A final post

Everyone has now safely returned home and, hopefully, have lots of tales to tell. It was an amazing trip with a fantastic group of girls and has hopefully provided lasting memories.
It seems a long time ago that the trip was launched but thank you to all the parents who have shown such support throughout the run-up to the trip.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to follow our blog.

End of the trip

It is the morning of the last day here in Peru. Breakfast just about complete (only one room still to appear, won't give any names away!) and bags are being packed ready to check out of our hotel. Bus to the airport collects us at 3pm so we have the rest of the day for last-minute shopping (even our hardened shoppers were slightly overwhelmed by the array of markets and stalls yesterday) and eating.
We are taking bets on the length of the delay for our flight so will try and let you know if we are running late. Otherwise, traffic willing, we should be back in Sheffield as planned for 10pm tomorrow. I will get girls to text an hour from home to confirm.
Hasta luego!

Next batch

some more photos.......

ok, so Hannah's was way bigger than mine!!!!

Sorry if not all girls featured, more to follow!

And more.....

Just a few to start with, more on the way

We are all settled into the comfort of our hotel in Lima. Carrying on the theme of the trip, we were delayed by 4 hours in Iquitos before finally flying here but have been rewarded with a comfortable bed, hot water, food of all sorts (we have all come back from dinner having eaten way too much) and a lovely hotel to relax in. We are going to Barranco tomorrow which is a colonial quarter of Lima. It has craft markets and a view over the Pacific Ocean. Monday has been designated shopping day so I (Mr M) will be taking them to where it all happens and leaving Mrs B-P in charge while I hide in a cafe with a coffee and the Guardian online.
Lots of talk today about the fabulous time we had in the Amazon, never-ending rice/cold showers/mud all looked back on with a certain fondness! The area of Lima we are staying in is a million miles from the sparse existence in rainforest and modern life is taking some getting used to. That said, internet still proving  slow to send photos. Big effort tomorrow as I know you will want to see what we have been doing.

We are back on dry land!!!! Just arrived back in Iquitos after 2 amazing weeks on the Amazon. Everyone is well but we are looking forward to food other than rice. Every meal (including breakfast) has featured rice or pasta but rice has been main theme. Even spam and rice for breakfast one day!!
We will post photos and let you have more info either later today or when we arrive in Lima tomorrow. Plan for rest of the day is eat, eat and eat then bed for a 10am flight to Lima tomorrow.
Hope everyone is well back in Sheffield and we really hope it has rained all the time we have been away!

Another day of delays but safely in Iquitos. Humid afternoon but girls all in good spirits. Join the boat tomorrow, next instalment in 2 weeks!

Amazon waterfront outside hotel

Sorry for the delay!

Internet access has been a problem but hopefully we now have contact!
Another day of delays as we flew to Iquitos but eventually made it for a 4pm lunch!!! A real culture shock for everyone as we experienced the manic traffic of Iquitos town. The girls were amazed/horrified by overtaking manoeuvers and the huge numbers of motorbike tuk-tuks.
Just back from evening meal and street entertainment (local guys performing amazing tumbles along river front). Mrs B-P and Mr M obviously ensured that the SHS entry was suitably spectacular but no photographic evidence!
All off to bed and the luxury of a lie-in tomorrow. We leave Iquitos to travel 2.5 hours to the port where we board our boat.
There is a possibility we may be able to send blogs via the satellite phone on board so keep checking and we would love some messages!

We have arrived safely in Lima.
After a 2 hour delay in Paris, we finally set off on teh 12 hour flight and arrived at our hotel about half an hour ago. Lots of tired girls (and staff) but pizza is on its way to help revive everyone.
We have an early start tomorrow to fly to Iquitos but at least we have most of the day to catch up on sleep before we board our boat.
Sheffield seems a long way away!

Coundown to departure! Follow our travels and please do send us messages. We wil be out of ocntact from 1-13 July but then will try and make up for it from then on with stories, photos and some tall tales no doubt!

3 weeks and counting....

Just over 3 weeks to go. Make sure all injections are done and you know when to start taking malaria tablets!