We arrived at Kilimanjaro airport and straight away had to fill out Visa cards, a yoyo effect then took place as we were directed from one immigration window to the next and then back again. Clearly our guide company had forgotten to book the limo and VIP entry lane for us!!

We arrived at our hotel complex after a very long drive but it was definitely worth the wait, set in beautiful and peaceful grounds it appeared we were the only ones there which was great .

The next day we rose early as instructed, had breakfast and dropped our bags in the different places depending on whether the kit inside them was being portered up, left securely or we were carrying it. Then we waited.......there was an admin issue with getting our permits so instead of heading off just after breakfast as was planned we had lunch at the hotel complex and didn't set off on the start of our trek until about 1430hrs.

Ahead of us lay a 4 hour uphill hike to our first camp, Simba camp at 2671 meters. Stupidly I started off in a long sleeve merino wool top with my charity T shirt over the top of it. I quickly got too hot and chose to lose the long sleeved number! This was my first telling off as I caught the group up too quickly apparently even though I felt like I was moving at a snails pace. The key to Kilimanjaro is to walk very slowly but steadily which is quite alien to me given that my usual walking pace means I'm always too shops ahead of Kate when we're out!!

The initial walk was mixed between being very hot in the exposed sun and then slightly cooler as we made our way through forested farm land and open path . As we neared camp the temperature cooled markedly and it became quite pleasant.

A quick wash in a fast flowing stream just down from camp was very refreshing although I resisted the temptation to go naked and stand under the waterfall that was nearby; two other group members did so and loved it!

Our first meal was excellent how they cook such food up here is beyond me, I also couldn't believe the loads and baggage the porters were carrying up at such speed when I was panting with my little day sack!

The importance of hygiene had been impressed on us relentlessly and the fact that we shouldn't use our hands when eating. Biscuits were brought to the table in our mess tent so I gleefully spooned one straight into my mouth thinking how clever I was not to use my hands!! Of course that spoon was 'the biscuit spoon' and was to be used by everyone to pick up the biscuits..... ..not now of course that I had wrapped my tongue round it! Cue the wife like eye roll from our leader and that spoon quickly being labelled as 'dead' haha!

After scoff it was down to a bit of admin and then bed. As I lie here in my doss bag I'm surrounded by the pleasant and calming sounds of Tanzanian wildlife, mainly crickets can be heard in the long grass surrounding the camp. The casual chit chat and busying of the porters who work so hard to ensure we enjoy ourselves is also eminent in the background as I type.

Tomorrow we have a relatively short hike to our next camp and I'm looking forward to getting into a routine and an 'afternoon off' we don't want to suffer burn out after all! It's all 'pole pole' (slowly slowly) on the mountain.