Day Five - Mharech (Auberge cafe camp) - Dunes near Mbidi

No sleep, another day trekking and experiencing again the feeling of furnace heat! Our guides have no option but to reduce some of the distance planned, due to the unexpected immense heat, but we completed the required scheduled instructed experiencing more gruelling heat. Although the dunes and sunsets are amazing!

I hardly slept the previous night, due to ‘spiders crawling on me anxiety’ along with the heat. I made the heat situation worse, stubbornly zipping myself tightly and securely, snuggled in-between co-trekkers (for additional security), in my mummy sleeping bag. I refused to help myself by trying to decrease the night’s heat. Wrapped tightly in my 2-3 season sleeping bag, to prevent the nightmare of any hell bugs or spiders crawling on my skin. I baked all night! I fidgeted and tried to stop my mind continually visualising spiders. Hence, I was actually begging for the early start alarm call. Alarm call, at last I thought! The team will be awake soon! I felt shattered and concerned I had damaged my energy levels for the planned trek challenge. I reminded myself it was too late to worry now. I had no options but to go with the flow and motivate myself. I am accustomed to the early morning ritual. Here we go again! See to blisters, replace compeed plaster if necessary and tape feet/plaster to prevent further movement and friction on blisters. Wash and brush teeth, swilling with bottled water only – done. Stuff my clothes in my rucksack and take what I need in my daypack. Collect my rations of water, add my re-hydration tablets to water ratio and fill up hydration pack. Grab some energy food, bread and jam, and swill down as much sweet coffee as possible. The upside of drinking as much sweet coffee as possible is the sugar and caffeine kick. The down side? encouraging more peeing stops, (which is not the best trying to find private pee places and convenient moments.) Next routines are the most important, oh of course except for water rations, tie boots tightly but comfortably and finally slap on the highest factor sun screen.. Here we go, and we’re off to our next camp.

Today was planned with a continual walk, no in-between breaks, as the scheduled was head straight to tonight’s camp and permitted us to casually enjoy, near to camp, some stunning dunes providing another amazing sunset and sunrise. I relished in a half day trek, and at the time thought, this should not be too much of challenge. How wrong one can be. The first two hours are filled with a mixture of light hearted feelings from most, with a contrast of frustration and negative vibes from some. I am feeling relatively mellow, not particularly tested, and greeting an opportunity to chat one to one with a few trekkers I hadn’t had the pleasure of sharing with previously.

The ground is flat, dunes stunningly stand strong either side, as we trek ahead. From capturing the beautiful surroundings, and feeling comfortable for the first two hours walk, I notice my mood drop, the heat playing her games and again trying to prevent me to complete another day’s challenge. It is amazing how you always feel overheated but suddenly it feels like an instant double increase of temperature. I wanted to focus, avoiding verbally negativity around some trekkers, break away and start trekking alone. We captured a few individual and different group photo’s to recall and reflect on after the trek. However, I felt this was the only day I really wanted to trek on my own, away from the group. At the time I had no idea why I felt so strongly to be on my own. I was sharing an experience with many like minded, strong characters and caring people. I recall needing sole time, feeling rather emotional but had no idea that thoughts and feelings were waiting to kick in later that evening.

Breaking away from individuals or groups, I walk as close as possible to the camels who trudge slowly and effortlessly, oblivious that they could be rescue vehicles and are comforting anchors of support. I try to steal from their shadows. To help me feel a small moving shelter from the sun. I walk with caution to avoid any kicks from them, due to invading their space. Whilst trying to absorb as much as possible the shade their moving figures spill.

Ibraham, our Moroccan guide, had travelled most of today’s trek on camel back. He was still feeling quite weak and ill because of fasting for religious reasons. He turned around to check on the group, to view and ensure no one was far behind. He must have noticed me walking very close to the camels and guides, with nothing but negative body language. He offered a few times “do you want a rest and break by taking a camel ride to camp?” I continually, with a stiff upper lip British manner, politely thanked him but declined. He tried to encourage me, pointing out the camp ahead, which I could not see. The camp was at least another two hours walking distance. Ibraham, as always, tried to motivate by convincing me it was within thirty minutes (Moroccan time!).

I tried to pick up my pace, reflecting on my mental attitude the previous “rocky horror day, ” When I was an inch away from climbing into the rescue jeep. I thought of motivating music. The music I listened to during my Sunday miles and miles of training and commitment. It was time to use my MP3. I had charged it to the max and saved it for a difficult day. One particular track I had used to motivate me and prepare for this challenge was Ritchie Lawrence’s funked up version “Laurence d’Arabie.” An amazing track, modernising, and bringing up to beat the sound track from the original film “Laurence of Arabia.” I find every note romantic, passionate, lifting, energising and providing the feeling of contentment every time I listen to it. The music made my mind travel, whirling up various visions, mystery and magical fantasy and reinforced positive emotions. I trek while sorting through my MP3 player to find this piece of stunning music. The song starts. I feel an instant inspirational lift and drive. All’s good. I am walking in the Sahara Desert, listening to “Laurence d’Arbie” with my eyes scanning and blinking to capture memory photographs. I feel on top of the world. What an experience, HEAVEN, visually, auditory and kineasetic. Nothing can discourage me now!

Or can it? My MP3 suddenly stops, due to the power running out. I realised from this failing how important it is to have a variety of anchoring modalities to change negative and challenging thoughts. The auditory modality I had carefully preserved, although the sell by date came unexpectedly. This unfortunate back up reliance, resulted in a mood drop ten fold. I am trying to pick up my motivation, by reflecting on sponsors and children at Acorn’s hospice. But, no matter how hard I try the heat seems to melt away words and pictures in my mind. My mood has become basically peed off..

I did manage to complete the schedule. I was truly heat overwhelmed. I think I went into a hypnotic state, walking and continuing the in head battle with the quitter and determination character. I remember hearing applause from a few trekkers who arrived at base earlier, and those who helped to set up camp, due to opting out of today’s trek for sickness reasons. I threw myself under the canvas and with delight removed my trekking boots. Sobbing a little, (for some reason?) although trying to hide it. Jimbo caught me aggressively wiping a tear away from my fisted hand forced with an angry forearm across my face. He gave me a reassuring shoulder squeeze and hug saying “good stuff, well done!”

Day Four - Ekfrijer-Aldrdou Mrakib-Mharech (Auberge cafe camp) - The "Rocky Horror" Day and Night..One of the lowest of low times for all of us

The previous night, while sharing our evening meal under canvas to shelter from the sand storm, we had discussed as a group rising earlier at 05:30hrs with intentions of hitting the sands to trek at 06:30hrs. This was agreed by all to take advantage of the cool morning and travel as far as we could during this time. Chaotic morning routine of washing, packing, dressing, eating, collecting water rations is pretty much repeated as described in day three. Once again we set out on time. The sunrise is absolutely stunning, no photographs or descriptions can create the inner peace, content and bliss experienced walking and viewing the perfect golden ball projecting a magnificent powerful warm glow of pure light, into the bluey grey morning sky..

The ground is very rocky although relatively level for sometime. Eventually we put leg muscles to work taking long, firm, strides up sand dunes. I was surprised that my sub-conscious naturally told my legs the easiest way to walk down steep dunes. Almost like a reflex action I walk down side ways using the whole surface of my foot, creating my own downward sand stairwell. I watched Trishna brace herself to run down, smiling with sweet success as she arrives at the bottom on both her feet with no trips or tumbles. We have walked approximately one hour or more, then stop to take a very quick break. Quick breaks are spent topping up on sun screen, sitting for a while and drinking more water. Although we have not walked for too far or collated miles and miles, the heat is already becoming a challenge added with the rocky grounds that require great concentration.

We take a second short break, the heat is unbelievable. Although I keep topping up with sun screen, wear a long sleeved thin shirt my arms feel as though they are burning. We all try to take shade under skeleton trees, but what little shade is provided has no cooling affect. Tom and Ibraham call the group together and suggest we make track to the midway rest base. Many of us reluctantly, de-motivated at this point, follow our guides, hoping camp is not too far away. An hour or more later it is time to find a lunchtime shaded rest spot. Camels had carried food parcels, bottles of water and the tent pitched for temporary cover. Today we had to take a two-three hour break due to the immense heat. The heat is sickening, 45-50°C we were told upon completion, unaware of this fact at time, although suffering the experience as we walk. I am starting to get slightly emotional, irritable and frustrated trying to conjure up images or an idea, that will permit me to cool down without tipping my water supply over my head and wasting it required for essential hydration and energy.

The dreaded call and gathering together to walk to home camp three seems too soon, although we have sat doing nothing for hours. I, and many others, do not understand why when we set out the heat has not decreased at all. If anything it has increased to cooking level. The trek schedule provided months in advance, explained it was necessary to commence walking early to enjoy a cool period, and take along break to avoid the maximum heat levels, with a continuation in the afternoon when the temperature is supposedly to drop. This heat is not dropping in the afternoon, it is definitely increasing. The heat is suffocating and soul destroying. We walk and bake, walk and bake, walk and bake. You cannot even try to distract with the open surrounds to find calm, the ground is covered with small and large sharp cutting rocks you have to look down at all time to avoid tripping and falling. I know quite a few off us really had enough this day but obviously I share my thoughts and feelings from my perspective. I have no idea why but I start to feel angry. Physically when I get angry I feel a knot in my gut tighten and either wanting to release in an out burst of anger or tears to reduce stress and pressure. I keep trying to focus back to my volunteer days at Acorns Children’s Hospice, all my wonderful sponsors and re-read in my head the numerous kind words of support expressed along side the names and donations visable on my charity giving page. I printed off all quotes from my charity giving page, and carried good luck cards received with me, knowing at some point I would need to use all as an anchor to motivate me.

My thoughts, although I will not name a few other co-trekkers I know will agree on this,..Walk, swear, drink water, feel the immense burn from the sun, walk, swear, drink water, feel the immense burn from the sun, walk, swear, drink water, feel the immense burn from the sun..this has become a mantra! Although I question myself that my legs and feet can carry on the heat is making me want to surrender!
This day was so tough a jeep was sent out to pick up and drive to camp, anyone who felt so ill due to heat or any pain from blisters or muscular problems. I remember standing looking at the jeep, then looking at a speckle in the distance that had been pointed out as that nights camp. The camp, way way ahead in the distance, appearing the size of a full-stop at the end of a sentence, and what felt like one! I keep looking at the jeep, then the “full stop “ repeating this focus over and over again. The jeep is drawing me like a magnet to get to camp, to rest and get out of the burning sun. The full stop feels and looks unreachable for at least another hour in the gruelling heat.

To be honest and re-capture the true moment, at the risk of appearing completely insane to those of you who never have little in head conversations with the various characters we have in our minds, I will share the little internal head conversation between my “Giver in” Lisa voice” and “Rationale” Lisa voice.

Giver in Lisa (GIL) - “I can’t do this anymore, I’ve had enough I need to get in that jeep!” wants to cry like a great big baby
Rational Lisa (RL) “Yes you can, you know you can complete today all by foot”
GIL - “I can’t, shut up! I’m going to get in the jeep”
RL - “Question..Do your legs really, really ache to the point you can’t go on?”
GIL - “No not at all. I’ve trained so hard for months, my legs are fine, still feel stong, I could walk for hours!!”
RL - “Right!, so that’s not a problem at all then. Do your feet really really hurt, to the point you can no longer walk on them?”
GIL - “My feet hurt, that’s for sure, but I’ve had worse and still carried on walking for miles on the towpaths and Malvern Hills training for this”
RL - “So the feet aren’t a problem either, so walk just keep walking!”
GIL - “I can’t I’ve had enough, the heat is killing me!”
RL “ Well get in the jeep then!”
GIL “I want to but if I do that I will be angry with myself later and be in a mood for days”
RL “Stop going on and get in the jeep”
GIL “If I do that I will have to tell all my sponsors when they ask if I completed the trek I didn’t. I couldn’t lie and then I’d feel like I let them down.”
RL “GET IN THE JEEP, stop going on and on, shut the (can’t repeat the swear word) up, and get in the jeep”
GIL “No, I can do this. I’ve worked so hard to do this I can finish today at least”
RL “Great news, start walking faster then to complete quicker and stop wasting more time talking to me standing longer in this miserable HEAT!”

And from this point, internal mind conversation over, I walk with determined attitude to arrive to camp by foot. I have flash backs of the many Sundays I had committed and carried out my long walks on the Worcester and Birmingham towpaths, the Malvern Hills. My repetitions on the Selly Oak New Road stairwell to the canal aqueduct, one to one personal training at the gym, my sponsors, the heart breaking times of visiting Nicola, my stepmom, in St Mary's Hospice the middle point of my Sunday training days, and to ensure I spent time with Nicola, and above all, the “heart” of the trek for me..the children,families and carers who depend on Acorns as a life line. Tom, later that evening told me, he had said to Lucy “Lisa seems to have picked up her pace!” At the time I was oblivious to onlookers, frantically stabbing my trekking pole into the ground in a pendulum motion as I head for camp continually forgetting the waste of water for hydration and using it to cool down, by pouring it over my head to distract from the heat! I will not share with you the language that rang around in my head as I continued to walk. However, to politely enlighten you I used every foul curse word "under the sun!" pun intended.

Guess what!? Lisa Z did it! With the help of Lisa Dooling, my name prior to marriage, whose pet name at school was Eliza Doolittle, I now hear in my head, as I lie on my thin mattress,the "Giver in" Lisa voice and "Rationale" Lisa voice, taking lead of the song sung by Marni Nixon and Rex Harrisons playing Professor Higgins, sing from the film 'My Fair Lady' the song "You Did It." The various prior negative and positive characters and challenges sing this song of achievement, althougth todays success is a bittersweet pill to swollow. It was not possible to verbalise how great I felt for managing to beat the negative demons and continue to walk, to do a little success dance, you feel gutted for a few people that needed to rest due to feeling so sick.

At the time of arrival to the new camp, I thought it to be absolutely stunning, and I was looking forward to resting, sharing our evening meal and sleeping out from under the canvas out in the open air under the stars. The other surprise, which Ibraham had told us was there was a café where we could buy coke and tango. Lying down during cool off periods we had often discussed if we could eat or drink absolutely anything of our choice right now what would it be? We all seemed to agree on an ice cold coke. We did not believe Ibraham, we could not possibly imagine a café in the middle of the desert, we thought he was fooling us all as a means to motivate us during the tough day. Oh us of little faith in our guide Ibraham, were put to shame when we discovered there was a café a few yards from camp. Like excited children we all head to the café to buy fizzy pop. It was not very cold, but boy did we all appreciate a change and treat from water.

Washed, clean, sitting on blankets chilling with a few of the girls I am starting to realise I am not overly keen on our new home and resting location for the night. The con’s of such a beautiful oasis are revealing themselves to us in the form of dung beetles and what I am later lead to believe are camel spiders. There are some pretty ugly looking bugs, which even thinking about as I recall that night, set me off itching and shuddering in disgust. As night begins to fall I and Ellie are feeling extremely out of our comfort zone,due to nightfall we cannot see if anything nasty is approaching us. Jimbo let out the loudest yelp of “Bleeding Ada, something’s just grabbed me finger!” Although his reaction was highly amusing, and the camp erupted into laughter, I am feeling more and more anxious about how the hell I am going to rest and get any sleep tonight. I eat my evening meal standing up! There are nasty bugs just appearing from nowhere. Ellie is having a fit! while I can relate to how she feels I am trying to keep it all inside. This is not easy, I do not want to be bit, stung or even have the nightmare experience of some evil bug/spider creature from hell touching or crawling on my skin. (((shudders))).

The camp is starting to settle to sleep, some debating whether to sleep in tents or outside. Ellie, bless, looks to me and asks where I am sleeping? Utter fear in her big wide eyes. I am really trying to not make her feel any more scared, but I like Ellie, do not want to sleep in the tent or outside, I want to sleep where I know I definitely will be safe from this hell camp. I decide to sleep outside, so head to the tent to collect my sleeping bag. Headlamp on, I lean down to pick up the packed up sleeping bag, a hand either side of the squashy package, and as I slowly pick the bag up and my headlamp sheds more light onto the black bag, I notice two spider legs move disturbed by my movement. OH MY GOD! It was literally next to my right hand, I have never ever if my life seen or been as close to anything as horrendous as that. To this day I do not know how I managed to, in slow motion mode, gently put the sleeping bag back down, to avoid disturbing and hence producing further movement from this hell thing. How I managed to not scream the camp down I have no idea. With its legs spread and spanned it was almost the size of my hand, although the body was not overly meaty, and stood out more so being camel coloured sitting on MY BL**DY SLEEPING BAG!..eeekkkkkk;

I am still amazed how I keep some what calm, walking away from the tent. Outside I ask “Who is the gentleman that has no fear of spiders?” Linden, sat next to her partner Ollie say’s “It’s Ollie.” I look at Linden and then to Ollie, back to Linden again asking “Can I borrow your boyfriend for a moment, to get this spider off my sleeping bag, cos I swear to God this is BIG and horrible!” Ollie and a few other co-trekkers, are intrigued after my description and make head with headlamps on to my tent to view my claim. I can’t remember who, but I know there was at least 4-5 of us. When head torches all shine the spot light on to this uninvited visitors I turn to the others and see faces of eeekkkk. I cannot recall Ollie’s words for words but I am sure he said something along the lines of “I don’t think I can help with this one.” To which we call upon a Moroccan family member to assist with the removal of camel spider hell creature! Matife comes to aide, although he too looks very reluctant. He has the assistance of on lookers headlamps but as he bends down to pick up, and walk with the sleeping bag parcel we run leaving him walking in dark, and hearing him share a few words or gestures requiring assistance to see what he is doing and where this spider is has moved to.

Everyone seems to settle, accept for me and little Ellie. To take away from Ellie’s fears, although like Ellie I am feeling so anxious and know I will not sleep well tonight, I share with her I am going to sleep outside! Under the Sahara stars.. Although I keep accessing if there’s an option to ask our guides if tonight we can curl up and get some “zzz” in a vehicle!. Although it is very hot, I zip myself up tightly in my mummy sleeping bag, and lie between friend like a fish finger packed into a cardboard box! Hoping this will make me feel somewhat safe and secure from bugs. The heat has not decreased much, so on occasion, I unzip my sleeping bag and protrude a leg or arm out to relieve me from heat. I feel stuck! I can hear the tired breathing and snoring and wish I could switch off from my mind set of creepy crawlies trudging on me as I try to sleep..

The positive are I stare up at the Sahara stars. On occasion I see flashes of amazing lighting and colours in the sky, but no noise, and definitely no sign of rain. I lay for hours, surrounded by the gentle hum of co-trekkers sleeping (and the odd few that snore like buffolo), with the anxiety I feel of bugs crawling on me, captured by the tear drawing beauty of the stars. I am sentimental and fellow readers I can not express to perfection to invite you to take on a visit in the manner I have. We can all on look at travel broachers, view friends photos of travelling experiences, save amazing graphics and photos on our desktops., but the only way to realise how incredible the stars are is to view from the Sahara, despite no sleep and fear of being stung or bitten by a creepy hell creature.

Day Three - Lahfria - Ekfrijer Camp

I thought nights in the Sahara Desert were supposed to be cold!? I researched, somewhat, in advance of the trek, picked people's brains and followed the recommendations of the Charity Challenge kit list. A common factor had been the dramatic temperature drop at night. A typical female always feeling the cold, I had focused on packing requirements to deal and cope with this. Fleece skins, sweatshirt and my two/three season sleeping bag had carefully been selected to ensure I had a good night rest not disturbed by cold nights. I was actually concerned if I had packed enough warm wear. The last thing I wanted or needed was sleepless nights affecting my energy and motivation levels during the trek days.

After a restless night, due to heat and anxiety, we all rise at 06:00hrs, to pack, eat breakfast and commence trekking our second day. We have one hour before we start walking, our deadline is scheduled for 07:00hrs. I remember frantically trying to re-pack my rucksack, ready for our Moroccan family to take away to our next camp. Very organised and tidy pre-packing ready for the airport journey had changed to chaotic, confusion and complete wonder of how I had managed to pack various items in one item of baggage! Pack, brush teeth (remember to clean brush and swill out toothpaste with bottled water only), wash face, grab a sweet coffee, bread, cheese and jams, eat, drink, sit and tie trekking bootlaces secure and comfortably! I feel as though everything is a rush for me, to make sure I do not get left behind when the team start to make their first steps into day three. Water rations are handed out. I had the God send of a hydro pack, loaned to me by Kath. A big thank you to Kath, for saving me money and avoiding further expenses to fund this wonderful charity event, and for the ease of having hydration supplies on tap.

We begin to trek our second day on time. The early start time of the day is relatively cool and comfortable. The footings are dry and as we journey onwards we begin to witness the affects the heat has had on desert grounds with the disappearance of rain for so many years. The area we cross, we are told, has become very isolated. Families have moved away due to the desertion of rain. We climb a few sand dunes, it is not overly tasking at this point, but I am already discovering it rings true from fellow supporters there is a skill in walking in Sahara sands. Soft sand changes rather unexpectedly to a dry, hard, broken surface. Jimbo describes this amicable "I feel like I'm treading on hundreds of broken grey chocolate Easter eggs!" Another perfect description I can relate too.

We walk for three or four hours. It is very difficult to remember exact times due to getting lost in ones mind, entering into a hypnotic state as you continually put one foot forward moving slowly into such open, far, never ending grounds with limited, if any, landmarks. Eventually we reach our rest station. Our Moroccan family have pitched up canvas, for us to rest, eat lunch and cool down. I did not feel too bad, but welcomed the break and a chance to take off my boots. I had no idea at this early stage, that routine for breaks and completion of a days trek would be to take off boots before lying down, washing and changing. We have a few hours to rest and enjoy another amazing lunch. Bodies sprawled everywhere trying to take cover and gather thoughts, eat, listen to music, chat, sing and the odd moments of silence.

On the first day of the trek, after settling into our camp, I had suggested "Pee Watch" with a few co-female trekkers. From my Goa travels I had learnt you have to get over the embarrassment of finding a patch to squat to pee, in privacy, and the hope that no uninvited creepy crawly bites you on the butt. Hence I said to the ladies it would be good to go in pairs, hide each other from view and look out for bugs. Due to this suggestion I was asked on a few occasions to accommodate with my recommendation.

Our rest is disturbed when Jason is visited by a beetle, coated in his black and white tuxedo shell. This clumsy beetle trudges straight to him and is greeted by two fingers sharply flicking him away. He travels with the force a distance, but with attitude picks up his little beetle legs and heads straight back to him! We all find this highly amusing and more so when this event is re-acted for 5 takes. Eventually Jason flicks little tux beetle so hard, he spins back, lands on his tux shell and just lies there! I do not like bugs, creepy crawly, monster insect things at all but found I reacted with"awwww you've killed him!" We watch Tuxy. He does not move, the game is over, Jason wins!! However, after Tuxy recovers from mild concussions, he rolls himself over, takes a moment to brace himself, and walks straight back to Jason. This is absolutely comical to see. I think he was given a break and rescued, due to his strength, commitment and bravery, picked up and rested a side to walk the desert for many more days to come.

Ibraham calls the group to prepare for trek continuation. It is time to pull back on trekking boots, make sure we have adequate water supplies, throw the daypack on and start striding to our home base for the night. We rested for a few hours to avoid the heat, but I do not feel a decrease in temperature as we set out. It is VERY hot, no breeze and as expected very very dry. We walk, and walk for a few hours. I find an even pace chatting as we walk with co-trekkers. At times due to a co-trekker stopping to tie a lace, or stop to drink water, I have sole moments of walking alone. This appears to be a similar pattern for all. Some of us start to feel fed up now, although Ibraham tells us we only have twenty minutes to reach camp. Tom, our Charity Challenge guide, whispers to a few, “When Ibraham tells you the time anticipated add at least another hour to the time he gives to the schedule.” Tom is not far off! It definitely takes at least one hour before we arrive to camp.

A repeat pattern occurs, remove daypack, sit down and take off trekking boots, lie on ones thin mattress for a while, trying to cool down. Sit up and drink water, lie down again, wipe the back of your neck, head, drink water and lie down again. We share in conversation the bemusement of how body temperature rises and sweating continues even when we rest! The only way to cool down is to make use of the make shift shower. A barrel of cold water, although this becomes bath water temperature due to the heat, bowl and scoop to pour water over you within the slim canvas tent. I queue up with Rachel, while passing a bowl of water to Maria, to assist her with the cooling and cleaning process. While Maria bathes, we hear a little commotion from camp. Although Rachel and I had noticed a sudden cast appear we were oblivious a sand storm was fast approaching. We continued to chat, Maria continued to wash, until we had to join Maria undercover to avoid the wind and hard hitting sand. We stood laughing, Maria struggling to cover up as the tent is almost blown away. Eventually, we run to a main tent, Maria wrapped in her bath towel. I have no idea why we thought we would not notice the storm merely running to a larger canvas pitch. Our Moroccan family frantically re-hammer in pegs as Canvas ties fly up in the air due to the strength of the wind. I try to sit at the back of our tent, pushing myself in the centre, hoping this will take pressure of the outside main four rope supports.

The storm is very strong and shows no sign of surrender, so our Moroccan family suggest we all gather in the largest tent to eat our evening meal together undercover. We all gather into what is referred to as the “younger girls tent.” It is time to find a pew, and pass food filled plates and cutlery along in a polite order. We are served a Moroccan beef stew, meat falls off the bone to mingle with the tantalising flavours shared with a variety of vegetables. Imagine Gordon Ramsay, gestering a curled hand kiss fingers to lips approval to palate suggestion, this would not be suffice for tonight’s meal. An increadible and again satisfying dinner, under canvas with candle lit latterns, sharing laughter,thoughts and asking questions for the next day of the trekking challenge. After our meal we share banter and discuss as a team the agreed schedule for our next day trekking. A few co-trekkers spill tears due to missing home, various thoughts that have danced to mind, tiredness and adapting to sleeping in the Sahara sands. It seems very early, but we all return to our resting pads at a very respectable hour, knowing we need to rest to complete another trekking day for Acorns Children’s Hospice and our personal sponsors that have supported us on this event.

family

Day Two - Enter the Gateway of the Sahara Desert - Fezzou - Lahfria First Camp

Sunday 5 September 2010

Allocated room share at the hotel was organised by Tom, our Charity Challenge manager. Unfortunately, odd female numbers caused Linden to share me. Linden was participating on the trek with her partner Oliver. Linden seemed ok about this, although I was concerned I had prevented them from commencing their Sahara trek experience together from the start off point. Tired, still not knowing each other too well at this stage, we go to our room to get some rest before another early start. The first day of trekking and sleeping in the desert waiting for us.

We have breakfast, meet our desert guide Ibraham, receive a quick brief and begin to hand over rucksacks or bags before boarding vehicles at 08:30 hours, taking us to the Gateway of the Sahara Desert. Ibraham had scheduled a quick supermarket stop to purchase drinks and other refreshments one required. I headed straight to the postcards, collecting a selection of topical pictures to add further daily journal updates to post home. Whenever I travel abroad I write postcards to myself. This helps me monitor and create further moments of reflection after my travel adventures.

The start of the journey is a smooth, comfortable tarmac road. We all begin to feel the heat change. Wind blowing into the vehicle reminds me of the heater I try to hide under my desk at work. I forever feel the cold. I turn my office into a sauna for the gents at work, while I still complain I'm cold. My excuse at work for using the heater, even at times during the summer was "its part of my training for the trek!" I already make a vow to myself with the heat I am experiencing blowing into the jeep, never will I complain about being cold again. I am craving for cold at this point. I am trying to visualise ice on my neck and a large freezer door open releasing cold into the atmosphere.

Our Sahara support team prepared and handed out food parcels and 1.5 liters each of bottled water. Taking a lunch break, sitting under a tree to try to cool down, we sit to savour the contents of our food parcels. Basic food, but kindly put together, we fill the hunger gap with local homemade bread, cheese, boiled eggs, a tomato and very sweet orange. Simple food but actually tasty and very satisfying. As we sit together starting to gel as a team, we notice children appear from nowhere. It was actually very uncomfortable for most of us being watched from all directions of "never eat Shredded Wheat!"

We return to the trekker jeeps for a rough and bumpy journey to the Sahara Gateway. At 14:30hrs we suddenly grind to a holt, tyres stir up sand into very hot dry air. Most of are thinking, some verbally ask "Is this the start?"...Sure is! A second instruction to mask ourselves in sun factor, get further water rations and grab our daypack. The mini adjustment to our new environment has commenced. Only a two hour walk to Fezzou camp base number one is scheduled. This provides an opportunity to start the feet and mind working for the rest of the trek scheduled. We were greeted with a sand storm, all trying to mask face and or eyes to enable us to see as we walk to first base.

I am starting to feel excited, although sight is challenged. On occasion I visually capture the sand dancing and witness ripples form on dunes, while there's an amplified sound of silence (so hard to describe) broken with the song from the storm. The heat is fairly strong, although clouds form a dull cast affect. The odd plops of rain are welcomed, warm but somewhat help to cool. At times the wind starts to challenge at this early stage, pushing against me as if trying to prevent me from moving forward.

I have mixed thoughts and feelings as we approach our first base and what will be our first night sleep in the desert. Although the mini trekking taster was somewhat amusing, will I be equally amused when distance, and of course time, increases from tomorrow? One can only wait and see, I remind myself. Three tents for trekkers to find a spot to sleep, three slim canvas tents, two set up as squat toilets and one for washing, are provided and erected by our wonderful Moroccan support crew. Tom suggests that due to being out numbered by female trekkers the ladies have two of the sleeping tents and the gents share the third. Two couples are part of the team and they go along with this to assist and build the group "pull together" relationship. We choose our selected spot for rest take off boots, rest for a while before our evening meal is served.

Naturally there is a variety of age and personality, but I think my co-trekkers will agree, that we all felt excited and acted like big kids settling into our new environment. The Sahara big kids where joined by some of the local Berber children, on looking from a sand dune above camp with immense curiosity. Given time, the big kids and little kids join hands to play jumping down the sand dune. The fear of high jumps or tumbling seemed none existence in the Berber children, jumping as high in the air as possible. There were a few tears from two little ones, but any discomfort experienced from their sand bombing was short lived when comforted by their friends and encouraged to play more.

Eventually the sand dune "high" and "long jump" game had to cease. Dinner is called by our Moroccan crew family. A further explosion of excitement erupts when we are served the most amazing chicken and chips dinner. This was not what any of us expected. I could see that the crew, from the smiles on faces, appreciated our appreciation. We eat our meal outside, night starts to fall fast and the camp seems to settle and become peaceful due to a combination of tiredness and the Sahara stars finding their place in the night sky. I cannot describe how amazing and magical the sight is, but what has stuck fast are the sweet words of Ellie "The stars make me want to cry, they remind me of my loved ones." Sentimentally, I do not think I could have thought of such an emotional description that I too could relate to. A further glamorous and girly description was Justine's who thought the sky reminded her of glittering sequins stitched to a heavy blackout blanket used in theatre backdrops.

Day One - The Sahara Desert Journey begins - Travelling

Jimbo and Janette - Digbeth coach station














Casablanca Airport Cats :o)

Saturday 4 September I woke at such an early ridiculous time, restless, nervous and excited. I sat down at my PC to write a few emails to friends on facebook. Nicky was up at the sametime, emails to each other crossing by seconds. I think this was at 04:30hrs.

Dressed in trekking gear, as advised by Charity Challenge just in case main luggage was lost, I headed towards Digbeth coach station at 0900hrs. The mind racing with pre-advanced ideas of what was waiting ahead. I walk down Alcester Street asking my back and hips to work well for me from this point onwards. I lost count of how many times I re-checked I had my passport. Sitting alone people and clock watching, I noticed a couple walk in, gut instinct added with their dress code was telling me they were setting out on the same charity event.

After 10 minutes or so of the three of us starring at each other the lady finally approached me. Pure, warm, friendly brummie, a smile from ear to ear I was asked "Are you on the Acorns Sahara Trek?" "Sure am! I take it you are too?" And from this point onwards I had met two special people who had instantly become good friends. Janette and Jim(bo) :o).....Team icebreaker and getting to know each other..Name links ;o) to help us remember names..Janette quotes "My name is Janette and for 'J' association I Janette love Jim!" Jim's icebreaker and introduction, "My name is Jim, and for 'J' association I love Janette!"...Awww romantic, mushy pair!

Janette had participated in the Great Wall of China Acorns trek. This was originally the trek I intended to do. Jim had taken part in the Acorns Sahara Trek in 2004. My nerves and slight fear began to dissolve towards the trek when Jim showed me a photo from his Sahara trek, sharing how wonderful it was hence wanting to take part again but this time share the experience with Janette. I bombarded Jim with questions. Nerves creeping back in when Jim in confidence said "It will be a great experience, BUT! it is a tough trek." Noooooo, I thought, fluff it up for me and tell me it will be a breeze!

Our coach sets off on time, heading towards Heathrow T4. The journey felt as though it went quite quickly what with mini snoozes and conversation. We meet the rest of the group, promotional Acorns Children's Hospice t-shirts handed out, introductions, family saying farewell to members of the trekking team they had driven to the airport. Then it's all systems go checking in, handing over luggage and before we knew it we were boarding the first plane. Two groups of Charity Challenge Sahara Trekkers starting to get familiar. One group all in support of Acorns Children's Hospice, lead by Tom, and a second group supporting their favoured charity bringing together a mixture of good causes.

We arrive at Casablanca, chilling for 3hours waiting for our second flight to Ouarzazate. In the very early hours of Sunday morning we are met at the airport and taken to a hotel to get a few Z's before the first day of trekking commenced that same day.

Note Books

My note book I've filled with photo's cut out of travel magazines of places I want to visit.


















I haven't looked through it for ages! I had a flick through to see if I had ever glued in a picture of the Sahara Desert. I found the 'perfect moments' photo shown, camel shadows walking the sands :o)















Good luck postcard from Jay :oD with a very thoughtful message and best wishes