It’s finally here!!!!! We met our other Team Fox climbers. Had lunch together, walked the town and got to know each other. Got our final briefing and gear check from our lead expedition guides. Tomorrow we head out at 7am. Due to very limited wi-fi and cloud cover it is quite possible that my blogs will not be received after this one. I shall however continue to write and attached pictures but you may only get them once back.

Yesterday Earl and I spent the majority of the day working in a village. The village is part of the Kilimanjaro coffee co-op. Very interesting on how these villages are owned by the father and his land divided between his sons so, each time a son is born the land continues to be divided. Each local farmer then co-op’s their coffee crops and it then goes to market to be auctioned off to world distribution. We got to pick our own beans, shell them, clean and dry, roast, grind and then drink our coffee. Quite fascinating and lots of fun. One of the village women made us a fantastic lunch which we got to eat with family members. Loved, loved the day.

End of the day we met up with two of our team climbers and went out to dinner at a restaurant which served Indian and Italian food (strange combination). Pizza was good, flatbread was not. Curry excellent.

It’s a beautiful evening here in Moshi. Kilimanjaro in the distance viewed from the back of the hotel. It seems as if it is taunting me to challenge the summit, it’s teasing me with sun glistening on the snow. I’m ready, feeling ready for the challenge, proud and grateful to all who have supported the Michael J Fox research foundation in finding a cure. I will reach the summit and we will find a cure.

Wonderful day in the village yesterday. Topped off with a view of “the boss” this evening.