest of the way we cycled through remote homesteads, surrounded by kraals. Within the homes they have what looks like a storage unit made from reeds wooven into a rondaval packed with corn and we have also seen a few tiny reeded structures lifted off the ground by stilts with a ladder, kind of like a chicken pen but probably another storage unit lifted so the livestock dont get in. I will have to find out tomorrow.

The landscape is beautiful. We can see far into the distance, the land covered in bare trees. The bush is so dry, it reminds us a little of winter in Hoedspruit. We cycled through some areas of velt that had just been burnt and some areas that are currently burning so we got some ash blown onto us, sticking to the sun block on our arms. It's been so great having Lieva with us. She is so full of enthusiasm and positive energy just bursting from her chatter. By lunch time Chris and I managed to complete 80 km in just over 3 and a half hours, our best record! We wanted to push for 100 km but my chest started tightening and I feel a cold coming on, so we got off, driving the rest of the 100 km to Bridge Camp.

We found a campsite, Bridge Camp, which is very rustic, just off the T4 on the Luangwa River. The rustic bar and reception building overlooks the gorgeous river with Mozambique being right in front of us on the other side of the river. There's a swimming pool, a very old, literally rusty pool, covered in algae which the camp is busy filling with water, but the temperature being 30 degrees and having cycled today, Chris and I dived right in. It was freezing but it cooled us down and having this view, we were'nt too bothered about the cold water. The group is so happy right now. Being in such a beautiful place and experiencing Zambia has been nothing but amazing. We are having the best time and I would'nt want to be anywhere else right now. Every morning I wake up, I am still so excited about getting on my bike and I cant wait to see what new adventures and scenery the day brings us. I have been so incredibly blessed with my life, I couldnt be more happy right now.

Cycled: 80 km

Time: 3:32 hrs

Ave speed: 22.5 km/hr

Ascent: 470 m BUT descent 577 m