Moivaro Lodge cont..

On arrival the staff greeted us with warm towels and watermelon juice. We were then showed to our lodges.

Cute stone houses with thatched roofs, very rustic but set in lots of greenary. I love it.

Running theme but then we made our way to the bar and time for some Kilimanjaro and Serengetti beer yum!!

Again the sturdy ones stayed up until 3am local time and ended the night singing.

We were once again sensible!

I feel good but a little gypy tummy, I think Malarone related.

I'm sat in our porch with Anne whilst the sun shines listening to "Jambo" and singing in the trees, bliss.

The biggest mother F****** of an insect just joined us. I have no idea what it was but I'm sure if it bites it could take your hand off!

Some of the group are popping into Arusha prior to our 3pm briefing but I'm gonna chill, repack and drink water.

I'm just struggling to do up my duffle bag after taking all the essential stuf packed in my hand luggage (incase they lost our bags) and putting it into my duffle but according to my scales it is dot on 15kg!

So tomorrow the adventure begins. It's hard to believe sat in this heat that in a few days we'll need down jackets!!! More water I think!

18th March. Moivaro Lodge, Arusha, Tanzania.

11:20am.

Well we're here! I meant to write in this from Birmingham and from Amsterdam but OMG the time flew.

It's already a crazy adventure. Arriving at Birmingham and seeing Navy Kili Hoodies and pale blue TCT T-shirts everywhere!

Naturally we congregated in the bar in departures! No late arrivals, everyone eager, excited and scared.

My camera got broken in customs, it still works but the lcd screen is blank apart from the top right hand corner. This means all pics will be a surprise (thankfully they came out pretty good) and I can't change the menu from auto settings! However I'm in a group of 43 so I'm sure we'll get a few good shots between us.

We landed in Amsterdam about 8pm and made our way to the Park Plaza hotel. Oddly we ended up in the bar, of course that was for food!!!

Myself and Anne were very sensible and turned in about 10:30. Some peoples faces at breakfast (Dan) suggested the 01:30am drinking session after starting at 4pm was not such a good idea!

On the actual 16th (departure day) I think we were all so excited that no-one had slept. I woke up at 5:45am and by 6:30 had done a million manic chores. Then the texts and facebook comments started. Everyone was wishing us luck whilst we were panicking about do we check through to Kilimanjaro and keep day sack or do we take everything off at Amsterdam??

In the end 50/50 mso no need to stress.

The flight to Kili was very good. It's quite the oddest thing to look up and see people you know from work on every row!

Arrival in Kili was 21:30 Kili time (18:30 in England) and we walked into a heat cloud.

The airport is small and their was a little anxiety whilst everyone waited for their luggage.

However not much time later and everyone had luggage and we were seated on 3 rickety buses for a 36k drive to Moivaro lodge.

The Journey

I've now been back 10 days. I made it to the top, to Stella point. It was hard and took me a long time. I am gutted I didn't make it to Uhuru but apparently anything from Gilmans point onwards counts as a successful summit so hurray! I kept a diary whilst I travelled. It may be influenced by my hypoxic state but I will attempt to write it up. Tomorrow we have our Kili party so I need to get back on track with keeping this in chronological order.

I've raised over £3500 for charity. That is the biggest success in my eyes and I thank everyone that supported and sponosed me! Now to go back in time xxxxx

The night before ...

So thats work finished, hoodie picked up, flight checked in and seats sorted and packing done.
I have swerved between childlike excitement and fear. What is I don't make it? I'll be so gutted. All this effort, all this money raised. However I know I won't fail however hard it is. I'm not just doing this as a life experience. My motivation started with Sam more than 10 years ago and was massively increased when Claire started her fight.
Claire is for me an inspiration. Her way of making cancer seem like a small irritation whilst she gets on with her life is so the best way but something so many find difficult to do.
As well as these 2 wonderful women I have known others who have fought and who have inspired.
You can't not leave an imprint on this world and if its to inspire good in others then your life has been a success.
Getting to know the Newhams and Fosters has added more reason to succeed.
This will make a difference to teenagers in the midlands and to bowel cancer patients.
Every step I take will help in the fight. We have one life, live it.

Packing

5 days to go and its starting to be very real. last night I was awake at 4:30 because I'd been packing in my head in my sleep for so long I was unable to sleep.

Today I tried to pack, my day pack is so full and my book for the flight won't fit in! I think I will need to do some juggling but there are so many stories about luggage missing that i've put all essentials in my hand luggage!! This pic is the start of my packing!!

It's the Final Countdown (and the sun shone)

Today we tackled Edale and Kinder Scout again. So far we've been snowed off twice, rained off once and the other time we completed a walk in the pouring rain. Yesterdays walk was wet and miserable so it didn't bode well for our final training walk.
Sunday dawned dry, arrival in Edale and a strange yellow blob could be seen in the sky, OMG its sunny!
We took the Grindsbrook path which starts off on a nice paved path and then gradually becomes more rocky and then the final half mile is a sheer climb on rocks, great fun. Once at the top it was time to admire the view and have some lunch. Boy did it quickly get cold so onwards across the strange moor, through the rocks that due to weather look like sculptures and eventually down Jacobs ladder and back to Edale.
A fab finale to our training. Sponsors are on about £30,000. On Tuesday we're meeting the Teenage Cancer Ward sisters and Heather from TCT. Boarding tickets can be picked up tomorrow eeek! 10 days and counting.

Lost, muddy and the cheese shop wasn't open

Well I've said on several times what a muddy walk we'd done so I thought I was prepared. This walk started in Hartington and was described as a strenous 12 mile. That was about where the instructions ended! multiple getting lost and the intense mud meant we'd taken hours to get to Longnor. We were exhausted at this point but hoped a spot of lunch would restore spirits for the return journey. It seemed to initially until we realised we were going in the wrong direction and losing light.

We asked a friendly local who suggested we went back a mile up the steep hill to the village we'd had a late lunch and then on the roads it should only be another 6 miles!

We probably started to get an idea of what summit night will be like with our moods! However we speed marched up hill and along roads and shockingly made it back just before dark. Last time I do a walk with so few instructions!!!

Up to about £30,000 in fund raising!

Youlgreave

Two weekends left of training walks yikes. Today Lorraine, Caroline and myself did a 10 mile walk starting at Youlgreave and heading along Lathkill Dale. I'd done most of this walk before just the opposite way round but it was good. The sun came out which was a miracle considering we'd set off in pouring rain. Again the mud was out in force, it makes it more tricky on the legs. Tomorrow we're doing a 12 mile walk and currently I'm knackered after a night out last night!!!

Dry walk shocker!

With snow falling in the peaks we decided to do a walk along the grantham canal and a walk up to Belvoir Castle. A very nice walk with a few new people. Mud galore still and up one hill it was like we were skiing!
Its now 3 weeks today until we leave. Fears are starting to increase. My dreams are very odd. God only knows how I'll be refreshed for the start of Kili and if my dreams are odd now what on earth are they going to be like when I take all the drugs needed for the climb???
I currently ache from the gym, is this really good for you?
On the motivational side I've hit my target for both charities. Just over £1500 for Bowel Ca and £730 for TCT. Changed that target now to £1000!
Not long now!! Back to Derbyshire walking this weekend x

Wet weekend again!!

So this week was mainly spent in the gym. A little drowning in aqua fit, a little kicking and torture in boxercise and then a couple of gym sessions.

The original plan to attempt Edale again was once more ruined by horrendous weather forecast. So rather than do nothing we did a 9 mile circular walk around Carsington. It rained but was more sheltered than the tor!

Not happy to get a blister on my toe hmmm, better concentrate on the foot toughening!

Final injections now done and presciptions sent off. 4 weeks on weds, it will fly!

People are being amazing in their support with sponsors. Strangers and friends are all so generous and already I find it emotional when they send such lovely messages of support.

I asked Lucy how emotional she found it up Kili and she said its intensified, all these kind messages and sponsors are remembered as you climb.

I've hit and changed my target for Teenage Cancer, originally it was £500 but currently I have £660 on line and Bowel Cancer UK is up to £1210 with a target of £1500. Off line I have nearly £400 in sponsors so this trip, which I always knew it would be, is very very worth while. Some cynics have said why not just donate the cost of the trip but that would never happen and people wouldn't dig deep without such a personal challenge. I can't wait (yet am starting to get nervous!)

Team hats are now out!! not sure about me in mine!!!

Winter weather

Wow what a busy weekend! Friday a gale blew yet me and Lorraine went to do a walk in Belper, although only 7 miles it was tougher than we expected. At times the wind tried to topple us and the rest of the time the mud really tested our foot work!

The next day the gales were still blowing as we left Notts and headed to Edale. However as we reached Edale where the roads had turned into a river.

We set off along the Pennine way but half way up Mam Tor the path was gone and a torrent of wild water was in its way. For safety we decided to turn back. By the time we reached the car park we were cold, hungry and soaking! I really think ponchos are a good idea!

Once home and dry it was time to go and set up for the indoor car boot sale. Eventually I'd get my camper van back for camping rather than storing loads of junk!

A very early start resulted in making £140 in a morning, not bad and that's the medicines covered.

I totally under estimated how much this trip would cost! Because I'll be paying for it for a long time it just adds to the importance of doing it and succeeding and most importantly making money for my 2 charities.

A quick add up of the money raised so far by the group is over £17000! Not bad!

Langdale Fells

Feeling a tad hungover with a sore right leg we once more met early for a shorter climb. Shorter but just as tough! Copas lied and said after the first non stop killer steps that we'd be taking a gentle stroll up the hill and barely realise we were at the top. After the steps we hit the frozen tarn, we admittedly had about 400 yrds of easy walking before we had to climb on hands and knees grabbing snow covered sharp rocks! At the top we admired the views, froze and had lunch! We then walked across frozen waters and eventually just before our fingers froze off we started the descent! Only 21 of us or this walk but we stayed together as a group and had a really good day. Oddly we ended up in the pub afterwards!

The Old Man of Coniston

This weekend most of the gang made the journey up the M6 to the Lake District. We stayed in Ambleside and in good old ortho tradition met up at the pub as soon as everyone arrived!!

At 9am we met in Coniston to tackle the Old Man of Coniston.

The weather was stunning, very fresh, thick frost, clear blue skies and sunshine. This meant stunning views throughout!

There were alot of us on this walk and the distance between the front and the rear ended up being about 2 hours.

We made it to the Old Man in time for some lunch before pegging on for 3 more peaks.

The way down was very rocky and icy. I slipped and caught my trousers on a sharp rock. I ripped my trousers big style and most people saw my pink knickers. I also jarred my leg but didn't realise this till later as humiliation is a great analgesia!

We made it back to the cars about 5 and headed down to the Black Bull to celebrate and sample some of their brewerys beers.

Then back to Ambleside and rather a tad too much celebrating again in Ortho style. This meant the following day we set off feeling a little how we might up Kili!!

Barn Dance and a new charity!

Hangovers a plenty and all the kili gang swearing off alcohol it was time to dosey do!

Fab funny fundraiser!

Next day sprung early for a walk starting in Castleton and swiftly climbing up winnets pass and onto Castleton Ridge. A swift wind blew and the walk was good and challenging. Just before the final hill tragedy struck. Brigitte slipped on the mud with barely a yell and broke her ankle.

Everyone was very calm and her ankle was even maniped on the top of the tor but we needed the wonderful services of the air ambulance and mountain rescue. Two more very amazing worthy charities. Sadly this means Kili is most likely off for Brigitte so we will all have to make sure we succeed for her.

Busy Friday!

Friday started early with an interview on Radio Nottingham! Myself and Tony made the last 5 minutes of the breakfast show! Despite being nervous it was good and made the reality of kili seem ever more real!

Hopefully they will do updates on our progress up the mountain via satelite phone.

Once I let the BBC it was onwards to Matlock Bath for a very speedy trek up to the heights of Abraham. A beautiful sunny frosty day.

Then it was a swift change and ready for Later Live night. This took place in St Marys Church, had around 700 guests and was a fabulous, if little drunk night, of quality performances and fundraising. Total yet to come in but around £6000.

Again this made it all seem very soon and very real.

Time to up the training and healthy eating. No more nights drinking like that again until after Kili!

Wet Wet Wet Edale

This was the biggest group yet for one of our practice walks. We met at Edale car park where it wasn't raining yet....

That soon changed! We went up and along the hills and found shelter along a wall on the top of the moors for our lunch.

The sheep hurried us out of their warm spot and we pegged on as the path became more open and windy and rainy!

By the end of our walk we were soaked, rain had dripped down my gaiters and into my boots and every item of clothing I wore was wet. Valuable lessons re: waterproofing bag and self and bringing a dry set of clothes for return to the car park! A swift drink in the pub whilst we made puddles on the floor and steamed the space back before heading home in order to get warm and dry! Great atmosphere though!

Less than 9 weeks

Wow the time is flying now and the waking up at 2am with the thoughts of what am I doing? will I get altitude sickness? will I ever be able to afford all these never ending things and will I be fit enough? keeps going round my head!

The walks are going well, last weekend we did another walk at Monsal head which included a really steep hill, aching thighs the next day!

Yesterday I had my first 2 injections, only another 4 to go! My spare room is covered in Kili stuff, I'm sure it won't all fit in my rucksack and now theres the question about visas, to buy before we go or on arrival? hmmmm do I really want to send my passport away?

Chatswoth walk Jan 3rd

This was one of my favourite walks, loads to see and lovely views. The walk started at Carlton Lees and crossed fields to Beeley village. We then went up hill and through a farm before walking through the moor and to the top of the valley. From here the walk progresses past a couple of lakes before arriving at the Hunting tower. The view of Chatsworth from here is stunning. The walk down very steep steps was slippy! We then followed the river to Baslow where we stopped for a cuppa and sarnie before pegging on over the hills to Pilsley. From here we climbed high once more before dropping down into Endsor before returning to the grounds of Chatsworth and following the river back to Carlton Lees. I'd love to do this walk again in Summer so not chasing the daylight and being able to stop at the farm shop and garden centre etc! The clock is ticking now, just over 10 half weeks to go.

Annual leave booked and flight times confirmed! The costs are immense but fingers crossed it will be more than worth it!

We now have at least one walk planned every weekend.

New Years Day Walk

Well December was a bit of a loss, struck down with flu ? swine which totally stopped training and lung capacity! Add Crimbo onto the end of this and the next walk ended up on New Years Day, a good start to 2011 and 10 weeks count down has begun!!!

Lins and Mum joined me on a muddy walk from Ashford in the Water to Monsal Dale.

The dew ponds were still frozen and the paths were v v muddy but it was a lovely start to the year and a frightening realisation how much fitness I'd lost over the flu period. Oh well full steam ahead to my own boot camp!!