Ok...so I really haven't been updating this like I said I would...so I shall start now and summarise the past 3 weeks as quickly as I can!!

So...when I first got here I was really homesick and looking for flights home as soon as possible...the country is beautiful, the people are really friendly and welcoming...but I felt lonely, didn't know anywhere or anyone and kept missing my parents, brother, friends, Andy etc.

However, after the first weekend and a severe talking to via email from Andy, I sorted myself out and started to enjoy myself! Where I am staying there are loads of South Africans working on an engineering project at the sugar mill, there are some awesome guys so I soon made friends with them, spending time playing rugby on the field with the guys and local children and going to the gym like a good girl!

I became good friends with a lasy called Bahwna, she's now my adopted mum (or one of them) over here and we spent a lot of time visiting the 'ladies'...I'm telling you, I feel like part of a Mother's Union or something! Book club, bridge club, scrapbooking, playgroups, aerobics, tea parties, cooking club....they are an active bunch! I am the youngest by at least 10 years but still, they are great and we have an amazing time!

Unfortunately there seems to be a stomach bug and flu going around, and sure enough I got it...so since last week I have been pretty unwell, the hallucinations got quite bad so I thought I'd better have a blood test just to confirm it wasnt malaria...it isnt, so now I am just dosed up on african flu and stomach pills!! Collette (another adopted mum) and Eric, originally from N.England, have taken me into their house to stay whilst I'm ill so that they can look after me...bless them, they are amazing!

At the weekend I went to Victoria Falls...it is breathtaking, amazing...just whoa!! I can't even describe the incredibleness of it and my pictures don't do it justice!! We walked across a bridge in front of it, you get completely drenched!! It is seriously mindblowing! Unfortunately we didn't have time to go to the bungee bridge or into Zimbabwe to see the falls from that side...so I didn't even have to force myself to decide if I was going to jump or not...but I'm going to Livingstone again so I'm sure I'll have to decide at some point!

I haven't seen copious amounts of wildlife yet...but am hoping to go see some more either in South Africa next week if I fly down, or at a game reserve up here. Have seen and poked two dead puff adders! Been 30 cm away from Zebra's, watched a baboon eat an orange, seen the bums of some buffalo and seen plenty of lizards/random game! Next on my check list are giraffe, monkeys, crocodiles, elephants....then I'll be sorted!

There is an english guy staying on the estate at the moment too, Richard, it's great to hear an english accent every day and have someone who actually knows what I mean if I say 'bbq' not 'braai' or 'flip flops' not 'thongs/slops' or 'see you later' instead of 'now now'!! Although I do seem to be picking up a few south african sayings, braai and 'sure' being my most common offences!

So yea...that is a very brief summary, I shall try and be more regular with my updates and provide more interesting details from now on...I promise! I'm happy here now, can't wait to see everyone again, but still loving my time here and making the most of it! Tomorrow will be my hardest day; my brothers 18th and best friends 17th...but I shall ring them and have a toast to them with Collette and Eric and then have a good night out with my bro when I get home...I will spoil him for one night only!

Hope you are all well! Please drop me an email/facebook message/write on the message board on here to let me know how you're getting on and whats going on in England...even simple things...pleasee!!!

Love you all,

God bless xxx