The
Goodwill
team's
day
started
bright
and
early
after
a
refreshing
night's
sleep
outdoors
on
the
banks
of
the
Niger.
Once
breakfasted,
and
with
everything
packed
away,
the
team
set
off
on
the
final
leg
of
this
historic
river
journey.
They
made
good
progress
and
reached
the
outskirts
of
Asaba
by
mid
afternoon.
The
river
was
much
wider
and
choppier
than
on
previous
days
and
care
had
to
be
taken
not
to
swamp
the
canoe.
Meanwhile,
the
land
team
took
the
opportunity
to
repay
the
kindness
of
Agenebode
with
a
visit
to
a
local
primary
school
and
the
presentation
of
books.
The
team
then
made
their
way
by
road
to
Asaba
to
confirm
final
details
for
the
arrival
of
Goodwill.
After
the
room/food/transport
arrangements
were
clarified,
the
land
team
eagerly
boarded
a
local
marine
police
power
boat
to
rendezvous
with
Goodwill.
The
plan
was
for
all
UK
team
members
to
be
on
board
Goodwill
as
it
reached
the
final
port
of
call,
Asaba.
So,
mid-river,
the
team
members
boarded
Goodwill
making
it
quite
heavily
loaded.
Goodwill
steadily
made
its
way
to
the
jetty
at
the
Grand
Hotel
Asaba
for
its
ultimate
docking.
Newspaper
journalists,
photographers,
and
news
cameramen
along
with
local
dignitories
were
all
present
to
record
the
occasion.
The
design
and
construction
of
Goodwill
had
proven
to
be
ideal
for
the
task
and
is
a
credit
to
Falmouth
Marine
School.
After
700km
of
sailing
Richard
Lander's
route
along
the
Niger,
Steve
and
the
team
were
thrilled
to
have
arrived
safely
in
Asaba.
As
a
mark
of
respect
to
Chief
Steve
Dunstone,
the
team
ceremoniously,
after
the
count
of
three,
threw
him
into
the
Grand
Hotel's
swimming
pool.
That
was
the
end
of
the
expedition
and
all
that
remains
is
to
pack
up
our
things
and
enjoy
the
hospitality
of
Delta
state
including
visiting
local
tourist
attractions.
Goodwill
is
to
be
moved,
courtesy
of
Metropol,
to
form
part
of
an
exhibition
in
Lagos.
It
is
hoped
that
the
river
journey
will
be
repeated
every
two
years
by
a
youth
organisation.
Megan
and
Emily
Lander
sincerely
hope
to
be
part
of
the
2006
Expedition.
|
Agenebode
Primary
School
Classroom
in
Agenebode
The
team
at
Asaba
A
job
well
done
for
the
security
team |
