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.