3 September
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BURNS NIGHT ABOARD KM3
On Friday 24 August we celebrated another culture, although this was done in strange and distant surroundings. 'Burns Night' of the Southern Hemisphere! For several weeks the four Scottish expedition members - Drew Craig, Jenny Campbell, Bruce Mann and John-Paul Nevin (J.P.) - had been preparing their party pieces and were determined to make it a night to remember.

An idyllic, relatively bug free mooring on the Amazon River was chosen. We all prayed it wouldn't rain as the celebration of our famous Scottish poet was to be held on the open top, upper deck of the support boat. Our prayers were answered!

The 4-course meal prepared by Ernie Durey was fantastic. It included homemade oatcakes and other items kindly provided by Tods of Orkney, with the crucial Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (turnips and potatoes) donated by Stahly's of Edinburgh.

Jim Masters became an honorary Scot for the evening, parading the Haggis around the table to the background music of Runrig! J.P followed on with a splendid rendition of the 'Address to the Haggis'.

The 'Immortal Memory' of Rabbie Burns was given by Bruce who recited a piece of poetry. Marigold Verity-Dick concluded the piece with a harp and song recital.
All the female members of the expedition were mentioned in Drew's 'Toast tae the Lassies', which resulted in much hilarity. Jenny's 'Reply tae the Lads' was slightly less tactful, reminding all 19 male members of Stage 4 of the expedition of embarrassing moments and small habits they thought had gone unnoticed. All sides took it in good humour.

The medical team provided entertainment by way of a sketch written by Dr Sam Allen. This was followed by two songs - "Follow the Yellow Tin Boat" and " A Leader's Lot is not a Happy One", both adapted from the originals by Graham Catchpole. Sam continued his performance with two poems written that very day.

All together, with plenty of whisky, beer and rum, the night was a huge success. The Scots are pictured proudly with their new St Andrews Cross flag that they'd commissioned from a village the day before.

The four Scots are proud to say that they are of the select few that can claim to have celebrated a Burns Night whilst in one of the remotest parts of the Amazon River - even if we were only 7 months late.