Footsteps up Kilimanjaro

We've arrived safely at The Keys Hotel, Moshi, Tanzania.
The trek starts early on Saturday so today is a time for checking, rechecking and triple checking again our kit and packaging for the trip. We're allowed 15kg in our bags which seems a lot, but by the time you take out the sleeping bag (for comfort down to -20c) and sleeping mat there isn't so much room left.
The flights were fine, with no delays although it took some time to get through the various checks at Kilimanjaro Airport.
First was a general security form to fill in which didn't seem to be examined after all of our hard work and best handwriting.
Next Yellow Fever, no vaccination card, no pass.
Then there was Ebola. The threat of Ebola is obviously very real here but after completion of a lengthy form we were assessed as 'low risk' (some of you may disagree).
Finally it was visa and customs. It was a good job we had acquired our visas in advance otherwise we would still be in the queue. The 'already have visa' line was empty and after photographs, finger and thumb prints we were through, and into Tanzania.
I had expected to immediately see Kilimanjaro towering over us but hazy cloud since our arrival has meant the mountain, up to now has retained her mystery.
So here we are at Keys Hotel. It's a bit of a strange place. No one's here for a long duration, they have either finished their trek, or, are due to embark in the next day or so.
You can easily tell the difference. Those completed are loud and happy, those yet to start, more subdued and looking apprehensive. So we fall in the latter camp for the moment, but in seven days when we are back here again? We will see.
No wifi on the mountain, so this will be the sign off for now.

It's only a few days now until we trek up Kilimanjaro for Footsteps International to help street kids in Kenya. All travel, accommodation and associated costs are being paid by us so all money raised goes direct to Footsteps. I’ve been asked to post a blog of our trip with pictures including some of the Footsteps projects and a few days of safari.

A little money can really change children's lives and anything you give will be very much appreciated. The links to our just giving page are below:

https://www.justgiving.com/David-Bentley2

https://www.justgiving.com/David-Bentley2/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=shares-from-eua&utm_content=David-Bentley2&utm_campaign=eua-share-facebook

The packing list is almost complete, with my local pharmacist benefiting enormously from the recent trade. I've got so many pills and potions that I'm worried there won't be any room for anything else in my bag. I probably won't use most of it but it's best to be safe I suppose. I just feel sorry for the porters who have got to take it all up to the top of Kilimanjaro and down again, they will certainly earn their money.

So who's in our team? Well there's six of us in all. Martin Print who founded the Footsteps International Charity and got me into this in the first place. The three Bentley Boys (my two sons Jon and James and myself) and two we are yet to meet (Don and Philip).

We will be climbing the Machame Route (starting Saturday 4th October) camping along the way, and if all goes to plan we will reach the summit on Wednesday 8th and back to our hotel in Moshi in Tanzania on the following day. After that we will all be visiting some of the Footsteps Projects in Naivasha Kenya and the Bentley Boys are finishing off with a safari.

I will post as often as possible although it is unlikely that I will be able to do much on the mountain.