Thanks for visiting our fund raising page.As in every heart rendering read those words "the end" have to appear, Garyandphils trek in Peru visited their final destination, fitting perhaps, the Funeral Towers in Sillustani, which dated pre inca, where the important people were laid to rest, with their families joining them not by choice! A marvellous guide, Charo, (who should be on mastermind, reading Peruvian history!) gave us so much information, with an endearing passion, Gary and I were at odds how a person could retain so much knowledge! Brilliant! We are now on our last legs, two stone lighter! Guess what? we are still talking, Lima will be a fading memory in one hour, its been a fabulous adventure, thanks to you all. We are apprehensive about returning to England, the crime, the weather and the Super Spurs might start losing! A final huge thanks to Pedro, Haydee and Charo, who really were the business! You all made our experience that much more entertaining and enjoyable, all my customers who clicked on and so generously donated, our friends, the golfers, family, Kobblers, and last but not least, Gazza, who made it all happen!!!! The end, for now.......................
Fourteen days have flown by, Komplicated Gary and Therapist Phil have analyzed everything and everyone! We have seen some extreme locations! Left Cusco on the Perurail, felt like a king! A ten hour train journey with an observation carriage! We eat and drank, passing through lots of dry, arid flatlands. Poverty was everywhere, made you think! Arrived in Puno at our Hotel, which was situated on Lake Titikaka at 6.15pm. The Shy Boys were now suffering from dodgy tummys! Aaaaggghhhh! Our trip to the floating lslands was by motor boat, can you believe people living on reeds laid upon clumps of the roots, which are tied together! These tribes are pre inca, their way of life is beyond belief, but their smiles were contagious! A single woman wanted me to stay on the lsland! Her name was Monica, everyone was amused, she wanted two children! Now that would have been Komplicated! We were given a tour of the houses, one room, for all the family, sometimes including the mother in law! I shook my head, a long way from Wood Green! We all bought some handmade gifts, you felt a sympathy, a pity, such humble human beings, but we were the tourists. Gazza and l left there plotting a return, with Unkomplicated donations from the King Kobbler Klub! Lake Titikaka is vast, a treasure, it looks like an Ocean, nearly 40 miles at its widest part! A major part of Puno's tourist trade. Wednesday, we are off to the Funeral Towers, and so far Gazza doesn't want to bury me! The journey is nearly complete, We have bitten the mosquitos! swam with the crocs, danced with the tarantulas, boogied with the giant beetles, smoozed with extra "giagantic" frogs, walked the walk, we've had tears, its been a blast, its been emotional!
The Shy boys are back from an incredible journey, what a mystical place! I have always said that travelling is the finest education, well Gary and I have obtained a Masters! It was very tough, But we reached the sun gate together at 8am, our party of eight people were exhausted, Mandy who was 48 was just unbelievable, showing so much courage, Gary and l were full of satisfaction, pride, an achievment of a life time! Never thought l would spend 3 nights in such close proximity with a man in very small two man tent! We laughed so much, eleven days now and still talking! Our walking companions were a delight, two guys from Wales, Pat and Healey, Mandy from Yorkshire, Tracey, Alex and Claire who all graduated together in Wales and last but not least the youngest Rich and Reanda, who must have thought they had joined an old boys brigade! Thanks for all the great laughs! The shy boys were put in their place many times, teasing was constant, uncle Gary and uncle Phil was our last nicknames! Our guide Haydee who was 28, kept us amused for four days, what a cheeky young lady! , Fabulous, knowlegable, informative, with a wonderful sense of humour, a dinner party of complete strangers for three nights in a tent with a kerosene lamp! Romantic eh? But we all mixed in, and the result was just brilliant, thanks to everyone for the fun. Gary and I could not take in the beauty, once again l was speechless ( much to the delight of Gazza! ) the scenery is out of this world, it just keeps bowling you over! Back in Cusco now, resting, before a ten hour train journey to Puno, it just goes on! Hope everyone is clicking on and enjoying our adventure. Gary and Phil send their love to all, bye for now.
In to our 7th night, still no rucks, just having an amazing time.Gary's favourite saying "who looks the oldest?" Hmmm, no contest is it Dad? The jungle was breathtaking, l was left speechless, o.k. unusual but true. The local people were so nice, don't know the meaning of arrogance, really kind, obviously the absence of t.v. has done them good! Felt like David Attenborough on the Tambapota river! It was a big WOW time! Gazza night time noises have added some spice to the jungle serenity! Now in Cusco, a beautiful city, really quaint. adjusting to the altitude then tomorrow the BIG walk! You would never believe it! local lad flim flams Philthefish! It was in the Cusco newspapers, shoe shine boy bamboozles Phil, one sandal brushed up like new! a breakdown of negotiations and the end result was two odd leather sandals! one spotless and one scruffy! Ha ha ha, you should have seen Phil's face! So far the Shy boys are painting the town all sorts of colours, we are having a ball! Komplicated Gary and Therapist Phil will succeed! We will bring home the brazil nuts!
Back from the jungle, great time and only one bite between us! up every day at 4.00am and candles out at 9.00pm. Lots of jungle sound including gary snoring ,lodge only has 3 sides and the walls are all bamboo going up half way! You could hear everything, everything! So Gary and l stayed out of each others beds! We had an almighty shock one night, l spotted an incredibly huge black beetle, Gary and l were petrified! A hippopotamus beetle, l tried to move it safely and it injected its tentacle into the sole of my sandal ( later to be an odd one!) we were horrified! Imagine that in your bed, very near to your private parts! Eye watering comes to mind! How jealous l became of David Attenborough! what a marvellous job, the Amazon was mind blowing for both of us! The shy boys have bemused the odds, so far still no punches! Now moving on to Cucso for the big trek, altitude acclimatisation! we are going to do it, our aim is to finish on the same page! Togetherness! Our preparation has been strict! Loads of wine! bundles of beer! Late nights, questions have to be asked!
Well we have made it, a very comfortable flight, fourteen hours of amusing each other, Gary sorted everything out wonderfully! Hotel in Lima spot on, have met one of our trekkers, not playing with a full deck! It worries me, what is to come! No punches as yet! Love to everyone, must go now, Gary has told me l have said enough! Oh well!
We are off in under 8 hours .all packed but not without problems! weight restrictions on the baggage ? how many bags and holdalls? I told Phil not to worry we can always send the luggage on the next flight!
Our good friend Basil (dicky) is taking us in style to the Airport (with the meter turned off!) ,it's then off to Peru via Madrid , Peru is in for a Major Shock! the shy boys from North London are about to arrive.Walking boots, rucksacks at the ready. Basil the book is laying odds, what day the first ruck?will there be punches?who will walk out the jungle alone?
keep tuned for more updates, too excited to sleep !!!
Only a week to go, Phil is as fit as he will ever be walking, skipping, playing badminton, cleaning windows up and down ladders all day, not to mention using strong arm tactics to raise money for this great cause. Gary unfortunately has had injury problems ,first the knee then the shoulder and neck! getting better everyday but missed a months training.
We are both looking forward to this great adventure and hope to update the page (now i've found out how to use the computer) during our travels so please visit our page again. Once again we would like to thank everyone who has so kindly donated. all monies go to the Hospice as we have covered all our own costs.
We are at the time of our lives where we spend most of our time watching sport where we once participated, so we thought it's time for a challenge! Someone said walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, so here we are doing just that!
Phil (56) and Gary (58) are paying our own way to Peru , walking for 5 days and camping in temperatures which can be as low as -7! We fly to Lima on the 18th of August 2009.
We hope to raise 'loads of money' for a very worthwhile cause THE NORTH LONDON HOSPICE. Please take a minute to look at their website (http://www.northlondonhospice.org.uk/). Around 80% of their funding needs to be raised from fund raising efforts and donations. You might even take up a challenge yourselves! We are local lads from North London, so dig deep, don't be shy, this is for everyone!
It makes no difference whether you support Spurs, Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, Fulham, Brentford, Barnet, Watford, Q.P.R., Bolton Liverpool or even Man U. (it's on the list Steve) or any other football team. This is one time when we can all work together by giving a generous donation.
To view Harry's new signings, click on the photos link (on the left of the page).
Many thanks for taking the time to look at our page.
GARY AND PHIL.
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Only 1 weeks to go. We are in strict training. No wine, women or song!
