What a sleep although my body is tired and my leg muscles ache. After breakfast we need to descend to Mweka gates and meet our bus. A good track but again stepping down from rock to rock or step to step was really hard on the knees for the final three hours. Everyone in the group certainly knew what it was like to have bad knees. And do all my leg muscles ache? Hell yes! Nice to know most of the team feel the same.
We completed our final sign-out formalities at Mweka Gate and waited while the guys loaded the bus. For $2 we got our boots cleaned with high pressure hose. Unbelievable transformation. Half an hour bus ride and we were entering the gates of the hotel. Amidst cat calls, wolf whistles and the ever present OGGI OGGI OGGI , OI OI OI response. We were all glad to be back.
I found out that certificates were handed out by both the Tour Operating company, Zara, and by the Kilimanjaro National Park for those who get to Uhuru Peak. So after dinner and a few gin and tonics, beers, champagne etc Brucie and his 5 guides showed up and presented the certificates with due pomp and ceremony. Bruce had always been very vocal, at each of our evening team briefs, about how amazed he was by the bond our group had from the outset. Again he spoke of this and was very sincere when he said he had never experienced such a bond in his 460 climbs of Kili. We were all pretty chuffed about that but we already knew we had something special! Each person was called forward, given a Tanzanian lei, certificates and a bear hug from each guide. I was last up. Bruce said some really nice things about Mama and the respect I had from all the guys. I was totally blown away! And then he produced a birthday card with all the guides signing it. If I thought reaching the top of Kili was amazing, then I have to say that Bruce's words, the support of his team and the support of my fellow climbers makes this moment just as amazing.

The end of the toughest mental and physical challenge I have ever faced in my life! Would I do it again?

What! Do you think I'm stupid? No way on Gods green earth would I do that again. Something a little less demanding? Probably.............