Loose tooth

Appointment

Deciding to have my teeth checked before travelling to Nepal, I was x-rayed and told there were fillings necessary. Funny though as there has been no discomfort to date. From time to time my gum has been a little sore, but I didn't connect this with a potential filling. However, I am now back at home, having had two fillings on Monday... and now I do have discomfort... also one of the teeth filled wobbles in its socket.

The dentist was very rough when drilling out the old amalgam, probably the roughest treatment I have ever had. I know, as I never have injections and can compare exactly how gentle they are when giving treatment. Though it did seem a very deep cavity. The two teeth took about four refills of the amalgam tool - she might have been better using a concrete mixer.

So what do I do now? I have telephoned the receptionist who is going to speak with the dentist concerned. Unfortunately though, she has no appointments for weeks, so I will have to phone to obtain an emergency appointment. The receptionist took my telephone number and will get back to me if something can be done on a regular appointment. I won't expect to pay for remedial treatment though, so I hope they don't try charging me again.

I carried out a test pack of my Jagged Globe holdall yesterday and everything fits in - and well within the weight restriction as well. Thank goodness. I was worried I might have to leave stuff behind. I am frightened that I might forget something, so have been meticulous it preparing lists and making sure I have everything I might need. I am slightly worried my bag might go missing on the domestic flight to Heathrow, but this is just an irrational fear and I shouldn't let it dominate my mind. I still have some small items to pack... but these are major in their importance... toilet roll for example. I mustn't forget these!

Team building

Exercises

This morning we were introduced to some teambuilding events (very similar to those I have encountered with the military). These were fun and helped us to get to better know our trekking partners.

It is nice to think we will at least have some familiar faces at Heathrow when we arrive for the flight. After lectures on Altitude Mountain Sickness and Health and Hygiene in Nepal, we departed for home.

Four hours or so later I walked through the door.

Breakfast

Introductions

This morning at breakfast, I recognised many faces from the bar the previous night. I introduced myself to the table, served myself with cereal, fruit and yoghurt and sat down. I started to chat to the various people to break the ice, before making my way to the local Community Hall for the morning's lectures.

At about 11.00am we were split into two trekking groups and led out into the hills. Fine and sunny at the bottom, we steadily climbed upwards into the mist and driving rain. It stayed like that until we descended again. At least it gave my new items of kit a good workout.

After showering down back at the hotel (where the hot water stopped working just as I had lathered up everywhere!), we met up for dinner. A presentation followed about a successful summit climb of Ama Dablam... an awesome mountain. The presenter, one of our trekking leaders, was the first lady ever to summit this Himalaya peak in Winter conditions - amazing.

Introductory weekend

Wales

I set off in the pouring rain for Betws-y-coed and Capel Curig. Visibility was horrendous and my wipers were squeaking mercilessly. I found the hotel without any trouble and checked in. A nondescript room awaited me. My thoughts raced back to the many times I had stayed in grotty hotels, working away from home... more than often without other tutors and lonely.

I also remembered the time I was billeted at Capel Curig Army Camp - once with 4QLR in the early 80s - and later with the ACF in the late 90s. It was here that I remember chatting to a guy who had applied for Special Forces selection and was waiting to see if he had been accepted. A really nice chap. I think I was on guard duty that night, so I looked around my room again and decided it was certainly much better than the alternative down the road.

Although we were not due to meet up with the trekking party until 9.00pm, I decided to go to the bar and buy myself a pint. I started chatting to a guy at the bar, only to find he was nothing at all to do with the trek. He was a musician who was spending the week up in North Wales with his band, writing a new album. I discovered we had climbing and walking in common and he was very interested to hear about the trek to Everest. He was very widely travelled... I just wish I had asked him his name and his band. For some reason I had the impression he might well have been well-known in music circles... but I was never to know!

I left the bar to go to my room and came down again later... ordering a coffee and blueberry muffin. Despite the fact that 9.00pm came and went, no formal announcement had been made to greet the trekkers. The bar was full of people eating and drinking, but short of standing up and announcing who I was, or going round each table in turn, I didn't know how else to find out who was who.

A little later someone else arrived and I overheard him asking about the Xtreme-Everest event, so I introduced myself and started chatting. He was a young lad, aged 27 with a Batchelor's Degree in Computer Science. Currently he is developing software and code for the new generation of 4G mobile phones. I must say I was slightly in awe of him, but we managed to have a really interesting conversation about his job, after which I retired to bed at about 11.50pm.

Everest on Sky

TV Programme

My son has recorded 'Everest'... a series about an American team attempting the summit. This programme freaked my wife out somewhat as there were a number of instances of altitude mountain sickness.

Maria is already worried enough about me trekking to Everest Base Camp, without seeing the effects of AMS in others. I tried to reassure her by pointing out these climbers were much higher on the 'hill'. However, even at EBC one can suffer from AMS if you haven't acclimatised properly.

Our trek has plenty of time built in for this and we are under close medical supervision because of the research nature of the expedition... so no worries... I hope!

Sponsorship

Donations

More sponsorship money arrived today via my best mate. He has done a sterling job on my behalf raising funds towards the £500 donation to the Everest research. This has helped no end. This 'adventure' of mine will have cost in the region of £4000 by the time I go, so it had better be worth it.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - it won't happen again. I really can't justify it. In future, any holidays will be jointly enjoyed with my wife - it is only fair. She understands my yearning for this particular adventure, and as such is OK about me going. She is a wife in a million and I love her so much.

More inoculations

Medical practice

I rang the doctors this morning to make an appointment to see the nurse for my inoculations... and was surprised to get an appointment for 4.30pm. More injections. MASTA recommend having immunisations for Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, Tetanus... and consider having Hepatitis B and Diphtheria. I'll feel like a pin cushion when she has finished with me.

To enable me to get down to Heathrow (and back), I have looked at various means of travel. British Rail and National Express do not seem practical with the timings and luggage, nor is it fair to ask my family to take me by car. It seems a domestic flight will be best, but I must allow sufficient time for check-in and luggage collection.

Letting the dog out this morning, I noticed the pond was iced over. It must have been cold last night. I ventured out in just my tea-shirt... good practice for my Everest trip. Looking at our electronic weather station, it shows the outdoor temperature as minus two. Cold enough. I don't think I'll be doing this at Base Camp where the temperature can get as low as minus fifteen during the night.