Jon & Eleanor’s holiday!

Jon and Eleanor’s Gambia experience was one they will never forget. They are proper serious runners in The Uk. Usually for charity and always for fun.

When they wrote about their Gambia experience I wanted to try and bring it to life. I hope you like this new format and find it fun!

Gambian craftsmen can make anything

The range and skill of the craftspeople in The Gambia will have you mesmerised.

A simple piece of wood can be made into a very sturdy chair, with an authentic design.


I bought this one and it now sits proudly in place in the lounge at home. Not just woodcraft but also a simple piece of material, made into a vibrant shirt and a small bit of metal – becomes a stunning ring.

mallang

Our Gambia experience “All this to ourselves”

Jon

Jon – normally a mild-mannered individual, reacts to the fact that there are hardly any other people on the beach for miles.
This creates a “Yippee no one else for miles moment”.
……. Captured by a passing Heron.

tie-n-dye

“The re-energising of the Cotton trade for The Gambia – a new Era awaits”.
Getting involved with the material crafts at Footsteps –  visiting local handmade looms, Tye & Dye, Batik and creating wonderful new colours using leaves from trees and bushes – we wish we could stay longer – Footsteps Gambia the cotton trade heroes!

Jon-n-elenor-with-staff


The lifeblood of Footsteps is the staff. More than just staff they become your best friends.
Nothing is too much for them to make your stay fantastic!
Their support and commitment to the guests were worth the flight and the short journey from the airport, looking forward to our return.

Not your normal Foot Stepper, more of a runner

When my wife who is a massive Eco-warrior looking to save where possible, eat well, experience a different approach to life as well as living by the 5 R’s “Re-use, Refuse, Review, Recycle & Rot said about going to this place in The Gambia with composting loo’s, I must admit I was a bit dubious.

We have been compared to Tom and Barbara from the good life so going to a different place for a holiday, seemed right up our street.

Well, what a pleasant surprise, every aspect of the holiday was awesome (Even if the loo was a bit high for me)

Not a birder or a botanist

I am not your normal person for Footsteps in The Gambia experience, not being a bird watcher or a botanist, I do however love immersing myself in the local culture and meeting the local community.

Our daily run became a learning experience running through the villages and trying our best at saying hello in their language (we did master it quite quickly). In time the people would look out for us and wave as we went by.

What was fascinating were the onsite craftsmen who made awesome things out of wood, metal and local cloth. We now have some really, really, well-made Gambian-style clothes.

We are foodies though!

The food, ah what a pleasure, my wife is Vegan and the choice available to her was super tasty and breakfast made me run back faster. As has been said before, the local trips are very enjoyable and no need to travel far to get to them, some you can even walk to.

Basically, I think we floated back to the airport on the return journey as we were so laid back. Jerre Jeff and Abaraka aka Thank you “Footsteps in the Gambia” until we next return.

Eleanor & Jon Vamplew

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