AN EXBOURNE adventurer recently returned from a 250-mile plus trek on horseback across the punishing terrain of the Namibian desert.

The nine-day ride took Mike Macklin, 65,and other riders through the Namib desert, starting from Windhoek in the highlands through to the Atlantic coastal town of Swakopmund.

Mike undertook the challenge to raise money for the Children?s Hospice South West and the Devon Aid, Korogwe project which helps provide clean water for communities in Tanzania.

Mike said he had ridden ?three super horses? along the route and the challenge would not have been possible without the support of local guides and a back-up truck which carried food and water and the camp beds.

The temperature was very hot throughout the trek. Riders had to carry two litres of water in their saddle bags. ?The sun was unrelenting, it was so dry,? he said.

?The views are just enormous, the desert stretches as far as you can see and you don?t see other people or vehicles.?

The riders slept in the open and were very cold at night. ?The nights were just magical, no light pollution and the sky was just incredible,? he said.

Mike said the main horse he rode during the trip was Pasquale, who was well-acclimatised to desert conditions.

Disaster struck just a week before the ride was due to start when Mike fell off his horse and badly bruised his ribs.

?The sore ribs were a problem at times, but once I was on the horse I didn?t really feel them, it was only when I lay down, they really ached.?

Mike said they saw a lot of game during the trip, such as antelope, and leopard cubs. Not so welcome in the sand were snakes and scorpions.

The first part of the journey through scrubland had been difficult.

?I was going through scrub with every tree covered in thorns which were tearing my shirt to shreds,? he said.

Mike said day two and day six proved particularly hard.

On day two the trekkers were tackling a mountain route which was so steep, they had to walk a lot of the way, making for a long day. Day six was about 75km and a very fast day.

?I enjoyed it. Nine days with no telephone, no television, no computer, no contact with the outside world. Frankly, I realised I don?t need these things.

?The other thing I learned from the people who live in Namibia was how they live by nature. They know every plant, and every animal. They have complete understanding of the environment they live in, which is something we seem to have lost.?

Mike said he would like to think about undertaking a trip in another part of the world at some time in the future ? on horseback. ?There is no better way to see the environment,? he said.

Mike is a member of Okehampton Rotary Club and thanked his fellow Rotarians who he said had given him great support.

He is still collecting sponsorship money and can be contacted on 01837 851227.