Team Kilimanjaro Training Trek

Sunday 28th March 2010. The Team met at 11 am by the Guildhall in Much Wenlock in Shropshire. We were hoping that it would be a full turnout, unfortunately Stuart could not join us because he had a death in his family.


Much Wenlock is the birthplace of William Penny Brookes, founding father of the Modern Olympic Games.This beautiful English Town has more of the feel of a village, but with more tourist attractions.

Jean-Luc came prepared with his rambler's map enclosed in it's plastic pouch and secured around his neck. We set off on this bright, crisp, sunny morning. We passed through numerous kissing gates and stiles as we trekked through the rural countryside. The views were breathtaking with green fields, haystacks, forests, rivers and beautiful country houses.

We finally reached Ironbridge at about 1:30pm and crossed over it, weary of the millions of tonnes of water from the River Severn flowing majestically below. We stopped for lunch on the terrace at the Tea Emporium and took in the view of the magnificent Ironbridge.The bridge rests in the heart of Telford and Wrekin and signifies the start of the Industrial Revolution. I was starving and welcomed the hot English tea and the piping hot baked potato topped with beans and Cheddar cheese...mmmmm. Everyone else had something cold. I popped into the museum sweet shop to gets some treats and traditional fudge for my daughter before rejoining the team.

An hour later we grabbed our kit and got on our way. We walked along the river past the imposing Ironbridge Power Station cooling towers. Just then Qasim spotted the rope overhanging the river and used his walking stick to pull it in. The next thing I know, he has his kit off and takes a running leap swinging off the rope as he rolls out over the river and back again.... Oh no... here it begins... before you know it we were all doing it. I know what was going through everyone's mind - " have I got the upper body strength to do this, I hope to God I don't fall in.. !!! " - we have the right stuff and yes we did have a blast...

We pressed on up and down through the rolling countryside , up 15% incline hills until eventually we made it back to the Much Wenlock High Street for five. We exchanged hugs and handshakes and got back into our motors to make our way home.

I drove Qasim and Indy back to Birmingham , to their cars left at my workplace and made my way home to grab a nice hot shower... Half and hours rest and I was out the door again to.... well that's another story, but I needed another shower when I got back at 11....

I felt fine that day... no visible after effects apart from a little tiredness. No blisters, no bruises. But the following morning I was stiff and slightly uncomfortable. By Tuesday my calf muscles were hurting, the knees were sending me pain signals and my ankles were very sore and uncomfortable... All signs that we need more training. This went on for day, by Friday it was just my ankles that were still sore...

But hey this is what it's all about ... and I don't regret a moment of it...I'm loving it....