I took a 28-300 to Tanzania last year. It was fine. You can get close enough for good photos with a 300 generally. Given the light there you do not need a fast lens. I didn't change lenses much (I had the kit lens too) because of the dust.
I have now got a 50-500 which I would take next time, simply because it is a better lens.

Slighty off topic here but why do you want to rotate the centre column to use it horizontally? What advantage does it give, and under what circumstances do you use it?
Just curious. I have removed the centre column from my tripod as it is tall enough without, and it is one less thing to introduce wobble.

I've got a Velbon Sherpa Pro CF630, with a Markins ball head, with Arca Swiss type quick release. The head cost as much as the legs.
I chose the Velbon because it is tall enough for me to use without needing the centre column, and it goes flat on the ground too. Being Carbon ibre it is light enough to carry almost anywhere. The only downside to it is that it is quite long when folded. The 640 is shorter as it has 4 sections, but they didn't have a 640 in stock and would have had to order it. I didn't want to buy it without trying so went for the 630.
It is important to look at the maximun weight the tripod can carry - include the weight of the head in your calculations.

Or cheat and use the program intended for fill flash

Ok, I know you can do an undo, not sure about redo though. I haven't tried the cropping feature yet - I tend to use either PSE or Irfanview for that. I'm still at the very basics with it, having only downloaded the trial version last week.
I'm enjoying using it though. Makes batch conversions a doddle.

I'm just learning to use Bibble now. I really like it.
What features are you missing from it Chirpy?

Anyone have experience of the Sigma 15-30? It seems a good price (€455) and is an EX lens.

Excellent firework photos!

Bill welcome to the forum.
I have a generic cable release, and a Pentax IR remote.
Why?
Price on the first and size on the second. The Pentax cable release is expensive for what it is, and at least in Holland, is hard to find. The Pentax IR remote is just the smallest neatest device available and works really well. But as Dirk says becareful you don't lose it! I use an old Pentax strap with two little pockets in it - one for the remote one for the eyepiece cover. Very handy.

Simon, I too am not a fan of cotton wool waterfalls but yours do not seem so extreme to me. I like the photos.
I hate photos where the waterfall or sea is turned into a ball of fluff. I don't like the photos on the website Gartmore mentions for that reason.

PS Buttermere is not a lake it is a mere - no need for lake as well in it's name. Did you watch QI last night?