We rise at 6.30, packing up our belongings before having fresh eggs, porridge and toast for breakfast- a welcome start for what we know will be a tough day. Trekking starts promptly at 8am. It’s going to be an 8 hour day so Craig, our trek leader, reminds us to top up our water and make sure we have collected our packed lunch.
We walk up through the village of Kerari, and into the hills.
We literally walk on a path through the middle of people’s small holdings- with some kid goats to watch!
We pass plenty of young children on their way to school.
The path is uneven, and undulates throughout the morning- much rockier than yesterday but gives us fantastic views on the tops.
We drop down to a river where we stop for lunch. Some of the braver trekkers go for a dip! We are grateful for the rest as the afternoon will be a 4 hour uphill trek, not for the faint hearted. We climbed uphill for an hour and a half then scramble up for half an hour to get to the top.
It’s a challenge for all of us but we show each other so much support and encouragement to get through this tough 2nd day.
Again, the care given to each other is phenomenal and is what the treks are all about: a challenge but completed with a joint purpose.
Amazingly, we have 4G at the top (1,700m) and check messages from family and friends including singing Happy Birthday to one of our trekkers daughter.
We arrive in camp an hour early! The training and group morale spurred us on! We set up camp as we did last night- before it gets dark.
At 11am GMT (4.30pm local time) we have two minutes silence for Armistice day.
The first two days have been the most challenging of the whole trek, and tough. A welcome refresh with a bucket of warm water to have a wash down and a hot chocolate and homemade pakora were a welcome snack.
Spirits are high – there is an amazing sense of achievement and the group have stayed together throughout the walk.
We gather in a Cow shed with stools and conversations are good as we continue to get to know each other whilst having a real good chat with lots of laughter.
Hiya Lily it’s your proud mum n dad here.All of you are doing so so well,not just for our wonderful hospice but for your heath and wellbeing by learning more about yourselves and of all the things we take for granted in the world. Love to you all and see you on the other side home safe and sound.
Joanne and Rob