Chilled day in Thamel, Kathmandu

Set up camp now at Hotel Vaja in Swanbanath just outside Thamel, a hotel that Henry has used for years and knows the owners very well. Lack of rooms meant making do and my room is now in the library.It's got great views over the city and 000's of books on everything from philosophy to social economical thoughts!!!  Just up my street. 

I'm here untill Wednesday morning now as I have to attend a meeting for the team on Monday, then I depart and take the flight to lukla where the trek to base camp begins. 

I had a nice morning walking around Thamel and just love the hustle in this place. Bought a few last minute bits and had a few coffee's. A nice chilled day. 

I met Matthew, a 21 year old post graduate who's climbing with Rob. Great guy and I look forward to getting to know him better. Also had a brief introduction with Kenton Cool, one of the guides that operates out of Henry's set up.

This evening I headed out with Henry and Matt to the Fire and Ice for pizza and now fed I'm ready for an early night. 

It was good spending the day with Henry and getting to know more about him and the way he works. I'm really confident in him and the way he operates and prepares his climbers for a summit bid. 

I'm very comfortable and relaxed and feel in a good place to go climb. Looking forward to the flight to Lukla where the journey really begins. 

For now it's time to relax and focus on the challenge ahead. 

Back in Kathmandu

Good flight to Doha, watched a film called "Warrior". Snoozed and enjoyed the Qatar airways cuisine. Went through the music that my bro has put on my iPod. He hasn't let me down.  Full of classics and old school memories!

A 10hr wait for my connection gave me plenty of time to run through the next few months in my head. I'm feeling positive and excited about the prospect of standing on top of the world. Got a tough time ahead with acclimatisation and preparation for a summit bid, but looking forward to this challenge.

Transfer to Kathmandu was good managed to get some zeds! 

Was greeted by a very jolly Henry Todd, and headed straight to the hotel for dinner. Well fed, and I am now ready to hit the sack. 

Looking forward to the hustle of Kathmandu tomorrow. Buying some last minute bits and maybe take a trip to monkey temple. 

The Journey Begins!

My final goodbyes at Heathrow yesterday.

Mum, me and Natalie 29/03/12 x

Everest 2012 is on

I'm sitting here on the plane having just said my goodbyes. Nice to have Mum, Dad, Andy and Natalie there to wave me off, Leanne I know you were there in your heart.
I'm gonna miss everyone but am excited for the challenge that I face in the next few months.
I want to thank everyone for their support, encouragement and best wishes. It means a lot.
Scape, Time and all my other sponsors for their belief and financial backing, this dream would not be possible without you.
Please keep supporting my two chosen charities, every penny goes a long way in supporting these two great set ups.
Kathmandu here I come, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A victim of paint shop but awesome pictures

Big thank you to Kat Bartlett at "Venture" for their time and great shots, more coming soon.

Doing it for the kidz!!

I mean business.......

Big thankyou to Scape, main sponsor

My Princess in my summit suit

Focus

A big surprise - GoPro



My new GoPro

Big thank you to Natalie, Andy, Leanne, Pamela and Paul for their awesome present. I am a very lucky boy. I look forward to getting some amazing footage in the mountains.



You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be

There is inside you
all of the potential to be whatever
you want to be
all of the energy to do whatever
you want to do.

Imagine yourself
as you would like to be,
doing what you want to do,
and each day, take one step
towards your dream.

And though at times it may seem too
difficult to continue,
hold on to your dream.

One morning you will awake to find
that you are the person
you dreamed of
doing what you wanted to do
simply because you had the courage
to believe in your potential
and to hold on to your dream.

Donna Levine

Do Summit Good Charity Ball

The Do Summit Good Charity Ball was a huge success. All the hard work and effort paid off and it's looking like the final figure raised for Alexander Devine and Help for Heroes is over £55,000. I will update you all once I know for sure.

The night was held at Wentworth Club and consisted of a champagne reception, followed by a Nepalese themed dinner, live entertainment from the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra and a disco to finish the night off.

Prior to dinner I had the honour of being interviewed by the legend himself, Sir Michael Parkinson. It was an amazing experience, sharing a stage with him and a memory that will never be forgotten. Also, I had the surprise of my dad standing up and saying a few words, this was a very nice touch to start off the proceedings.

The master of ceremonies and auctioneer Nick Stewart, did an amazing job keeping the night on track and keeping all in order. Also the magician Etiene Pradier was incredible. The feedback I have had on this guy is amazing. I missed every trick, unfortunately.

This night would not have been possible without the help of all involved and I would like to make a special  mention to Brenda Harrington, Jackie McKay and Shelby Bonham-Lloyd and thank them for their efforts and time in helping me organise such an amazing event, this would not of been possible without you.

Also I would like to thank my fiance Natalie, for her help and support. All the literature would not of been what it was without her journalistic eyes. My brother Andy for his help in pulling together the brochure. The list of thank you's is huge, but a big thank you to all of you that helped pull this together.

I'm very excited to get in the final figures and see how much we raised. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart that attended the ball, it would not have been possible or the success that it was without you.

Do Summit Good Charity Ball, 16th March 2012

Etiene working his magic

Natalie & I

Ice themed ball room

Auction prizes

Auction prizes

The Vodka Luge.....

A full house and a long evening ahead

Please be seated

Sir Michael Parkinson interviewing a very nervous Paul Keleher

Heads or Tails

Heads or Tails for a home entertainment system

4 left out of over 200..... tails never fails

Dancing the night away

Party time.......

"All the single ladies, all the single ladies , put your hands up"

Strutting their stuff!

Parky and my Grandad

One lucky man

Mr Alfonzo

Still going for it

Proud friends and family

Mum and dad looking sharp

Amazing Dinner

Michael & Mary dancing to the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra

Grandad enjoying the band

Sir Michael Parkinson and Lady Parkinson

Enjoying the night

Down suit ready to go.....