tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25491795058685414112024-03-12T17:14:39.839-07:00Adventurous Ewe Adventurous Ewe takes groups of intrepid travellers, corporate organisations and charity supporters across the globe whether it be trekking, mountain climbing, cycling, kayaking, gorge walking, snow-shoeing or helping with community projects. Adventurous Ewe specialises in listening to your needs and creating tailored events with extraordinary outcomes.jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-21545767804522372242020-03-11T10:39:00.003-07:002020-03-11T10:41:42.785-07:00Coronavirus: and Flexible Trip Deposit Transfers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We may be a small family business but we are a resilient company which has been in operation for over 13 years and that has had to face challenges before – starting out during the last global recession, the memorable Icelandic ash cloud and of course Brexit. We know the countries we operate in well and are in the ideal position to help members of our flock navigate what is and isn’t safe and offer the best advice on when and where to travel.</div>
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With the outbreak of COVID-19 consuming the media and the impact and uncertainty this is placing on many industries including world travel, we wanted to extend to you some peace of mind when booking your travel with us. With regards to deposit payments for overseas trips, we are excited to announce that until 1 May 2020 we are offering flexible deposit payments when you book an Adventurous Ewe overseas trip departing in 2020. What that means is you can transfer your deposit to another overseas trip free of charge if you later decide on another expedition or destination. Please find the full T&C’s below.</div>
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Rest assured we are working hard to capture up-to-date information regarding the fast-evolving situation of COVID-19. Following the UNWTO’s lead, we aim to respond to COVID-19 in a measured and consistent way. We strongly support international collaboration and cooperation needed to ensure pandemic panic does not paralyze the tourism industry which is so important to the global economy as well as sustaining the smaller tour operators and local communities across the globe. </div>
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In the meantime, we have plenty of exciting UK based challenges if you’re still in need of a quick adventure fix. We’ve recently launched a brand new adventure – <a href="https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/snowdonia-packrafting-adventure-weekend/" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2ea3f2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Snowdonia Packrafting & Wild Camping weekend</a>. For more info on any of our UK adventures, simply visit our <a href="https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/category/uk-trekking-challenges/" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2ea3f2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">website</a>. </div>
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So if you have any questions about travelling, whether now or in the future, to any of our destinations, please give Jim or Sue a call on 01492 588 069 or drop us an <a href="https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/coronavirus-and-flexible-trip-deposit-transfers/info@adventurousewe.co.uk" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2ea3f2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">email</a> and we’ll be more than happy to chat about all things travel, health and safety.</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">FLEXIBLE DEPOSIT PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS:</span></div>
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<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Flexible deposit applies to overseas ground only trip bookings made between 6<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> March – 1<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">st</span> May 2020, subject to availability on the requested trip</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">The flexible deposit applies to your first transfer only. Any subsequent transfers may be subject to our standard transfer fees</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Flexible deposits can be transferred to trips of a higher or lower value</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">There may be some trips which are not eligible for this offer however we will make this known prior to processing your transfer request</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Deposits can be transferred free of charge before 1 June 2020 or before the final balance is due (whichever comes first)</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">For bespoke charity trips you must contact us prior to requesting a transfer due to charity sponsorship T&C’s</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">If you have already purchased flights for your trip, it is your responsibility to check with your respective airline to ensure your flights can be changed to another date prior to requesting to transfer to another Adventurous Ewe trip</li>
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Footnote:</div>
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<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">For our existing exclusive overseas trips which have flights included in their package, we will liaise with the main contact of the group/or the charity if any rescheduling of departure dates is required due to the development of the COVID-19. We will do all that we can to minimise any costs incurred, however deposit payments will be transferred at no extra cost.</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">If you want or need to cancel your plans, check your travel insurance to see if it covers your reason for cancellation.</li>
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-64708754916346898892020-02-18T04:51:00.002-08:002020-03-11T10:30:27.296-07:00What is an Adventure <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What is an adventure?<br />
It's taking a leap outside your comfort zone; being drenched by tropical storms, searching for shade in unbearable heat and digging deep to keep going, blisters and all.<br />
It’s climbing mountains, crossing deserts, trudging through jungles and connecting with other people.<br />
It's is a challenge taken on by ordinary, everyday people. A level playing field where teachers rub shoulders with chief execs, nurses mix with lawyers, builders work alongside bankers, and consultants team up with cleaners.</div>
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Adventure does not distinguish between experts or novices. There is nowhere to hide – if Mother Nature throws down the gauntlet, you all must be ready to face the same challenge. Tread the same muddy trail, endure epic long days, experience different or even difficult situations, face your fears and bond with new people.</div>
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It’s about discovery, immersing yourself in new environments, customs and cultures. Adventure will have you uncovering strengths, sharing laughter & tears and looking at the world in a whole new light. It will teach you confidence, decisiveness and being self-aware. It will give you a sense of freedom and opens up unlimited possibilities. Experiences that are so vivid and remarkable that they may even shape your life.</div>
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Here at Adventurous Ewe, adventure is what we're all about.<br />
So if you're dreaming about your next adventure or in need of some inspo, get in touch check or check out our website or follow us on social media. We'd love to share an adventure with ewe. </div>
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-12045291602835397722019-12-31T09:36:00.000-08:002019-12-31T10:01:38.483-08:00We found the Lost City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We found the Lost City.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Just completed the Lost City trek on the Los Nevados National Park on Caribbean Coast of Colombia.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">What an incredible journey. Apart from trekking to an ancient city built in the mountainous jungle of the Santa Marta region 1000 years before the Inca, this trek has so much more to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The four Indian tribes: Kogui, Aruhaco, Wiwa, Kankuamo who all own the land and allow us access to the city and learn about there lives and culture add such a huge part to this trek. The leader of the Kogui tribe still lives within the Lost City, which just blew me away.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">This area was once controlled by FARC, the Colombian paramilitary group who forced the locals to grow Coca plants and controlled all the labs in the jungle for the production of cocaine. Everyone living the area had only two choices, join the paramilitary group and fight or work in the production of cocaine. They had no choice, and in my view it was basically a form of slavery. At its height this area was the largest producer and exporter of cocaine in the world.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">There was so much money in the villages which arrived on the backs of mules, they never bothered to count it. All this money may sound great, but living in such harsh conditions, not allowed to leave & visit family in other regions and being controlled by the Narcos and FARC made life a living hell.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Moving on all this has now ended, all the coca plantations have gone, so have FARC the labs, and the NARCOs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Now the area see’s upto 100 people per day doing a 4 day trek to the Lost City. All of which brings on income to the area and everyone lives in peace.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Jorge our guide: “We may have less money now but we are happier live in peace and can see our families when we wish”.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">So the Lost City Trek is not just about an accident City in the jungle, it supports local communities and allows them to live as they wish, Indian tribes to exist in peace and continue living in there traditional ways, and we can go on an amazing journey and learn along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">More people visit Machu Picchu in a day then the Lost City in 6 months. This is one journey and encounter with local tribes that I will remember for a long time.</span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; color: #666666; display: inline; height: auto;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7055" height="768" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191213_203419000_iOS.jpg" srcset="https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191213_203419000_iOS.jpg 1024w, https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191213_203419000_iOS-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191213_203419000_iOS-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191213_203419000_iOS-510x382.jpg 510w" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /></span></div>
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-87278316525061511862019-12-31T02:50:00.000-08:002019-12-31T10:07:50.373-08:00Trek Georgia & the Caucasus Mountains in 2020….. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">SPECIAL OFFER: Trek Georgia & the Caucasus Mountains in 2020…..</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">With only 2 places remaining as part of our ‘special offer for the first 5 registrations’ on our new Georgia Trek in July 2020, be quick and book now to receive a 5% discount on the total cost.It may not appear much, but we always pride ourselves in pricing our trips fairly and ensuring a suitable donation is made to our partner charity, Cool Earth.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Be sure to join us for this pioneering adventure through the awe-inspiring landscape of Georgia. The overall group size is limited due to the remote nature and our responsible travel ethos.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">For more info, simply visit the website or email jim@adventurousewe.co.uk</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">#trekgeorgia #bequick #ewecandoit</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventure-through-the-heart-of-the-caucasus-georgia/</span></span></span><br />
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-91842985301170279242019-01-01T01:10:00.001-08:002019-12-31T10:03:24.929-08:00Outdoor Enthusiast Magazine Article on our Arctic Kings Trail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We're absolutely thrilled to bits that our Arctic Snowshoe Trek of the Kings Trail in Sweden is featured in the latest issue of Outdoor Enthusiast magazine. A huge hats off to Jacob Little, outdoor photographer and writer, for his honest and creative words which take you on this incredible journey of the Arctic Tundra and also gives you a glimpse into the Sami Culture. Visit the 'Contents' page where you can click through to the article on page 38 'Snowshoeing the King's Trail'. We're extremely proud of this unique expedition we created and the opportunity it gives people to experience so much in such an irreplaceable natural environment. So grab a cuppa and hope you enjoy this awe-inspiring write up. </span><a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oe-mag.co.uk%2Fimag%2Foewinter18%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2ZhzTEg7bHpBkCM03_6wFi_r6N5S5KCO3zZJ_0ACtUi6BEqSVm4BOSG5Q&h=AT22fIhH_sgzezZWkBVJ51x6NQ7TOYQH2ddVzvc3KxmvhMeMZpoiHLszyCyhFLIGF0VyWM_MAJGOa-cW8IWYHhD2VLfgPoiC5nJP4q9HOykLrYL4QIt7EkciO49i7mUID8mPABlAvAx9bA0OlknR2kmaxmSXXuk9loKBlrYSisY2hzi17BqQchLv8O3jpSsBZoAE7F7p8GK4V8fJtJy-8helDVrWain5axUSMWBwKEE6IyQlZ_Y61AVN5r7pzmq-M0hMWc2N-SmzMJ4_YzkurQyifDqqMqSQy2oFSEbR_L_fouQE1gkwlLqGdjq6YPFfGuoNL8pWecQh5lWb6eeRj-20zFpEEJFexNHXO3f0VOXDIy3UiHCE9xgvfmqVIOF9qJgr-y8Z7Xlbs1kJf6zwGhtpBtINOMgbCktroJ5osWUNA1MJr3zUfNjW2pOCIE5UY0VLjJmWLw1KugjoDKpiHV6HwUTehjK-wLnQJNbKVt0qVufeMJyx7tony01ipTOW2NoSJSDFNa29-yp8XA_UDOdBrhwjlDTRRsNMco2cOyMJVsVbf1i0EkdqtKIfJAj1i-VmObWzPaRz50fSv_kz074IZCCgE5isL8L68XNWX3Wlw9AE3OvfEuD-XLciWsHgbZk" rel="noopener nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">http://www.oe-mag.co.uk/imag/oewinter18/</a></span></div>
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-66388833842288152092018-04-06T02:19:00.000-07:002019-12-31T10:02:36.542-08:00Top Tips for Trekking the Arctic Circle <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Having just returned from our <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/kings-trail-arctic-snowshoe/">Kings Trail Arctic Circle Snowshoe Trek</a> we asked our intrepid adventurers what their top tips were for trekking in the circle, so we can offer ewe the best tips for your arctic adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Top tips...</span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Buy the best pair of gloves you afford. Hestra Gloves come highly recommended (Maxine)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Research and test your footwear before the trek and ensure you have well insulated and waterproof boots. Salomon Tundra or The North Face Chilcat boots are a great option (Jane)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Good quality socks (merino wool) (Jane)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Take a hip flask. Great for taking a wee nip while watching the Northern Lights (Will)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bring a small bottle of squeeze jam or golden syrup for your early morning porridge (Andy)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Tape you feet before you start trekking, to help prevent any blisters. Rock Tape comes highly recommended (Maxine)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bring lots of warm clothes, during the ski bike transfer you'll need every item of clothing you have. Its cold!!! (Lucy)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Take LOADS of photos during your whole adventure and learn how to take pics of the Northern Lights (Sue)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bring a light sleeping bags 2-3 season (Ali)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Pack ear-plugs (Trish)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bring glasses and contact lenses. Wearing glasses with ski goggles can be uncomfortable (Trish)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Don't forget to bring a pack of cards (Jim)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Have a Swedish sauna and run out in the snow (Will)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Pack some comfy sliders or crocs for the mountain huts (Sue)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Get used to wilderness wees. It's quite liberating (Katrina)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bring a battery charger such as a Pebble, as you can't recharge your camera in the huts (Andy)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Take time to look around you as you're walking the landscape is just amazing (Katrina)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Enjoy the remoteness and disconnect from your mobile phone and social media for a few days. Take time to say g'day to everyone in the group (Sue).</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Pack a sense of adventure and humour! You're in for a trek of a lifetime! (Jim)</span></li>
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-35790880972079565222017-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:002017-12-12T07:54:22.286-08:00King's Trail - Snowshoe Adventures in Europe's Frozen North <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Northern reaches of this globe are well known to be cold and icy. </h3>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And it is here where the adventure and hardy members foray along the King’s Trail. </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ah, but what on earth is the ‘King’s Trail’? Well, if we are to take its native name we would be calling </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">it the ‘Kungsleden’,</span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and it’s a world-famous route which take you through some of Sweden’s most </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">amazing scenes.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-8567746f-4b4a-f7b4-6684-4819e1926e0e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The is in the borders of the Sami folk’s ancestral domain. T</span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he expanses of birch forest, glaciers, </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Those seeking a <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/kings-trail-arctic-explorer/">snowshoe winter trek in Europe</a> need look no further.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sweden’s Beautiful Wilderness</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The adventure has its beginnings in Abisko, one of Sweden’s oldest national reserves. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It’s famous for having one of the greatest vistas to witness the ‘Aurora Borealis’ (Northern Lights)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">out of anywhere in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This adventure averages a distance of 14 km a day, venturing through the winter wilderness</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">bequeathed with an ever changing landscape. Each and every night shall be spent in a new location </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in remote mountain huts. If you are a fan of saunas in the temperate weather of the United Kingdom, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">then you haven't experienced anything until you enjoy a hot sauna after a day in the snowy mountains</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A r</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eal Adventure.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If this sounds like the kind of adventure you would be interested in, Adventurous Ewe has the perfect package.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The real appeal of this adventure is that you will be entirely self-sufficient, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">carrying 12kg-14kg of equipment yourself for the entirety of the trip.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As a result, you will need to be in a good level of fitness in order to be able to take part in <br />the challenge.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Those who go on a trip with a real desire to taste the local cuisine will be most pleased<br /> that throughout the journey you will be eating traditional Sami food, that is reindeer meat.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">You will also need to employ specialist equipment in order to traverse this snowy plain, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">as you will be in many cases stepping atop freshly fallen snow. For the purpose of this <br />you will have to make use of a snowshoe. But if you have never even seen, let alone put on a<br /> snowshoe before, never fear! As you will be instructed on how to properly walk wearing them.</span></div>
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-33372527355119645032017-07-20T01:11:00.001-07:002017-07-20T01:11:28.212-07:00Trekking the Arctic Cirlce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Arctic Explorer Trek was such a success last year were doing it again in march and April 2018. The trek is a unique opportunity to trek in winter along the famous Kungsleden Trail, also known as the Kings Trail in Swedish Lapland.<br />
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This is a totally new trek which to our knowledge no one else is doing, for at least the time being, the trail is limited to the number of trekkers at this time of year and we have block booked the cabins which means there will be no other groups on the trail other than intrepid Scandinavians.<br />
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We snow shoe the trail covering an average of 14km a day, which is good weather takes us about 5-6hrs trekking per day. This trip is not all about the walking, there's so much more as the team will be expected to help prepare the meals, collect and chop wood for the fire and collect water from the nearest well, which is an adventure in it self.<br />
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During our treks on the trail each night we were rewarding with breath taking lights shows with the Northern Lights due to the remoteness of the trail there in no light pollution, the only difficulty is with standing the nights freezing temperatures dropping down to -20, so good warm kit is a must.<br />
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I can't even begin to tell you how it feels and see the Northern Lights in full swing, all I can say is we were jumping for joy, like a child on bonfire night, nothing can prepare you for this spectacular phenomenon, make sure you bring a good camera.<br />
The Abisko National Park were we begin our trek has been awarded one of the best places on the planet to see the Northern Lights.<br />
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All our groups are limited to 10 lucky trekkers and we only have two dates available for 2018. If not already on your long bucket list of things to do, then I'd highly recommend you add the Northern Lights to ever increasing list.<br />
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jimanjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11911530886462301813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-75750483285432088442016-07-14T08:54:00.002-07:002016-07-15T03:46:49.919-07:00The Three Peaks Challenge – Top Tips<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon.
In 24 hours. Sound easy to you?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/groups/3-peaks-challenge-2016/">The Three Peaks Challenge</a> is
definitely far from easy – but the venture is a perfect one for anyone wishing
to test their fitness and endurance, or to feel the great sense of achievement
that comes with the completion, or even to build stronger bonds of trust and
friendship within groups. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-UO6tuqyD8SBDSeu0lj3gBU0CIOBcbV4nYtC1CvlLfC2qf9MXfZhW0tFjTO4QMR4wih2TKfFsc5tTXdfYSL56ResCYwtNWfwWbDMYZY19frjh6MTgh15KAwwAfSCjGBMEysoyU-ArPlg/s1600/9004434271_29d8c6c40e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-UO6tuqyD8SBDSeu0lj3gBU0CIOBcbV4nYtC1CvlLfC2qf9MXfZhW0tFjTO4QMR4wih2TKfFsc5tTXdfYSL56ResCYwtNWfwWbDMYZY19frjh6MTgh15KAwwAfSCjGBMEysoyU-ArPlg/s200/9004434271_29d8c6c40e_z.jpg" width="200" /></a>To ensure that you stay safe and
well in order to complete each peak - here are some handy Three Peaks tips that
you may find useful.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plan ahead</b> - Get
the right postcodes for your starting point to avoid extra stress. Getting lost
before you start would be a nightmare! By choosing timings and routes you can
plan which mountain to climb in the evening/night – which is sometimes
inevitable – to do so safely and in a prepared manner. Importantly - use the
most up-to-date maps and ensure everyone is able to read maps and navigate, in
case the group is separated.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/henryandjane/9004434271/in/photolist-eHG5AK-eHNedm-nKy86y-eHNiUb-eHG2MR-eLWEeY-o4Bz7m-o4CoWE-eHN8rS-nMeStu-o4qDCp-eHNbF7-o4rrW6-o4qZ4t-eHGgpe-o4Bt51-o2GkrE-eHGbEk-o2FN7f-eHN5EG-nMe9hN-eHG846-eLKrBg-o6v7FK-eHG5nP-eHN81L-eHNcR5-eHN6Aj-8f7Ydr-oGB9b1-eHG3Nn-o2FGLq-nMf4JA-eLWLZN-eHNgMA-myebdx-eHN547-eHG6K4-eLKeFg-eHGchv-o4BxK1-nMfGf1-eHGcJz-nMeKbA-aie87k-eHG8vZ-nMfodi-eHN9X5-eHGcuz-qaTy1R"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/henryandjane/9004434271/in/photolist-eHG5AK-eHNedm-nKy86y-eHNiUb-eHG2MR-eLWEeY-o4Bz7m-o4CoWE-eHN8rS-nMeStu-o4qDCp-eHNbF7-o4rrW6-o4qZ4t-eHGgpe-o4Bt51-o2GkrE-eHGbEk-o2FN7f-eHN5EG-nMe9hN-eHG846-eLKrBg-o6v7FK-eHG5nP-eHN81L-eHNcR5-eHN6Aj-8f7Ydr-oGB9b1-eHG3Nn-o2FGLq-nMf4JA-eLWLZN-eHNgMA-myebdx-eHN547-eHG6K4-eLKeFg-eHGchv-o4BxK1-nMfGf1-eHGcJz-nMeKbA-aie87k-eHG8vZ-nMfodi-eHN9X5-eHGcuz-qaTy1R"></a> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chauffeur, anyone?</b>
Driving in-between walks is a huge no. You won’t be your most alert after a
long day climbing – and you will need this time to rest up for the next
mountain. Ensure you plan driving routes and parking to avoid stress. Take
travel sickness tablets for the drive – just in case you feel car sick. Feeling
sick will make it difficult to eat; something you must do to keep your energy
up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be prepared for any weather
–</b> A common tip is to start off cold as you will get warmer. However this
doesn’t mean to say you won’t get cold again throughout the journey! Carry
extra layers as it can get cold at the summit – as there is always a chance the weather will make a dramatic change. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bring plenty of fuel</b>
- lots of high calorie snacks such as cereal bars and dried fruit/nuts are
perfect for the cause. Eat little and often even if you don’t feel hungry – you
will need the energy. It’s a great idea to bring sandwiches and pasta as they
are high in carbohydrates, and slowly release energy.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stay hydrated</b> – This
is incrementally important! You’ll need lots of water; at least 2 litres of
water per mountain is recommended. Hydration packs are perfect as you won’t
have to carry your water bottle by hand. Ensure your back pack is fitted with a
water pack function.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t overdo it</b> –
don’t ‘push on’ if the situation is unsafe. Admitting defeat can be really
tough, but you need to be sensible. If you are hurt, the likelihood is it’s
going to get harder the more you troop on. Remember that mountains are
unpredictable and situations can change fast – especially where weather is
concerned.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let the slowest in
the group set the pace</b> – this ensures everyone will keep up and stay as
a group. For faster walkers, this could be seen as a tactic to preserve energy!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buy decent walking
boots</b> – Boots are arguably the most important part of your kit. You need
proper support on rocky terrain. Breathable and waterproof materials are ideal,
so look out for those functions when purchasing. Break your boots in some
months before you embark on the challenge to ensure they will not rub or cause
pain. Blisters are one of the largest reasons why challengers fail The Three
Peaks – don’t let that be you!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Practice is key</b> –
ensure you reach a good level of fitness before attempting the challenge.
Familiarise yourself with the types of terrain you will face by going on long
walks or by attempting one of the mountains beforehand to build stamina.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/henryandjane/9004434271/in/photolist-eHG5AK-eHNedm-nKy86y-eHNiUb-eHG2MR-eLWEeY-o4Bz7m-o4CoWE-eHN8rS-nMeStu-o4qDCp-eHNbF7-o4rrW6-o4qZ4t-eHGgpe-o4Bt51-o2GkrE-eHGbEk-o2FN7f-eHN5EG-nMe9hN-eHG846-eLKrBg-o6v7FK-eHG5nP-eHN81L-eHNcR5-eHN6Aj-8f7Ydr-oGB9b1-eHG3Nn-o2FGLq-nMf4JA-eLWLZN-eHNgMA-myebdx-eHN547-eHG6K4-eLKeFg-eHGchv-o4BxK1-nMfGf1-eHGcJz-nMeKbA-aie87k-eHG8vZ-nMfodi-eHN9X5-eHGcuz-qaTy1R">Henry & Jane</a></span></div>
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jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-15825297662485605472016-07-01T04:31:00.000-07:002016-07-13T04:19:41.312-07:00The Wonders of the Patagonia Glacier and Ice Cap Trek<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsRxUdgqxGj1NZ6-8iQwzDXEgWqkKwf42kouNyaxxnili0CByKpZDsSUJ8SsWDXxjSdHnvTPCEXYKQS1QFgs8CA96YC6eX4N4ax7ckvkuNceAc6ILsxu_FaQ6QjE-wghAmKfp0BfjeHWy/s1600/chile-1463830_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsRxUdgqxGj1NZ6-8iQwzDXEgWqkKwf42kouNyaxxnili0CByKpZDsSUJ8SsWDXxjSdHnvTPCEXYKQS1QFgs8CA96YC6eX4N4ax7ckvkuNceAc6ILsxu_FaQ6QjE-wghAmKfp0BfjeHWy/s400/chile-1463830_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Southern Continental Ice Field in Patagonia is one of
largest non-polar ice caps on earth, and the third glacier mass in size after
Antarctica and Greenland. This magnificent and dramatic area of the world has
an abundance of exciting treks teamed with breathtaking views and landscape.
These are just a few of the wondrous places that you will pass through on your
<a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/patagonia-icefields-trek/" target="_blank">Patagonia Trek</a>, each just as more remarkable than the other!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Any glacier trip will start at the picturesque <b>El Calafate</b> – an important tourist
destination named after a particularly common berry bush that can be found
around Patagonia – that acts as a key hub for many adventurers who wish to
visit any part of the Los Glaciares National Park. It’s a small town which
therefore makes it easy to get around – however booking buses to and from the
town is recommended. The town is ultimately a fun place to be with a large
variety of services including its main strip posing many endearing souvenir
shops, chocolate shops, restaurants and tour offices. El Calafate offers so
much to see and do, including day trips to the exceptional Perito Moreno
Glacier or to the romantic Onelli Bay, and boat excursions which are a great
idea on a brilliant summers’ day. Ensure you spend some time here before
embarking on your journey!<o:p></o:p></div>
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While journeying through <b>Los Huemules reserve</b> and beech forests at <b>Laguna de Los Tres</b>, keep your eyes open and camera at the ready for
some breathtaking views. This is a trek that will lead you through mystical
forests and stunning scenery; brilliant blue lagoons and impressively beautiful
glaciers are plentiful. On your way, you’ll pass through many famous base camps
that have in the past been used by the most renowned of climbers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For more panoramic views, follow on to <b>Laguna Torre</b>, which is enveloped by stunning views of Fitz Roy
Range, glacially formed valleys with splashes of dense forests. You will reach <b>Paso Del Viento</b> - meaning ‘windy pass’ – an entirely unmissable
stop that boasts immense views across the Southern Continental ice field; The
Viedma glacier, the Upsala glacier and the impressive Mariano Moreno range
acting as the perfect backdrop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another unmissable finishing stop is <b>El Chalten</b>. This small mountain village set into the Rio de las
Vueltas riverside has previously been names Argentina’s Trekking capital, as
well ranking second of “Best cities in the world to know” in 2014. Be sure not
to stay long enough to explore a range of activities offered by the village;
short walks, day trips, visits to renowned chocolate or ice cream shops, and sample
brews that are available in the many Brewhouse’s. A perfect way to end your
Patagonian adventure!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-84297781053819935422016-05-23T02:40:00.001-07:002016-05-23T02:54:16.275-07:00Could you handle the ice cold river crossings of Patagonia?<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N7c1_lWU2jI" width="480"></iframe>jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-2256106540672890322016-03-29T14:17:00.002-07:002016-05-09T15:57:06.663-07:00Patagonia Ice Fields Trek 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5Dd3xu9caHUhgtOvKq38Oi_o9Ns3kBwfvuEg82fo1m53zuxMxxUe8SkifflOnSz4jXn3VEMxv7_JdieEOilbV967q4Bv3ZFwRKf3HQcmN1yf1Wot2Rw2_HjZlVqgL9Qd57uCaCrcwHQf/s1600/IMG_9850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5Dd3xu9caHUhgtOvKq38Oi_o9Ns3kBwfvuEg82fo1m53zuxMxxUe8SkifflOnSz4jXn3VEMxv7_JdieEOilbV967q4Bv3ZFwRKf3HQcmN1yf1Wot2Rw2_HjZlVqgL9Qd57uCaCrcwHQf/s320/IMG_9850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've just returned from possibly our most exciting and stunningly beautiful treks I have ever been lucky enough to lead, Patagonia has to be one of last true wilderness trekking destinations in the world.<br />
<br />
First up a visit to the Perito `Moreno Glacier one of only 3 advancing Glaciers in the Patagonia and the centre piece for the Los Glaciers National Park in Argentina. It's sight to not to be missed. As one team member commented on arrival surely it can't get any better than this, and it's only day 1.<br />
<br />
But it can and it did.<br />
<br />
Arriving in El Chalten our trekking base and my home for an entire month I was feeling very blessed, we had great weather for both treks around the Fitz Roy Range and the Southern Ice Cap.<br />
<br />
Our route was 7 day traverse of the Fitz Roy Range before making our way to Paso Del Viento (windy pass) with panoramic views of the largest Ice Cap outside the Polar Regions.<br />
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I could talk about this trek forever and possibly will do, but rather than me bore you, take a moment to read the write up from Rebecca Burn-Callander from the Telegraph.<br />
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/sme-home/news/12193601/business-charity-challenge.html" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/sme-home/news/12193601/business-charity-challenge.html</a><br />
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Cerro Torre<br />
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Lower Tunel Glacier<br />
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Paso Del Viento<br />
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For more information on this once in life time adventure and 2017 dates <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/patagonia-icefields-trek/" target="_blank">Patagonia Glacier & Ice Fields Trek </a>jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-6352443722094656512016-02-09T01:35:00.000-08:002016-02-09T01:37:18.824-08:00The Benefits of Trekking<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Benefits of getting out in the Hills</b></div>
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People who go trekking on a regular basis have a better
overall health, are more energetic and suffer from less stress, If you’re
looking to get fit in 2016 or take on a new challenge whether it be the <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/groups/3-peaks-challenge-2016/" target="_blank">3 PeaksChallenge</a> or Trekking across<a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/iceland-laugavegur-trek/" target="_blank"> Iceland</a>, there’s no better time to dust off those
boots and Get Outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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#1 Improve your Overall Health and Fitness<o:p></o:p></div>
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Getting out in the hills on a regular basis, you’ll not only
feel great but you’ll enjoy optimum fitness making your days out in the
mountains a lot more fun. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, you can gain so
many benefits being the mountains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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#2 Decrease Risk of Cardiovascular Disease<o:p></o:p></div>
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Recent studies show that walking for an hour a day can cut a
person’s risk of stroke in half. Walking conditions the heart and will help you
live longer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Head to the hills and help keep your cardiovascular system
healthy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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#3 Be Happy<o:p></o:p></div>
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A day in hills, be it a wet and windy weekend in <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/snowdon-challenge/" target="_blank">Snowdonia</a>
walking not only calms you but improves your general well being, being In the
grandeur of nature, away from the pressures of everyday life and technology
works wonders for stress relief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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#4 Prevent Diabetes<o:p></o:p></div>
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Walking in the hills will reduce your risk of diabetes. A
good day out in the hills will work your muscles, which transfers glucose from
your bloodstream for energy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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#5 Increase Your Energy Level<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aerobic activities will provide oxygen to your muscles and
other body tissues. This extra fuel helps boost your muscles and lungs and
increases your alertness, and energy and endurance levels!<o:p></o:p></div>
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#6 Lose Weight<o:p></o:p></div>
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Trekking is one of the best ways to burn calories and lose
the unwanted pounds! In fact, numerous studies have proved that hiking can burn
more than 400 calories per hour<o:p></o:p></div>
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#7 Increase Bone Density<o:p></o:p></div>
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Strong bones are essential to your overall health. Hiking
consistently will decrease your chances of developing osteoporosis and
arthritis. If you have arthritis, studies have shown that two and a half hours
of hiking per week will maintain flexibility in your joints and decrease joint
stiffness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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#8 Expand Your mind and Discover New Places<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hiking is a great excuse for visiting new places, great for
creating excitement, avoiding boredom and opening new synopsis’ in the brain.
Instead of planning an ordinary holiday to Spain, take a hike! Adventure trips
can encompass snow-capped mountains, spectacular canyons, fascinating deserts
and verdant forests, the world is your oyster. <o:p></o:p></div>
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#9 Tones Your Muscles<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since hiking can include steep inclines, it is perfect for
challenging your body and for toning your muscles. With brisk movements and a
steady pace, you can get a full body workout. Remember to stretch before and
after a vigorous hike, so that your hamstrings and quads are toned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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#10 Develop Healthy Habits<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another compelling reason to head for the hills is a
much-improved quality of life. Each time you hike, breathe the outside air,
exert and challenge yourself, you will come
away feeling better than you did. Your body and mind will feel healthier and
your stress level will drop off. Because of this great feeling, you’ll want to
hike again. It may even become addictive!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As you notice improvements in your mind and body, you may
adopt other healthy habits such as eating healthy foods.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get Outside, Challenge Yourself and head for the hills</div>
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jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-30050912673176926932016-01-06T14:30:00.000-08:002016-01-12T06:16:32.415-08:00Laugavegur Trail Iceland<a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSCF7283-225x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Trek Iceland " border="0" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1998" height="300" src="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSCF7283-225x300.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
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The <a href="http://hubpages.com/travel/European-Treks-Iceland-Laugavegur-Treks" target="_blank">Iceland Laugavegur Trek</a> is a wild and wonderful trek set amongst the wonderful and impressive landscapes of Iceland.<br />
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From the modern city of Reykjavik to the volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and steaming lava fields of the interior, Iceland is a country of great contrast. Iceland homes truly unique environments, like nothing you would come across in mainland Europe, which attracts visitors that want to experience magical surroundings and a phenomenal trekking arena.<br />
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An excellent choice for those that want to experience this is the undertaking of Laugavegur Trail. A famed trail for its stunning views and range of terrain, those lucky enough to experience this will not be disappointed.<br />
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Spanning 49 miles, this is the longest hiking trail in the country. Well travelled, with past hikers and rangers adding special wooden signposts in important positions, the trail can trekked alone or with a special group.<br />
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<a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSCF7257-225x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iceland Trek " border="0" class="size-medium wp-image-2001 alignleft" height="300" src="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSCF7257-225x300.jpg" width="225" /></a>As suggested by the name, Iceland will (depending on climate and season) have icy sections and generally cold temperatures. This means you'll not only have the battle of the long walk up and down trails and mountains, but also have to do so whilst bracing yourself from the cold conditions.<br />
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The 6 day Iceland Laugavegur Trek offered by Adventurous Ewe can guide you as a part of the group through some of the most spectacular wilderness that will see you enjoy camping along the way. Discreet vehicle support is also on hand that enables the supply of well-equipped camps and means you can travel lightweight, ensuring maximum satisfaction while working through the environment.<br />
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This specific trip allows you to travel through lakes and magnificent lava field, gurgling hot springs and steaming vents, as well as deep canyons, small valleys and the opportunity to whale watch or enjoy the Blue Lagoon.<br />
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When you opt to go with a tour group, you is much less risk, more convenience and you get to meet like minded people that will make the experience just that little bit better!<br />
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The following video will give you a taste of the Laugavegur Trek in Iceland!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gH1qnr4eJh0" width="480"></iframe>jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-29872301709737702972015-11-19T09:13:00.000-08:002015-11-19T09:13:14.853-08:00Rush hour in Vietnam <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-57748616464998800782015-11-08T07:50:00.002-08:002015-11-08T07:50:38.445-08:00Preparing for your Trek<b>Get the most out of your charity trek</b><br />
Prepare properly for your trek with our top 10 trekking training tips.<br />
Treks can vary enormously in terms of daily distances, ascent, descent and altitude, but all require specific preparation to ensure you get the maximum from your trekking trip. Our 10 trekking training tips — including advice on trekking equipment, nutrition, hydration and specific trekking training — will help you prepare correctly for your trek so that you're not left nursing blisters and sore legs after the first day.<br />
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<b>Start your trekking training early</b><br />
Even if your planned trekking trip is 12 months away, it’s never too early to get started on your trek conditioning program. Look to build your strength and fitness gradually, giving your body time to adapt to the new demands that you are placing on it. That way you can enjoy your trek training and avoid risking injury by trying to do too much too soon.<br />
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<b>Choose the correct footwear for your trek</b><br />
Good quality and appropriate footwear for your trek and your walking training is essential. A supportive hiking shoe with ankle protection is important but beware of ankle cuffs that are too high as they can irritate the achilles tendon at the base of your calf. Look for an ankle cuff that is scooped away at the back. Make sure that your trekking boots are thoroughly broken in and your feet have bedded in — the time for blisters is now, not during your trek. When purchasing your boots, try to shop in the afternoon when your feet have expanded slightly so that you get the correct size.<br />
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<b>Don’t forget your walking socks</b><br />
With plenty of footwear focus, it’s easy to forget about the best type of socks to wear. The right boots with the wrong socks will ruin your tekking trip so when trying on boots, wear the same socks that you intend to use for your trek. Look for materials such as Coolmax that has sweat wicking properties or consider the new Gore-tex range that wick sweat away but are also waterproof.<br />
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<b>Build leg strength with gym work</b><br />
Leg strength will be key for your trek so in addition to walking training which will strengthen your legs, try and include either gym exercises such as leg presses and weighted squats, or lunges and bodyweight squats.<br />
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<b>Build your walking training</b><br />
Walking training will be the foundation of your training program and it is important to build steadily towards the sorts of distances that you will be doing on your trek. Initially, intersperse training days with rest days but as your fitness improves, look to include some ‘back-to-back’ training days, which will more closely replicate your actual trek.<br />
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<b>Train on similar walking terrain</b><br />
Walking training is essential but it is also important to try and mimic the conditions that you will experience as closely as you can. Try and train on similar terrain to that of your trekking location. For example, for a trek that includes mountain climbing, try some weekend scrambling as part of your training. Also, practice in the same footwear and clothes and experiment with a loaded backpack — it makes a big difference to your speed over the ground.<br />
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<b>Practice using your backpack</b><br />
It’s likely that you’ll be carrying items such as food, drink, spare clothing and possibly more, so your choice of backpack is important. Look for models with adjustable chest and waist straps so that you can position it correctly on your back and also with external compression straps so that the load doesn’t shift. More specialist types have removable bladders for liquid consumption on the go, but remember that water and washing facilities may be limited, so sterilisation may be difficult. Practice using your backpack (loaded) as part of your training so that you are used to the weight and position.<br />
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<b>Use walking poles</b><br />
Walking poles make a big difference to your trek. Lightweight and telescopic, they ease the load on knees and thighs on descents and give you ‘two extra legs’ on steep climbs. They can also be used to help clear vegetation and have numerous uses in a campsite. Definitely one to try.<br />
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<b>Hydrate yourself frequently when walking</b><br />
Whether you are in a hot climate or not, your fluid requirements will increase significantly when trekking. Losses on the breath and from sweating will serve to reduce your blood volume, resulting in your heart having to work much harder. By the time you feel thirsty you will already be dehydrated so try and drink small, frequent quantities of water throughout the day. Carry out the urine test to monitor your hydration: a pale straw color indicates that you are well hydrated, anything darker means that you need to drink more.<br />
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<b>Fuel your trekking</b><br />
Similarly to hydration, your energy requirements will increase whilst you are trekking. Aim to eat small, frequent meals and snacks on the go to maintain energy levels. Depending on the part of the world, your favourite snack-type foods may not be plentiful, but fruit is frequently available which is easy to eat on the move and excellent for an energy boost. During your training, experiment with eating ‘on the go’, so that you get used to the feeling of food in your stomach when you are trekking.<br />
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<b>Fit to trek</b><br />
The fitter you are before you depart, the easier your trek will be. You will have spent a lot of time, effort (and probably money too!) to get to your trekking location, so it makes sense to get the most out of your trip by being in good shape and having suitable kit. By following the tips above, not only will you be well prepared for possibly a trip of a lifetime but you’ll get so much more out of your trekking experience.jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-81801515954081379402015-04-20T01:23:00.003-07:002015-04-20T01:23:22.142-07:00300km Bike Ride - Morocco- High Atlas to the Atlantic Ocean<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CiBaAyGSF4w" width="480"></iframe>jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-59472105427634817162015-03-02T09:35:00.003-08:002016-05-23T02:55:19.459-07:00Winter Toubkal <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've just returned for yet another amazing <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/winter-toubkal-climb/" target="_blank">Winter Mt Toubkal</a> Trek, the conditions were sweet and we couldn't have ask for a better snowpack. Summit day the sun shone with no wind what so ever and if you've ever been to the High Atlas Mountains you'll know the wind can blow pretty hard at times, which is what happened on day 2 when attempting Quankrim summit. Unfortunately we had to retreat from the summit early but it was certainly a blast trying, with strong winds of 40mph + it felt like Arctic conditions.<br />
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So now it's to wait until the end of 2015 until we head out for yet another Winter Moroccan Epic Adventure.<br />
We have now been running trips to Morocco for over 5 years, working with the same team through out, If your looking for a true Moroccan experience with super friendly local stuff then give us a shout and I hope to see you in Morocco soon.jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-58813134301860931832015-03-02T07:44:00.000-08:002015-03-02T07:44:04.271-08:00Nothing By Halves and Adventurous EweWho's looking for a new challenge in 2015.<br />
We have heaps of new challenges happening here at Adventurous Ewe.<br />
You join our <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/groups/3-peaks-challenge-2015/" target="_blank">3 Peaks Challenge</a> which runs all summer long and is most popular mountain challenge in the U.K. The 24hr challenge is a tough one and a great way to raise money for charity or as a corporate event.<br />
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Another exciting challenge we have is the <a href="http://www.nothingbyhalves.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nothing by Halve</a>s 12 challenge in 12 months, you join Jess and the team raising money for Diabetes UK, Tusk International and NGH Dementia Fund.<br />
There doing a huge amount of exciting challenges from climbing <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/overseas-trekking/toubkal-summer-trekclimb/" target="_blank">Mt Toubkal </a> to the <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/snowdon-challenge/" target="_blank">Snowdon Challenge</a> for a full list of the challenges with Nothing By Halves follow the Adventurous Ewe <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/charity/nothing-halves/" target="_blank">Link</a><br />
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Don't forget to check out our new Scottish Challenge the <a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/adventurers/sea-2-summit/" target="_blank">Sea2Summit</a> this truly amazing challenge starts in Inverness, cycling 65 miles through the Great Glen with stunning views of the Scottish Highlands all before you climb Ben Nevis the highest and most stunning summit views in the U.K.<br />
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<br />jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-25910335740023749872014-11-11T13:08:00.002-08:002014-11-11T13:08:45.952-08:00Only 4 days to go !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Check out Andy Gardiner's blog below as he prepares for his biggest challenge to date.<br />
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<a href="http://disabledgolfer.weebly.com/blog" target="_blank">http://disabledgolfer.weebly.com/blog</a>jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-42782129420731527232014-11-07T00:45:00.001-08:002014-11-07T01:16:33.328-08:00My Sahara Diary. The Dimise of Gary #4<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Camp broke and
off we went. It was Anita</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s birthday and
instead of the camels setting off we walked with them, which was really
nice. A bit further on and as a
birthday treat for Anita, we were allowed - if we wanted - </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">to ride a camel.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I had said to Annais, my daughter, that I
would have my picture taken on a camel. Chris and the others in the team stated that I
had to ride it as well. There was
nothing I could do but comply.
Petrified, I felt the camel rise.
Firstly forward and then backwards then off you go. All I could do was remember what Harry had
said,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t put yourself at
risk</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Looking down, I knew if I fell I would
definitely break something. So I held on
and eventually relaxed and quite enjoyed my little self. You could see so much more on a camel.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Everyone who
wanted to took a turn and the day, even though hot, was not as windy and the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">trek</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">continued. We had a break and Mammon had a bag of
oranges for us to eat. I normally don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t like to get the
peel in my fingers but I put that to one side and really enjoyed the fruit,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">giving the peel to the camels. Being covered up was the right thing to do
and I enjoyed the walk even though it was quite a while before we stopped for
our lunch. The guides took the camels to
a well nearby and surprised us by bringing water back so that we could all have
enough water for everyone to shower. I
will never ever forget how refreshing it was to wash my hair and have a strip
wash under the moonlight. You could have
packaged that feeling and sold it for a fortune at Christmas. I knew now why it was so important for me to
be there and how </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">water</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">is an essential
that everyone needs and should not go without.
That evening we again sat on a dune and watched the sun go down. It was heavenly.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The demise of
Gary. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">E</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">id was the festival that the guides were celebrating. It goes back to the Old Testament when
Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son.
Abraham showed his love for God and he was about to kill his son. God told him that his faith and love had
saved his child and he was now to slaughter a sheep instead. Gary died and the guides shared their
festival with us by sharing their meat and their company with us.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Anita then had a
surprise. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">On</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">e of the guides made her a birthday cake. They made a pizza-like dough and cooked it in
the coals of the fire and then topped it with jam, apple, cinnamon and
cheese. They asked Lolly to spell her
name and, although when they brought out the cake, Amelia thought it was topped
with anchovies, it was actually piped on chocolate. We all were touched by their kindness and
thoughtfulness. A singsong then
proceeded with the guides and then the Brightly Hodges family doing their
family song. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I can</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t remember when I had laughed so much.
An early night was needed as we were going to get up at 4am and walk to
a really high dune and greet the morning. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Under the stars
and again tucked up nice and snug but still with my </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">keep me safe prayer</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">4 a</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">m</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. arrived and up
we all got. Nick lent me a torch, as I
could not find mine (useless). He was a
really kind person and it was lovely to see how he and Amelia were so happy
with each other. Off we went into the
darkness. Another adventure and some new
challenges in front of me. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I knew I would struggle. The dunes in complete darkness are a bit like
the sea when it</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s on a turn. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Respect is needed and fear is not to be
shown. I was respectful enough but I was
pushing myself too hard and failing hugely.
All of a sudden</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I felt despair
and wanted to cry as this was all a bit too much for me. I thought </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">everyone </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">was in front and I was falling flat on my face. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">All </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">of a sudden</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Angie</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> was behind me with Jim. They
both encouraged me as well as calmed me down.
I had my inhaler and I knew I had used it too much already but </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">…</span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I still could not see in front of me but I had
Angie and Jim at my side calming me down.
Slowly we went on and upward. The
dunes were getting steeper and I was not sure if I could do this. I wondered what would I do if I fell and
broke something. But having Angie and
Jim there I felt safe. The huge dune
loomed ahead of me</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> threatening my
self-control to give way. I got half way
up and then I started to feel quite sick.
A case of too much inhaler</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> steroids</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, fear and
nothing in my stomach. I sat down and
said I could not go on. My stomach
started to go into the motions of being sick and I felt quite close to
tears. Angie pulled out an energy bar
and asked me to eat it slowly. I did and
started breathing slowly as well which calmed me down. All the team had made it and we were only
half way up. Angie asked me how old
Annais was and I said 22 years old.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> She said</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Why don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t you go 22 more
steps and then</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> if you can</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t go any further</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> we will stop</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I agreed. I was told later that I had fallen for the
oldest trick in the book. Jim then said
why didn</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t I stand in his footsteps and that way I would slow down and be able to
catch my breath. Between Angie and Jim I
made it to the top and everyone clapped.
I was over the moon. I thanked
Angie and her reply was</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">that was what friends were for</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I was really touched. On the way down I shed a tear or two just out
of relief and pride in the fact I had made it.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">In view of the
stress of the morning</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> my asthma had
kicked in so I was told to ride a camel for an hour, which I did. I dismounted feeling much better although I
focused on breathing and not speaking to anyone for quite a while. It was getting really hot. Jim said we would be another half an hour
before we reached camp. We knew by now
that meant at least an hour if not more; it was two hours. In the distance</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> we spied a tower and that was our destination</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> it seemed to take an age before we arrived. Some of the team were struggling with
blisters now. I was called Ms. Boots as
I had brought with me loads of Compeed, Savlon and Sudacrem, as well as mouthwash,
antiseptic etc.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">etc.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> When
we arrived</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the mats were taken of</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">f</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the camels and they were free to roam for a couple of hours. Mint tea was served and then fresh salad,
bread and of course the flies!! We all
sat in the shade and tried to relax.
Slumber prevailed for a while. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Nick,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> who was our camera man</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> had joked with Mammon that he could have his camera if Mammon gave him
some coke. Before we left camp</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">we were told his cousin would be going to a
village by motor bike and when we arrived in camp</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> he would bring us all a coke. We
were all so excited at the prospect</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> it was like he
had promised us the best thing in the world and at that moment in time it was. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">We all packed up
and off we went. The pace was slower as
the sun was still very hot and we were all quite tired. Eventually we arrived at camp and with the
promise of the coke we were all quite excited.
The camp was situated under some trees and it was very picturesque. When we heard a motorbike arriving we were
all like excited children waiting for Christmas morning. The coke had arrived and tasted like honey.
Then</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> as if like magic</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the cook came out with donuts, chocolate spread and fig jam</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> - mmm</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">plus we had a
third surprise. Water for a shower for
the second night running. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Like I said,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> it was just like
Christmas with that sense of magic in the air.
However, it was not magic in the air</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> it was mosquitoes!!!! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Ms</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. Boots came into action with a </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">jungle spray</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">and an antiseptic pen that cooled down bites. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Poor Amelia was bitten all over.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> That
evening we had another singsong around the fire and Mammon</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">'s</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> cousin had a lovely voice. The Brightly Hodges declined to sing the
family song so Chris took over and with Amelia and Lolly supporting on drums,
the crowds were well pleased. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Angie</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s camel guide then got Angie up and I joined them for the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">wedding dance</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> It was a lovely evening. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">We slept under
the stars again but fortune was not shining on me that evening. It had become damp and through the night I
started with asthma</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> in the morning
it was quite bad. Angie suggested
boiling hot water and a cloth to breath in and clear my lungs . It did help but
I spent the rest of the morning on a camel and tried not to worry to</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">o</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> much. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> The team were quite concerned</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> so was I. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Th</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">at</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> afternoon</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I was much better and was able to walk with the company again. Most of the team had blisters and Angie and I
farmed out the plasters and the antiseptic.
Mammon had a little oasis and some huts that had been built for </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">nutters</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">who liked to trek
across the desert. He had said that he
had bore hole </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">in which</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> we might be able
to have a splash around. The last bit of
the walk was walking across a dried up riverbank</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">This was a nightmare for
the people who had succumbed to blisters.
Huge stones and pebbles and it seemed to go on forever. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Then a</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> last we saw a settlement
and that inspired us to put our best feet forward, damaged or not, and give it
our best. As usual</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the distance from sight to actual was huge and we were</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> all extremely tired.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> The mats were placed in a hut that looked
like a stable and we all lay down. As
usual</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the flies followed us in
and we seemed to be inundated with them. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Mint tea and then
lunch avec flies was served. Some of my
friends were curious about the bore hole that Mammon had talked about and went
in search of it. They came back quite
excited. Mammon and his friends were
filling up a tank that was made of some type of plasterboard.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I went in search of it myself and came back
with Angie</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> -</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> both of us had decided
to have a dip. Anita, Amelia, Sheri,
Chris, Nick, Lolly</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> and Jim </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">were already in
the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">pool</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">; </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">the tank was pumping
water in.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The only thing
was</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> how could I get in? Anita came up with the solution. I stood on Angie</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s knee,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> turned around and sat on the sill. Chris then helped me into the pool. With a great sense of satisfaction</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I went under the pump and let water spray itself all over me. It was exhilarating!!!! We must have stayed in there for ages and
then went back to the stable. Most of
the team were there and it was decided that the boys needed to sort out their
blisters, as they could not walk on them.
</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I won</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t bore you with the details but with the help of some antiseptic etc.,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">their feet, including Jim</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s, were
sorted. The sand dune called us for the usual
ritual and the sun sank and b</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">ade us goodnight.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I had decided to
sleep in the stable due to the night being cold but also a tad damp and I did
not want to start having asthma again.
It was our last night in the Sahara and we had a lovely meal. The camels had gone but the guides came back
and we all tipped them as they had done a fantastic job of looking after us.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">We had to get up
early to drive back to Marrakesh. Bags
packed and everyone was in the coach.
Jim came round and handed me my sleeping bag with a sly smile. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Whoop</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s! Whilst</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> we were leaving the camp</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> it dawned on me that I had not
put my bag in the coach. I casually
asked whether I needed to have put my bag in the coach or had someone done it
for me? I felt so stupid. What was I thinking? I have no idea but fortunately someone had
picked it up and put it in the back for me.
There were some sarcastic remarks - all done with</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> good </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">humour,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> of course - I was so thankful no one could
see me blush. We all closed our eyes and
peace resumed for quite a while.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The journey back
to Marrakesh was uneventful. The scenery
was amazing and the driver drove so well we arrived in the city at around 4.30
in the afternoon. We eventually found the
hotel and the bags were collected on a trolley by a man who obviously had had a
bad day as he was quite rude. All the
formalities were taken care of and rooms and keys were given. I was sharing with Angie again so I was quite
happy with that. The pool was in front
of our room</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> so I was keen to
get my costume on and go for a swim. No
flies w</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">as</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the first thing I
noticed and was very happy. Trust me to
go into the bathroom and take one of the fixtures of</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">f</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the wall. I could not do
anything but laugh and I swore Angie to secrecy. The swim was invigorating and we all got
dressed for dinner.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">According to Jim,
Marrakesh was quiet but to me it was really busy, coming from a quiet village
in Leicestershire. There were so many
stalls and I found it quite intimidating</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> You also have to haggle or barter for your goods. Some of the people were quite rude. I have never wanted to not get lost in a
place so much.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">My daughter
Annais wanted a Moroccan light</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> so after Jim
showed us where we would be eating</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> some of the
girls went </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">‘</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">shopping</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> Chris wanted a beer and Jim did not </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">‘</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">do</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">’</span><span lang="FR" style="line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">shopping if he
could help it. He once told me he used
fairy liquid as shower gel. The shop was
just around the corner but he could not be bothered; a man thing I think. We looked in quite a few shops and had a look
at </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">many different</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> items </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> leather goods, pottery and</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> of course</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">, glass. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> My mother always kept me out of the pottery
and glassware sections in stores and I do the same with Annais. Things seem to happen and no one knows why</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> I try to look and not touch</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 120%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> it is always the best policy.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Dinner was a
delight and to everyone</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s taste,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> mine included. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Sleeping in a bed
was so nice although both Angie I slept in our sleeping bag liners. A sense of peace and quiet came over me that
evening and I fell fast asleep. I awoke
with a sense of excitement. Showered</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> packed and ready for breakfast, I would be going home soon with so much
to tell. Breakfast was not like it was
in the Sahara and I missed the quiet, the scenery and I must admit</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> the flies. Daft as it may seem</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> they were part of a picture.
Every picture has a story to tell and without each piece the story would
have a different tale. The flies were
part of a picture of serenity, wide open spaces, laughter, challenges, a sense
of achievement</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> friendship, as
well as making a difference to human beings who were not even aware of our
existence.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Shopping had to
be done but culture also needed to be part of the day. A visit to the Kings Palace and the gardens
was on the agenda and it was really beautiful.
The craftsmanship of the carvings and the mosaics that were on the
floor, ceiling and walls was amazing and I would not </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">have</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> missed it for the world.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Amelia and Anita
then went shopping for material for cushion covers. They bartered and got the best price. Nick and I looked on whilst Lolly did her own
bargaining. The lamp for Annais needed
to be bought and Anita thought I ought to buy myself something as well. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> So a</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">-</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">shopping we went. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Anita pointed out one shop and I went in. Something caught my eye and as usual</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I lunged for the item.
Unfortunately the item was at the back</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> - some</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> of the lamps lost their balance and fell. The shop had been quiet. Nick and Amelia made a quick exist. Anita stayed put and smiled. I apologized profusely to this very kind man
who said he liked me and for me not to worry.
I found the lamp I wanted</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> bargained for
the price, paid and left. After that</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I never ventured to touch anything again much to the relief of my
friends.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Lunch was eaten
and we were near to departure from Marrakesh.
Our bags were picked up and onto the coach we went. Everything went like clockwork. Into the departure lounge and on to the plane. On the flight</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> what we had done and what we had achieved</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> did not feel real. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I felt in a bit of a whirl. A taxi picked us up and dropped us off back</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> at Anita</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> where </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">it was </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">coffee</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> muffins and off
to bed. Up, shower, brunch and onto the
train. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Harry was meeting
me with Bertie and I was so excited but why</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">? </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I felt like I had dreamt
it all. It was a joy to be home. The last 10 days seemed to have
disappeared. Back home and back to work
and I still </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">had</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> that same sense
of bewilderment.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-52912575879888246652014-11-03T11:54:00.002-08:002014-11-03T12:05:57.894-08:00My Sahara Diary, By Karen Stead #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1mvDqUSsLhw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I would have
thought that I might have</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> be</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">en worried but I
was quite calm and had every confidence in our guide. He was extremely intelligent and well travelled. He was an entrepreneur and I had every
respect for him. His name was
Mammon. He located the rest of the
company and off we went again into the sand and the wind. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">On our arrival at
the camp, I noticed we had a visitor; it was a goat. The guides were celebrating Eid and the goat
was part of the festival. We named him
Gary. The demise of Gary will be noted
in a later</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> paragraph. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Lunch stop was a delight and the
team were all very happy to drop on to a mat and lie down. Even though the wind and sand blew around us,
we all lay down and had a snooze. I lay
with my hat over my face shivering. The
sun had been too much for me and I decided in the morning I would make sure I
covered myself up. As soon as we stopped,
the flies arrived. When the wind had
abated, lunch was served. Fresh salad
and pasta with melon for afterwards. How
the cook managed to prepare and serve such things was beyond me. He only had a gas stove. It was decided that as the wind had not
calmed down as much as the guides would have liked, we would stay put. Which was fine by everyone as the first part
of the trek had been quite difficult.
When the sun had got up it had been really hot and then with the wind it
made walking quite hard. We were all
glad of a rest. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Later in the afternoon, we all decided to walk
up to a dune and see the sunset. This
was going to be part of our routine.
Sheri we named Mary Poppins because she always had something nice that
she pulled out of her bag - wine, sweets, hula hoops and energy bars. Sheri had also brought some wine with her and
some peanuts. We all sat on the dune
with a tiny amount of wine and watched the sun set. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">It was so delightful and yet eerie.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> We were sitting sipping wine in the middle of
the Sahara without a care in the world watching one of the most beautiful
sunsets. It was to be a very special
routine. After walking all day and being
extremely tired and hot, the evenings were a delight and so restful. Sitting on a sand dune and watching the sun
sink and the moon rise was as good as a Horlicks at home. Really relaxing and peaceful. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The camels
settled down for the night. The tents
had been kindly erected by the guides and dinner was served. We had some really lovely evenings sitting
around the campsite with our guides.
They sang and made music with us using empty water drums. It was such fun. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">We found out that
one of the camel guides was a real nomad.
He lived in the desert with his dad and owned one camel. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I can</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t recollect his
name but Angie my friend, who was such a lovely lady, could </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">sign</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">and took everyone
by surprise by</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> start</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">ing speaking to
him. He had never spoken to anyone
outside his village before and he was over the moon that he could interact with
us this way. It was quite moving and I
think some of us shed a tear. The camel
guides are the only ones who had taken time out to learn how to speak to him in
sign language. The interaction between
them all was so nice. They had a sense
of humour and played tricks on each other.
They were quite funny to watch. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">That evening, we
decided to sleep under the stars. I was
rather nervous, as I was not quite sure I really wanted to do this. Everyone else was keen and I didn</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t want to look
like the odd one out (or look like a fool).
I hid my fear and set my mat down near to Angie who I felt I could trust
and who, if anything happened, would know what to do. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Chris</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, one of the lads
who was forever teasing me, stated in the morning,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Karen will have had her sleeping liner plus sleeping bag right up to her
nose</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> He was not wrong. However, Lolly, Hailey, Nick and Amelia had
stopped laughing and had gone to sleep.
All was quiet except for the grunting noises of the camels, which I
found so comforting. The moon was so
bright and the stars were beautiful. You
felt you could put your hand out and touch them and become as one with the
universe. I spent an age just thanking
God for allowing me the privilege of being here. My prayers said (the last one being,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I put my trust in you O Lord please don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t let anything happen to
me this evening and don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t let anything come into my sleeping bag. Amen.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, I fell fast asleep. What made
me awake early that morning I have no idea.
I awoke looking straight into the heavens and almost at once saw a
shooting star, one after another after another.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven,
as I had never seen anything so spectacular and stunning in all my life.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></div>
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jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-61111077103859550792014-10-31T02:43:00.000-07:002014-10-31T02:43:24.784-07:00My Sahara Trek Diary #2
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The coach arrived at a
little village called M</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">’</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">hamid and this was where
we met our first guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He invited us into
his house and laid on a banquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fresh
salad, bread, and a tagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
getting used to the mint tea which is always served to guests</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature rose and we were
told to relax, as we would be starting our trek as soon as the temperature
dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lying back on the cushions I
wondered would I be all right and was Harry, my partner, right to be worried. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tad
perplexed</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, I put my boots on and joined in the banter of the team who were all
excited to depart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anita must have known
I was worried as she kept an eye on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My platypus leaked as we departed and I got even more flustered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew everyone was capable but was I just
downright stubborn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">…</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too late, I had to succeed as I was
determined not to have egg on my face and those villages needed their
wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK I am clumsy and downright
gormless when in a tight spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
relax and enjoy this adventure couldn</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t I</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they had no toilets and no showers and I
had soon to learn that they have flies in abundance but I would manage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time I would bring some fly killer with
me - if there is to be a next time?</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The trek had
started and I really enjoyed the walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The scenery was to die for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tough
as it might have been, I knew this was probably the easiest bit of the
trek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I had not been so
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why I thought no flies would be
in the Sahara I have no idea for, as we stopped, they came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tents had been put up before our arrival
and the camp looked quite cozy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first
big mistake when we arrived was to tip out onto the ground the remaining water
in my platypus.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was really surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nonchalantly stated it did not taste very
nice but was told that water was precious and I could not do that in the
desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Shamefaced</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, I pretended not to care but inside I wanted to jump into the nearest
hole and hide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat on the mats and
chatted around the rug where our dinner was to be placed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was admiring the sunset when all of a
sudden the world took on a different look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wind picked up and swirling sand drove us all into a big tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sand storm took us by surprise and the
guides tried to make sure our tents were not blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a corner where I felt safe and we
waited for it to calm down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner was
served and Jim had kindly asked for the cook to make a plate of plain food for
me - it was very tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner was
always mint tea first, then soup with bread, a tagine of some kind, although we
had chicken and chips as well as spaghetti bolognaise, which was very nice. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">That night when
the sand storm had departed, in its haste it had left most of the sand in
everyone</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s bags and tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the
tents were damaged and had to be sorted out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, everyone got into their tents but it was too warm to climb
into our sleeping bags so we slept in our liners and tried to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the desert is a quiet place, it
has its own night noises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
most comforting noises was that of the camels; they made me feel very safe. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Dawn and a new
day emerged. </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleep had left me feel</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">ing</span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DA; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> rested</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Although sleeping
on the floor was a new experience to me, it was pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting washed and dressed was a bit of a
nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sandstorm the night
before had covered everything in sand and although I used my </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">wet ones</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I still felt slightly sandy and dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tents down,</span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DA; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> bags re</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">-packed and breakfast was a routine that I would get very used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the breakfast came the flies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I must be getting used to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Qu</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">ser</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">á</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">ser</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">á’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">(<i>what will be</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">will be</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">) came into my
head nearly every mealtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
tea/coffee and bread of course, cheese spread, which was really nice, and
porridge which got thicker at every serving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chocolate spread was a favourite with everyone, especially Chris. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Everyone had got used to me tripping up and
knocking things over by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
running joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water was poured into my
glass and passed to me to make sure I did not drop anything and scold anyone,
which I had done on too many occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Coffee ended up being put into my glass for me as, for some reason one
morning, I missed the glass completely much to everyone</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s amusement. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really should have bought glasses with me. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(My excuse</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The camels did
not like being loaded with our bags and they grunted in disd</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">ain.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mind
you, I think I would as well. The camels went off and we followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they were walking at a quick pace
and soon were lost out of sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
morning was peaceful with some delightful views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked and chatted or walked with our own
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The desert can be a place
where you find yourself and your own inner being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it so tranquil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, things change quite dramatically in
the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind started to get
stronger and in the distance you could see the sand being blown across the
dunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spectacular as it was, we were
walking straight into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of
the walk I found quite difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though I had put on factor 50 sun cream, I was getting quite burnt and we were
walking right into the wind and the sand storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our guide asked us to stay put by some dunes and we took refuge there
whilst he went on for a while to see if he could see where the rest of the
company were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had drunk all my water
much to the amusement of my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim
our organizer gave me some more although I was told that that would have to
last till we reached camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
quite a while away.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 120%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-22244536421525127442014-10-30T04:33:00.001-07:002014-10-30T04:39:12.212-07:00My Sahara Trek Diary by Karen Stead #1<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The train departed at 12.13 a.m. and I had a nervous feeling
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What on earth had I let myself
in for this time?</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">It had all begun when I was sitting on the couch feeling very sorry for
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two broken bones in</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">one foot and
the world had stood still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No walking
with Bertie, my dog, no networking in London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sitting watching the world go round was very frustrating and expensive </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">…</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">My laptop pinged I had a new email, even as bored as I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>junk</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">, I might as well read it. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A</span>mailia</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Anita</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s daughter and Marketing Manager from the Family Business, had sent me
some mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked interesting but
from where I was at the moment, anything would have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I read the email a couple of times
and checked out the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Fields of Life</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> website and I was hooked.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what if my foot was broken in
two places; bones</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> mend don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t they?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">! </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were quite a few questions to which I
needed answers so I picked up the phone, but I knew in my heart I was going and
so I did </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The journey had begun but where would it end and was I up for the
challenge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just about raised the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">£</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">1,500 for the trip and I had been walking miles in my new desert boots
and desert socks. These two purchases were the best money spent or so my feet
would find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bertie had also lost
weight with all the additional walks he had been on.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The journey into London was uneventful, changing at Victoria then on to
West Malling to Anita</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt welcomed and knew
that I had an early start so to bed I went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I kept thinking about the conversation we had had</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> over dinner. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spicy food, no bathroom facilities, no access
to a shower, putting a tent up </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why had
I not done some more research?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
ask myself that quite a few times over the coming days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What had I let myself in for</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">?</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AjNPivzON4hmHqDUVi6ozu3WaOutE_6TOBQgODW1s7FmhloKm3qa5nhHr_OHZJlvreDVDVA0AERQlO3YkCCQ7G2r236g4LpJPjLOYboi547hlO_eEHWcJFRppyOaSkSf65HNOqbAhGyj/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AjNPivzON4hmHqDUVi6ozu3WaOutE_6TOBQgODW1s7FmhloKm3qa5nhHr_OHZJlvreDVDVA0AERQlO3YkCCQ7G2r236g4LpJPjLOYboi547hlO_eEHWcJFRppyOaSkSf65HNOqbAhGyj/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Just outside of Marrakesh, I found myself sharing a hotel room with
Angie who, for some reason unknown to me or Angie, I called Jackie or
Anita. She was extremely kind and did
not get offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when I
started killing every fly in the vicinity, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I think she
decided that perhaps I might have OCD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dinner over with me eating some bread and fruit; I thought I should have
brought along some breakfast bars for the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eating was going to be interesting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim the guide was a tad concerned and asked
if I ate spicy food at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My reply was
NO and the team wondered what I thought I would be eating in Morocco?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the challenges increased and we had not
started the journey as yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breakfast
was edible and I made up some sandwiches for the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good job really as I think I would have been
quite hungry.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">As we travelled to our destination, I fell in love with the scenery and
the Atlas Mountains were amazing. The team fell into slumber and peace
prevailed whilst we climbed and descended to our ultimate goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Villages were passed through and toilet
breaks were taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart sank as we
were shown where the toilets were at the last village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flies and a distinctive aroma that I could
not place crept over me as I climbed the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hilary stepped out from behind the door and
her face told me what I did not wish to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went downstairs into the fresh air and was met by Jim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if we were stopping elsewhere and
the answer was no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me in no
uncertain terms that I had to pay a visit or else I would make myself ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I approached Angie and asked her to accompany
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling quite a fool, I gritted my
teeth and not for the last time on the trip the sense of nausea and stupidity
wrapped itself around me like a cocoon</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRHJ4hVBwg9h240nzmKk1ec0NpIER3cqkI-MiCJ7yzXdFvbPJE8cIW-MhwCZ0KTWWaJGooARrfulkZp3da6UlxysnvkqkQ1n5-CptJyYkoPiADMhrkVbeO25OnTxdpdA5EBWPhl_UIz_r/s1600/DSCF3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRHJ4hVBwg9h240nzmKk1ec0NpIER3cqkI-MiCJ7yzXdFvbPJE8cIW-MhwCZ0KTWWaJGooARrfulkZp3da6UlxysnvkqkQ1n5-CptJyYkoPiADMhrkVbeO25OnTxdpdA5EBWPhl_UIz_r/s1600/DSCF3293.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549179505868541411.post-36921948736880608532014-03-21T13:50:00.000-07:002014-03-23T00:50:51.832-07:00Cheap Micro-Moroccan AdventureAs it's spring and all things new, its the perfect time to offer a new #microadventure cycle trip to Morocco.<br>
Here's the deal.<br>
4 day cycle from the Atlas to the Atlantic ! covering 300km, cycling the road less travelled through Morocco.<br>
The route has only been recced and driven by car and there's two huge hill climbs of 8km !<br>
I'm offering 4 people the opportunity to join me on the first ride of this route as a recce trip.<br>
We will be camping. No Jessie's !<br>
<br>
To be one of the lucky four here's the rules.<br>
Like/follow the Adventurous Ewe Facebook page.<br>
Like this Link.<br>
Share the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adventurous-Ewe/356725036551?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adventurous Ewe</a> FB page with friends.<br>
Have a sense of Adventure.<br>
<br>
The proposed date is still to be confirmed, but were planning for September/October.<br>
The cost is minimal only £280.00pp this is to be paid in Morocco directly to our Moroccan team.<br>
This excludes flights and you will need your own mountain bike.<br>
There will be more details for follow.<br>
Let the fun begin.<br>
<a href="http://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/">www.adventurousewe.co.uk</a>jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175273908091498059noreply@blogger.com0