Things I know about Lesotho.............

It begins with L.
It ends in O.
It is in Africa.

About 9 months ago when I was "asked"* (* = more or less told!) that I was going to Lesotho I have to confess to knowing very little about this country. Admittedly I did know that it was a landlocked country within South Africa, something which I have since learned very few other people know, having been often asked where the place actually is! Years spent looking at atlases and maps of the world finally reaped their rewards -  and yes, I do have the anorak.

Since then however I have learned a little more about this country and no doubt I will know a hell of a lot more in just over 2 weeks time.

So here are some useless facts about Lesotho:


The lowest point in the country is 1400 metres, making it the country with the highest low point in the world, if that makes sense! To put that into context, 1400 metres is higher than the highest point in the islands of Ireland and Great Britain (Ben Nevis clocks in at 1344m).

They gained independence from the United Kingdom in October 1966.

The flag has 4 colours, green, white, blue and black. Black represents the native population, green resembles prosperity,  white represents peace and the blue represents rain. I wonder why we have green in our flag, and come to think of it, why we don't have any blue!

Daniel O'Donnell once performed an open air concert in Maseru, the capital, in a World of Diverse Cultures Festival. He was booed off stage and pelted with the most abundant local natural resources, wool, diamonds and river frogs.

That last fact was totally fabricated.













Lesotho is one of the least afforested countries in African but some of the indigenous forest includes the white stinkwood (Celtis africana) and the mountain cabbage tree (Cussonia paniculata). Based on those names I think I know a good few people that have climbed both these trees...........












Armed with those enthralling facts I am sure you just can't wait for more news on my experiences.