Cheerio then.....

So, here I am, off up a mountain...... the highest free standing mountain in he world to be precise, seems utterly bizarre just saying it.

Taxi will be here soon, then an overnight flight to Nairobi, then a little connection down to Tanzania, I should be there before Saturday lunchtime, with the climb starting Sunday morning bright and early.

I'm physically as ready as I could be, yes the knees are still shot to pieces, but in general I'm fitter than I've been in many a year. Over the last few days its been more the mental side of things I've found challenging. Not the mental challenge of the climb, that's yet to come (and I'm sure it will) but the emotional side of leaving Bonnie and the boys for so long. It was extremely tough saying good-bye to them this morning, and poor little Archie was in pieces..... between you and me, I wasn't exactly the pillar of strength I'd hoped to be either. Still, the excitement of being back with them will drive me on I'm sure.

I have to explain just how amazing my wife is by the way. The support she's given me over the last year in preparing for this has been extraordinary, putting up with me disappearing off for hours at a time for training, helping me prepare and not complaining once. Thanks Bonnie, I love you heaps.

I was very fortunate to receive a wonderful send off this morning from The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, I can't tell you what a great place it it.

Well, that's it really, I'm off-ski..... just time to say a HUGE thank-you to all the kind people who have seen me smash through my fundraising target (over £4,200 to-date) and to those who have sent me some wonderful supportive messages.

If you are interested in tracking my progress, Bonnie will be updating the facebook group after she's heard from me, if I'm able to get some text messages through. I will be blogging post climb, including photos.

Until then.... for you Mum.