By the last day I had completely hit the wall.  Everyone else seemed to have bounced back and in high spirits.  I was aching over every inch of my body, exhausted and really not sure how I was going to make the last 18 kms to the gate.  Packing up my kit bag for the last time took all of my strength.  I still didn’t really want to eat and so set off feeling weak, aching and hoping I would make it without crying too much!  But as ever – slowly slowly – poley poley – one foot in front of the other – getting in the rhythm – and it is amazing how the body loosens and you can just do it.  I was quiet at first – happy to listen to everyone else’s conversations – but slowly felt I had the energy to talk – walking much of the way with the lovely Jan with occasional sightings of ‘Frenchy’ Mike.  Many were keen to step up the pace and get through the distance as quickly as possible.  I was happy to hold the rear – and get down without breaking my body too much.  Watching the landscape change again was incredible.  We stopped at a camp for lunch – I still couldn’t eat – but we had the fun of a monkey in the camp to watch – and various strange looking birds and plants.

Finally getting to the gate and seeing Hils there to greet us was a mixture of happiness, sadness and pure relief.  I don’t think I could have walked another step. Downhill over varied terrain is really tough on the legs.  But sadness that our adventure was almost over.

Getting back to the lodge and showering & changing was absolute bliss.  A bit of time to chill and then we had a lovely dinner with our hero guide Whitey coming along to present our certificates.  We dined on the lawn by candlelight with a local acrobatic dance troop entertaining us – a truly magical night.  Followed by a truly lovely night in a clean bed!

Waking early the next day due to TTT (Tanzanian Tent Time as I call it!) I lay for a number of hours just listening to Africa waking up.  Call to prayer, monkeys, birds, insects, geese (yes geese in the lodge grounds) – the morning chorus is truly unforgettable.  If I could bottle that sound and feeling I’d want to relive that moment over and over again.  Still exhausted but peaceful and happy.  We had all done it.  We were back safe in this wonderful country.