AN adventurous Watford couple have spent the past few weeks adjusting to living England after an 18 month expedition around Africa in a Land Rover, taking part in community projects.

Mr Peter Felton, 33, and Miss Helen Warman, 25, of Hempstead Road, braved deserts, steamy rainforests and querulous customs staff, in order to complete their dream of travelling around the continent.

The couple decided to undertake their mammoth journey after they spent a holiday there.

Mr Felton said: "We had been to Africa before and fell in love with the place and because we wanted to do such a long trip we felt it was perfect as to see a country properly you need about a year."

In order to fulfil their wish, the pair decided to shun air travel and opted to drive through Europe and around Africa by Land Rover.

The couple covered 46,000 miles in the car and it became their home.

Mr Felton said: "I spent a year preparing the car and tried to work out all the risks we might encounter so I fitted a fridge, bed and long range fuel tanks. It was very comfortable and it was hard sleeping on beds afterwards."

During the trip, the the travellers got involved with local community projects through charity organisation Raleigh International which sends British volunteers around the world to help poorer communities.

Miss Warman said: "I have always known about Raleigh and so I found out more on a taster day and it was great."

Her partner added: "We wanted to do something charitable rather than just selfish."

Through Raleigh they were able to experience daily African life first-hand by working as administrators, project leaders and technical support. Their work with the organisation also led to some of the most memorable moments of their trip.

Miss Warman said: "As an assistant project leader I went to Sperrgebeit, a restricted diamond mine area which is closed to the public and is now going to be made into a national park. It is hundreds of miles from anywhere and is all sand dunes and desert. it is absolutely beautiful."

Today the couple are back in Watford with just their memories and a large supply of malaria tablets to remind them of their African adventure.

Although they have no immediate plans to repeat the experience, Mr Felton admitted that Russia and America are possibilities.

However they do have some advice for anyone planning a similar trip cover up against mosquitos, plan your expedition in advance and most importantly "just do it".

June 10, 2002 17:30