again to arrive just in time for my flight .

We hurriedly said our goodbyes haveing

swapped email addresses and have stayed in touch ever since as I would love to Invite
Nelson to our country to show him its great Beauty as he showed me his.

Carols climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 1
14th Feb 2014
I could go on forever about My African Trilogy but I wont spoil you with more facts and
hope you go off and try it for yourselfes and remember You after have a dream ,If you
dont have a dream . How ya gonna make a Dream come true ! If ya dont think happy
and you never have a dream then youl never have a dream come true.
The End

PEACE TO THE WORLD, I AM A CHAMPION is what I shouted with

exhilaration and fulfilment of completing this awesome task and adventure as I stood at
the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Peace to the world was what I have wished for every
time I pulled the dried out wishbone from the chicken after eating Sunday dinner as a
child and I still wish for the same.

Chiggins

I set off from Leeds / Bradford airport. It was so windy the plane shook nearly all the way
there! Still after two glasses of red wine and listening to great tunes on my mp4 player Id
just bought from a cash exchange shop for 20 I was buzzing and not even the thought of
the plane crashing could spoil my spirit of adventure ahead.

Carol Higgins Writer

The guys were ok so far as we arrived at the hotel in Heathrow at about 5pm.
The room was really modern and warm and I had my last bath for two weeks! At 7pm we
met Matt, our guide up the mountain, two Steves, James and me so far! Food was
enjoyable, I had 3 courses a prawn starter, steak n chips and cheese cake with a delicious
cherry and strawberry topping: two glasses of red wine - thats four today Ive had! Better
take it easy if I am going to be hydrated to get up the mountain. Steve 1 was acting
strange tonight at dinner, rather distant and not giving good eye contact and when I asked
for a knock at 3 in the morning because my phone is an old brick after loosing mine on
the snow slopes skiing he replied I cant but Steve 2 can which I found odd but not
because he always acted oddly around me!
I miss my two children Ella, Jake and also my boyfriend Stuart already. Only two weeks
to go before I see them again. Off to sleep now, I am up at 3am to catch a plane to
Amsterdam then to Africa should arrive at 9 tomorrow evening.

Notable acknowledgments:
Henry Clark Slight editor and sender
Jeremy Clark Tea maker

Day 2
15th Feb 2014
Woke up at 3am to set off in a taxi to the airport at 3.45 .Stuart called to wake me thank
god as Id called to ask him to before bed but when we got there the flight was cancelled.
I could not believe it and they re-scheduled us to fly the next morning at 6am.
We met Ying Ying, a Chinese lady at the airport. Steve 1 had decided that she was the
leader in the group in his eyes as she argued herself into flying with us on the cancelled
flight to Amsterdam after they wanted to separate us to get to Africa. She lived nearby so
we booked into the Ibis to have a disappointing day because this meant we couldnt catch

our connecting flight to Tanzania that evening. Ying Ying picked us up with her family
and we went to the oldest free standing pub in England for a meal. It broke the evening
up and they paid for everyones food. Her children said my stories of deep sea scuba
diving, skiing. Sky diving with the red devils and co piloting, camping and vagabonding
abroad alone as taught me a lot and inspired them to travel and explore lifes adventure. I
looked forward to once again getting up at 3am to catch the 6.45 plane to Amsterdam.

Day 3
16th Feb 2014
Arrived early in the morning, got on the plane SUCCESS! Until we got to Amsterdam
and was told they had over booked the plane by 11 people to Tanzania!
We were given 600 Euro to compensate our flight and 40 Euro in food vouchers. Still two
other flights cancelled and changed so I am going to complain to K.L.M airlines and try
to claim other losses like paying for taxis and hotels. The money wasnt important; I just
wanted to climb Kilimanjaro.
Everyone was on the flight except both Steves and quite obviously (me)! Steve 1 tried to
get us on the plane by arguing with the staff and so did I but to no avail. The desk
manager was nervously laughing and I shouted at her with tears in my eyes saying (Im
not laughing feeling helpless seeing my Dream challenge going through the window. We
were discussing aborting the whole operation because of not having enough time to
acclimatize to the altitude if we left it any longer. We knew our health could be at stake
because of all the delays but then the flight manager agreed to place us on another flight
at 8:40 in the evening to Nairobi and we decided to take the risk... I ripped Mat our guide
a new arshole (not my words Steve 2 told me to write that) for leaving me then he put the
phone down. Why leave me when two ladies could have gone together and he stays with
the two grumps: a bit like on the Titanic, (women first). I am sure he will say that he lost
connection after the line went dead!
All those flights cancelled, it couldnt get any worse and we was running out of time
to do the climb as we would not have time to acclimatize to altitude if we didnt set
off soon!
So, all day at the airport and tired out with all that compensation money to spend I
decided at 1.30pm to book into the Yotel in the airport for 4 hours. I could only sleep two
but still a chilled out space at 45 euro. It was like being in a space capsule all white and
clinical with just a sink, toilet and bed. Rows of these rooms are available to nap in and
you can see through some of the windows along a narrow corridor a bit like looking in
the window without the prostitute in it in Amsterdam! After I woke I ate a McDonalds to
refuel sat talking to 2 Steves.

just for them. They go to Nanja a government boarding school at eight and when they
leave after finishing A levels all the male African teenagers since last year have to join
military army for 3 to 6 months to learn self defence skills.
They use donkeys to go 20 to 40 klm to collect wood and water or go to a little famous
town called Mto-Mbu Moskito River or Damns.
I was greeted most splendidly by the Massai men dancing a spiritual ritual jumping up
and down with sticks singing blessings from god and then the ladies joined in. I was
moved by there simple lives and I joined in too feeling silly.. Babies were strapped to
mums and had flies on there faces that made me feel sorry for them. A leader took me
into his mud hut home made out of cow dung (not before he asked me to marry him; I
was flattered but told him prefer to stay single) and showed me the 3 very small rooms
they lived in. one for the mum n dad and one for the children to share and a room for the
calves to keep warm with a tiny fire in the middle. It wasnt big enough for one person
and you always had to crouch down. There was only slits in the cow dung and straw for
light that stuffed the wooden frame making life a million miles different from my own.
He showed me how to make a jug out of blood to carry milk and how they eat goat and
cows but not vegetables; I told him he looked good to say he didnt have his 5 a day.
We walked up the field further to a small school packed with children learning the
Alphabet and counting. They sang for me and once again I was moved by there
enthusiasm as I have worked in many schools some things are the same wherever you are
in the world just without its frills ! They created beautifully crafted things, bright
coloured jewellery, bags, utensils selling them so I bought a key ring I see everyday that I
love.
Time was moving on and we had far to drive still before night to reach Tangire national
Park. The days are long and crammed full with adventure and it was my last night in this
Awsome country. We arrived for evening meal at the tent lodge around 9 am to an armed
Massai warrior guarding my room and taking me to the restaurant and then walking me
back. It was beautiful inside as usual with a Carved Giraffe four poster bed and white n
pink mosquito net. Before taking a shower I asked Gibson and Nelson to eat with me
enjoying talking about the differences in cultures and telling me what animals we would
see in the Tangier
National Park and asked if I wanted to see Africas most deadly Snakes, Crocodiles and
other reptiles at a sanctuary on the way to the airport after stopping off to buy gifts. I
jumped at the chance and the clear stary evening along with the food and wine was
delicious making me ready for bed for another early start. I had a whistle at my bedside
and my massia armed guard walked me back to my tent to guard all night from unwanted
preditors my visit always crammed with exciting adventue .
Gibson Pulled up in Nelsons Village and he had a boy waiting to run up to a hut bar and
get us 2 Bannana strong beers to celibrate the end of my Great Adventure then sped off

I dressed to kill as usual and everyone looked as I passed in my high heals and short dress
showing off one of my best assets into the bar/restaurant with an African band playing,
dressed like Zulu warriors drumming. I was aware I was being watched as I was alone
not having anyone to distract me from my surroundings where I headed straight for the
food and ate lots a different, tasty and colourful dishes washed down with red wine again
taking pictures and enjoying the dcor by myself. I am used to this having travelled
alone to different countries. Towards the end of the evening a foreign waiter came and sat
down at my table to tell me his life story and when the bar closed I said goodnight and
went to my room but the cheeky sod called it asking if I wanted company! (A bit
flattered) I said no Im going to sleep and put the phone down and nodded off till
6.30am when I woke and showered and got ready for a splendid breakfast of just made
pancakes and syrup, fruit, fresh tea n coffee on the balcony over looking breath taking
views, soaking in the morning sunshine till my boys turned up at 8.00 am.

7 pm and still waiting in the airport lounge waiting to board at 8.45pm. Hope this flight
and connecting one from Nairobi takes us to Kilimanjaro and glad I have my diary and
book to occupy me.

Day 4
17th Feb 2014
Arrived at Nairobi 7.15am after nine hour flight. I didnt sleep a wink but watched a
strange, sad film called the Butterfly effect. It moved me a lot. I drank lots of water
asking the flight attendants for the 2 ltr bottles they were pouring from and after I drank
two they would only serve me it by the cup. I ate knowing I had to fuel for energy as
there was no going to the hotel to prepare as pre planned we was going straight to the
mountain without proper rest.

Wednesday 26th Feb.

The NGORONGOR CRATOR is 80,300squ klm
As we drove down to into the crater Gibson stopped the Rover and said its ok to get out
amongst the zebras and I knew danger wasnt far cos I was told Hippos, Black Rhino,
Lions n Lioness were around but played it cool and posed for more shots. What an
adventure this was turning out to be. Elephants, Tembo in Swahili Call their leader mtric
Matrica the leader of Elephants family,. Sometimes there is up to a hundred in the heard.
The oldest takes care of the rest taking them to water and food ,shelter and can live up to
60to a 100 years old.
During going round the Conservation Park and watching Lions making out that only
lasted a few seconds reminded me of my ex husband. I was desperate for a pee and they
stopped and told me to go to the back of the jeep. OMG and did it , it was so fun all the
time Gibson stopping and starting pointing out every wild animal you can think of. The
Elephants was comig towards me then running away like they were performing .
we set off to my tent lodge in Tangire National Park This is called the Home of
Elephants. They will stray outside the parks in competition for food and I had my eyes
scanned not wanting to miss a single treat of seeing anything wild. Here the Baobab
Eliphent tree is very large and lots of them to shade under as its very hot here. This tree
cannot survive in the Ngoro Ngoro as its too cold believe it or not. I was stood up in the
back of a posh jeep again living out another dream looking at all this reaching my head
out trying to get a tan .
Nelson asked if I would like to see a Massia village as we drove through a town called
Kisongo being driven like miss daisy and I excitedly said yes.
He told me how the men have up to 15 wives and how the woman is friendly to each
other! They might have 200 children between them so the government build a school

This airport in Nairobi is proper old fashioned and I am now waiting for my flight to
Kilimanjaro airport. Its raining on landing but quite warm. I feel a little unnerved at the
seriousness of the people and the way the African people look! Big eyes, sweaty, hot and
bothered.
After one hour we caught our flight to Kili and after applying for our visas which was
funny because the African guard came and took me out of the queue, straight to the front
desk making me think this is or right but what does he want! It was nothing he was just
being kind prob seeing how knackered I looked. We met up with all the other trekkers we
was split from because of the K.L.M airlines and drove to the weighing in gates then on
to the starting point of our climb.
I loved travelling there watching African people and how they lived so richly off the land
that provides coffee beans, every fruit, vegetable going as they worked there crops dotted
around the surrounding jungle mountains, planting in-between other plants. I taytey
picked fields as a child some full of turnips, cabbages and other crops in the cold harvest
chill and all this reminded me of these times. I had plucked many a pheasant and pigeon,
skinned rabbit s made to survive off the land. All this reminding me of my inner basic
hunting spirit I wa taught from an early age.
Are we different tribes..!
Cattle were grazing, and goats walked by the road side, a man or a boy with a stick in his
hand waving it about to direct them to wherever there going. I didnt see any clothes
shops but lots of markets and people scattered on the roadside selling second hand
clothes, footwear, food, furniture, scrap yards, bars, cafes , businesses and much more
The people line the abundant palmed tree streets chatting ,women with babies strapped
to their backs wearing beautiful bright coloured clothes so chilled , chatting and friendly
seeming to be enjoying the simple things in life but you could see from the hot

conditions alone , unemployment and so many people it was too much to imagine how I
could live that way but sure I could for a while. There was what looked like enough food
and clothes to basically fill their needs living in white, square concrete sheds and tin huts.
I was amazed! Not all of it was poor by far allot of white houses and gardens were much
richer and many had nice cars. Its a very clean and beautiful country with great people,
food, beautiful smells of sunshine rich lush greenery everywhere till you get nearer the
Serengeti then it gets hotter with new smells of wild Animals.

This park is vast with very lush green plant life making it too cold for some animals to
live in even though its hot. Gibson would drive slowly along until we came to Elephants;
he would stop and point them out to me at first because they were camouflaged in the
trees. Soon I was taking pictures of small herds of them and my eyes were getting used to
spotting where they hang out mainly under trees grazing out of the heat.

We drove to the gates over mostly rough ground where they weighed our jagged globe
bags so the porters arent carrying too much. 15kg is our allowance I had 20kg so I had to
leave all of my luxuries behind. It was a nightmare devising what I would leave behind
and everyone could see me emptying my things even my knickers fell out onto the
mountainside though I tried to hide behind a land rover. 5 kg gone back to my hotel. with
my other bag for the safari I had arranged after my climb. I had to stuff it all in my other
holdall. No shampoo or a towel for 10 days.
Coffees, sweets, posh underwear, lotions, make- up OMG everything gone! I was
roughing it for the next 8 days. I forgot my hand towel in a panic!

I saw My Graceful Giraffe; Twiga in Swahili just how I imagined but a million times
better to see her roaming free in the wild with her young living amongst all the other
dangerous animals. Emu, Wilder beast, Antelope (Thomas Gazelle), one of many species
of them I was surprised to see. They remind me of the dear family. Zebras survive on
open grass land and bush, sleep while standing up as they lock there joints. There stripes
reflect the heat. Buffalo was a sad story when it came to the male bachelors cos they are
kicked out of the family made obsolete when there old not having any use anymore poor
things roaming missing their families . They might be glad to get rid anyway! Warthogs,
Blue monkeys being cheeky eating as they always do peeling nuts or grooming each
other not shy at all.

Finally we set off after two hours waiting for 80 other climbers or so to weigh their stuff
and get government permission to go on the mountain. After driving as near to the foot of
the mountain as possible as the roads got too muddy to go on and the Land Rovers were
nearly tipping over, the driver let us out at 5pm nearly two hours walk before we should
have reached the end of the road and from then on it was all on foot to get to the foot of
Kili to take the Lemosho route up the mountain.
We walked up hill and down through the jungle in the dark stumbling over tree roots and
rocks till 10.30 pm when we reached our first base camp at 2800 meters. I saw black and
white monkeys on the way, probably my size stood up and small black monkeys
swinging in the trees like in a Tarzan film. The rain forest was full of noise and not
knowing what owned it made it a bit scary. The stars were close and bright above the tall
trees and after 6 hours climbing up and down rough ground we walked into our first base
camp for the night to a fantastic home cooked dinner in a mess tent the porters had put
up for all our group of eight people to eat in.
I was surprised to see lots of other tents already there belonging to other groups of
climbers and felt excited about my expedition ahead even though I was exhausted from
my long journey.
My feet, legs and lower tummy are aching and painful even though I use my walking
poles to take the weight off my lower abdomen as I have had five operations in total in
that area. My last surgeon said they could of left a zip on it lol, still I am sure after
taking painkillers and a good nights sleep in the two man tent I am sharing with Ying
Ying I will be ready to start the 8 hour climb at 7.30 in the morn . Good night x

From Arusha to Lake Manyara we drove a couple of hours in blistering heat as the sun
rose further into the day.In between Arushu and Tanire Armed men patrol the area that
cant be built on as its owned by the government as Forest Reserves or Game. Pallowed
to tiail !! So many wonderful sights and now Im being driven to the Ngoro Ngoro
Crater Conservation Park with its magnificent flocks of thousands of pink coral
Flamingos that feed on alkaline water migrating to Lake Natro or East Kenya Lake
Nakuru for survival.
Lake Makti Soda Lake. Multiple Massai people live with here with their heard amongst
the Wild ones. The government know how many people live on the conservation park.
They can graze and water there animals but they cant grow maze, beans the government
bring these. When the dry season comes they migrate as do the Animals. Nelson tells of
how people get eaten rarely by the lions!
All the countryside is spectacular and the views down into the Crater that once stood as a
great big volcano sank into the ground creating this huge Avon for the wild. Nelson as
given me Binoculars and I can see the Elephant family. We take pictures both posing and
having fun along with Gibson then set off again to my Safari Lodge that overlooks all this
from my room of glass windows. Everything was beautiful and I checked in while the
guys went to the Staff quarters. I was alone in my luxurious room with a gin n tonic id
gone to the bar to order to take to back and have with my first bath in 12 days. It was
Lush and couldnt wait for dinner. I talked to Jake it was lovely to here him and catch up
I miss him and Ella very much especially our hugs and closeness we have.

possessions and showed me the busy trading places they get supplies and pointed out
underground springs and water they go to in tough dry season. Not all Massai migrate
some of the swamp land as enough water for them to settle permanently. The rice needs
lots of water to grow and there are 120 tribes that gather near to the mosquito river as the
supplies are plentiful.
Its a shock to see how everyday living is taken up just surviving and quite sad. Still its
fun listening to Nelsons calming; chilled voice trying to make out what hes saying
enjoying his broken Sexy English, African accent. Him and Gibson would sometimes talk
to each other in Swahili and I liked that too as I watched the world go by through the
window.
I was dressed in my cream, Mosquito proof safari shirt , denim short shorts and boots
with a kaki head band so I was looking the part except after two days my feet and ankles
where the size of melons from the heat in which later Nelson said I dint have to wear
boots, sandals would do and they soon went back down. We had a picnic for lunch that
the keys hotel packed up in the morning and we stopped at safari campsite with a pool to
eat it. I thought I could stay here with Jake n Ella.
Although I knew Nelson from the climb we hadnt chatted that much on it and
sometimes conversation didnt flow easy. I was tired from the entire travelling, still stiff n
sore from my climb and couldnt eat much from the heat and exhaustion having travelled
nearly 310klm Still lunch was very pleasant sitting under a big umbrella together chatting
and I was excited to see some wild animals
We took a left off the freeway and got onto a bumpy, dusty yellow road driving for about
an hour passing lush green country side surrounded with more stunning mountain views.
The Lake Manyana Park entrance was huge like being in a Durasic park film set.
Baboons some with babies hanging under their belly were coming to have a nosy , hoping
for scraps of food trying to get into the bins that was chained down ; you cant feed them
anyway or theyd never disappear ; they are well entertaining and cute with ugly, pink,
shiny arses waving at me in disgust from not feeding them
The museum as you walked into the entrance was full of interesting historical facts about
Wild Animals, tribes, volcanoes and how we have evolved to present day. We took lots of
photos then drove through the giant gates taking us miles again before we started to see
Blue monkeys as I stood up in the jeep with my head popping out of the sun roof feeling
like a Princess being well looked after.
As we drive further Im amazed at the sausage tree as you can guess as long, dangly
things hanging down, everything having something to do with survival in nature, its
awesome and he tells me what plants different animals like to eat. There are lots of
brightly colourerd birds flying around perching in trees making nests at arms length
away from snakes and other predators, it sure is beautiful.

Day 5
18th Feb 2014
1st base camp
I woke at 6.30am but wasnt leaving first base until 8.15. . The camp was still asleep so I
walked around with my camera filming everything and everyone I could see drinking in
all my surroundings as it all looked a lot different now in the daylight. I got myself a
cuppa and soon after everyone was up and about getting washed and dressed before
breakfast. We had porridge made out of maize and water, fruit and a fry up, tea, coffee
and juice and a briefing about altitude sickness and what we needed to carry that day. I
packed my things inside my tent so the porters could put it down and carry to the next
base camp that is at 3500m. I feel quite emotional writing this now. I am tired maybe
thats what it is; also it was hard to sleep on the rocky mountain. Still the Africans that we
meet are amazingly kind and friendly and I feel humble at their beautiful spirit, nature
and country.
Shira 1 is our second base camp and we climbed 8 hours through more jungle with a
heavy army rucksack on my back. I have learnt to be first into camp to bag the best tent
location and I run my hands across the tent floor to get the least bumpy side . I could see
Kilimanjaros summit when the clouds moved away only for half hour or so but still I
saw all the snow on it and what I would be climbing. Another emotional moment, my
dream coming true!
Its dinner time now at 7pm and the smells coming into my tent from the beautifully
homemade food. Ive just heard for starters its home made leak soup, chicken curry, rice,
vegetables and sweet pancakes and hot chocolate yummy.
I took lots of pictures of the pretty mountain today enjoying every breath taking moment
and getting to know the other climbers and watching the Africans carry our belongings on
their backs and balancing tents and bags on there heads which surprised me how they can
do it.
Just got to tell you that all Ive done this trip is fart. I fart up the mountain when I am at
camp, eating dinner is a nightmare cos I am holding them in and sharing a tent is
embarrassing because Ying Ying has to put her neck scarf round her nose but says
nothing! I just went to the porta loo and farted loud for 3 minutes so all camp could here.
Whats up wi mi loll!
Most of the team of eight are supportive of each other. Today I was so cold and wet my
fingers had pins and needles so James rubbed them and showed me some wrist exercises
to get them warm. Also I was getting headachy with altitude and he showed me some
breathing technique that made it go away. His brother is a doctor and showed him what to
do to produce more red blood sells that help alleviate altitude sickness.
Its been a mixed 5th day starting in the jungle rain forest, up the rocky mountain with
now the tallest bushes Ive ever seen with lots of beautiful flowers and plant life, no
animals today and then onto the rocky plains all the time surrounded by many mountains

and then the biggest by far up in the clouds the summit of the one we are all climbing .Its
rained nearly all day and most of my things got wet because I had forgot to put my
clothes and sleeping sack in plastic bags and the zip was leaking, so the porters and cooks
helped me to dry them over the fire they were cooking dinner on in a small green tent and
hang some things in the sun . I have been given enough bags to cover everything
tomorrow. I am all cosy in my tent now after dinner but want to fart again and Ying Ying
is on her way. They stink! Never mind I am dry and sleepy now so good night
I miss my family

that the kids line the streets waiting near speed bumps for cars to slow down and beg for
money. I was amazed to find out that they could sell a cow for 400 dollars but wont sell,
yet the kids are out begging as part of making a living to fill their lean slim bodies. There
cows are there wealth status and the more they have the richer they are still there is no big
industry here so little opportunity for this rich land to thrive .As we got onto the dual
carriage way we built speed up and had to stop for me to use the toilet which was a hole
in the floor that I struggled to get my aim right when squatting, we then got back onto the
high way and I dozed on and off again arriving in Arusha around midday.

Day 6
19th Feb 2014
Shira 2

I got out the Land rover to stretch my legs looking round at the busy city while Gibson
went into a big white posh building looking for Our Nelson! (The tourist company where
he worked) The city so different from the mountains and I was about to learn a lot more
about Africas culture and wild life. I held my breath as I seen him coming to greet me in
his most flirtatious gentlemanly fashion, flashing his wide smile and brilliant white teeth
that lights up his eyes, looking fit, dark and handsome, dressed to kill in his sexy cowboy
boots and straight legged jeans showing his fit physique along with his checked fitted
shirt making his lean body look ripped with muscle tone. He is smart to dress correctly
for a lady and I have two gentlemen as my guide for the next four days.

Same routine up at 6.30 get packed up and breakfast. This takes me so long because Ying
Ying as OCD and her stuff is all over the tent, it takes her ages to get organised. She even
sets the alarm an hour early so I am awake at 5.30 too. She as brought everything but the
kitchen sink and has hired an extra porter to carry her bags. She even pays them to wipe
the toilet seat clean and puts a scarf round her face to go. She as a nanny and cleaner at
home and struggles to stay calm if I splash a drop of tea in our tent! She is used to
having so much done for her and admits she is married to a rich man who pays for
everything and expects her to be the little woman. Not for me Still she and her family
are quite nice people just geeky in my eyes like Steves mate and Steve too.
Ha ha I couldnt live with any of them Id rather die loll!
Never mind I am doing this challenge for myself so walking with them, eating and
Sleeping most of the time is worth it to see this great mountain of wonder .
We walked a short 5 hours today but I admit it felt like 8. I am tired with waking up in the
night and early. The climbing is steep, rocky against the elements but luckily today we
walked flat plains mostly and arrived at 3rd base camp at 1.30. As usual the porters carried
our camp on their heads and set up before we arrive.
Its like first class camping, like something off George of the jungle. Like I am high class
Ha ha!
Reg I call him Captain Reginald was our guide up the mountain today. I walked with
him and he told me of how he has to work hard to pay for his childrens education so they
can get work and earn enough money to live. Only four of us did this 5 hour climb the
others chose to do a 6 hour one which I was glad I didnt do at the last minute cos it hail
stoned the size of peas and hurt my hands as I was filming it arriving in camp.
We are now at 3,800m, 12,400 ft thereabouts. That is the height I sky dived from twice
well 13,500 so I am up in the clouds right now and the thunder is very very loud as I
write this. I feel full up from lunch having eaten home made soup, cheese toasties and
mushrooms in pancakes. Bananas which are small compared to ours at home and sweet

He is much younger than me but still Im only looking! We hugged and I said I was
excited he was showing me his country and also hungry so we walked across the road to
a caf altogether me and my posse enjoying refreshments amongst his African friends. He
had joked that his friends would say when are you bringing a lady friend to see us from
your adventures and here I was someone who was curios and wanted to see the real
culture of Africa. We ordered delicious Somoza with mince in, I tried a rubbery looking
sausage that I couldnt chew! so left that and we got back into the car after I gave a poor
old badly maimed, disabled man with no legs some money sitting begging at the
doorway of the caf we was leaving,
The city was so interesting and surreal watching people in the hot sun with different
smells making me feel miles away from home and lucky to be here. I was the only white
there and I have white blonde hair too so I stood out like a sore thumb and everyone was
staring at me as they walked past.
We all got back in the Land rover and Nelson let me have the front seat with him in the
back behind me pointing out things of interest as we past villages and asking me what my
favourite animal is that I want to see. I told him it was the Giraffe because of its great
beauty, elegance and grace; she is also very strong. He told me how it was the emblem on
the Tanzanian flag and the Kite bird on the Uganda flag. He is very knowledgeable and I
was soon taking notes in my diary as we drove to Manyana National Park onto the
freeway for the long drive.
We passed different tribes and woman washing their clothes in the rivers beating them
against rocks. We talked about how some tribes migrated with their Animals and worldly

and knew at once it was Nelson Mandela a guide from climbing Killi and he was (not the
original one, still very wise n its my nickname for him) going to take me on my Safari,
He had told me he was travelling from the mountains to there. I remember because I
thought he said he was going to Russia and I remember thinking he had a long way to go
home! Thats a good start I know my guide. Gibson his like Higgins off Magnum he takes
his job serous with his cool but comical composure cracking the odd hilarious dry remark
in Swahili now and then (I picked up on his tone and laughed mi head off and they both
cracked up too) usually complaining about the children stopping him begging for money
in exchange for a photograph at speed humps lol; always said in the best possible way .
I loved being driven through the heart of Africa surrounded by ever changing mountains
once again watching how people live there every day lives in the busy towns and villages
full of cars, cyclists, buses jam packed full with people and many on foot all up and about
going shopping to work, churches and schools . This looks like modern Africa
compared to seeing how the Massai tribe live. I was tired and dozed on and off during the
long journey into shallow sleep not being able to keep my eyes open.

We were on our way to Arusha City hours away so I saw a lot of markets and people
chatting, carrying baskets on their heads with babies strapped to their backs (this always
fascinates me) its funny but I never saw babies crying or children throwing themselves
on the floor having tantrums. They are independent as young as 3yrs old walking at the
side of the road by themselves, sometimes 3klm to school and back waving to us with big
smiles and shouting Karribu karribu meaning welcome, they are so cute and looked after
because you can see how healthy and happy they look in their blue and green uniforms
even though there housing and way of living is very poor compared to ours.
There were lots of smart older men and young men sat about in suites and non
fashionable clothes, shirts in bright colours. Some sat on motor bikes outside shops, cafes
and tin huts with the odd wealthy looking big houses/businesses dotted around the small
towns or villages.
As we passed through Arushia city there were more big white buildings one belonging to
the president and others to businesses, still the poverty was there in what looks like
shanty town in some parts.
More in the country side was the Massai people who lived in small round mud huts and
lots of other tribes Nelson told me about .He could tell by their hair, shape of face or
colour who was from which tribe. The boys walk the roadside with their cows mainly or
goats feeling very proud of their live stock just wrapped in a brightly coloured some red
and blue blankets, holding a long straight stick by their side. I took a picture of two
Massai boys and they wanted money off me for taking it so I gave them a packet of
chewits to share and they wasnt impressed.( I felt mean after) I said it will save you
going to the shop in fun but there arent any shops to go to like we can. I soon found out

oranges that have green skins that looks like giant limes, always good food and lots of
cups a tea to drink.
I cant wait to climb high tomorrow; we are going up and down a lot to make sure we
acclimatize. I just took two more strong tablets for my pain and slight headache that
wont go away , my eyes are tired and I thought I saw a fury caterpillar today moving but
it was a stick so hallucinating slightly too .
Some people have been taken off the mountain today in white rescue Land Rovers and a
lady came down with her guide with altitude sickness. I hope this wont be me and I can
make it to the top.
I can see the summit getting closer when theres no cloud, it looks like thick icing
dripping down a cake, and maybe I will reach it tomorrow teatime!
Omg I cannot believe how loud this thunder is but no one is bothered by it. Im not
either cos there is no lightning, if there was I would be pooing my pants sat in my
tent by now!
I havent spoken to anyone back home yet and every time I think of Jake and Ella I want
to cry but hold back. You are my babies and I miss you so much and hope you are safe
and well. I keep looking at your pictures and as usual cant believe how lucky I am to
have such beautiful teenagers who I am so proud of. Oops Im trumping again. I can see
you two shaking your heads laughing saying shes at it again.
Africa is more beautiful than I thought. Mountainous and lush with plantation and vast
plains although it is getting barren now with little plant life as the air is too thin for much
to survive. I keep seeing rocks stacked up on top of each other. I have seen this in
Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and it means balance is harmony and harmony is balance and
just as Reg was taking the picture of me a little bird came out of nowhere and perched
itself on the top of the small monument. At that moment I felt my sister Donnas loving
presence who has passed over taking care of me, I felt moved as I smiled to myself.

We arrived at camp and I can hear the birds singing outside my tent some Ive never seen
before and their dazzling beauty catch my eyes in wonder.
Going to treat myself to a siesta now seeing as we arrived early at noon. Its not quiet but I
am happy to listen to the chatter of everyone and knowing I am at the same height as I
did both my skydives from that took 20mins to reach altitude and 7 minutes to descend
blows my mind living up here in the clouds and I have much further to go.

Pole! Pole! Is what the African guides say as they pass. It means slowly slowly in their
language (Swahili) so I have a better chance of getting to the top and staying well. Also
Jambo to say how are you , so I say Jambo too or when I say Mazoora in return which
means I am well they are happy I speak a little of their language which no one else in
our group does cos some are up themselves if I am honest .
After a short nap I awoke to the chatter of the camp and the smell of evening meal being
cooked. Ying Ying came into the tent spraying deep heat and deodorant. I opened the
door and asked her not to spray as fumes go into my mouth and throat. All the time she
brags about having everything, and the doctor giving her anything she wants like creams,
injections, medicines and shit cos Frank, the porter, can carry it and her husband pays for
it all. She as never camped or climbed in her life before and thinks this trip will change
her OCD! We chatted about her sending her kids to boarding school to make them
independent. She said she as done her job. I said you can teach them independence
without sending them away. She replied
I do too much for them I cant .I am starting to see her as a pathetic spoilt woman
child.
I found a sachet of Nescafe in my bag; I had lots but had to get rid of weight so I left it at
the weighing gates to take to the Keys Hotel for my safari. I sat on the rocks watching
over the camp drinking it. It was lovely watching the sun going down after the days
storm before the evening meal.
I watched Steve 1 mooching about camp like a lost sheep not talking to the African
guides or porters. He saw Celine and was asking how she feels and other boring
questions. Her, Ying Ying and Lisa all 3 Chinese chat shit to each other (I cant
understand them). I was watching and I heard Steve say to Ying Ying what do you think
to Carol, do you think shes crazy? Ying Ying replies yes she is crazy! Steve said why
do you think I am keeping my distance. (That explains why he wouldnt give me a wake
up call) They didnt know I could hear so I called and said I heard that! Steve skulked
away with his head down and started whispering to Steve 2 about what had just
happened. I have done nothing wrong or crazy and now I am upset and angry. I have
done everything to help raise money and bring awareness to their charity I am doing this
climb for and have raised 2650 so far. I asked Ying Ying when she came back to the tent
why she thought I was crazy and she replied Sorry she over reacted! I then told her a
few home truths about what I thought of her and her OCD and she left the tent. I have
spoken nothing to anyone about my dislike of Steve1 because of his negative, rude,
shallow behaviour, even before this trip he was this way and I have always been polite
and pleasant. I feel he is two faced and will keep myself to myself from now on. I am
shaking while Im writing this, my karma as been destroyed and I have to eat everyday
and climb with him. Shame on his shallow nature! I will not continue helping him and his
charity!

door. He admitted and laughed id got him with the cat flap joke. A pleasant time meeting
new people and having a laugh, its a great feeling. My daughter is training to be a vet
and wants to shadow one in Africa and now John of the wild frontiers has put me in
contact with his friend who lives here.
After a good evening I retired to my room for my early start to my Safari
Waking up to the hot sunshine was lovely, eating breakfast outside chatting to John and
the blokes Id met the night before as one prepared there mountain bikes the other two
and I ate a Buffy style breakfast with everything on it, it was delicious and no maze
porridge thank god!
I then packed all my things because I wasnt coming back to the hotel after as was
originally planned. I have lost a day on my trip because of all the delays in the beginning
as jagged globe had to re book everyones flight back so it will be a rush again at the end
of the safari, but still worth all the messing about! Ive been in this beautiful country
surrounded by mountains and lush greenery and colourful people for 11 days now.
I packed up my army ruck sack once again with things Ill need every day to survive the
heat and mosquitoes, travelling with two great hold alls (my climbing gear) on safari with
us every day. I left coffees, sweets and other bits for them and tipped the laundry lady
and porter who brought my bags down 5000 Tanzania shilingi, It sounds a lot but its
pennys to us . I asked someone take pictures of us standing together before I left all
happy to meet one another as we said our good byes.
I met the same lady at 8am Id been introduced to the day before who gave me my
itinerary for the next 3 days. It was different to what I had been sold in the brochure but
we had lost a day and I was told I wouldnt be going to the Serengeti because its too far
away now for the time we had left.
I felt a little sad and unsure of weather I would actually see anything after seeing in my
book of earths giant wonders the animal world of the Serengeti.. Still she told me I
would visit 2 National parks and a Conservation park, staying in a Safari lodge with
spectacular views of the Ngorongor crater and in a tent lodge with massai warriors
guarding my tent with a gun in case any lions come.
On the last day I would take a night flight from Kilimanjaro to Amsterdam arriving in the
morning to take a flight to Leads Bradford. I remember asking the flight attendant when
we landed in dali lama and I asked the trolley dolly if id got on the wrong plane but
thought how could I!! I didnt know we was stopping off in Africa on our way back and
panicked a bit. She laughed obviously thinking how blond can one get!

I was introduced to my driver Gibson at 9am; he told me that my guide had been
changed to someone called Nelson who we had to pick up in Arusha. I couldnt believe it

After sunning myself in my skimpy bikini round the Keys hotel pool feeling totally
chuffed with what Id achieved in the past year my mind soon moved back in to the
present day as African people walk in the hotel garden . Being friendly I say hello and
ask them to take a picture of me larging it up wi mi Malibu n coke n shades like Sophia
Lorrain . I chatted with one guy about the African guides he knew from my climb, like
King Charles from the same village who he said everyone new cos he liked a good laugh.
A lot like me and he was my guide that led me to the top. I was feeling very proud to
know him. People were very polite and would carry on with there business though and I
relaxed the afternoon away dipping in and out of the pool .
The sun was starting to go down and I could feel the evening chill coming so I went up to
my room to shower and change for evening meal. There was one window in the room
quite high up that looked out into the hotels small backyard. Earlier that afternoon I could
see maids scrubbing my clothes on a scrubbing board like in the olden days and pegging
them out to drip dry ready for the next morning.
I had an old single bed on four legs with a mozzy net hung in the middle making it touch
your face. I dint like that and stretched it as much as I could to keep it off me! The sheets
were clean and room although it was no way five stars the atmosphere was warm and
friendly which matters more to me. Its not like Im staying in it long. Theres too much
to see to stay in my room so Im dressed to kill in my mini dress and high heels ready to
go downstairs and see what company will occupy my time this evening .( yes my luxuries
have returned )
The hotel reception and dining room was very quiet; I was told most of the groups of
climbers had gone to conquer there mountain. Still I thought how extremely quiet it was
for a hotel and I felt alone. Calling home for only the second time and talking to my
family has made me miss them more and wish we could share this experience as we had
so many before. I had my book with me but wasnt interested in it because my
surroundings and people watching were more important.
The dcor of Muriel paintings with massai tribes living in there huts made out of cow
dung and woman carrying baskets on their heads, men carrying spears in their hands.
boys leading cows waving a stick all entertained me as I placed my food order of burger,
chips n coke.( My body craved carbs) There was pictures of Elephants charging towards
me and giraffes with their strong long slender necks gracefully reaching up to the tall
trees surrounding them by the beautiful snowy summit of kili; . All this and more
surrounding me giving me a great picture of what I was about to see the next day. The
staff are really friendly smiling and chatting as they passed with food or drinks so after
tea I went into the bar for a night cap.
I got talking to a white African man in the bar who had his own safari business and 2 of
his African work colleagues and he bought me a quantro on ice Mmmmm delicious after
having had no luxuries for ten days. We chatted and I told some bad jokes like I
bumped into a dyslexic Yorkshire lass the other day, she was wearing a cat flap on her
head and two blonds walk in to a building, and youd think one of them would opent

Well that was an interesting dinner! You could cut the atmosphere with a knife.
In the airport Steve had said that Matt our guide hadnt got an ounce of male testosterone
in him behind his back that is.
When the dinner came tonight, soup, vegetables, pasta and beef I had to say that the beef
might have some male testosterone in it for anyone who needs it! Steves face was a
picture and deadly serious as he was about to shovel a mouthful of food into his fat gob
that always interrupted people as they spoke as he thought I might spill the beans about
his back stabbing about Matt our guide. Also Ying Ying upset an American lady we didnt
know on the mountain today by saying look at her shes got make up on. The lady was
upset by this and told her you shouldnt comment about other peoples appearance in
which Ying Ying got defensive and called her a stupid woman. It just goes to show what
Ying Ying and Steve are really like as they go about hurting peoples feelings cos there
up themselves and they try to make out its the other person at fault . Dear me!
I am in bed now its 7.30 but I have to be up at 5.30 to climb to 4800m then back down
to3900m to sleep. Its as shame to walk to that height then back down but its all about
acclimatization to altitude.
Ying Ying is moving out tonight. She came in the tent and dragged her stuff out quicker
than I could say jack flash. Her friends are in the next tent to me and its a two man one
like mine. She is trying to get her jagged globe bag in it, sleeping sack, mat and other
bags; this should be fun all in one tent! She said in the beginning if I wasnt in the tent
she would be scared to sleep by herself and would sleep with her friends; luckily I like
having a tent to myself and I will be able to get ready quicker in the mornings. Steve
actually caused this; well done Steve!
Guess what I have a new room mate. Its Celine her friend. I like her she is younger,
looks nice and chatty. We will see lol! The stars are very bright and beautiful and you can
see the Milky Way really clear. As I looked up I could see I was still connected to Jake n
Ella back home cos the bear and the big dipper I can see at home is the same here and felt
comforted by this. Ive had my hot chocolate and now time for bed.
Miss you all lots, Goodnight Jake, Ella

Day 7
20th Feb 2014
Barranco base camp 3976m
Its 5.30am and I didnt sleep one wink, it seems its all part of the altitude sickness, not
many are sleeping well. It was a horrible night lying here awake on the cold, hard rock in
pain with only a thin foam mat to separate me from the mountains freezing clutches and
at one point I was hallucinating. I saw a black shadow creeping towards my right
shoulder and thought the Devil was coming to take me. I nearly went into a panic attack

but managed to calm myself, still it felt so real I never experienced anything like it. My
mind was all over the place with negative thoughts of what Steve had done. I was trying
to think of home and my children nice things but my heart kept pounding with anxiety.
Finally morning came and I packed up as always in the dark with my head torch.
Kneeling hurts and being squashed is a pain to move about, also not having contact with
my family is hurting when everyone else is contacting there loved ones; my old brick of a
phone still has no signal and the battery died when it was full!
I was tired and upset thinking Id never make the 8hour climb we had ahead of us. I
spoke to Matt our leader I was in tears and he tried to reassure me I would be ok and not
to worry about what Steve had said even though he had brought a negative vibe into the
camp. I told him about the Cancer for the first time I had been diagnosed with 9 month
earlier in April 23rd, operated on 29th May and this was February and about the major
surgery to remove a tumour as big as an orange in my colon by taking away 23cm of my
bowels and re joining it, bringing the tumour out through my vaginal bone. I had
incisions for tubes and cameras all over my stomach and some have not all healed
without leaving nerve damage I was feeling vulnerable and I hadnt told my insurance
company about it either (it would have cost too much) and was starting to worry if
anything went wrong. I ached with pain and cold, struggled to breathe making me more
fatigued. I was getting light nose bleeds, lots of headaches, feeling weepy and so wasnt
sure if my body would make the climb.
He suggested I shouldnt be on the climb but I told him my surgeon had given me the all
clear for fitness. I didnt tell him about my pain from my hernia op that had gone wrong
just a year ago and that I was about to have a re-op on it when I got home again afraid he
wouldnt let me go on.
I had been walking in the pool at my gym up and down four times a week then
progressed to swimming to try get my fitness level back up, all the time taking pain
killers and then within a few months I was at it again from my cancer op. I walked
progressing with my friend Jeremy (my personal trainer) in the Lake District and the
Yorkshire Dales, there was no way I wasnt going to climb my mountain and I got up and
carried on.
Breakfast was an awful atmosphere. Steve said good morning to me while I was washing
my hands outside the mess tent where we eat. I replied dont talk to me, your two faced
and you expect me to be ok with you when you talk about me behind my back. Other
people heard this and he skulked off. He was quiet at breakfast and I felt better for
making him feel small. I have not seen him this quiet before cos his ego has been up his
arse with his rude sick comments since we have been here; anyway it makes a nice
change.
We set off up the volcanic rocky mountain for an 8hour climb and it was very hard going
as it went from the calmness of a steady walk to climbing up through fierce gale force

5 days left and by some miracle my boyfriend came up with the idea to ask the local CoOp to help.
I could raffle the auction prizes that everyone had given totalling about 500 in money.
I power dressed and put on my Boss winter suit and heels and asked to see the manager.
A lovely lady said she would be in tomorrow but could she help. I told her my story and
we both had tears in our eyes as I left information about the charity.
Two days later I went back in and saw the manageress and she said in December cos we
are busy we dont do charity promotion or events, but because I had told her about my
battle with Cancer and my determination to do the climb and raise money she said you
can have a table at the front of the store and sell your tickets.
That was my prayers answered and I sat for 5 days telling everyone going past I was
climbing Kilimanjaro for the Laila Milly Foundation do you want to buy a raffle ticket ( I
must of said it a million times)and they nearly all bought or gave generously, people
stopping and chatting as they passed by with a lovely Christmas spirit willing me on.
At night after sitting there alone all day in the cold me and my fella would count the
money up; it was around 200 to 300 a day and the supermarket was coming to the
weekend so it would be getting busier.
My vision of climbing my mountain was still in sight and raising lots of money and
awareness for the charity.
On Sunday the 5th day I drew the raffle just before the store closed as I had written names
and telephone numbers on every ticket and was very pleased to announce winners
thanking everyone for their kindness and I delivered the prizes to their Holmes. I counted
up for the hundredth time and low and behold I was only 200 hundred pounds short.
We bagged it all up and filled a rook sack full to the top in every coin and pound notes to
take to the bank with Maya the next morning. It was all counted and if I hadnt got the
money on that day I wasnt going up my Mountain but I was as I put the 200 to myself.

Day 1
Lake Manyara National Park

Another dream about to come true, It was far out of my reach like my passion to climb
my mountain and just one week before my adventure was about to start Id saved, begged
and borrowed from friends enough money to book to go on a Safari of a life time for 4
days in the Serengeti realising I may never get this chance again I had to make it happen.
This was going to be a different kind of wonder away from Mount Kilimanjaro. Lake
Manyaras National park the first of three I would visit, one being a reservation park. I
will explain the difference as I come to them

friends but no one else was coming in not even all the locals I knew who crowded that
pub every weekend.
I asked the staff serving behind the bar and they said they had heard nothing about the
charity event and yet the land lord called me to ask how many guests I thought would be
coming for the amount of staff to put on? I didnt know but I was hoping a lot with the
village crowd and everyone Id told. I had left lots of leaflets describing all about the
charity and extra posters in the pub and nobody was here!
Still the band played and people who did come were happy but the pub was nearly empty.
At 10 pm, Richard the landlord told me he had told the band to stop playing and go home
as I was scaring the customers because I was spoiling there normal routine! It was a
family party and because the pub was empty and it was early the kids played up and
down a bit but no reason to stop the party so early. He knew no one else was coming in
and he had thought I was putting the party on at the rich side of the village to raise money
and using them in some way! I could not believe the spirit of some people but really I
should know! I was so disappointed with him at this point and felt that my party had
been purposely sabotaged. He said it was because he cancelled food for my event and no
one came in only for food but I knew that was bullshit cos id asked him if we should put
on a buffet and he said no! Still some people bought raffle tickets and we drew it giving
lovely flowers, wines and chocolates that were kindly donated.
My friends and children kept my spirit up and we went to the Boot-n-Shoe pub and
raffled off some meat a local friendly butcher Ivan had given and raised 100.
I still had 2500 to raise but fortunately I had 6 months after the climb to raise a thousand
so really I was raising enough to do the climb and anything over would go to the charity.
Still 1500 to raise and no idea what to do next as I only had 15 days to the closing date
of booking it. If I didnt have the cash, the money I had collected so far would have gone
to the charity or Id give it back. I would have had to tell everybody I wasnt doing it and
would have felt bad for taking their money and my dream to climb my mountain would
not come true.
I was still swimming at the gym 4 times a week and wasnt sure if my fitness was up to
scratch and I would see Steve1 there and he would say do you having a plan B? I
would say no cos plan A will work. He would say what if it doesnt do you have money
to borrow or do you have savings? No I dont is what I would reply to which he said he
was paying for himself and he and his family would not have a holiday this year as he
was paying towards his climb cos he could not raise it.
It felt as if I was the only one fund raising now. He was saying he wished he had not
booked it now with all the bother it was coursing; was it because it was only me doing it
now for their charity?

winds, snow and rain making visibility difficult to see and dangerously slippy underfoot.
Then the hailstones came as we got higher then more blizzards of freezing snow as we
reached 4600m, my head is aching even though Im told to drink 4ltrs water conditions
make it hard to. We reached the top of LAVA ROCK! AND had lunch in the heavy snow
under a plastic elastic cover our guide Matt brought, all of us huddled together trying to
eat our sandwiches, chicken leg, fruit, cake n carton of juice whilst trying to keep warm.
Just before then when we got to the top of our tiring long climb Steve came over to say
well done and sorry for how he had treated me. I was overwhelmed by emotion and cried
to myself by my own achievement from the challenging climb Id just done so he caught
me off guard and I just said I should think so.
After lunch we climbed from the snowy side across and down the tropical side of the
mountain where streams and waterfalls prettied it as well as palm trees, plants and
tropical flowers. 4600m we got to and then had to walk back down to the next camp at
3900m to sleep. All this hard work going up to come back down but it is essential to
acclimatize. My head is banging all the time now even tablets arent working and I tried
to nap at 6.30 today but cant sleep again, dont know how much longer I can keep my
mind and body running without sleep. The camp is full of chatter. Its 6.10 and dinners at
6.30. Hope I sleep tonight.
The day was full of wonderful sights as the mountain is forever changing and the spirits
of the guides and each other keeps everyone going. Our porters are a great help carrying
our bags to the next camp but still my back is nearly giving way cos my ruck sack weighs
about 6kg and despite keep using my poles to help take the weight off my lower body I
was going through painkillers like no tomorrow.
Some of the others are quite boring but still concentrating working hard to conquer Kili
and as long as I conquer my mountain thats ok. It rained the most of the 3 hours coming
down the tropical side today but a lot warmer. Some times I prefer the hailstones its
dryer somehow. Luckily I had my umbrella and nobody else has one in our group. The
guide Nelson calls me Umbrella girl and smart ha-ha for having one. Its been a god send.
He gets us all singing Jambo Jambo Bwana, Habarigana , Zuri Suna Zuri sune, Wageni
Mwakaribishwa, Kilimanjaro, Hakunamatata making lots of fun for us to keep spirits up.
Its Thursday 6.25 so off to loo and wash before tea.
PLEASE GOD HELP ME SLEEP TONIGHT.
Day 8
21st Feb 2014
Karanga camp

Its 5.30am time to get up for our next climb to camp 5;this is going to be all up hill, rocky
and dangerous for 5 hours then we reach camp and can rest after lunch at 1.00pm Whoop

Whoop! I asked Matt for a Diamox last night a prescription drug to help with altitude
sickness. He said I could have half and I took two painkillers and guess what I slept most
of the night and dreamt about flying black seals and the church.

I feel much rested compared to other nights. We will climb to 4033m to sleep at next
camp. So far we have trekked through jungle, Rocky steep Mountains, barren vast plains
all in treacherous conditions and Kilimanjaro snowy summit is right outside my tent now
so near yet still have 2 days to go before reaching the crater on summit day.
Im home sick cos I cant make any calls still. When I reach the hotel for my safari I will
call my children. I feel a little anxious as I always do in the mornings, even being here
doesnt take that life long feeling of where I belong away in the mornings! I am wearing
my head torch as usual its dark and I have to pack up my things ready for breakfast.
Everyone is chatting and doing the same. I am finding this trip a lot harder than I first
thought. I havent washed my hair or seen my whole body since I set off using wet wipes
for a comby wash in my tent and a small bowl of water they give you at the end of your
days climb I use to wash my face and feet in as we dont have much privacy. My sleeping
sack and liner are always wet with condensation as I pack up and my fingers have pins
and needles in them trying to stuff my sleeping sack into its holder and my feet are
hurting the same from the cold.
We set off at 7 am determined to make the difficult climb up the face of the mountain on
dangerous rocks, balancing on the edge holding on and pulling myself up. [This is the
Barranco Wall] I lead most of the time with Reg or Thomas, they say I am good and
strong as the guys and certainly fitter than Steve 1 who is a fireman who complains of
feeling like shit most of the time. He did say how impressed he was along with Matt at
my climbing skills. It was really steep and rocky and if you put a foot wrong youd be
dead climbing along a shelf with sheer drops to the bottom then back down the other side
into a valley then back up again to camp. The small rivers we cross are so pretty and the
waterfalls with little plantation now, looking barren with giants volcanic rock and shale.
Its about 4pm and Ive just woke from treating myself to a siesta at 1pm, after arriving
in camp at 12 so only a 5 hour climb today. I was happy we had home made chicken and
chips veg and cucumber with tomato ketchup for lunch, always lots a tea to hydrate me
and water. If I dont drink lots I get headachy cos the fluids produce more red blood sells
helping to preventing altitude sickness. Its thundering and raining again as it does most
days after 1 oclock. Tomorrow we go to Barafu camp at 4673m; its our last camp before
we set off to reach the summit Uhuru peak at Midnight standing at 6000mtr high. Even
though I have napped this afternoon I am still tired so hope I sleep after dinner at six, I
need all my strength to complete my expedition. I smile with tears at saying this Im
daft!
Ciaran an Irish man let me use his phone to call Ella and Jake today its the first time in 8
days and it was emotional hearing her voice. I wanted to pull her through the phone to

Everyones been so generous and kind in wanting to help this wonderful cause, much
needed in our area. You have all kept me positive and feel a lot of love from you all
which I need more than ever.
June came and The Roisin Ban was booked and they generously performed for free. I
advertised it in the Pont and Cas local paper and Maya designed posters to put up
everywhere and I sold tickets this time. People started coming and buying raffle tickets
my friend Cathryne (she as Down syndrome) was selling at the door on the way into the
Carlton Grange where it was held. The caller got three groups of eight people into a circle
joining hands dancing up and down the room through each others arms and legs then
back round, it was great fun seeing my friends and making new ones. There was a bar and
after a couple a red wines and beers people had a great pie-n-pea supper and danced again
till 11.30pm raising 350 after paying for the supper and the room which was donated at
half price.
The evening was a success as everyone enjoyed themselves but things where getting
tougher and I had to think of another fund raising idea fast!
Money was coming in from sponsors, Friends from the village church and various other
ways but not nearly enough and to cap it all, there were only three of us going. Steve 1
and Steve 2 (who was Steves best friend from school) and as Steve 2 wasnt fund raising
it left just me and Steve 1 to raise money. This meant the charity would not raise a lot if
we didnt pull our finger out! Every day I said to people Im climbing Kilimanjaro to
raise money for the Laila Milly Foundation would you like to sponsor me or people
would offer before I asked.
I went round more business and asked for prizes to be auctioned which meant I was
asking for bigger prizes. Again everybody gave and I asked a local pub if I could put a
Laila Millys Christmas party on December 5th. I knew the people and they said yes and I
asked a local band to play called The Masters of Mellow. It was going to be lovely with
the Christmas tree up and the local community helping this great course. Again we
worked on the posters and made them brilliant and I painstakingly posted them out and
advertised in the local Rag. I gave lots to the landlord of the pub which was my old local
and run by my previous neighbours as I used to live at that end of the village and thought
everyone would want to get involved in helping their local charity.
The night came and I dressed to kill wearing a short fitted Christmas party dress, pulling
two handsome guys who just gave 20 quid just like that. I thought what a good start as I
had not charged for tickets it was just going to be donation on the door.
Again my friend Catherin helped me to sell raffle tickets and be my treasurer as she had
for my Ceili
I set the auction prizes out and a few of my friends started coming in. I was so happy
thinking this is gonna be a great night and party! My kids and fella was there and his

I went to Hope valley Just 3 weeks after surgery I was driving my car and towing my
caravan alone needing to get away to my second home in the Derbyshire dales to
recuperate by the side of the peaceful river and hobble about there in small training for
my climb. I stayed 2 weeks my friends Jorice and Sabina who own the site thats
surrounded by rolling hill cut into a deep Valley. They were shopping for me and friends
id made there over the years called into my 5 Birth mobile home. I cried all the first night
I arrived I was in that much pain. I called Janet my Colon specialist in the morning
thinking Id done a lot of Damage driving the one and a half hours to get here with my
feet pressing down on the peddles. I was scared and loosing a lot of blood. (Thankful it
was my period starting but forgot with everything going on) Things settled down with
plenty pain killers and it was the best place for me to start my training if I was ever going
to make the targets I had ahead of me.
Patients from hospital and friends from the campsite and local villages all sponsored me
and when I got home I started the Task of walking in the pool again progressing to
swimming.
8 Weeks later I went back to see Dr Fowali and He said the surgery had been a success
although it was marginal and wanted me to have chemotherapy. My Biggest nightmare as
I had heard good and bad about this Cancer treatment. I was shocked I had more hurdles
to jump over having to make more life threatening decisions was not what I was
expecting for some reason so I was in shock even though I was crying with Joy!
Sure enough when I went to see my chemo specialist he told me the treatment planned
for me will damage my heart organ, could give me another Cancer, wipe my immune
system, loose my hair leading to lots more illnesses and still after 6 weeks taking it
morning and night they couldnt guarantee it would be all gone. I had 3 weeks before
treatment started and I went away towing my Caravan to Rainbow camp near Ashborn
living in Farmers fields with friends again in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales with Ella
Knowing I had to make a decision taking it up to 6 weeks not 3 by the time we got back.
I had listened to people and taken in all the imformation there was so I decided to just put
it all down and try start to enjoy our holiday close to nature.
Id gone past the dates and new it was time to talk to Jake and Ella about the pros and cons
of having the treatment and we came up with not to. I was feeling as well as could be
expected and excited about my climb. I was awaiting another colonoscopy to see if I was
clear and meant bloods and scans every six months. My scan showed more polyps further
up my colon but they removed them and so far my other tests have shown clear.

cuddle and kiss her beautiful self. She reassures me she is ok at home and Im happier I
talked with her as we blew kisses down the phone I cried with joy. Get a grip Carol lol!
Jake wasnt there sadly. Still one phone call and one text was what Ciaran said I could
have so I text Stuart and was happy to receive one back, all of them giving me
encouragement and loving wishes.
Dinners in half an hour, Im not hungry but will force food if I have to for energy. Steve 1
did not eat a lot last night and today sleeps without food no wonder he says he feels like
dog shit.
I like sharing with Celine we get on and she doesnt get up at 5 like Ying Ying to organise
her things. I asked her if she wanted a cup a tea and she asked what is a cuppa tea? in
her Chinese accent Ha-ha and I describe with my hands a cup and with the other hand I
poured tea. She said Haaaaaaa cup of tea you talk very fast. In a way Steve did me a
favour, me and her falling out cos she drove me mad with all her stuff! Still she gave me
a small travel towel at the beginning of the trip thats been a god send. Celine gave me 3
travel johns that I pee in inside my tent at night cos its too cold to get up and go outside.
Brilliant they are cos I drink so much to stop me getting sick. My pee crystallises into a
solid block so when Im done and the bags full I put it in the door outside my tent. Just
done one now so thought Id share it with you before I turn my light out and go to sleep.
Good night x
I have an 18hour climb up and down starting at midnight tomorrow making this my last
nights sleep before we head for the summit. I can feel the great rock beneath me, Ive not
seen all of it its too big but I get the picture. Its hard to comprehend its vastness as the
mountains Ive seen in my life look like peanuts in comparison to the great Mount
Kilimanjaro the biggest free standing mountain in the world. She is a beauty and I have
much respect for her volcanic eruptions and love her beauty. My breathing is short and
shallow and I have to move about slowly to conserve energy so Im not too out of breath
and sick, I pray she will help me conquer her tomorrow and the next day, she is my
friend forever

Day 9
22nd Feb 2014
Barafu camp
Its camp 6, we woke at 5.30am set off at 7.15am to Barafu. We crossed over volcanic ash
and rocks up and down till 11.25am its one of the rare times the sun has really shone on
us this trip. There are so many giant rocks and our tents look funny squeezed in between
the small spaces between them at the edge of the mountain looking down into the plateau.
The mountain is full of different colour with tents, bags and chatter. It takes about 20
porters and guides to make this trip possible carrying water from the rivers so we can
have it boiled and sterilized so we have no chance of getting ill as well as cooking and

keeping the loo clean, Carrying our tents, kitchen equipment, picnic table and chairs on
their heads. The rivers are sparse now we are this high up so we have to be careful with
how much water we have and it is boiling hot in our bottle to drink and I complain to
Matt who says stop putting it in bed with you to keep you warm then it would be cold
but I cant help it its that cold at night even with all my layers on, it is like something Ive
never experienced in my life on this harsh mountain!
Its last camp at 4650m and we are going to 6000m thats twelve football pitches on top
of each other. I am a little worried I will not be well enough to make it because we have
not climbed that high so far. Lava tower I think was a climb of about 7 pitches on top of
each other and thats the most we did in one day.
The porters and guides are fit and strong and sing songs but are very poor; relying on the
groups tips at the end of the trip we give them to live. They never leave their country and
they chat in Swahili to each other. Some of them speak a little English, mostly the guides.
Charles who I call King Charles the 1st. Nelson who I say Nelson Mandela has returned
(he is a young handsome clever man)! Thomas has a sound gentlemanly serious look
about him and Reg who I call Captain Reginald has a great smile! All sound African men
who say Hakuna Matata which means no worries for the rest of your days and they really
are cool guys forever helpful and encouraging.
We had lunch after arriving into camp soon after midday and then were told to sleep till
tea time at 5. Its impossible because of all the chatter and other climbers walking past
my tent. Im told this is camp 7 Ive lost count! When weve had tea at 5 we have to sleep
till 10.30 so we have rested before we start our climb at midnight. We have been briefed
on what to wear and what to take in our rucksack. It will be heavy! I lent most of my gear
off Nobby, a friend, and his wife Denise who have been on many adventures. So I had the
right clothes to change into as the weather got colder. Some padded trousers in particular
kept me warm and helped to cushion me from the hard, cold rock at night along with his
wifes long johns. His buffalo coat was invaluable as I slept in it too most nights and I
wore Denises coat on summit night. Still I had to pay for a lot of my own gear myself
but lucky my Italian friend Antonio I just met at the time in his restaurant who just lost
his mum to cancer gave to me generously. I had all the right stuff and felt comfortable
and quite confident Id packed everything I needed and would be warm enough. Im tired
now so hope I sleep the 4 and a half hours or Ill be knackered climbing through the
night.

Celine is trying on her layers next to me. She flew from China with Lisa also friends
with Ying Ying. They have a porter, Frank, an African man who carry their water, extra
layers, poles, sunglasses/creams, cameras and fuel to eat. This entire trip they dont carry
anything and I am the only lady here who carries my own stuff the rest are men. I will
have muscles like Popeye. It hurts my back so I have to be careful bending down and my
legs and knees are becoming weaker from the weight and climb. My Bowel and hernia is

my cancer. When the date arrived on 31st of May for my op I was ready to conquer yet
another mountain!
When I arrived at the hospital on the morning I didnt know if Id wake up, if they could
remove it all or if I would be pooing into a bag for the rest of my life. I was still single
and my two children are my whole world. I wasnt ready to leave the planet yet, I had too
much to do and see.
My daughter and Al came with me and they told me the worst outcome was death in front
of her and she was starting to show signs of not keeping her feelings together as she had
tears in her eyes. Al left with her and we hugged and kissed each other feeling
apprehensive, scared but couragesly positive and strong.
My surgeon Dr Fawoli came to see me looking as handsome as always with his cheeky
boy smile and professional manner to take me to theatre. We walked together and I
wished him luck as he smiled back and went to scrub up for me to be put to sleep.
My operation lasted 9 hours and I woke up to a pleasant nurse making sure I was
comfortable telling me everything had gone well. I was full of wires and tubes wired up
to machinery But No Bag and the doctors were happy. After a while my surgeons
wheeled me into ICU as I sang,
Im H A P P Y, Im H A P P Y, I know I am, Im sure I am, Im H.A.P.P.Y,
All the way through with my surgeons behind laughing saying in all their years nobody
had ever sang especially to the heavens as I did because I was so happy to be alive and no
bag.
Recovery
This was slow and very painful to say the least staying in hospital for a week had its
highs and lows. An experience Im sure never to forget!

Arriving home, surrounded by my still demanding teenagers meant I would after start
getting on with life as quick as possible! I asked the nurses in hospital to show me how to
inject my lower tummy as it had to be done everyday for a month with warfarin cos I
didnt want the village nurses coming everyday. I would let Ella inject my tummy,
practicing on me as she is in her final year at school training to be a vet surgeon. I just
wanted to get on. The nurse came to remove my stitches; one incision where they brought
the tumour out had a hole having not healed properly and had to be packed. I hate bloody
stitches and then she had a load more metal clips to remove yuck I looked like a patch
work doll!

What the hell was going to happen now!

I hadnt told my daughter Ella yet and here I was sitting in front of people with white
coats telling me I might die or thats what I thought.
I shouldnt say fortunately but luckily my Son went into our house before me and told
Ella. All I heard was her screaming and saying,
No, no, no, youre kidding me, Jake youre lying.
I was fighting back tears in the kitchen so when she saw me I was going to be absolutely
strong and fine.
She called her dad and he told her that he had never met a woman as strong as your mum
and reassured her and Jake I would be ok and that was the start of us getting on with
things once again.
I had been physically, mentally and sexually abused from childhood through to a
teenager in every way by my father. I had survived all that by being tough, I now had no
choice other than to be tough again. I had my own house at sixteen having been kicked
out by my abusive selfish Mother saying shed done her job as a parent. All my life Id
struggled to keep my head above water so why would I not survive this?
I had lived alone with my children for thirteen years, there father refusing to take most of
the responsibility for there up bringing after I left him , raising them in brilliant and
difficult times and life was meant to be getting easier!

I couldnt believe Id been dealt some more shit!

What a spanner in the works with my climb and family upset, it was the last thing I
needed. Still it was only April and the climb would be in the following Feb. I never gave
up hope! I had read a book by a guy called George saying Cancer is just a word and it
inspired me to just get on with this disease and conquer as much of life as I could while I
could so I carried on as usual .

My kids would have melt downs on occasions and say its all right for you. You can
deal with it and you expect us to too all the time! How hard it was to find the answers to
there little frightened faces and try and stay positive for them and me.
It felt like I was climbing a mountain before Id even started I can tell you!
I had scans and tests, lots of emptying my bowels was horrid but I just got on with it with
less fuss. It all took 5 long scary weeks in all before I was under the knife and on the
operating table. I was pushing for dates and it was a good job I did because my waiting
would have been longer. I saw different Doctors and was blessed my friend Al was taking
me to every appointment to help me take in everything they explained. They said my diet
didnt make any difference but I changed it to a Ketone-genic to cut out carbs to starve

troubling me a lot now but I will make it even though Matt tells us we will feel like crap
out of breath with headache, drunken staggering, sickness and tiredness from altitude. He
has got a tent for if anyone gets seriously ill a bit like a decompression chamber you
pump oxygen into, Oxygen and medication in case things go wrong.

Imagine being this high up above the clouds, we are as high as the planes fly. Our home
as been the sky for the last few days and soon I will see the heart of Kili! I have had no
support of Steve and he even offered to carry Ying Yings water on summit night. I still
feel I dont want to help his charity anymore; Maya his wife never even wished me luck.
Still Im here for me to conquer this Giant volcanic mountain that used to be one great
glacier millions of years ago.
We were woken at 10.30 not that Id had much sleep cos sleeping and eating on demand
at this altitude is hard especially cos of all the noise from camp and the anticipation of
whether I will make the climb to the top.
If I see another bowl of soup and porridge Ill be sick I swear! Its so hard getting
comfy on the cold rocks and packing and unpacking everyday on time is a rush and
Ive had enough so Im glad this is our second to last night.

Day 10
23rd Feb 2014
Summit Day!
We set off at 11.45pm to the Uhuru summit.
With our head torches on all up hill and a rocky climb. The sky was clear and full of stars
with a beautiful Red Crescent moon. After all the rain weve been having it was a perfect
evening. I was surprised at how steep it was practically vertical but kept my head down
concentrating on navigating the dangerous climb ahead working my way slowly up and
up. I looked up and it looked like the stair way to heaven, I looked down and my belly
left my mouth.
I stood beneath the earths great vastness just me and you now!
We kept stopping for 4minute hourly break and this was doing my head in cos my fingers
and toes got cold straight away. Some were flagging after about 2 hours and I would stop
and eat an energy sweet Matt my guide gave me in the rests. The gradient was extremely
steep but I had been given so many tips on how to conquer her that I knew I had to keep
going. I had my mp4 player for 4 songs only before it ran out of battery but still it played
Inupendi with no worries on yr mind, it just takes two to make it through Also I was

watching Thomass rest and walking technique and breathing. [This is called rest
stepping James tells me] I had already learnt to do the breathing and it helped a lot to
watch him walk and he had a massive ruck sack that weighed a ton on his back and was
almost bent in two whilst climbing. In fact Celine panicked and said whats up with
Thomas as he walked bent and slow.
Steve as usual in his immature way said he felt like dog shit. He is up everyones arse but
mine cos I wont entertain him and actually he looks like dog shit and sounds like it!
We have 5 guides with us and 8 climbers. Some in the group where falling all the over
the mountain throwing up more than once and getting too tired to carry on after 3 or 4
hours. I knew I couldnt stop again but some people wanted more breaks. I had got
myself into a good rhythm unlike the others who were wearing themselves out. Im using
my poles a lot now but not stopping just pacing and deep breathing in and slowly
breathing all my breath out from in between pursed lips. So when everyone wanted to
keep stopping I was saying no Ill get cold I have to keep going.
After 4 hours as a group in the pitch black Wise Thomas the leader called King Charles to
the front of the pack where I was and said take this girl up this mountain now. It was
like music to my ears and we set off at a slow but rhythmic pace, happy I had left the
group of 11 including guides behind.
I was going at a good snails pace but I was so tired I was hallucinating n just wanted to
close my eyes and roll over in the snow that looked like a big white cuddly duvet. I
wanted to stop as we climbed up all the way and rest but I knew if I did I wouldnt get
started again. I kept sucking on energy sweets but couldnt eat anymore. My mind needed
a push as I fought to keep my eyes open hardly moving as I walked now. I thought of
Jake, Ella and Leanne my sons fianc shouting go on Mum you can do it. Jake said
look at her shes half hour in front of the others go on Mum go on you can do it.. And
Leanne pushing me on too so in my mind they got me up my mountain.
The sun was coming up bright red and it looked amazing lighting up the whole mountain
and the sky, seeing Africa that had only been visible from the night lights shining from
the towns and villages. I stopped to take a picture of its beauty; Charles took one of me
which I am forever grateful as I love that photo. He is a kind and friendly man.
We reached Stella Point as the sun came up and took more pictures. I thought I was there
at the top but Charles told me it wasnt! I was knackered and disappointed it wasnt but
still happy I had come this far. I went on watching other climbers being marched speedily
down the mountain or not able to stand up straight cos of altitude sickness. OMG I had
better take it slow was what I thought; dont rush this last bit Pole! Pole! So I kept going
up till I started to see the great Glaciers stretching across the mountains edge like the last
frill on the cake,sparkling like one giant diamond. We had been walking through snow
most of the climb, up steep paths and over smooth dangerous giant rocks that when I

Good job I had started organising a Ceilidh for the month of June, only two months away
so once again I started asking local businesses to sponsor me or give raffle prizes.
My Birthday came on April the 23rd and I was diagnosed with Collon Cancer. The
specialist found a tumour as big as an orange was what was described to me in my bowel.
He said I needed to be on the operating table within two weeks as it was urgent and had
ulcerated. I actually saw the cancer up my bum and it was the ugliest thing I had seen and
I said to the doctor with a camera up my jacksie, That doesnt look attractive!
He said nothing and after not being able to look any further he then said,
You know the part that you said wasnt very attractive?
I replied, Yes.
He said, Im sorry its Cancer, I was so scared at that moment I looked right into his
face as if he was going to say its not really but it was and there was no taking it back!
(They say Shakespeare was born and died on his birthday!)

I am only 44yrs old.

I couldnt believe it and kept having to tell myself this was happening to me. I told people
when they asked how I was that I had Cancer. I just couldnt make it fit me and make it
feel real. More problems in my life, like I hadnt had enough!
I had kept having blood in my poo and was told it was piles causing it. Somehow I
knew different as I was busy working, modelling, training, fund raising and doing my
City and Guilds in youth work so I asked my doctor to send me for tests. I just didnt
have time for this and my Hernia was still causing too much pain. How can this be?

My son Jake and friend Al was in the waiting room and I had to tell them. I had to tell my
son his mum had Cancer and asked the Doctor before if I could keep this from my
children?
He said, No, you must tell them the truth.
Al was already in the know by now and the Doctor went to get Jake. He knew something
was wrong and then I told him. The look on his face will never leave me as he was about
to be broken in two before my eyes but the Doctor said,
You have to be strong for your mum
Sure enough at that moment he sucked all that emotion and said,
I will!
His eyes where burning into me and he was dying to cry but would not allow himself to
break in front of me.
I said, We can deal with this.
We left the building and drove home with my local doctors calling me to go straight there
to see her. She was so sorry she got it wrong and told me what would be happening next.
I took it in and waited for scans and more tests that felt like forever to come. At that
moment I had to start building my life again. It felt like a joke but not!

thresh. I pushed down digging into my skin till I cut the clips and the nurse eased them
out with tweezers my skin bleeding. Im still living with the specialists mistakes. The
upside of this, my friends brought me buns, flowers, help and lots of laughs. After couple
of weeks Paula picked me up to take me to the pool. I would walk up and down in the
water with my arms pulling me along. I hated being weak, I always need to feel my
strength and this was another time to try and pull through. I had to recover for my
teenagers demands for starter.

It wasnt long after the presentation about climbing the biggest free standing mountain in
the world in Africa I made a final decision to go for it. I started bag packing in super
markets and asking more people to sponsor me.( in fact whoever I saw lol!) They did and
that gave me hope to carry on and keep my faith in continuing asking people for help.
When I told friends and strangers about the charity everyone wanted to give. As long as I
kept coming up with ideas to raise funds there would be no problem. Could I raise 3,500
in a year?
I have been modelling for a few years and I had this idea that my photographer and I
could put on an art exhibition with his images of beautiful nude women hed taken. It
was decided it would be at the Frog n moose pub and Leo my photographer called it Why
Nude after his first and second book Sublime Nude? These describe his models in
exquisite poses and locations describing how only God could create such sublime beauty
through emotion, dance and everyday human struggles with life as we all do from time to
time. Leo was so wonderfully generous and excited to go with my idea as he had always
wanted to show of his amazing photography of his art Nude Models he loved capturing
so much.
Leo had artistic, classy posters printed by the box full and we distributed them to almost
every art gallery in Yorkshire , the local paper, Facebook , bars , collages, shops ,libraries,
museums, you name it we posted them everywhere. It took 7 months to organise all the
prints as they cost a lot of money and had to be professionally set on to 2ft boards ready
to be placed onto beautiful ruby red table clothes with chandeliers above as lighting. A
lady artist Carol was there with her paintings of his work and other models from his two
books. Leo gave a talk and slide show about all his work and I gave a very nervous
presentation too about why I was doing all this to the people who came, about 30 in all
throughout the day thoroughly enjoyed it showing genuine interest in his work and my
fundraising, Quiz and raffle. There was a bar to buy drinks and coffees and the soft music
created a great ambience. I believed it was going to be a great success and raise lots of
interest and money but it only raised 150.
It was all going to be a lot harder than I first thought with the pain I was still having and
the work and time that was going into everything. I was starting to see that there would
be a lot of trial and error with what would and would not work to raise this large amount!

looked down my belly left my body and I was scared of the expanse between me and the
bottom so after 3 times I stopped looking. The views were out of this world!
I was reaching the top and the snow was in abundance and the glaciers where a sight for
sore eyes and really unlike anything Id ever seen before. The crater was coming up and I
would soon be looking into the heart of My Mountain I had finally conquered. I could
imagine the heat rising as the scorching liquid lava attempted to thrust itself towards the
heavens. Looking down into it it wasnt as deep as I had imagined as I stood on the
craters edge but I could see its great power to create beauty or destroy it!
UHURU peak was coming up and I had made it with King Charles. I WAS AT THE
VERY TOP. We hugged each other, congratulating our success and as usual I cried to
myself with joy and sang songs with Charles. I felt great sense of freedom seen as I
thought Id surely die before I got there or Id be too ill from altitude to make it. It had
taken me 7hours 45minutes from setting off the night before, I reached Uhuru at 7.30am.
I asked Charles to take some videos and asked people to take pictures of me and him at
the summit. I wrote in the snow with my pole Dr Fawoli; my African Doctor who is my
surgeon. He saved my life by removing my bowel cancer 8 months earlier and promising
to make me fit enough to fulfil my dream. He had said he had seen Kili but there was no
way he was going up it and so promised he would get me up there if I took his name and
left it at the summit . I dont know if it will still be there but we did it!
PEACE TO THE WORLD, I AM A CHAMPION I shouted jumping up and down
feeling totally on top of the world ! It could be the loneliest quietest part of the world but
still I was buzzing, I had done it and nobody else from our group was here yet. I realised I
was first up even after all my surgery and Id been out of training for a few weeks while
I healed and fund raised. I was shocked at my own achievement!
It was starting to get cold and after more pictures we had to leave the top as we were
starting to freeze. I could see the other climbers making their way to the summit very
slowly and really feeling the pressure of not having much air to breathe. We walked to
Stella Point passing our group on the way down and sat and had a cup a of tea, water with
pain killers that Charles gave to me cos my whole body and head was hurting and an
energy bar. We sat taking in the breathtaking views. Strangers from all nationalities
smiling and chattering about what they had accomplished but some others where
struggling to go any further bless em. It was a bright sunny day and I took 2 layers off
and put my shades on before we set off down further to the base camp we had set off
from. I had my poles and was surprised to see all the thick soil, rocks, shale and ash we
had to walk through as we descended. Still it was just me and Charles so we set off
sliding down the mountain using my poles like I was skiing on snow, around and over
rocks, dodging people coming down, I was flying past them. WOOOO WOOOO and
Charles was shaking his head laughing at me saying he aint ever seen a lady as strong as
me in his life. (I think he means crazy). We got down the mountain in a record time of 2
hours. 10 am I was back in camp and the porters made me a cup a tea while I put my feet

up in the blazing sunshine. The porters on my return said how strong I was and laughed at
me as Charles filled them in on our adventure and they say I get a degree in climbing lol.
Its been a tough challenge camping and climbing with strangers. I had not anticipated
just how hard it would be and although I have loved this challenge I wish the company
had been better. Meaning Steve 1 and ying ying creating an atmosphere! Everyone knew
someone except me, James and Ciaran and it got quite lonely at times especially because
I couldnt easily contact home.
Others are coming into base now, James first; Ciaran and Matt, we congratulated each
other and later I was resting in my tent when I heard Steve say to Matt wasnt Carol
superb but not to me, then the others followed, the Chinese ladies at the back not landing
in camp till after 1pm because they got freaked out about something and Matt our leader
had to go back up and bring them down. I just heard Steve 1 was last up to the summit
nearly dying to get his breath and stumbling all over while Nelson held him up and
pushed him up the mountain, Steve saying to him Im gonna die Nelson. Ha ha I m
glad hes found it tough! Back home when I saw him at the gym he would say altitude
sickness depended on your strength of mind . I had been told its like sea sickness you
have it or you dont. Who knows!
We have just eaten and Im resting in my tent waiting for the others to rest then we set off
to our last camp for the night before we descended the rest of the way tomorrow. It rained
all the way to our last camp for hours.
We have a five hour walk down the mountain starting at 5 in the morning till the Land
Rovers pick us up for the 45 minute drive to the gates then to the keys hotel. Celine tells
me its not a great hotel but Im looking forward to a shower and bed and leaving Steve 1,
hope I never see him again in my life. . .
Its Dinner now at 7, I cant bear more vegetable soup and vegetables as the meat has run
out and I feel sick before I go into eat at the thought of it!
I have walked down to 2 camps today that makes this our last night on the mountain. We
trek back through Jungle after more rocky climbing in the morning; we have to wake at
5am again! AHHHRG.!
We counted up what we thought we should pay in tips after dinner. 205 Dollars I gave
along with the 7 other climbers to be divided between cooks, Toilet man, Guides and
porters.
It all seems like Ive been living in a dream now most of my challenge is complete and I
cant wait for my bed when I get home. I am extremely emotional with joy I made it, in
fact surreal best describes how I feel , also Im extremely knackered! Good night world
as Ive been to the top of you today!
Day 11

They wanted 12 at least to take on the climb and a few started showing an interest. I went
to a talk at the fire station with other avid climbers and saw a map of the route we would
be taking and the toughness of Kilimanjaro and what we would need to take to get us up
her plus raise 3.500. With just less than a year to organise and so much to do, would it
be possible?
In my mind and spirit I wanted to take up this challenge but I didnt know if my body
could do it after having had 5 different operations in my lower abdomen in my life the
last 2nd to last one still coursing a lot of problems. Still I had to try and stay determined if
I was to climb this dream challenge.

I was not an avid climber for starters and knew for sure I would have to improve a lot on
my fitness having only had this Hernia operation in November 2012. My surgeon made
his insertion through my old caesarean scar and was supposed to repair a femoral hernia
and took it upon himself to repair my inguinal one as well when there was nothing wrong
with it.
I was in so much pain and was given morphine when I came round in recovery. The
nurses were lovely but my surgeon came to me laughing saying he had diagnosed the
wrong one and said hed repaired them both.
I asked, Why?
He replied, Just in case the other one goes.
Was there something wrong with the other one?
He replied, No and there wont be now and told the nurse to send me home to her
surprise.
She went to speak to her staff nurse to see if I could go home to be looked after by my
14year old daughter.
He said, She can use a phone.
I was shaking and crying and was given tea because the morphine was making me dizzy
and sick.
I hated what he had done because I knew I had too many foreign bodies in me with all
the meshing and so high up on my skinny frame. I could feel the mesh through my skin
that was causing lumps and painful tissue resulting in pain to shoot down my leg or into
my groin everyday. Anyway I came home the next morning signing myself out from that
horror story. My friend came to pick me up and it took her and the staff 2 hours to find
me as I wasnt even booked in so classed as not there. This poor behaviour continued as
the nurse came to take out my eight stitches 10 days later and couldnt cos they where too
tight saying she had never seen anything like it in her career and would have to come
back with a different pair of staple cutters tomorrow. I was in a lot of pain so when she
arrived next morning I was already sweating and shaking. She tried again to put the
cutters under the clips but it was too thick for the tight clips. She said I would have to go
into hospital so I pleaded with her to let me have a go because I knew my own pain

care where she was abused by the other children their because my mum couldnt cope
and there was no respite centres is what I thought back then to give parents a break or Im
sure she would have gone into one if there had been! It broke my heart to see her in there

Raising money for a Day care centre.

I took up the spinning challenge and found myself in a class of people with about 20
bikes in it having fun peddling to music and playing games for an hour with the lady
whose charity it was. I didnt know then she was the lady who lost her daughter Laila
Milly who was born with a rare neurological condition called Aicardi Syndrome. Lailas
syndrome meant that she had an enlarged heart, the central part of her brain was absent,
and she had lesions on her eyes, a curved spine and epilepsy that couldnt be controlled.
Sadly Laila passed away on the 2nd of March a day before her first birthday. She was a
brave little girl who inspired her parents to raise money with the aim of doing something
positive in her memory. This reminded me of how brave my Sister Donnas was living
with her disability even though her illness wasnt as severe as Lailas she still needed 24/7
care and there was only family to give it most of the time. My family history gave me the
determination to raise money to help other suffering parents and siblings with no respite
support.
I had enjoyed taking a sponsor sheet round my street telling friends and neighbours
about the charity raising 150 for this great course and was amazed at everyones
kindness and generosity. The Laila Milly charity had the building fitted out with a
sensory vision room and a specially adapted lift with rooms suitable for all the activities
for learning. It was looking like a Day Care Centre and was nearly ready for opening this
spring. They needed on-going funds to keep it open in the future to pay nurses and
overheads and needed people to get involved as I did, to raise sponsorship and awareness.
The next challenge, planned by Steve and his wife, was to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
They put it out on the counter of my gym. I asked if anyone else was interested as I
thought about taking one, knowing if I had the information booklet in my hand I was
going to do it!. I had more than one good reason to want to climb this mountain and that
was good enough for me!
I was interested in finding out what it would all entail to climb the biggest free standing
mountain in the world. Having jumped out of a plain twice at 13,500ft and this was
2000ft it got me thinking what would the sky be like as my home for 10 days and can I
breathe up there? I had my Scuba diver rescue certificate and had dived to 50meters
seeing the mountains under the sea and skied many times down the black runs in
countries around the world. I had climbed a few small mountains in England and loved
painting them but nothing like this one. The expanse of my vision of the earth was getting
bigger and my passion for seeing mountains and their stunning views and locations.

24th Feb 2014

Its Monday and Ive lost count of how many days Im on at Millennium camp. I woke at
4.30am to leave My Kilimanjaro meaning Mountain of Greatness leaving last camp at
5.30 after breakfast. During breakfast Matt told me the Chinese ladies were being picked
up by the mountain rescue Land Rover to take them to the gates as they couldnt walk
any further. I asked him if I could go and he said if I was sick. I told him my hernia was
killing me so he said yes. I went to pack the last of my belongings and realised that if I
got a lift the rest of the way back down my mission wouldnt be complete so I took more
pain killers and told Matt I didnt want the lift after all.

It was a hard steep downhill all the way for 6 hours. My knees especially and elbows
were hurting and the rest of my body shook with pain when my feet touched ground from
it steepness and all the climbing and though I had most of the time been in front through
out , I was the last one walking with Charles at my side or at the back. The men were in
front and I could here babble gob going on about how this famous rugby player on the
radio had been abused as a child and it had made him an argumentative presenter on his
shows. Why would they give him a show then and maybe he speaks with emotional
understanding and truth! The Chinese ladies at the back where taking it easy waiting for
there lift. Every step I took felt like hell now and I just wanted the gates to come to my
rescue.
We stopped and rested about an hour before we reached them and Reg must have looked
at me and thought that poor girl cos he asked me if he could carry my ruck sack and I
gladly said yes even though when I saw him struggling with his own and mine I said give
it back but he wouldnt and carried it for me. Finally the climb down came to an end and
wed reached the flat ground and I was so relieved I cried again to myself and then I
knew we had the gates nearly in view and the finish line to making My Dream come
True.
As I hobbled through the gates I felt a real sense of achievement and wanted a beer to
celebrate the fact Id made My Dream Come True. I was asked to sit with the others
under shelter and when I did I thought what am I doing here sat all obediently lol so I got
up and looked for my mate King Charles; Matt asked me if I wanted a beer and where I
was going. I went with him to the bar which was a hut and he handed me an African beer
my first beer in 11 days as we congratulated each other. . I found Charles and he took me
to meet his people who were selling souvenirs and I sat and haggled with them for
presents to take home; I loved the African people who seem more care free and friendly
than us as the other climbers never moved from were they had asked to sit so they didnt
get any gifts to take home or experience the culture of buying anything. I was well
pleased with what I bought, a T shirt, a carved salad serving set, canvas painting of my
mountain with a giraffe and elephants on it talentedly painted and jewellery.

Matt then came to say we were starting the tip ceremony and I ran back to the others who
were all waiting for me. I was handed two envelopes with dollars in for Reg and Thomas
so that everyone in the group had something to give. The porters and guides sang and
danced for us as we clapped and reeled in this moving moment as everything was coming
to an end. James then gave a touching speech about how we had all come on this journey
for our own different reasons that moved me and we all gave out tips as there names were
called one by one as we thanked them and shook hands or hugged; again a very moving
moment.
A driver also called Charles who brought us here and drove like a rally driver picked us
up and we drove 45mins to the Keys Hotel driving past huts were people lived in local
villages, coffee plantations, banana trees, shops , cows and much more. I heard Steve say
that there was nothing good to report home about what he had seen in Africa cos all he
had seen was jungle without animal life cos it had all been poached and running boys up
and down the mountain carrying for groups of climbers from around the world.
This is not at all how I would describe my experience of Africa. The animals tend to shy
away from humans and the jungle is huge, still I saw different species of monkeys and
birds. I was reassured that there are plenty of animals by Nelson as poaching is not
allowed in Tanzania and later found out if a poacher is caught killing animals they are
allowed to kill the poacher. As for the men carrying things up and down they seem happy,
they keep fit and earn a living to take home to their families. They are a proud working
country and strong and I admire them greatly for their strength of character.
Wow we arrived at the Keys and I had my first shower and saw all of my body for the
first time since arriving here. My room is basic but a palace in comparison to the two man
tent Id been living in and I enjoyed getting changed into my short summer dress and
bumping into Lisa, Caline and Ying Ying as I came out of my room . They all wore
trousers and they laughed and said they didnt recognise me with my legs out. It felt good
we was all buzzing and ready to go down to the bar/restaurant for pizza and coke I had
ordered with all the others but still there was always an atmosphere from us 3. Matt then
gave out certificates for successfully reaching the summit another emotional moment as
we all congratulated each other. Soon after everyone said their good buys and left for the
air port except me as I had another adventure ahead of me.
I am now sat round the pool sun bathing, enjoying a Malibu and pineapple surrounded by
palm trees blowing in the breeze resting my body and my mind, giving myself a chance
to recover. As I begin to reflect on my achievement I think back to when it all started and
whats gone off in the last year!
Niomi and Ibelieve stop to say hello, they are local African girls and local men are
friendly and chatty too. The girls say I am cute Ha-ha. Tomorrow I get picked up at 8am
to start my safari.

Who would have known I could make This Dream come

true!

I had seen the The Great Mount Kilimanjaro in my book, The Land, Extreme Earth.
Standing at 20 thousand ft and 4 miles up into the sky; I was looking in awe at the biggest
free standing mountain on earth in Tanzania Africa and now some universal source/
energy was asking me if I really wanted to take up such a great challenge.
It all came about one morning at the gym Im a member of. I was asked if I wanted to
join in a spinnathon to help raise money for a local charity that was being set up for
mums and dads/ carers with handicapped babies and children up to 5yrs old born with life
threatening illnesses to enable respite for families. I thought what a great idea as I knew
first hand what it was like to look after my sister who was born with brain damage
resulting in her special needs and out of control Grand-mal epileptic seizures. She was on
the highest dosage of medicines I have ever known a child 2 x 500ml Epalim 3 times a
day. Tegratol , Mogadon and others all crushed between two spoons till she was old
enough to take them whole to help control them so hence we were almost joined at the
hip for me to take care of her most of the time.
We shared a bed so if she had a fit in the night I helped her by holding her down (she
was very strong and heavy) so she wouldnt fall out of bed, screaming, rigid with blue
pursed lips and wide green eyes looking scared for her life and trying to stop herself from
going into the Big Black hole as she later in years described it to me! She would come
round after a few minutes white and exhausted bless her, sometimes the doctor coming
and sedating her (and that dint always work) or taking her to hospital because she had
that many in one day her temperature going through the roof coursing the seizures to be
out of control. She once had a stroke and I tell you she was that strong she even came
back from that.
We went everywhere together after Donna got home from her special needs school
Lidgate,New Mill,Holmfirth. We would go playing in the woods picking bluebells for
mum. To the swings and on our bikes riding over fields, hills and streams where we grew
up even though she fitted and fell off a lot I was determined she would enjoy the same as
me in life as much as she could . One time when I was 10 and Donna 11 I was told to take
her to the swimming baths in the next village walking 2 miles to get there. It was in the 6
weeks school holidays and the pool was full of screaming kids enjoying themselves when
she had a fit triggered by excitement no doubt and I couldnt hear her scream like I
normally would. My instincts told me to turn round and she was at my feet on the pool
floor me thinking how long as she been there!. I screamed for help and an attendant
pulled her out of the water not breathing. I was petrified standing watching my sister
dying. He gave her mouth to mouth and she came round and the ambulance took her to
hospital and I walked home. I got a hiding for that but never the less I knew how hard it
was for all of us living with Donnas illness. As a young teenager Donna was put into