(OPERATION WILD FLIGHT continued)

High winged the Shadow is perfect for ground studies from the air, including anti poaching efforts, wildlife counts and movement studies.

Monday 3rd March, 2003 Eve flew Gertie across the English Channel into France. Eve's detailed diary clearly portrays her emotions that memorable day - a mixture of anxiety at the daunting prospect of flying to a distant continent mingled with excitement. Eight countries, 38 take-offs and landings lay in front of her. Now there was no turning back.

France it seems was a joy to fly in, described by Eve as "wonderful flying freedom," Italy wasn't easy. At first Eve had to leave Gertie back in France whilst she hopped over by train and bus to gain permission to fly in Gertie minus a transponder. Greece and the Crete islands was a friendly bunch offering the best meteorology information during the entire trip and great food. Flying over the pyramids "sure beats the tourist route," says Eve.

Heading for Kenya she says, "I was on the home run and could almost taste the cold beer that was waiting for me!" Then as fate would have it "Wild Flight" suddenly came to a resounding halt. 1-½ hours from Kenya a loud popping sound filled the safety of her cockpit. Applying full throttle rendered only minimum speed and power, Eve announced on the radio a 'Mayday'.

Landing safely Eve had a lonely night in the bush, followed the next day by a gruelling walk of 18 kilometers through Southern Sudan in the hands of the SPLA (Sudanese People's Liberation Army). Eventually Eve was released and flown to Kenya.  Shortly afterwards 'Gertie' was rescued from her lonely landing site, and after minor repairs, both Eve and Gertie completed their mammoth flight - landing at Mkomazi on 23rd September, 2003.

Eve will be giving several talks on Wild Flight (with video and digital photographic coverage) at key places across East Africa. Her first location was Jambo Cafe in Arusha on March the 6th (further dates and locations to be announced shortly). All proceeds of these will go towards purchasing micro-lights to assist wildlife conservation efforts.

Horse riding with Makoa Horse Riding Safaris is an adventure within its elf.  Setting off from owners Elizabeth and Laszlo's farm at Machame - in the shadow of Kilimanjaro.

You need four wheel drive to reach Laszlo and Elizabeth's farm but that is the only hardship to endure for this riding experience. I was given homemade lemonade on the verandah and asked about my horse riding experience. Minimal, I said. I have never understood the instruction manual.

We set off with two foals for company and they did all the things expected of them on the