Weekend Wash Up - 26th Nov

Two months today until my size five feet leave base camp and start the epic climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.  It would be rude not to post today.

Not much has been happening but at the same time lots has been going on.  So read on for a quick update as we get ever nearer the big climb.

Getting the essentials done

Flights, accommodation, insurance, injections....you name it it needs to be done.  BUT we have now broken the back of it.  Everything is now booked up and in place.  This week was the final "admin" day when we went to London to get our Visa's from the Tanzanian Embassy.  It did rather hit home then.

Training

Training is still ongoing.  I have mixed it up a bit as a new swimming pool has recently opening just 0.6km from work.  Better still its right on my bus route so I can go before or after work  - or even in my lunch break!!  No excuses.

When I say a 'new' pool, its actually very, very old.  The Thames Lido recently reopened after a three year long restoration project.  The original pool first opened to the public in 1902 as the ladies swimming bath and is believed to be the oldest surviving outdoor municipal pool of the early Edwardian era.  The pool was closed to the public in 1974.

Not only does the Lido give lucky people like me the opportunity to get fit in beautifully restored historic surroundings but it also includes a spa and restaurant.  So you can make a day of it - swim, pamper and eat.

Photo courtesy of Thames Lido

Photo courtesy of Thames Lido

Keeping the character alive (Photo courtesy of Thames Lido)

You can find out more about the Thames Lido here.

Getting over the tent

We have also had the hotel confirmed for the nights we won't be sleeping under the stars and over the spiders on the mountain.  We have one night in Tanzania before we set off and two nights after the climb when we visit the school and enjoy a safari.

We will be staying at the Outpost Lodge in Arusha and are already dreaming of that first shower and sleep in a proper bed!

Fundraising

Just a quick update on fundraising.

As me and Susie are fundraising for different charities we have set up a joint fundraising page for any of our work colleagues to be able to donate to both of us.  Any donations will simply be split between us equally.  This joint campaign got a massive kick start with a donation of £2,000 from the EMEA team at work.  Thats £1,000 for each of our chosen charities!

After some very generous donations, I am only £200 away from my personal target of £2,000.  This is the amount I am aiming to raise via my personal donations page on this blog.  Wouldn't it be lovely if I could reach that by Christmas!!

Tuesday, 28th November is Giving Tuesday.  Why not mark this global giving day by making a small donation to my fundraising efforts.  It would be lovely to end the year on a high!!!

The Pennines

Last weekend we visited my sister Vikki for a walk through the Pennines, a range of mountains and hills in North England.  Often described as the "backbone of England" the Pennines form more or less a continuous range stretching northwards from the Peak District in the northern Midlands, through the South Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines up to the Tyne Gap.

L-R: Vikki, Michael, Graham...and me!

The walk Vikki & Michael had planned for us took around six hours, it included every terrain possible and was great training for me as it had lots and lots of steep bits.  We set off in proper Yorkshire weather - wind and rain.  We continued in proper Yorkshire weather, and at the end the day it was a typical Yorkshire day - windy and wet.

But that didn't put us off - onwards and upwards.

We stopped for lunch at a lovely secluded waterfall and enjoyed a picnic before heading back through the trees, around the rocks, up the slopes and most importantly to the pub at the end.

Coming back we walked through a National Trust area and walked a different route, along the river.  It was a beautiful walk but made that much harder by the weather.  Most of the walk was on rocks, which were very slippery from all the rain.  Every step needed to be carefully planned so you didn't slip - we did see the mountain rescue truck speed past at one point so it wasn't a lovely day for everyone unfortunately.

In total we walked 16.7 km, thats 25,134 steps.  In total I burned 1,142 calories so felt I had earned the cold, refreshing beer (and proper toilet) waiting for me at the end.

In contrast, I'm writing this blog post from the Maldives.  Hot and sticky, where you want to stay inside for different reasons, spending the day dreaming of the air conditioning.

This is my last 'treat' before the big climb so I'm making the most of it.  However, the all inclusive meals are proving a challenge.  I'm managing to maintain my high protein diet and have been continuing with my daily planks - I even packed my gym kit and have been weight training in the hotel gym.

That said, I'm not going to deprive myself of some of the luxuries the Maldives has to offer.....this is my view whilst writing this post from the decking of my beach bungalow.  It is not at all like the views I will get on Kilimanjaro, I love the diverse nature and cultures of the world, we should be doing everything we can to protect it.

It's not too late to sponsor me - every penny counts and is gratefully received!!