I don't have to do it alone!!

Today my hiking buddie, Yolanda, seen above on one of her Table Mountain hikes, confirmed that she will be joining me in July!! I am SO happy Yolanda, it's going to be wonderful to be able to share this amazing adventure with such a bubbly, warm person.

I know we are going to have the time of our lives - I can't wait! In fact I really wish the whole group could go along!! Our Thursday hikes have become so special to me and I certainly plan to continue hiking even after our big Kili climb. In fact I can't believe that it has taken me so many years to discover the magic of hiking - we are particularly blessed with amazing scenery where we live.

Thursday evening I'll be talking to the Outriders Cycling Club about the project and we'll be showing a DVD on the Burns Unit -  a comprehensive overview of this amazing facility. I am hoping that we can inspire people to not only join the charity ride in July themselves, but that they will bring loads of friends and family along. The Outriders are offering a two night package at any Protea Hotel in South Africa - they are selling raffle tickets at R50 each - if you would like to know how to go about buying a few tickets, please contact me at ferreira@netpoint.co.za. Every single cent raised will be donated to the hospital!

Thank you Protea Hotels and Rodney Beck from the Outriders Cycling Club in Table View for this initiative!

Remax in Table View are preparing a wonderful brochure, promoting our project, which they are going to distribute in Sunset Beach and Sunset Links shortly. Thank you Jeanne, Debra and Chantal - you are absolute angels. I really appreciate you getting involved and hope that your effort is going inspire the whole of Sunset Beach and the Links to join us!!

Look out for the update on Friday morning and wish us luck for Thursday evening!

Only 2 months to go!!

The view from the Helderberg mountains

Having a little breather before heading down...

With only two months to go before the big climb, we tackled the Helderberg mountains above Somerset West yesterday. A full day hike with a wonderful group of people - wish I could take them all with me to Kili in July!

There is just something about hiking with a group that you connect with - somehow the aches and pains and tricky parts just fade away and nothing seems impossible! As for the new boots - if you are in the market for boots, search no further. I can HIGHLY recommend Merrell's. This is only the second hike that I do with them and I was able to climb to 1003m and down without one blister or ever feeling uncomfortable. They have a  tremendous grip and the special protective bit over the toes is such a bonus. I really think I made a good choice and I think I'll follow the tip I got some time ago - WEAR THEM ON THE PLANE as you can't replace them if the airline loses your luggage somewhere along the line! 

I am also feeling so much more comfortable after such a long hike - it really was a full day. On some of the initial walks I remember being VERY tired the next day or two so I must be getting better at it... The one thing that I find I have to work at is staying hydrated - not just during exercise but in general during the day. Drinking water on a regular basis should be like breathing to me by now, but it really isn't. I constantly find myself suffering from headaches after exercising quite a bit, be it hiking or running. This project is bringing about quite a few lifestyle changes - all good though!

Here are some of the other pics I took yesterday - enjoy!

Table Mountain seen from the Helderberg mountains

On top of the world! Eddie, Irene and Erica

Spotted next to the dam at the end of the hike - couldn't resist capturing it!

The biggest fundraiser to date confirmed!!

This morning the Outriders, one of the largest cycling clubs in Cape Town, confirmed that they will be hosting an event in support of our project! I am SO happy about that, thank you Rodney and your amazing team, this is what community spirit is all about!!

All the details are currently being discussed and as soon as we have confirmed dates etc. this will be the first forum  where all will be announced.

Earlier this week etv News carried a piece on the Burns Unit and how they need funds for their much needed upgrade. Lets see if we can now get some coverage by the local newspaper as well...

Walked around the house with my boots today, I think the locals at Woolies thought I'd lost it when I marched along the grocery isle this afternoon with my massive high altitude boots and handbag in hand... ;)

Autumn walking in Cape Town...

My new boots - truly worn in today!

Well, it's official. Wore my boots for the first time on a 5hour hike. I am over the moon happy with the performance and I don't need one single plaster tonight! Goes to show, buying something decent really is worth while. Going down the mountain took a little getting used to as I'm not quite used to the height of the soles and as well as the height around the ankle. Another one or two walks and I'm sure it will feel as I've never worn anything else.

Our walk today included three peaks on the Silvermine route. It was a glorious day in Cape Town and I could not have asked for better company. The pace was great and we had a number of opportunities to take pictures from the top - looking down on Hout Bay harbour, Noordhoek and the endless beaches along the Muizenberg coastline was simply spectacular.

Here are a few of the pictures we took today....

I feel pretty blessed tonight! What a honour to have access to all of the above, good health and great people to share it with.

Now I have to start thinking about innoculations, a smaller camera and all the other gear I still have to purchase. First things first though - run that bubble bath - aching muscles to be pampered!

                                       

Got the boots!

With Abbey the Yorkshire Terrier in ICU for a week and now recovering at home I've put the running/climbing/fundraising all on hold. Good news is that she is looking better every day and we're holding thumbs that she'll recover fully.

With all the drama I've FINALLY managed to buy my boots and have been wearing it at home for the last couple of days! After doing research for weeks I decided to spend the extra money and buy one of the best on the market - hopefully I won't need to purchase another pair for a very long time and I'll have many happy hours of hiking in them.

I decided to go for Merrel, a good quality, hardy boot that not only looks good but is waterproof and has the best quality sole on the market. Tomorrow I'll be wearing them on a hike for the first time ever - will have to post a photo or two at the end of the day! I've packed my trail runners as well, until they've been worn it it's probably a good idea to have a backup on the hike...

Checklist: plasters, extra socks, waterproof jacket, wet wipes, lip ice, money to get into the reserve, snacks, 3 x bottles of water, rehidrate, bananas, headache tablets, little mat to sit on, hat, sunscreen, gloves, camera, id book, drivers licence ..... OH MY WORD - and this is just for one half day walk!!!

To my friend Nicole from New York - THANK YOU so much for donating to the hospital, it really is appreciated! :)