Pirang Forest

After a couple of days spent close to home we decided to visit another forest situated at Pirang which is further on passed Brikama. Tom had decided to enjoy the trip with us leaving Lynne behind with back problems. We arrived early however did have some difficulty finding the track from the road as usual in Africa not sign posted for Pirang Forest. After quick directions from a local in a long coat bearing in mind this is the winter season to them we were in shorts and t-shirts we came of road and headed off down a track eventually arriving at a building which was the start of the forest. We set off walking along a well used track through some forest which then opened out into fields which the locals were busy working in. We were welcomed by them to take a look and could see healthy plants of Aubergine and bitter tomatoes growing. Tom and Paul decided that to visit the forest we would have to go off track and into the undergrowth so we jumped over a low wire fence and found a used single track. The track twisted and turned amongst the trees and bushes Tom occasionally placed an arrow on the floor so we knew which way we had come. As we were trying to find another path as ours had come to a dead end we noticed some locals so picked our way through and found a good path which came out to more vegetable fields. I watched one young girl bringing up water for the fields from a well by a bucket tied with string. We went back in the forest and bumped into three teenage boys all carrying machetes and asked them which way to the river, they decided to guide us there. After a good thirty minutes and crossing mangrove swamps we came into view of the river bank, Bradley had managed to get a carry most of the way by one of the young boys. We then turned back towards the car along a well used village track which took us through fields on either side and village compounds as well as the odd goat on route looking for a meal. Finally at the car we thanked the boys handing them some oranges and biscuits as well as a small tip.