Dear Friends,

Hello to all of you and a big thank you from us both for all your support and encouragement in this endeavour - we couldn't have done it without you.

Well we arrived home last Thursday 19 August, and we have to let you know that we didn't get to the very top of Kilimanjaro unfortunately as we both had altitude sickness and our guide said we must go down - and we didn't feel like arguing with him!  Altitude sickness is very unpleasant.  However, we did get to 4700 metres which is approximately 4 Snowdons ! Can't be bad for two old girls. The last 'Snowdon' as it were, would have taken us up to 5895 metres but we had to go down on our guide's advice. 

The whole experience, right from our first thoughts about doing this challenge, has been very special.  We have met and spoken to so many people and have been touched by the stories of their own personal loss that they have chosen to share with us.  Our time in Tanzania was particularly wonderful because of the kindness, politeness and gentleness of all the people we met there.  Neither of us had been to Africa before and I am not sure what we expected but we both said we were pleased our first time in Africa had been in Tanzania - a peaceful country - with such warm spirited people.  They love to share a joke with you and there was a lot of laughter while we were there.

It is good to be back home and we will never forget this amazing experience.  We are so grateful to you all for thinking of us and sending us your good wishes. 

As you can see we have raised a tremendous amount for Greenwich Cruse, for which we are very grateful.  If anyone out there would still like to make a donation then please do - it is for a great cause that does wonderful work for those who need our support during bereavement.

This would not happen without all of you and we know that and thank you all sincerely.

Love Barbara and Doreen                                                      

 

KILIMANJARO POEM by Lesley Cody:

Have you heard the latest news?

They're raising funds for Greenwich Cruse

Two members of our poetry set

Are off to join a climbing trek

 

Mount Kilimanjaro they're ascending

To me the prospect's quite mind-bending

But Babs anbd Doreen show no fear

Such bold and stalwart volunteers

 

The climb begins on August eighth

It's just as well they're in good health!

I hear they're both out hard core training

Every day when it's not raining

 

They'll have to brave the icy winds

And sleep in tents - there are no Inns

And they'll be risking hypothermia

Or even an inguinal hernia

 

They'll clasp the crags with iron grip

Lest from those heady heights they slip

Coralled together by a rope

As they ascend the treacherous slope

 

So please do make a small donation

To Cruse to show your admiration

For two intrepid mountaineers

Whose bravery knows no frontiers

 

Many thanks for this Lesley - Love Barbara and Doreen xx