Two months to the day, after sharing a couple of Julebrews, we said au revoir, at Banjul airport, “see you in a couple of months“, to Simon Fenton (he was there to meet his family, coming from the UK, off the flight we were about to depart The Gambia on), we received a call, on Friday 26th May, one of those calls…, tragically Simon had died as the result of a car crash, just a few short hours before, in Senegal.

Simon was a fellow Brit and West Africaphile, writer, adventurer, guide, lodge owner, husband, to Khady, and father to two beautiful young boys – Gulliver and Alfie.

He truly was one of those wonderful human beings, who really lived his dreams, with his huge infectious smile and boundless excitement about life. Anyone who was fortunate to know Simon will pay testament to this.

For those of you that did not have the pleasure of meeting him – then, thankfully, he left two great books behind about his life in Africa… ‘Squirting Milk at Chameleons‘ and ‘Chasing Hornbills: Up to My Neck in Africa‘.

If you are able to contribute to the JustGiving page (any amount will be gratefully appreciated): ‘All donations go directly to his brother and sister-in-law’s account and will be used to cover some of the hospital costs incurred during his all-too-brief treatment, transport costs and his funeral costs in Abene, Senegal. Anything left over will be to support his wife, Khady, and their two young boys.’ Mike Webster/JustGiving

Sending much love, condolences, and support to Khady, Gulliver, Alfie, and all of Simon’s family.

Rest in peace, mate, we miss you already.

Helen & Flo 

To see more of what Simon’s life in West Africa was all about, check out his wonderfully descriptive blog and travel images on his Instagram page.