Breakfast at 7am. I just had some bread and marmalade but the others had sausage and eggs. Outside the hotel there was a view of Kili! Very hazy but it was definitely there. Porters began arriving and sorting gear, checking tents and preparing.

Eventually we set off in the rickety bus. Almost immediately one of the team decided she had lost her phone so a mild panic ensued and we were just about to turn around when it was located in her rucsac. After an hour or so, we stopped for some Kili photos. Passing through one shanty town after another bought home the differences between Africa and Europe in terms of basics - shelter, food, transport. People here seem to live in very ramshackle buildings, making the best of everything, but one thing that did stand out was that everyone we met without exception was good humoured, keen to help and friendly, although they were very good at avoiding eye contact - maybe it is a cultural thing or maybe we are still the 'White man' and they feel subservient, I don't know.

Arriving at the park gates caused the inevitable delays whilst the paperwork was completed, which gave us the opportunity for toilet visits and a look at the map. It was one of those maps that lights up when you press the appropriate buttons - I did comment that the route up Meru would be easy as there seemed to be lights all the way. This caused some amusement amongst those with a similar dry sense of humour and would be a feature of the climb.

Finally we drove through the park, watching the buffalo, monkeys and zebra on the plains, and onward to the second gate where our walk actually began. More delays whilst we waited for our (armed) guard to accompany us. His name was 'Goodluck' which was apt I thought. Walking into the park we saw more buffalo, plus a family of giraffe.

The climbing started almost immediately but within 10 minutes we stopped for lunch in the sun. It was hot, but not stupid, with the odd breeeze cooling us nicely. Onward and upward we were overtaken by the porters carrying our gear which was both impressive as they carried it on their heads, and good to know the gear was on the way. Steady walking took us in and out of forested areas until eventually we arrived at the hut at 2,500m about 4:30pm.

All very sociable, we had four bed-rooms with toilets and a wash area close by. After sorting out and having a wash we sat around chatting until the hot chocolate turned up which was very welcome. Dinner at 6:30pm was Leek soup followed by Spaghetti(!) plus some kind of meat and vegetable mix. The food was very tasty so happy with that. The rest of the evening was spent chatting until we turned in about 8:30pm.

Of course, going to bed is not a simple task as there is a toilet to visit, teeth to clean and anti-malarial tablet to take which requires water. We had been strongly advised not to drink any untreated water so water from the water bottles, which had been pre-boiled was used. Finally into bed.