I have been here for 8 days and already it is starting to feel like home!
There is a really great bunch of people here and such dedicated climbers who have put their lives on hold to live their dreams!
At night
I am sleeping [as is everyone else] in a small but comfortable tent. Although the temperature gets very cold at night (maybe down to -8 degrees C), I am warm. l sleep with 2 thermal pants, a pair of heavy duty fleece pants, 3 pairs of socks, 3 thermal tops, a light woollen jumper, a balaclava, a woollen hat, thick gloves and I am in a silk sleeping sheet which is inside one down sleeping bag which is inside another down sleeping bag [thanks Chris and Brigitte] 2 hot water bottles which become my cold drinking water during the day. As you can imagine, it is a look but at least I am warm!
Mother’s Day
It was so exciting to receive a Mother’s Day card of the Bathing Boxes and then a phone call…..would bring a tear to a glass eye! Thanks kids. Loved hearing from you and catching up with your news.
Messages
Thanks also to family and friends who have sent messages. It really means so much to hear from you.
Dad – sometimes the washing dries quickly if the sun is shining and there is a breeze.
Mama – so glad you are feeling much better.
Annette – Congrats on your grandchild and thanks to you and Jan for the temp report at the Baths. Too cold to swim in the melting ice here!
Thanks again for all the messages, too many to reply to all. I love getting them but even more important is how much Paul and Fiona love getting your messages.
Walks
I have started going for a walk each day… lots of puffing and panting but am feeling much better than when I first came in.
Getting Ready
Paul and Fiona are getting ready. They are starting to pore over weather maps and see what looks good.
Medal
I was given this medal at Greg Every’s 60th just before I left. I didn’t think I deserved it until I got into BC. It was yummy thanks. It is really P and F who deserve a medal for what they are doing!
Dinner time
It is almost dinner time so will finish now. Food is amazingly good when you consider it comes out of a kitchen tent!
Love to all,
Mary xx
Hi Mare, well I knew that you had to rug up because of the cold, but all those layers!. How can you walk … you must feel like the Beaurepaire Tyre Man. Radio 774 said the interview with Fiona went well and that it is planned to be broadcast on The Drive programme on Wednesday. I had a lovely dinner tonight with Debbie and Kevin who send there love.Today Brad gave me a tour of the new house .. it is beautiful, light and very spacious, and finished to such a high standard, you will love it! Also,your post cards arrived today and I will take the one over to Mama. Keep up the good work, and keep warm! lots of love, John xx
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Hi Mary, you’re looking good, keeping up the decorative standards with the gold pendant, looks good enough to eat! Is that flowing water I spy just behind you, a little creek? If so, presumably there’s no need to thaw snow for water anymore as it can be collected from ‘the creek’? Just finishing off my brekkie of muesli, fruit and yoghurt – what is the standard BC brekkie? Glad you’ve settled in and all the best for the hiking plans – Rosemary and Dave
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Dear Mary, what a great picture of you all that way from home.
Do you slip on the togs and slide down the glacier with the real icebergs at six am each morning.
I think JA will have your national speaking tour of over 50’s clubs aranged very soon, and think of all the weddings you could do up there for the very wealthy couples.
Love to you Tony & Julie Frederick
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Congratulations Mary. The icebergers will be missing you, probably envious of all the cold. All at HPS are thinking of you. Love to Paul and Fiona.
Jenny
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Hello Mary darling,Glad you have settled in and are enjoying the company of others. How is the Ipod going. Love and best wishes Dad. PS. best wishes to Paul and Fiona
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To: Jack G. Anxiously read the Manifest to track your progress. I cannot wait to here about the adventure first hand. Good Luck Jack!
Brian
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Hi Mary – keep warm and having fun.
Fantastic to follow your ups and ups! Just heard Fiona on the radio.
The Old Collegians are always on the lookout for guest speakers – get in touch when you all return.
Love Angie
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Hi Paul and Fiona,Thinking of you both as you head for the top! a wonderful adventure and achievement so far. Wishing you perfect weather from here on. Loved your interview with Lindy B, very clever PR Fiona! Well done! With great admiration, Jennie D xx
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