The preparations for a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro

The preparations for a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, organisational, nutritional and fitness regimes, plans and preparations I (and my team) will be going through in order to successfully complete the charity climb.
I am climbing for my charity – Today and Tomorrow, which is a charity that supports single mothers and their kids. This is a charity that is very close to my heart as I have been at one point in my life, a young mum, living with two young kids. I climbed Ben Nevis last year and that training was tough, but it inspired me to set my goals even higher – to Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s going to be tough and I know that, but raising money for a good cause is even more important. It’s also a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and contribute just a little bit of happiness to the lives of people who need it most.
I wanted to get a great group of people together to help support this cause. As a celebrity therapist based in Mayfair I was able to call on my list of clients to come on board for the climb. They include International Model, Caprice; actress and TV presenter, Sally Farmiloe; Singer and TV presenter; Alexandra Legouix . More people are signing up day by day and I will keep you posted on who joins us
The Kilimanjaro climb takes the Rongai route.

The Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness lost on the crowded Marangu and Machame trails. The most manageable of all the routes, it has a relatively gentle gradient and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It passes through farmland and forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with possibilities for wildlife viewing, and an extra day to aid acclimatisation as the trails climbs beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The final ascent is arduous and made in darkness, but the reward is a spectacular dawn view of the glaciers and ice cliffs of the summit, and across the East African plains far below. Descending through lush forest, there is time to relax and recover before the flight home. We are excited to be learning about the culture and surroundings whilst climbing. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I am really excited about taking this route as it offers the advantage of attempting the climb in relative seclusion compared to the more crowded Marangu and Machame routes. The company we are working with also have high standards in the maintenance and protection of the mountain. They have built a number of standards into the mountain services. All cooking is on gas or kerosene stoves (rather than firewood) and all rubbish is carried off the mountain. Hot washing water in bowls is provided to avoid polluting the streams. Porter welfare is another important part of the staff policy. It all makes a difference.

Frank Slide

One wet day in Calgary we decided to visit Waterton with Melvin and Heather. Waterton is three hours away from Calgary the scenery was flat in the beginning and then lead to some glorious mountains, the weather had started getting better.
On the way Mel wanted us to see Frank slide. Frank was a very old mining town. In early nineteen’s a mountain slid down and covered most of the town while they were sleeping miners got caught in the mines. Fortunately they dug themselves out of there. But when they came up saw the devastation and was unable to help the people underneath as there were feet’s of boulders on top of the village. One can still see the remnants of that. Very sad.

It has the smallest and quaintest church in Canada.




















It was drizzling with rain we had a fabulous picnic in the car which my aunt prepared for us. We passed through the town and we saw the smallest Church in Canada so quaint. I added my name to visitor’s book.













Town covered under the boulders













There is also remnants of a stone which 93 million old how it dislodged it self in Ice age.

Janet Ginnings Having fun with the family

While we were In Calgary we stayed in my Aunt and Tina’s home. Every evening the whole family got together for lovely meals prepared by my Aunt, barbecues where the favourite. We spent many evenings talking about our families in India. Heather My sister in law has a marvellous sense of humour and she was always making us laugh.
Mel my cousin was always teased by me or his wife all in good fun. Most of the time it was Jeremiah who kept us amused with his antics. Dave Tina boyfriend is Canadian so his accent was very amusing to me. They Canadian say ouuut. (out) In the same Vain he took the mick out of my accent. Which not Indian nor English. Lovely evenings had by us all.














From right Heather, Tina David Robert, Melvin and I





















Heather, Melvin, Jeremiah and Isaiah













Me, Heather and Aunt Katherine on Fathers day

Caprice joining the Kilimanjaro hike

Caprice joining the Kilimanjaro hike in aid of Today and Tomorrow charity for single mothers and young children. Click here to read more

Leg Rub, coffee and a Wobble Cushion

Rub your legs with coffee and sit on a wobble cushion - the ingenious tricks beauty gurus use to keep themselves looking great
Click here to read the full story

Kananaskis

Every day we were doing different things my Aunt knew how much I like mountains and walking on them.

Kananaskis is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains, snow topped peaks and streams of blue clear water.










There is a beautiful hotel called the Delta Lodge where the G8 summit was. You still see the pomp and glory in that hotel. It still holds the important conferences.








Next we drove to Nakiska skiing resort which was the Site of the Alpine events of the XV winter Olympic Games.









My aunt decided to take us for a walk along a where stream was flowing rapidly, next to the stream was a sign BE BEAR AWARE. I looked at the sign quite apprehensively, and my Aunt was in fits of laughter. She said keep talking loudly and we would be fine and that what we did.


It was a beautiful walk. You don’t see many people on these walks because mountains are so spread out.

It was wonderful introduction to the Rockies. I had already fallen in love with them and I could not wait to see more.

Janet Ginnings My Holiday in Canada

Last month I had an amazing holiday in Canada, it is such a lovely country. So what I decided to do was to share some of my experiences and stories about my holiday with you and pictures of course….

Calgary when we arrived
I was so excited about visiting Canada having heard so much about it. Seeing the beautiful country and I was going to visit my Aunt Katharine who I had not met in 37 years, double the excitement I was over the moon.
When we reached Calgary the whole family was there to meet us it was so exciting, my Aunt Katharine, her son Melvin his wife Heather and their two boys Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Sunday started with a trip to a very large charismatic church called The West Side King Church. It reminded me of the Church I belong to back home.

In the afternoon we visited The Canada Olympic Park where Edie the Eagle took his jump. The park was so amazing, it’s so high. We saw some people doing a zip line from the top and down, awesome. I wanted to do it but never got around to it.














My next post I will tell you about Kananaskis...