This is the diary of my  last trek in 2006. Please go to my new page for my next trek to Tibet at www.justgiving.com/terryintibet  Before you go however, read the following as it gives some idea of what we may encounter!

Thank you for visiting my page, which expires on 23.12.06. The event date is incorrect, we left on the 14th and return late on the 24th. I am walking as part of an organised challenge with other mad souls to raise over £100,000. Most days we will walk about 15 miles, through rugged but beautiful terrain. The weather in Delhi averages 36c and low 20's overnight. At Shimla where we start walking its much cooler, 20c day, but near freezing overnight! We are staying in basic hotels (thankfully not under canvas). I will update this page daily, via text and Judith.

We arrived in Delhi on Sunday. The heat, filth and poverty was awful. The Delhi ringroad was a cross between the M25, Speedway & Banger racing! On Monday we travelled up 96km to the hill station of Shimla on the 'Toy Train', 6 hrs and 107 bridges and tunnels. The scenery was superb. Shimla is at 2,159m so much cooler, like the UK at present. (4 1/2hrs ahead of UK) .

Tues 3pm. Our first  trek and we visited the Monkey Temple, it felt like climbing a mountain! Some of our 50 strong group are already struggling with the very steep ups and downs. Mainly its dirt tracks but very hard going.  We have seen monkeys and a flying fox! The half day trek took longer than predicted, 7 hours. Oh, for a cold beer!!!  

Weds. 3.30pm. Walking at 7.30am. Its hot and sunny again, in the high 20's. The scenery is fantastic, like skiing without the snow. Its a little easier than yesterday, so far. Walking about 18km through forest tracks but steep steps are hard going. I will need a holiday when I get back, this sure is a challenge. Most of us are suffering with 'Delhi belly', lots of Imodium. We could do with a decent meal, veg curry breakfast, lunch and dinner! I will come back like an x-ray. Oh, for a Sunday roast!!! 

Thurs.12.45pm. Good Thai-like meal last night in a nice hotel, with dancers too. Transfer up here was scary on a single track road with hairpins. But best of all, a good nights sleep. Walking from 7am, warm with blue skies again. 7pm now. Again its been a very hard walk. Relentless 45 degree climbs either up or down on loose rocks through a wooded valley, past mountain streams. We saw vultures (they wouldn't want us, we've wasted away!)  and a snake. A strange sight, locals playing cricket miles from nowhere. We had late lunch, a bbq, up the mountain just as the rain started. After 2 1/2 hr on a bus we reached our lovely hotel in Kandaghat. Oh, for some new legs!!!

Fri, 11.30am. Hotel was great, but 100s of stairs, exhausted before we started. Today is the longest (22km) walk up Mount Karol at 3,500m. We have climbed the first 700m, it seems almost vertically. We went past some cannabis plants growing, maybe some might help us?! 12.30pm and we've made the top! Picnic lunch and a well earned rest near a small Temple. Its raining and windy so the views are poor. We should see panoramic views across the whole region from Shimla to Chandigahr and the snow capped Himalayas but we cant. 4.30pm.The hardest day has been the easiest. A few went back after the first quite hard stage but everyone else made it ok. After a ride in death wish taxis, and a coach, we took a cable car up to the Timber Trail Hotel, the only way there. Clean, large rooms and from our mountain top, spectacular views for miles and miles. 

Sat. 7.30 am. Hot and sunny again. Monkeys on the balcony, they made one lady scream last night. A few sore heads after an evening of relaxation, Indian beer is good. Today we wear our Farleigh t shirts and bandanas, we look like a party of scouts/guides! 3pm. Enjoyable walk, went across fields of wild mint (Oh, for some roast lamb!) and up through pine trees. This was our last trek and we all walked over a finishing line. Glass of (Indian) champagne and a medal. Very emotional, tears and laughter, not wanting it to end but longing to go home. A year ago most could not imagine doing such a hard challenge, but without exception we have all surpassed our personal goals. 11.45pm. Fireworks tonight because its Diwali. A super celebration dinner outside followed by a very emotional certificate presentation to us all. The firecrackers & rockets were a bit close, we will be deaf for a week.

Sun.915am. Our start today delayed an hour, by popular demand! We then had to wait an hour while they prayed to the God of Technology before starting the cable car. Thunderstorms and torrential rain, glad we're not trekking today, just a 7hr bus ride to Delhi. No wipers on the bus then a puncture. Raining inside too, as the windows leak. 3pm. Just stopped for lunch at a chaotic Indian 'McDonalds'. On way, one bus got stuck in a hole in the road, they put bricks under to get it out. Sunny and warm now so we can dry out. 5pm. Madhouse on road, hoot constantly, overtake anywhere, motorbikes with whole families on, rickshaws everywhere and bikes with loads as big as wardrobes. Oh no, bus has broken down on the roadside. No worries, the horn still works!!! 10pm. Bus was 'fixed', it ran out of deisel. We have eventually arrived at a grim hotel, (14 hr journey) but bed now as we have to be up at 4am.

Monday. (Mobiles are not allowed in the Taj Mahal, so no update till they return to thier hotel. Judith). 11.45pm Just back to hotel, shattered. The Taj Mahal was fabulous and the Red Fort really interesting. The filth, stench and squalor in Delhi is horrendous, we cant wait to be home.

Tues. 12.30pm. Challenge completed, we are on our way home. Its been very tiring but there is a great sense of achievement. 9pm. Our coach arrived safely back at Farleigh, the end of a fantastic experience. We have raised over £120,000 between us, thank you if you have, or are about to sponsor a trekker. This site will accept donations until 23.12.06. Please donate.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far, its great to have so many friends pushing me on! (Welcome to fellow trekkers supporters who are logging on to follow the ups & downs of the group.)

My wife Judith, has been fundraising for Farleigh Hospice for over 10 years. Since we met in early 2003, we have been helping to raise the much needed funds for the wonderful new building. We have seen piles of bricks become a superbly designed, friendly and vitally important part of the local community. It is run by people who really care,so not a penny of your donation will be wasted. Further details about Farleigh are on www.farleighhospice.org including a virtual tour of the building.

Farleigh costs over £6,000 per day, every day, to run. So far the income for the new building is £1million short. 5 of the 15 inpatient beds cannot be opened and the day care centre is running below capacity. Over 2,500 people and countless members of thier families are cared for each year, free of charge, with all types of life limiting illnesses. It is a frightening fact that 1 in 3 of us will suffer from cancer in our lifetime and as we all live longer it will come down to 1 in 2. That's Judith or me.

Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
Donating through this site is simple, efficient, fast and totally secure. Farleigh Hospice will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. If you are a 40% taxpayer you can also claim 18% back on your self assessment form. eg. A £130 donation will cost you £100 but the gross value to Farleigh is £166.67.       So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.              Terry.