T Minus 25 days and counting!

25 Days! That's all I have left to wait now! In 25 days I will be at Heathrow Airport ready to go to Africa. I have been pushing myself really hard over the last couple of weeks. Most of my work has been on my strength and fitness. The unusual but very welcome Sunshine and high temperatures have not really stopped me. On cool days I have been out running, mainly up and down hills to increase my leg strength and my overall fitness. There have been days where I have timed my runs well to get home just as the temperature rises.
On really warm days I have sought refuge in an air conditioned Gym. Putting the miles in on the treadmill and exercise bike, and then doing some weight training. I am happy with the level of fitness I have now. It's really comforting and encouraging to see my improved performances on my runs.
My kit list is almost checked off. The last one or two things I will have very shortly. I will then have the task of packing it. The weight limit for my holdall will be 20KG on the aeroplane. But, it will be a maximum of 15KG when I get to Kilimanjaro. At the moment I seem to be comfortably under the 15kg limit, even though I still have things to pack I don't think weight will be the problem, its room. My first couple of attempts to pack have been quite comical. The bag seems ready to burst at the seems. I am sure it will be fine, I keep telling myself.
The nerves and the excitement are really building now. Part of me can't wait to get cracking, the other part can wait. I still can't quite believe what I am doing, and how far I have come in the last 8 months. It might sound like a cliche but I have learnt so much about myself while I have been training. I have discovered a real enthusiasm for walking. I have also discovered a real self motivation and self determination. All those horrible winter days, the thought of not going for a walk because it was too cold never entered my head. There have been days when I have found training hard, but I have always had one not so secret weapon to drive me on. I just remind myself exactly why I am doing this. It is all to help a fantastic cause-Greyhound Rescue West of England.
I had the pleasure a few weeks ago of attending a GRWE fun dog show. I got to meet many of the volunteers who give so much of their time and effort to helping these amazing dogs. I also got to meet lots of GRWE dogs looking for homes. It's these dogs that all the sponsorship money that I have raised is going to help.
All of the support I have had so far to raise a stunning amount for GRWE makes me feel very proud. The good wishes and moral support I have been given is just amazing. For that, to everyone who has been backing me I offer my heartfelt thanks.
The last few weeks, I plan to make as stress free as possible. I aim to finish all my training a week prior to going. I have taken advice on this and getting a good weeks rest before it's 'Go time' seems to be highly recommended. If I do anything in the last week, it will only be a light bit of jogging to stay loose.
It seems like only yesterday that I stumbled across that video on youtube of the celebrities making their journey to the Summit of Kilimanjaro. In just a few short weeks I will be following in their footsteps. I don't expect it will be a walk in the park. I know it will be the toughest thing I have ever done in my life. But I am ready, and I am looking forward to the challenge.

Brecon Beacons

Today, I went to Brecon Beacons to test myself on the highest point in South Wales. I only decided last night that today was the day for it. I left home just after 6am and made the 3 hour drive to Cwmgwdi, which is just outside of Brecon. After parking my car I hit the trail. It was already hot at 9.15 am, I knew that today was going to be a real test for me. The combination of the hard trail and the weather would be a challenge.

I set off for the ridge, I appeared to be the only person on the trail. It was a steady climb over pretty good terrain. I had learnt from my recent Ben Nevis experience about the importance of taking rests. So a couple of times I stopped just to gather myself and take on some water.
 My rucksack today was fully loaded. I had my hydration pack in my rucksack, filled with 2 litres of water. The hydration pack is a clever device. Simply put its a big bag which you fill with water and place in your rucksack. There is a tube attached to the bag which you draw water from. It saves you having to reach for water bottles. I did have two one litre bottles full with water as well. Also in my rucksack were my trusty waterproof trousers and jacket..(just in case) a pack lunch and sun block completed the pack.
As I pushed on and reached the ridge I was really impressed. The views were amazing. I could see for miles.
I began to search for my target..Pen y Fan. The summit of Pen y Fan is 886 meters. It is the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons and in fact, the highest point in South Wales. It did not take me long to find it, towering in the distance. I kept a good pace over the ridge heading towards it and began my ascent.
I was feeling really motivated to get to the top, failure just was not an option. As I got to the last part it was incredibly steep. I refused to be intimidated by it though. I took a rest break at the foot of the last part of it. I took my rucksack off, dropped my walking poles on the ground and just tried to relax and concentrate on what I wanted to do. After about five minutes I got myself prepared to go for it. I watched as a small group made their way up ahead of me. I waited to give them space, so that we would not be in each others way, and then I started moving.
The terrain under foot was rock, it was not bad and gave me good grip. As I got further up, and closer to the top I realised my walking poles would not help. I would have to use my hands to help me scramble to the top. In the heat it was a difficult task. It was energy sapping, but I was so determined to reach the top, and too scared to look back and retrace my steps I think. Finally..I scrambled up to the peak.
I was ecstatic to reach the top. I threw my rucksack down and punched the air. I took a moment to look down at where I had come from and I enjoyed the same feeling that I experienced at Ben Nevis, pride and elation.
I took a well earned rest and had something to eat, then I scanned the horizon..I wasn't finished yet. Soon I saw what I was looking for,over to my right. Corn Du is Pen y Fan's slightly shorter neighbour standing at 873 meters. Within 10 minutes I was celebrating a double summit and looking up at Pen y Fan from the top of Corn Du.
After I had enjoyed the success and the spectacular views I began my descent back down the ridge to my car. It was scorching hot now, I was glad to be going down not up. I passed a few people making their ascent and wished them luck. Eventually I reached the foot of the ridge and finished my lunch sat next to my car. It had taken me just over 5 hours to do the 7 and a half mile route.
I made my way home, thankfully missing any big traffic jams and arrived home around 5.30pm. It had been a long day, but one that I was very pleased with. It's just over 6 weeks until I go to Kilimanjaro, the excitement is building inside me, but now so is the momentum.

Ben Nevis

On Thursday 20th June I set off Northwards for what would be my toughest challenge yet...Climbing the highest mountain in the United Kingdom,standing at 1344 Meters(4,409ft)...Ben Nevis. I had planned the trip sometime ago. It had bothered me that I had not reached the top of Mount Snowdon a few months ago due to the poor weather, so I decided that I would try Ben Nevis and hope for better weather. I decided to drive to Scotland but would stop in Preston overnight on the way up to break the journey. I checked in to a hotel just off the motorway and spent the night there.
The following morning I began the long drive north of the border. The farthest north I think I have previously been is the Lake District, so once I eventually passed signs to the lakes I was in new territory. Once I finally got off the motorway I enjoyed driving through stunning scenery and was constantly amazed by how beautiful the countryside was. Several times I felt I had to stop the car and take some photo's and just take everything in. I arrived into my bed and breakfast in Corpach, which is just outside Fort William in the late afternoon. I had a nice view of Loch Linhe and endless mountains.
I had booked to go with a guide up Ben Nevis on Sunday, so I had a free day to explore on the Saturday. I decided I wanted to do a little walking to just get myself ready for the next day, but at the same time I did not want to overdo things. I found a car park just outside of Glencoe with a path leading up to the mountains.
I decided I would walk no more than 90 minutes up the mountain and then turn around and go back to the car. The weather was not brilliant, it was raining, but it did not spoil my enjoyment. I had to pinch myself. Here I was,walking in the Highlands. It has always looked nice on any tv programme or film I have watched, but being there was something special.
That night, my thoughts turned to Ben Nevis. I was very excited, but self doubt began to creep in. Could I make it to the top? Had I trained hard enough for it? Was I ready? I reassured myself that I was capable of doing it, and I tried to imagine being at the top. Ultimately I knew that one way or another all the questions would be answered the next morning.
I met my guide,Peter at 8.45 at the Ben Nevis Inn. There were another 6 people in the group, After we had introduced ourselves and made final checks to our kit, we were off. We set off in single file along a trail. We could not actually see Ben Nevis from the start. We had to use a trail to bring us on to it. Our guide paced us  well and we did make rest stops. On the first part of the walk I noticed I was really hot even though it was a very overcast damp day. I had put too many layers on from the beginning,expecting it to be cold. I took off my raincoat and a t-shirt leaving me with just my baselayer shirt and felt much more comfortable. I only put all my layers back on very close to the top.
The route began to climb and I could feel that I was working hard. I stayed towards the middle of the group and felt I was doing ok. After a while I found my rhythm,and just kept moving forwards. The terrain on the lower part of the climb was all small stones and rocks and steps. They were not too difficult. However I did think to myself it might be tricky on the way back down.
After about two hours we reached the Red Burn. This is a waterfall where we could fill up our water bottles. Peter told us we were now halfway to the top. That made me feel really good. Ok so far it had not been a walk in the park, but I had managed it, and I was feeling fine. All of a sudden I had got some real self belief and I just knew I was going to reach the top. I kept telling myself that. The views of the valley below were stunning, but we could not see the top of Ben Nevis. The cloud was low and Peter believed, unless the weather changed we would not have much of a view at the top.
As we pushed on higher the terrain took on an almost lunar like appearance. It was very dark rock, the mist had come in and it was very eerie. Our path zig zagged up the mountain and we made good progress. Peter said there were 9 zig zags to do to get to the plateau then the summit would be 1 kilometre from there. I was couting everytime we changed direction, getting closer and closer to the top.
Before I knew it I heard Peter say five hundred meters to go. I was quite tired up to that point but it just gave me and the rest of the group a real boost. My lungs were filling up with air faster, my legs were lighter. I was going to make it. I felt so good. The final push took us over a little bit of snow. This did need some extra care as it was slippery under foot.
The trig point and summit marker was a great sight to see. We reached this just after 1pm After we had congratulated each other and had our photo's taken, I took a moment to myself. I found a rock to sit on..as it turns out a freezing cold and damp one so I didn't sit for long. But I just looked up at the cloudy sky and let the accomplishment sink in. All the doubts had gone, all the questions had been answered. Yes I could reach the top of Ben Nevis, yes I had trained hard enough for it, and yes I had indeed been ready for it.
After a brief while we began the long descent. We followed the same route. I was aware that it was much faster to go down. We did have to take care in places as it really was steep and some rain had fallen to make some of the stones quite slippery...as I found out. I lost my footing once, and somehow broke my fall with my rucksack and my little fingers of all things. Thankfully no broken bones but one finger got a small cut and the other ended up all bruised. Still it took my mind off my legs which had been aching.
Eventually we reached the Ben Nevis Inn again. My car was a sight for sore eyes at 4.30 pm. Having said our goodbyes I got in my car and drove back to my Bed and Breakfast. Grinning from ear to ear the whole way I think.
I enjoyed that evening in a local pub with some well deserved drinks and a nice meal. The following day I began the trip home. I had decided to drive the whole distance in one day. It took 11 hours with a couple of stops for refreshments and to stretch my legs.
It really was a great weekend and a great experience and a timely morale booster with less than 9 weeks to go before I head to Africa.

High Altitude and the High Commision

With not long to go I (11 weeks, eek!) I had to get the paperwork done. I decided rather than apply by post for my visa to enter the United Republic of Tanzania, that I would go to the Tanzania High commission in London and apply for it in person.The plan was to apply for my visa on the Monday and pick it up the following day. I arrived into London early by train and went to the Tanzania High commision to hand my application and passport in. I decided to stay in London overnight to avoid travelling back and forth and made a day of it Monday. The hotel I booked was right across the road from the Natural History and Science museums so I went for a visit around both of them, after I had spent Monday morning and lunch in Picadilly Circus.
I had also booked an appointment at the Altitude centre in London for the Tuesday, for a consultation. After a leisurely Tuesday morning I made my way to the centre in central London. After a few  tests of my blood pressure and lung capacity, I was given a high altitude test. This involved using an oxygen mask hooked up to a special machine. I breathed normally through the mask for five minutes. The machine was set up to simulate 5,500m  above sea level. I then had to do the same thing with the machine set to 3500m above sea level.
The results seemed quite encouraging. The oxygen levels in my blood were measured and it showed that my body did cope quite well with the increased altitude, and I was also able to recover quickly when the mask was removed.
I was really pleased that I did the test. I have read up on the effects of altitude and it was a slight concern to me, the last thing anyone wants is to get unwell on a big mountain. But I feel a little bit more prepared for it now and hopefully I wont suffer too much at the high altitude.
After my visit to the altitude centre I went back to the High commission where my passport with visa were waiting for me to collect. I then travelled back home with another thing on the list ticked off.

Another walking weekend

Bank Holiday weekend. 25th and 26th of May saw me out walking, and working hard at my training again. On the Saturday I revisited the Malverns. I was very impressed on my first visit and could not resist going again. My route this time was shorter than the first time, as I parked in British Camp car park. However I still climbed Black Hill,Jubilee Hill,Perseverance Hill, then on to Summer Hill and Worcestershire Beacon, and then retraced my route to my car. It was a beautiful day sunny, and dry. As I started early, it only started to get really hot as I was finishing. It struck me that I found the climbs a little easier than my first visit. I kept looking at the peak of the hill ahead of me, keeping my head up and powering up the hills with the help of my walking poles. The larger hills I walked more slowly but tried to keep a good rhythm. I was very pleased that I did not stop once on my way up any of the hills. I paused at the foot of each one, and at the top.
It was a very good walk, and it was very useful in working my legs on big hills again.

The following day I decided to go and try the newly opened North Dorset Trailway. It follows the old railway line from Blandford Forum to Sturminster Newton. I have to say it was excellent. A very good job has been done paving the route and putting up good signs. Its almost completely enclosed and away from the roads apart from having to cross one or two very small lanes. I made my mind up that I was going to walk all the way to Sturminster Newton and back to Blandford. At 9 miles each way it was going to be one of my longer walks. I set off mid afternoon, it was quite busy with other walkers, cyclists, and runners. The terrain was, very good. The first 3 miles to Stourpaine were paved, I then walked through the village onto the next part where I found more well surfaced paths. I ended up on the platform of Shillingstone station. There is a fantastic restoration project going on there. The station looks very impressive and appeared busy with visitors/ I walked by carrying on to Sturminster Newton. Once I reached the car park there I turned around and retraced my route to Blandford.
I spotted Hambledon Hill off of the track rising above the countryside, that is an old Hill fort. I think I will be paying that a visit in the not too distant future. But it wouldn't be today.
Throughout I kept a good pace, perhaps a little fast. I worked out I was walking at about 3 miles per hour. I could really feel that in my legs about 4 miles from Blandford. But I pressed on and reached my car around 7.30pm
I am now getting more confident with my fitness and my ability to do long walks on consecutive days. I really feel like I am pushing on with my training and getting more and more prepared for the challenge of a lifetime which seems to be approaching very quickly now. The days and weeks just seem to be flying by. In addition to my training I am still working my way through my kit list. I now have all the clothing I need. All I really need now is a few more bits and pieces. Once I have everything I will list what I am taking with me.

Snowdonia

My training moved up another gear over the weekend of May 10-12. Action Challenge,( The company who are taking me to Kilimanjaro) organised a training weekend in Snowdon, which I attended. I left home late morning on Friday the 12th heading for North Wales. I was very excited about this weekend. It was going to be a good opportunity for me to really test myself and measure my fitness. It would also be a good chance to walk as part of a group. Which is something I had not done, to date. And meet people doing the same thing as me.
I made pretty good time and just needed to make one stop on the M5 for a break and something to eat. I arrived at the Youth Hostel in Nant Gwynant around 17.30. The last 50 miles or so of the drive were amazing, going through breathtaking scenery.
I checked in and met the Guides who would be taking the weekend. I shared the room with 4 other guys. The room was a barracks type set up, with bunkbeds. I found a lower bunk and got myself sorted out and then got chatting to other people on the weekend. It was good to hear how other people were getting on with their training, and it made me feel good to know that my training was very similar. So I was, doing the right things.
After a nice chilli con carne dinner, our lead guide explained what would happen over the weekend. The initial plan was to climb Mount Snowdon on Saturday. However, the weather forecast was very grim. Heavy rain, high wind, lightning, and low cloud. Our guide felt that those conditions would not be good to attempt to summit Snowdon. He had a back up route for us, which would involve going towards the summit but not quite to the top. A final decision would be taken in the morning as to what we would do.
I did not get a great deal of sleep that night, being in a strange bed maybe, with a mix of excitement about the following day possibly.
The next morning after breakfast we were told that we would not be going to the summit. I was a little disappointed on the one hand, but on the other hand it was the safe decision and I could fully understand that. We set off from Nant Gwynant to Pen-Y-Pass. We went off road and followed trails through absolutely stunning scenery through a big valley.
There was a group of about 30 of us, with two guides, one at the front, one at the back. I remembered the advice my doctor gave me, for when I go to Kilimanjaro, about aiming to be the last person into camp, so, I decided to walk towards the rear of the group. Conditions were a little tricky, It was raining hard and conditions under foot were slippery, I ended up on my bottom several times. After a couple of hours and a steep climb, we reached a cafe for a very welcome latte, and lunch.
We then set off up the Pyg Track. This, I found quite challenging in parts. It was a very steep climb over stone and rock steps. Some of the steps were so high I had to lift my legs almost knee high to climb up the next step. My walking poles really helped me here to keep my balance and take some of the load off of my legs. I was certainly working hard, but I felt that I was managing ok. I wasn't going to set any speed records, I just kept going nice and steady. I started off towards the middle of the group and again drifted towards the back.
The sun did appear but briefly, The rain was very heavy and the wind in exposed areas was pretty strong. We eventually descended down a steep grass hill and on to the Miners Path and made it back to the cafe, for another latte. After which we followed our route back to the hostel in Nant Gwynant. It was a 9 hour day. It felt like we had walked 100 miles but it was actually only 10.
I was tired by the end but I had really enjoyed the day. It had given me some real confidence. I was thinking if I could get through a tough day like that, I was doing well.
After a cheeseburger dinner and a drink we sat down for a Kilimanjaro briefing. Our guide had climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro 3 times already, so he knew what he was talking about. I listened intently to what he was saying, what it was going to be like, tips on what things to take in my kit bag. I thought to myself This is getting real now, and fast approaching. It was an exciting prospect,
The next morning we set off after breakfast on a shorter walk. We took the Watkin Path, which was very close to our hostel. The plan was to just do a 4 hour walk, as the day before had been a long one. It was a steep climb in parts, but it was manageable. The rain soon arrived and lashed down on us. Our lead guide stopped us and explained about the need to take it very slowly on Kilimanjaro. A slow pace would help us acclimatise and give us a greater chance of reaching the top. He then led us for about 10 minutes at the pace we would be walking, all the way up Mount Kilimanjaro. It was really slow maybe a mile an hour pace. It was helpful to have the demonstration. I had been walking far to fast on my own during my training. Not a bad thing in terms of increasing my fitness. But, now I can practice with the sort of pace I need in Tanzania.

I left the hostel at about 12.30 having said my goodbyes and made my way home. A long 5 and a half hour drive in the pouring rain. No surprises that all I could think about was Mount Kilimanjaro. I did not reach the top of Snowdon, but now I was absolutely determined that I would reach the roof of Africa. But I am off to Ben Nevis in June for more training first.

Navigational Issues on Watership Down.

On the 17th April I set out early to do a walk over Watership Down and the surrounding area. It was supposed to be a 15 mile walk. It ended up a little more than that. I parked up and got walking at 0730 following the Wayfarers Walk. It was a mix of grass tracks and lanes that took me over beautiful countryside through Oakley and Overton. I also walked by the source of the River Test. I followed the Test to a crossing point, where I underestimated the 'Infant river' and got my feet soaked.My dismay compounded by the next crossing point being under a few feet of water, I ended up retracing my route, getting my feet wet again and finding a way around it. Things started to go very wrong when I ended up on the downs. I followed the 'wayfarers walk' sign but somehow went off track. I had to rely on the gps on my mobile phone to find a way back to my car along busy roads. By the time I got back to the car it was 1730. I had originally thought the walk would take me 6 hours or so, so clearly I did more than 15 miles, I think it was probably closer to 20. I was pretty tired by the time I eventually got home, but quite pleased that I had gutted it out for 10 hours with just a short lunch break. Some days on Kilimanjaro I could be walking for 10 hours or more, so this turned out to be good practice. Thankfully, and perhaps reassuringly for my family and friends I will have guides on the Mountain, so my sense of direction will not be put to the test.