After a forty minute delay we flew out of Kilimanjaro on Tuesday evening. Rob’s comfort on the flight was only slightly impaired by a strange little lady sitting behind him who was more restless than any toddler I have yet to come across (and remember I am the mother of Joe and Ellie). Obviously Rob coped with the regular disturbances in his usual stoic, non-complaining manner.

Arriving in Zanzibar we were met by Africa’s own Ayrton Senna who proceeded to try to make up for our forty minute flight delay on a forty five minute transfer.

He seemed totally unfazed by people, other vehicles, livestock or roadworks on the road and drove at a consistent (very fast) speed throughout the treacherous journey. My heart rate went higher than it had at any point on the Kilimanjaro climb and even Rob, who is usually calm in the face of excess speed showed clear signs of evident relief when we were deposited safely at Seles Bungalows.

Both of us were too tired to explore when we arrived as it was about 10.30pm and since arriving in Africa, about 8.30pm has become our self governed curfew.

After a restful night’s sleep in our, ‘Princess and the Pea’ like bed we awoke to our own perfect paradise.

Although our room is compact and quite basic consisting of a bed, bathroom and bookshelf we have had no use for anything else as all our time has been spent outdoors.

We have found a Molly replacement who is equally as lethargic!

Ten steps to the never ending beach – we have walked 2 and a half kilometres each way and still found no evidence of it ever stopping.

My ribs seem to be improving a little each day and although Rob has a slightly upset tummy🤒we are otherwise in fine form. The ‘having very little to do’ lifestyle is quite easy to adjust to and seems to be suiting is quite well. I’m sure if Rob runs out of Netflix series or my kindle ever runs out of new books (6 so far) then we may rethink. Until then we’ll struggle through.

Lots of love to everyone at home – especially Ali whose birthday it is today. Xxx

Never have we spent so much time horizontal.🤣Since coming down from Kilimanjaro all we have seemed to do is eat and sleep so on Monday, after a trip back to the clinic for a check up on the ribs and lungs we decided to explore Moshi centre.

After the total peace and relative solitude of Lindrin Lodge the centre of Moshi was a direct contrast and a welcome distraction.

After a lovely lunch at Mimosa with our guides from our shortened trek we (very slowly) wandered into Moshi. It was lovely to see Michael and Francis again and hear how our group had fared without us. We were so pleased that Josh and Sudar had succeeded (where I (not we – ask Rob) had failed).

On reaching Moshi the life, noise and colour were everywhere. The pavements were non existent or badly broken making (even slow) walking difficult but it was lovely to be somewhere alive and vibrant and although we appeared to be the only tourists anywhere we felt very safe and welcomed – never more so than when we met Chaz and James, two of our (favourite) porters, on the Main Street.

The only marring of the outing was a motorbike crash at a crossroads of the Main Street. It was the oddest experience to hear and witness the incident and watch the reaction. Although everyone on the streets stopped and observed nobody went to the four motorcyclists aid and cars and lorries continued around them.

Thankfully all four young males were up and walking in seconds and within a minute they had picked up their possessions, helmets and bikes and everything had moved on.

Our reunion with Josh and Sudar and their tales of the remainder of the trip finished a largely lovely day.

I’m so sorry for the lack of pictures here but I’ll make up for it now.

Our last day in Moshi, on a recommendation from Paris, was spent at some local hot springs. Although I’d remembered most of the details she’d shared such as the name (Kikuletwa) and it’s beauty, I had forgotten that she’d said the road to it was fairly bumpy!!!! Paris, that was the biggest understatement ever.

Forty five minutes of our driver negotiating boulders nearly as big as Kilimanjaro and pot holes the depth of the Nile we arrived at a mini paradise. I won’t try to describe it, I’ve said enough – here are some pictures and videos which still don’t really do it justice.

I’ll try not to bore you with posts everyday but at the moment, apart from reading (any good suggestions gratefully received), chatting to Rob or chatting to all of the successful summiteers returning in euphoria there is very little to do. We are however, very much enjoying the relaxation, sunshine and varying views of Kilimanjaro as it fades and appears from among the clouds.

The gardens and pool are beautiful and there is an amazing volleyball court which, if I were in a fitter state I would definitely take advantage of (Joe and Ellie know how much I love volleyball on holiday and are particularly delighted when I intervene and organise the game when it’s not being played properly).

After returning from the hospital yesterday we spent at least fifteen hours sleeping (so glad to be out of sleeping bags and tents) and the rest of the time in or lying by the pool. Things could definitely be worse!

Although we are extremely disappointed at not reaching the summit we did receive an email earlier from our two lovely companions on our trek (Josh and Sudar) to say they had reached base camp and will attempt the summit from midnight. Good luck boys, wish we were with you. Xx

Rob’s first attempt at video making with his GoPro

https://gopro.com/v/4JOOD99qbdBp

We said you probably wouldn’t hear from us again until Monday but very disappointingly we didn’t manage to reach the summit.

Day 1 we started at Machame gate with our two fellow trekkers, Josh and Sudar, twelve porters, two guides and one chef. The staff of Monkey adventures are amazing and continued to be so throughout our curtailed trip.

We walked about 12km through rainforest, a total of about six hours – I couldn’t believe we could possibly walk so slow but as we climbed it was really necessary, as were frequent breaks to drink the recommended three litres of water. By the time we reached Machame gate we were very ready for dinner and the comfort of our compact tents.

After a slightly restless night (getting up for the loo five times – started by going to toilet block but soon abandoned this five minute trek for the convenience of behind the tent) we started day 2. This was a much shorter trek of just 5km, starting in rain forest but soon progressing to Heath and moorland. We started off lively….enjoying the changing landscape and better views but after a couple of hours trekking took every opportunity to take a little rest.We were very relieved to reach Shira camp and were all in bed before 8.

Day 3 dawned with another full on schedule of 7 hours of trekking. With everything going well and both of us feeling good apart from slight headaches we felt confident as we reached Lava Tower at 4,600 metres – much higher than we’d ever been before. We were pretty tired but after an hours lunch break were revived enough to continue a two hour descent to our next camp at Barranco.

All was going well until about twenty minutes in I had a slide and hit my left side on a pointed rock. Francis, one of our lovely guides, picked me up and although it felt a little sore and I was slightly winded I was fine to walk on to camp. After arriving at camp and signing in Rob and I were just waiting for our companions, Josh and Sudar to also sign in when I sneezed and felt something pop. It was extremely painful and after lots of painkillers and a very uncomfortable night later we decided I had to give up. Uhuru Peak had felt firmly within our reach with amazing snow capped views of it as we climbed but it wasn’t to be.

Despite our agreement that if one of us failed the other should continue Rob couldn’t leave me (concern or temptation of helicopter ride?) and we were ‘choppered’ out at 10am this morning. After a day spent in Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and the diagnosis of a fractured rib we are safely back at the hotel and resting.

Such a good day………

After a fantastic breakfast at our lodge we were driven to a small village called Maruni, it is at about 2,000 metres and is the second from last village on the way up Kilimanjaro.

The village makes organic coffee and gave us a detailed, hands on tour of the whole process, from picking and shelling the beans to pouring the coffee, with singing from start to finish. Despite my dislike of coffee I loved every stage and even tried a little taste😫. With lots of sugar it was bearable!

We then walked for an hour up the beautiful mountain to an amazing waterfall – about 75 metres high.

Despite the extreme cold I had to swim as nature was calling and unlike Rob I can’t just go behind the nearest tree.🤣

After our swim and a quick dry off and change we walked back to the village for a home cooked traditional lunch of rice, meat, savoury bananas??? And vegetables. It was slightly odd but so, so good.

Tonight we have had our pre climb briefing and organised everything ready for tomorrow’s first day of climbing.

We are both very excited but fairly apprehensive too.

We probably won’t be able to post anything now until we’re back from the climb next Monday.

Wish us luck and say a little prayer for our safe ascent and return.

Akuna matata, Asente

After about 20 hours of travelling, rearranging parts of our luggage when Rob’s suitcase was too heavy 🤣 or waiting at airports we finally arrived at our destination. Paris, you were right – there is still absolutely nothing to do or buy at Addis Ababa airport! Luckily I just caught up on sleep as I had been sat by an extremely large lady on the previous 9 hour flight. She had spilled over the seat and arm rest leaving no room to manoeuvre at all. With Rob, who as we know is never very tactile, the other side of me I found it easier to wander the aeroplane gangways than squeeze back into my limited space.

Enough of the journey – we are safely here and don’t have to visit another airport for at least a week.🤣 Before that we have the small matter of a large mountain to climb!!

What better place to stay than where you get up in the morning and the first thing you can see is the MASSIVE mass you are about to trudge up. This coupled with hearing from all of the fellow residents, who are relaxing after their climb, how hard it is seems the perfect preparation.

The above is not a brilliant picture but above the clouds, just on the left you can see the snow capped peak. I’m hoping to get a better pic WHEN (not if) we reach the top.

Today is a day of relaxation by the pool and a visit to some local waterfalls.

If WiFi allows we’ll tell you more later.

Lots of love to all. Xxx

So we’re finally on our way.

After a couple of weeks of goodbyes (some a little emotional) we are very happy to have safely arrived at Heathrow (thank you Rois and Noel).

Rob is already looking like a seasoned traveller with his developing beard!!!

For those of you have been asking here is our itinerary so far;

Today – fly to Kilimanjaro via Ethiopia, arrive at 1pm tomorrow and transfer to Lindrin Lodge

7th and 8th – relax and acclimatise

9th – Start our ascent of Kilimanjaro

14th – Hopefully teach the summit and start our descent

16th – fly to Zanzibar for 8 nights

24th – Fly to Entebbe, spend three nights in Kampala finding out about the Xavier project

27th – Travel to Rwamwanja for Volunteering,

Here it gets a little sketchy as we’re not sure how long we will be volunteering for. We plan at least two weeks but hopefully (Rob permitting) we’ll stay a little longer.😊

After this we plan to head south on along train journey to Zambia, maybe a little safari here then on to Botswana and on into South Africa.

14th December – Our next definite date, our flight from Cape Town to Dubai

15th – arrive in Dubai, two nights to explore

17th – fly to Bangkok

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK

(It’s actually three nights but I needed to say that 🤣)

20th – Flight to Koh Samui

22nd – Joe and Ellie arrive😊😊😊 move to our Christmas villa. Stay here until January 5th!

Rest to be confirmed at a later date

Got to go, we’re boarding.

Aaaaggghhhh

With so much still to do……

Rob donned Lycra (any excuse) and went off on his bike with Tom DodgEson for a few hours

I went off on a Spa day with Maria, very relaxing thank you

Then we both went to see ‘A Star is Born’ (well worth seeing btw).

Thank you to Lou Lou who stayed and cleaned our house while we were out!😘

It is suddenly dawning on us that this day week we will be in Africa and part way up Kilimanjaro!

Time for sleep as we have lots to do tomorrow to make up for our lack of productivity today.🤣

With just four days to go and lots still to do there’s a feeling that time is running short…….

So we have prioritised.

The dogs’ kennel is cleaned and freshened and we have stocked them up with food and treats, they’ve had extra walks and lots of cuddles

We have emptied lots of the furniture from our house ready for our lovely tenants and most importantly we have been to visit and say goodbye to our baby girl.

After a short trip to Zizzi’s and the bullring our hearts are a little heavier but Rob’s wallet is considerably lighter!!