Yippee!!! I've completed my final assignment today. Now I can go and get organised for Christmas. Norway here I come!!!

We had a fabulous Kilimanjaro reunion in Norfolk during the first weekend in November. Out on the Broads on Robs cruiser - Lola. The weather was beautiful and we've already planned the next reunion - a Scottish one this time, March 2010.

I also managed to catch up with a couple of friends in Cambridge who supported me when Stewart was in Addenbrooke hospital for 5 months. His landlord Len, and Sheila a fellow Aberdonian.

The Norfolk guys n' gal have produced a wonderful DVD of their Kilimanjaro trek. I'm still working on mine, however now that Uni is finished I will have all the time in the world - Ha Ha Roll on 2010!!

Summit Porter

I have just heard from Matthew, my Uhuru peak porter!!
He is back at college and wants some of my Scottish flag photos from the Kilimanjaro trek.
Hoping to have a slide show one Sunday in November.

Overtaken my fundraising total!!

The Kilimanjaro trek has now raised more than £5,000 for Spinal Research, with more money to come in. I am amazed at how quickly it doubled in the last few months. My left foot didn't trouble me once on the trek nor since I returned to Callander.
Many thanks to everyone again for your support. Lynne xx

Assignment woes!!

No photo this time. I just wanted to let everyone know that even though I worked all the hours God sent prior to leaving for Tanzania on 21st August, and stayed up until midnight the day before so that I could submit my 3rd assignment to be marked in my absence, I have just found out that it requires to be resubmitted due to it being corrupted!!! Thank goodness I don't have to start working on it from scratch as module 4 starts this week, and I've still to get my head around that.

My Porter Matthew

Hi, not much of a photo I know, but this is the only one of Matthew I could track down until such time that he emails me a copy of the one I took of him with his camera, doing cartwheels under the Uhuru sign. Goes to show what you can do at nearly 6,000m when you're a local 21year old!!!

The rest of us had barely enough energy to stand under the sign let alone climb onto the top of it!

I am overwhelmed at the additional money which has been coming in since the article about my trek appeared in the Stirling Observer last Friday. A local couple have just handed in £100, after reading about it.

www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/.../local.../local.../callander-woman-climbs-kilimanjaro-for-spinal-research-51226-24602313/

Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. I'm sorta getting back to normal now - I think? xx

Departure Time - Boo Hoo!!

Departing on Precision Airline. The start of our journey home at Kilimanjaro airport.
Farewell to Tanzania. What an adventure!!!

Out and about in Moshi, doing a wee bit of exploring. Being 2 blond haired, white skinned females on our own though proved a wee bit problematic at times, and Ollie gave a right shock this morning pretending to be a local who wanted to show us his wares!!! We walked back to the hotel in a large group with Mark and Ollie as our bouncers. We did find some lovely local treasures to bring home.

Sue and I outside our room at the Bristol Cottages hotel, Moshi. This photo was taken from the outdoor dining room, and doing what all ladies do before dinner, having a wee G&T!!

Looking back down onto Lake Manyaro park, before heading back to Moshi. Masai tribesman herding his cattle across a new road which stretched for miles! The journey back took nearly 4 hours, but no more punctures - thankfully!!

Lake Manyaro Park

Sunrise, just after 6am, at Lake Manyaro safari park.

Having breakfast out doors must rate high on my list of heavenly things to do!! Please note the tablecloth, it didn't matter where we were or what time it was, a tablecloth was always supplied, eve up the mountain, perched on the side of vertical drops!! Being in the park so early meant there were more animals to see. It wasn't too hot for them and they were in no need for a siesta in the morning.

The remains of a buffalo at the hippo pool.

Looking back down from the cater rim towards the dried up white salt pan, which in the wet season is full of water. The far edge of the crater rim can be seen in the distance. It took us over 2 hours to drive from a half way point, to this view point on the rim.

A zebra and hyena in the Ngorongoro safari park. This was an amazing place as the whole Ngrorngoro area is an extinct volcano about the size of Stirling council area in it's entirety - it was massive!!! The mountains you see in the background are the rim of the volcano which we had to drive down to get into the park. ON the way we passed Masai tribesmen, driving their cattle towards the lake for water. Domestic and wild animals vying for the same source of life giving water. All there tribesmen had were spears to protect themselves, but the park rangers had rifles.

Sunset on the mountains above Lake Manyaro safari park. We were running late at this point and should have been at our campsite. But before too long, we had a third puncture, this time in the pitch dark and fortunately because there were 2 jeeps there was another spare tyre.

When we did finally find the campsite, 4km up a red dirt track, the porters had to erect the tens by the light of the moon, and paraffin lamps which had been left on for our arrival. Even in the dark it was a magical place, with typical tropical/jungle/safari animal noises all around. We were, yet again, served a delicious meal spread out on a table laid before us under the stars. This was the first time I had tasted Goat and it was very good. A big camp fire was lit and we reclined around the heat of the flames with a glass of red wine. Being a white wine drinker, this was indeed a change for me, but it was just perfect for that situation, and I think I could become quite partial to red wine in the right circumstances!!

Next puncture, 30 mins later, by the side of a road this time, so no fear of being eaten by a lion, but we were accosted by loads of little Masai children. Sue who asked to take their photograph had a bag of Pear drops for them to share!!! Share, not being the operative word, as one wee boy snatched the bag from her hands and proceeded to stuff as many as he could into his mouth, stopping the others from having them. It was all good natured, fortunately, and he was back with cheeks bulging looking for more!!!

They wanted to show us how good their English was, always on the look out for more sweets. The bulk of these children wore a piece of material over their naked bodies and sandals made of rubber from old car tyres. They were also responsible, many times, for looking after the cattle or goats and lived in mud huts - no electricity or water!!

Tarangire Safari Park

Our first encounter with elephants and we had spent ages just watching this group of 10 wander closer to us. It was amazing as they didn't seemed to be fazed by our presence at all.

This park was the best for the quantity of elephants we saw every corner we turned.

We spent all afternoon, after a picnic lunch, seeing girafes, zebras, gazelle, antelopes, elephants and eventually a solitary lion asleep up a tree. However it was at that point that another driver told Deo he had a puncture, so he had to drive us to a place of safety so we could get out and allow him to change the tyre. This was just an added adventure to us, but I'm sure nerve wracking for him, being responsible for our safety in the park!!! WEeset off for our campsite at 5.30pm and the drive was to have taken us 1 hour!!!

Safari Time!!

Here are the 9 of us prior to leaving on our first safari. We went in 2 jeeps, loaded up with all our stuff, water, tents, mattresses etc!!

Sue, Gareth, Michael, Me, Mark, Mel, Ian, Gina and Ollie.

Deo, our driver is still loading the roof rack behind us.

Me, receiving my Kilimanjaro certificate from Alan, Whitely and Pascale - group leader and guides, after our Celebration dinner in the Protea Hotel, Machame.

I feel very chuffed at achieving this certificate, but am well aware that it is only due to the encouragement and tenacity of my porter Matthew (Pascales wee brother) that I reached Uhuru peak, without him, I wouldnt have made it - so thank you again Matthew.

A glass of champagne at our Celebration dinner on our last night together. There was only enough in the hotel for the ladies to enjoy and enjoy we did!!!
I think we all scrubbed up rather well, goodness only knows what the hotel drains were like afterwards??

Our last view of the summit before descending below the clouds from the Millenium camp back to Machame.

Last mountain morning!

This was me giving the Thank you speech on behalf of the group to the porters on our last morning on the mountain. Whitey was translating for the porters and Ian was signing for Mark, who is deaf.

Just afterwards the porters burst into song followed by a big group dance. That just about warmed us all up for the next 6 hours of walking off the mountain, back through pretty damp rain forest terrain!! But boy were we looking forward to the hot showers back at the hotel - I think it's just as well I lost my sense of smell in that car accident!!

We were all in the same boat so perhaps cancelled out the smell from one another, having said that, it's really unfair that as the week progressed the men looked more and more rugged and handsome whilst the women looked more and more unkempt and haggard - life's not fair!!??

Barafu Camp

I thought you might like to see this picture of Barafu camp, where we were perched on our 'summit walk' night? It was truly amazing what these porters did, where they set up camp and after all that, provided us with a hot 3 course meal including tea and coffee. The summit porters were also up all night with us and still managed to move camp from 4,600m to 3,900m in the space of a few hours.

Done it!!

Our intrepid leader, Alan, congratulating Sue and I on reaching the top of Kilimanjaro. It was such a relief to finally arrive at Uhuru peak after 9 hours. We still had the walk/run back down to our camp at Barafu before descending another few hours to our next stop at the Millenium camp.

At Uhuru Peak!!

Finally, I've managed to upload the photo of me at the top of Kilimanjaro. My camera froze at the top and I had to rely on Sue taking the photo's, however our computers are not compatible and I've had to do this from my work computer today. It might look nice and sunny but it was in fact -12c!! That is me with my Scottish flag and Lighthouse stake for planting at the top of Africa's highest mountain.

Me, flying the flag for Scotland at the top of the Barranco wall, our campsite is merely a fleck in the background!!

This is rather dark but is a photo of me and Sue outside our tent perched on the side of the mountain in fresh snow. This was our summit campsite at Barafu and you can just see Mount Meru above the clouds in the distance. There was an amazing sunset from here. We only were allowed to crash for 4 hours before being awakened by Ian at 11pm - for breakfast!!!

This is me scaling the Barranco Wall, a near vertical climb first thing on Tuesday morning. No wonder they had us up at 4,600m the day before as we needed all the oxygen we could gasp to scale this section of the trek!!

However the other photo is of one of the porters scaling Barranco wall with our camping gear. It was heard enough for us with our back packs let alone the loads these guys carried everyday, and always a cheery 'Jambo' greeting!!

It was a long hard slog today and many felt nauseous and headachy. We rose to 4,600m at the Lava Towers then came back down to 3,900m to sleep at Barranco camp at night.
That was the night of a tremendous dust storm, everything we ate was covered in a layer of grey lava dust, everything we owned was covered in a layer of grey lava dust, we were covered in grey lava dust from that point on. This wasn't good for my eyes, but thankfully the '2 Debbie's' had Optrex in their 1st Aid kit which they kindly let me use for the rest of the trip, otherwise I would have stumbling about half blind.

The first clear view of Kilimanjaro from our 2nd campsite at Shira Caves, unfortunately at this point we seemed to walking further away from the summit. However this was to help us becomes acclimatised to the altitude. We camped at 3,9000m here.

Porters early morning sing song as we left camp to start the day two trek. 'Jambo Mambo' which I'll be humming for evermore I think.

These guys were awesome, not only did they carry all the tents and equipment from each campsite, they also prepared all the food and tidied up so that we could get to our beds by 9pm!!!

They also provided toilet tents for us wimpy Brits at every stop including lunchtime stops.

We had 3 course hot meals 3 times each day, and given the conditions we were walking this was an incredible feat!!!

Mark, Darren, Andy, Karen, myself and Sue having a well earned rest in the rain forest on day one. This was by far the easiest day as we were under 3,000m.

It gave us an opportunity to learn each others names as we could talk as we walked!!

Sunday 23rd August:
Sue Piper and myself at the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro national park, having been registered to climb the mountain. The start of day 1 of the climb and just before we did our warm up exercises with Ian.

Journey of Kilimanjaro trek

Saturday 22nd August:

Driving through the parched land of Tanzania for 1 hour on our way to the hotel we stayed in on our first night, in preparation for the trek the following morning.

Hi there,
Thank you so much for your support. For all the messages of encouragement before I left, texts during the trek and lovely messages of congratulations since I arrived home last night. I was greeted at the front door by Julie, with a bottle of pink champagne and a helium ballon. Oh and some yum yums and a bottle of milk - very practical. The champagne will be drank tonight as I sit and watch, son Andrews favourite Disney film, 'The Lion King'. I had never realized that many of the words used in this film is genuine Swahili and having been on 3 safaris I just want to envelope myself in that 'culture' again!! Gosh there is so much to tell and so little time/space to tell it in.

I just wanted you to see the first photo I had hoped to email from Tanzania to Wendy, taken from the plane as it prepared to descend through the clouds into Kilimanjaro airport. Texts worked but photos didn't unfortunately. Hopefully I will be able to direct you to where they can be accessed once I've got my brain fully functioning again! We couldn't see land as we were so high, but Kilimanjaro was there for us all to see.
Now that I have completed 4 loads of washing, including my jacket and trainers and have scrubbed my backpack, travelling bag and treking poles all I have left to clean are my boots!! My kitchen now feels full of lava dust - it got everywhere including my lungs as I struggled to breathe during my morning swim today.

I hope to upload more photos in the days to come. If you have any special requests please let me know?
It was a tremendous experience and my thanks go to Wendy for keeping you informed through the text messages. I'm glad to be home and was able to share a meal of potato soup and macaroni with John & Agnes Gibson last night, washed down with a bottle of African Shiraz. How I came to receive that bottle of wine at Nairobi airport is another story for another day!!
Lynne xx

Bristol Cottage, Moshi

Today's Post:

Just arrived at last hotel Bristol Cottage, Moshi.
Shattered!
Seen loads of giraffes and baboons today.
Had breakfast in Manyaro Park - it was fabulous!
Xx

Filthy, Dirty and Shattered

I got back to the hotel filthy, dirty and shattered!!
It was so good to shower the water was black with grime.
On route 2 safari on Saturday morning.
It's fab having clean hair and nails!!
Hope to see lions and elephants!
Lynne X


This is a message received from Lynne - I'm really not sure when she is sending them, as I am normally receiving two at a time at around 4am!
Hope she sees those lions and elephants. :)
If you can manage Lynne would love to hear your comments.
Please click on 'O comments' below and follow the instructions.
Wx

Uhuru Peak

In my group 24 made it to Uhuru peak, 9 didn't or were taken down by porters.
I'm sitting in the the sun at the Millennium Gate Campsite staring up to the mountain.
It's been an amazing experience but not one I intend repeating!
Lynne x

Not sure when this was sent as I received it along with another message around 4am.
Isn't she amazing?
Wx

The Sunday Post

This is Lynne's Sunday Post (in her words):


"Well, as the bruises fade, the soreness eases, the altitude sickness goes and thankfully the appetite returns - elation, joy and jubilation remains forever, but I need to share today with you as best I can;

Spent today on a safari in a jeep in the Tarangire National park and I so wish I could share these moments with you Have over many miles passed within feet of hundreds of elephants (and yes babies too!), zebras, gazelles, lions, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeest and many others too. Wow, what an amazing experience that words alone cannot describe.
(Not to mention the footballers wives who have just gone by!).
Special moments to remain with me forever.

Staying in a camp here tonight (yes, promise it's safe :- ) ) and the dream goes on!

Just simply amazing on top of my incredible achievement.
And yes, still a little sore but getting stronger and fitter again by the day.

Hope all ok and you are well.
xxxx"


Sounds like our girl in Africa is having the time of her life!
Wx

Kilimanjaro - The Summit

This is the message I have received from Lynne, word for word:


"Experience from 5,000m was a nightmare.
Extreme altitude sickness including chest pains, breathlessness and extreme disorientation (I was staggering all over the place!).
It was a horrible feeling.
Matthew was one of the porters whose positive attitude got me to the top!
Not everyone in my group made it."

Wx

SHE DID IT!!!

So pleased for our girl - she did it.

Not everyone in her group made it - but Lynne did.

I don't think it sounds as if it was easy, she had terrible altitude sickness, but she battled on and she DID IT!

I'm sooooooo proud of her.

HOORAY!

Wx

Lynne's Progress

Have heard from Lynne, YIPPEE!

4 texts at once!

Sadly her emails haven't been coming through at all.

This is the final day of her climb before she reaches for the summit this evening.

She left camp at 7:30 this morning and has a hard days climb until 5:30pm.

She will then have a quick sleep and leave for the summit at 11pm tonight.

There is lava dust everywhere - and she stresses 'everywhere!'

She wants to thank everyone who has been texting her with encouraging messages, it's so appreciated and she said you are all helping her along!

She is having an amazing time.
She tells me her group of people including the porters are fantastic.
Sadly she has a bit of altitude sickness today, but is looking forward to enjoying pumpkin soup this evening! (Which sounds just like her! :-) )

Well, as that famous bunny says; "That's all folks"!

I will let you know as soon as I hear from 'our girl on Kilimanjaro' next!

Wx
www.wendywendyworld.blogspot.com

Lynne's Mobile

Hi

It's me again - Wendy!

I'm sorry I have nothing to report yet, I haven't heard from Lynne.

I'm sure she is fine and perhaps just can't get a signal on her mobile.
There have been times I can't get a signal in Stirling, so I'm sure it's a bit more difficult where she is!

I'm hoping she will be able to email me at some point and I'll let you know more.

According to her itinerary she should have started her climb and walked for 5-7 hrs today.

I hope they have a large glass of wine for her this evening!!!

Wendy x
www.wendywendyworld.blogspot.com

Blog Slave

Hi

Please allow me to introduce myself;

My name is Wendy and your friend and mine, Lynne has asked me to be her 'blog slave' for the time she is away on her adventure to climb Kilimanjaro.

Like me you will be routing for her and anxious to know what she is up to.

I will do the best I can to post any news I hear of her. :)

I received a text message from her yesterday around 2pm to say she was in London Heathrow - so far so good!

I'll get back to you when she contacts me again.

Wx

Oops!! Forgot to say thank you to Wendy for uploading the music onto my Blog to give it a sense of African authenticity!! She will be my main point of contact from Tanzania but I can receive and send text messages from anyone. xx

Just a final message from me before I leave Callander tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement I have received via cards, text and phone messages and by word of mouth. I have included my itinerary for the next 13 days below so you can follow my journey each day.

Kilimanjaro Itinerary

Friday & Saturday 21st - 22nd August:
Travelling – Leave Callander at 10am.
Callander - Glasgow, Glasgow- London Heathrow, London – Nairobi,
Nairobi – Arusha. Arrive in Moshi around 5pm
Sunday 23rd August:
Leave Moshi for 1-hour drive to the Machame Gate entry to the park. Meet our porters and start to climb!!
Involves real jungle bashing, often wet and muddy underfoot.
Camp at Machame Camp, 3100m. Walking for 5-7 hours.
Monday 24th:
Continue through the forest until steep ascent onto Shira Plateau.
Camp at Shira Caves, 3840m. Walking for 4-6 hours.
Tuesday 25th:
Walking on high moorland, underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach. Day spent at high altitude of 4600m (walk high, sleep low)
Camp at Barranco Hut, 3900m. Walking for 6-7 hours.
Wednesday 26th
Descend into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then exit steeply up the Great Barranco Wall. A climb over rock – long and tiring!! Before heading for Karanga Valley, arid and desolate.
Camp at Barafu, 4600m. Walking for 7-9 hours.
Thursday 27th
Walk steeply up to summit glaciers very, very early!! Climbing scree for 4-5 hours. Crater rim at Stella Point (5750m) as the first rays of sun begin to rise. Spectacular ice cliffs. 1 more hour walking before reaching the summit – Uhuru (5896m)
Uhuru means Freedom in Swahili.
Breakfast at Barafu camp before heading down to the Millennium camp (3000m). Walking for 10-12 hours
Friday 28th:
Gentle trek down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate. Walking for 5 hours.
Celebration meal in the hotel at night.

Optional Safari Extension
Saturday 29th:
Set off in the early morning from Moshi across the Rift Valley towards Tarangiri National Park.
Camp just outside Karatu.
Sunday 30th:
Early start takes in the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Camp just outside Karatu
Monday 31st:
Very early start visiting Lake Manyara National Park for breakfast and watch the sun rise over the plains below!!
Drive back to Moshi via a snake park and Mto wa Mbu.
Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd September:
Chill out in hotel in Moshi and visit Moshi markets and Light in Africa project.
Wednesday 3rd – Thursday 4th:
Travelling back the way I came and arrive back in Callander around 2.30pm.

Rachel and Brian's Wedding

Had a lovely day at Rachel and Brian's Wedding on Saturday.

It was in a marquee along Invertrossachs with Ben Ledi towering above it at one side and Ben Guilipen at the other. Most of the day we could see the top but the rain and wind did their best to dampen the day, without succeeding!

This is the intrepid bunch of walkers who took to the hills after church on Sunday.

Myself, Lorna, Lorraine, Lara and Esther accompanied by Robbie, David and Stephen - dad Rob stayed at home (football or something on TV!!). Oops nearly forgot - Bess.

The view from the top of Ben Guillipen down onto the field in front of John and Isobels house where Rachel & Brians wedding marquee had been until a few hours ago. All thats left to see are the portaloos!!

At Julie texted me yesterday - only 3 more sleeps to go. My right leg has not caused any problems this week - thankfully, but the bruise I now have on my left leg, after going my length on Sunday is worth seeing!!!

A quick update!! Although not out on the hills at the weekend I did masses of walking throughout central Edinburgh on Sunday when we hit the Edinburgh Festival.
We had a great day and during the 11 hours spent there must have walked many miles, as the venues we visited to see Facebook Fables, Nun the Wiser, Tao Samurai magical Drumming and VaryTales were well spaced out!!
The drumming was fabulous and I couldn't get over the change in the Assembly rooms from when I was last there at the General Assembly in May. Unfortunately my photos did not turn out too good so I deleted them.
I've just been for an MOT on my right leg and the Doctor has told me to take it easy, and if its too painful I've not to try and fit in another 2 x 8 hour walks before I leave next Friday. I'm still hoping to do Ben Ledi with friends after church this Sunday though. As we've still to stake the high ground around Callander and only the Crags have been accomplished so far.
Off to complete my assignment for Stan to check, before it has to be submitted and then for some enjoyment this weekend at Rachel's wedding - YIPPEE!!

Enola, Julie and myself at the Callander car boot sale on Saturday 8th August. We had a great time and raised another £105 for Spinal Research before rain closed play!! The local Blythswood shop benefitted from what was left, albeit slightly damp by then. Thanks to everyone who donated goods to be sold on the day. We did try to promote lots of items as suitable presents for Rachels forthcoming wedding next Saturday - but no takers!!

This is the sign which greated us at the door of the Byre Inn Brig O' Turk after a 3 hour walk from Callander on Thursday. Didn't do the beer but had some cider because it was so hot and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sun and food.
It's good to have something nice to look forward too after a long walk, because we then had to turn around and head back to Callander again for another evening jam packed with things to do!!

Heading off in a car loaded to the brim with items for a car boot sale in Callander today, Saturday. Fortunately its a lovely day and I have the lovely Enola and Julie to help.
Thanks to everyone who has donated items to be sold, as every little helps with this last fundraiser before I head off to tackle Kilimanjaro.

That's me at the top of Beinn Nan Aighenan

It took us 4.5 hours to reach the summit and another 3.5 hours to get back down. Douglas Pearson who led the expidition leapt from rock to rock like a mountain goat. I needed to know where my left foot would land so was very canny on the descent!!

And boy did I know that I had been walking on boulders and scree the next day, it's just as well I had another 7 hour walk planned for Thursday or my foot may very well have seized up entirely.

But as you can see I was thoroughly enjoying myself - what else can I say?

Wednesdays 8 hour walk.
The view from the top of Beinn nan Aighenan, Glen Etive.

The scenery was spectacular.
The walk an endurance test.
The race back to Callander for a Board meeting that night was interesting!!
But it was so worth the effort.

Just to let you all know, thats the £4,000 fundraising mark passed - Yippee!!
More money has been pledged but I've still to collect it. A work in progress.

I have now been loaned a 4 Seasons sleeping bag and Therma mat to keep me warm as I (hopefully) sleep!! I think I've collected the full kit I need for this trek but have still to check it over.
I have 1 more fundraiser - A Car Boot Sale in Callander next Saturday 8/8/09 behind the Rob Roy Centre, in the cente of Callander. I hope the weather is a bit better than it is today?

I have delayed going up any mountain until Wednesday as my walking partner wasn't keen with the rain and wind today!! But I'm working on completing the first draft of my assignment instead.

Esther and I setting out at 7.20am from Kenknock, Glen Lochay. What an adventure we had including climbing gates, styles and fording rivers but we had such fun!!!

Me nearing the end of our walk and the winding road we started out on in the distance.

We spent an hour on top of Sgiath Chuil just drinking in the fabulous scenery and blethering. We saw herds of deer, buzzards flying and of course lots of sheep. The weather was glorious and we did cover more than the 6 hours we had planned to walk. Next Saturday it's going to be a 8 hour walk/trek and with lots of offers to accompany me - not sure if that's for the pleasure of my company or to make sure I don't get lost??? I'm considering others in that area - even Beinn Heasgarnich!! Douglas is going to keep me right as he tells me he has GPS, so my map reading and compass skills will not be required!! I've still to plan and fit in another 8 hour walk the following week/weekend and then 2 x 8 hour walks the final week/weekend before leaving on 21st August - Yippee!! Got a lot of juggling to do with work, study, a wedding and the Edinburgh Festival etc but hey the hills are on my doorstep so I should be on track.

Thank you everyone for your support financial, equipment, walking partners and encouragers.

Out walking for 6 hours on Friday 24th July. I struck out towards Strathyre up the old railway track from Callander. Took a wee detour to see the Falls of Leny, which were amazing and the blaeberries I picked there - even better!! Listened to the words of Bill Johnstone, Jack Deere and Chris Vallaton on my ipod on the way out and Paul Scanlon on the way back with Jack Johnsons music at the end as I made my way back home.

A wee message for all my friends in Norway. I so enjoyed the time I spent walking and talking with you in June this year. Here we are at the top of Ulriken overlooking Bergen, and we never did get the coffee and cake!!!
Can hardly wait for the Log Cabin excursion next year, my bags will be repacked immediately after Kilimanjaro!! God Bless you all.

Talking of mountains, Esther and I are planning to bag Meall Glas and Sgiath Chuil along Glen Lochay this coming Saturday, but I've to fit in a 6 hour walk on Friday also. So if anyone wants to join me??? Love Lynne x