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Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nepal. September 2011
At the end of September eleven friends and I headed off to Nepal again, this time to trek the Annapurna Sanctuary route to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in the Himalayas, this was so different to the Everest Base Camp trek which we completed two years ago; it was far prettier, walking through Rhododendron forests, with hundreds of fabulous waterfalls.
The trek was 100k which we completed in just nine days, there were however 30,000 steps so my knees will never be the same again!
At Annapurna Base Camp you are surrounded by many mountains at a height of around 7000m, at sunset it was breathtaking, my favourite is Fishtail Mountain, this is considered to be sacred, it has never been summited.
After we completed the trek we had a farewell meal with the Nepalese porters and guides, what a fantastic bunch of people, I can't wait to go back again. Not only did we take gifts for the Star Children Orphange, but also raised funds for Crossroads Care, Bennetts Funeral Directors nominated charity of this year. If anyone would like to donate please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Jane-Bennett2
After 10 days in Nepal we headed off to Bhutan for another ten days, the King and Queen were married the day after we arrived - how auspicious! We travelled around for a good few days, and even met and chatted to the King, we also did some trekking there as well.
On the final trekking day we walked down to the Tigers Nest Monastery, it makes you wonder how they built it, on the edge of a mountain.
An interesting country, they value Gross National Happiness above Gross National Product, lovely people.
Everest Base Camp 2009
Not content with the Three Peaks Challenge in 2008, Jane and her team re-formed in 2009 under a new name "The Base Campers" with the addition of new team members, and set off for a new and more demanding challenge on Friday 2nd October 2009 trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal (approximate altitude 5,500m). The Trek took 12 days in all.
The team trained hard for this trip, both in the gym, and by running, cycling and hill walking in the Lake and Peak Districts. Having become aware of the plight of so many Nepalese and their lack of fresh water supplies, Jane decided to make their trip more worthwhile by raising money for WaterAid having the option to specify to the WaterAid charity that all of these funds go towards a specific project in Nepal.
WaterAid is an International Charity. Their mission is to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. For a gift of just £15 WaterAid can provide one person in Africa or Asia with a lasting supply of safe, clean water, sanitation and hygiene education.
The Everest Base Camp Trek, started with a breathtaking flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. 12 days of challenging, but rewarding trekking followed, during which Jane and the team were able to enjoy the hospitality of the Nepalese people, staying in tea houses, which provided comfortable places to rest along the way.
The trail climbs gradually through unspoilt wilderness, allowing you to acclimatize fully as you approach Everest Base Camp, the ultimate destination. With their local knowledge and experience, Sherpa guides lead us into Sherpa country, by trails less travelled than the busy walking routes.
After what turned out to be an amazing, rewarding and personal achievement, Jane and the team managed to raise a staggering £6640 for WaterAid.
London Marathon 2009
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world and one of the five top world marathons. It is held each spring in London since 1981 and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest annual fund raising event in the world. The course spans over 26 miles 385 yards through the streets of London around the River Thames. Jane pictured here before the start of the London Marathon 2009, where she raised £2800 for St Francis Hospice.
Three Peak Challenge 2008
The Three Peak Challenge is about hiking up the three highest peaks respectively in Scotland, England and Wales. Ben Nevis (1344m) in Scotland, Scafell Pike (978m) in England and Snowdon (1085m) in Wales in 24 hours or less. Picture are some of the team limbering up to a peak level of fitness, just before the start of the challenge.
Having negotiated Ben Nevis the night before, now at the top of Scafell Pike at around 8am in the morning, just Snowdon to go later on today. Our team raised £3000 for Christian Aid.
Little Havens Childrens Hospice
Since we helped a family who had traumatically lost a child at Little Havens Hospice we have totally respected and admired their care, their facilities, and their compassion. In 2005 Christine, one of Jane's colleagues pointed out to Jane the challenges that Little Havens were promoting in order to raise funds to care for the children of Essex. Jane mentioned that she liked the idea of trekking along the Great Wall of China, so Christine sent for all of the details from Discover Adventure www.discoveradventure.co.uk (check). Christine and Jane set about raising funds from all of the companies which they dealt with. The minimum amount to raise was £2500.00, however Jane had set her sights much higher and by the end of October 2006, having completed her trek she handed over in excess of £5200.00.
Jane said of the experience:
"The prospect of the trek was exciting, although I regularly attended the gym I did up my training by taking part in spinning classes to increase my stamina. On 23rd September 2006 I met the rest of my fellow trekkers for the first time at Heathrow Airport. After the long flight, a quick wander around Bejing, and trek briefing we had a very welcome sleep before getting up early and heading away from the smog and to the Great Wall. The first day was just a few hours walk to break us in gently. Thereafter though we were trekking for up to eight hours a day on totally rebuilt wall, and in other areas on wall that was hardly recognizable as such. The views from the wall were spectacular, we could see for miles, we would eat our unusual packed lunches on the wall, at night we had simple hotel accommodation, apart from the fly night - but we won't mention that! We ate together each evening, reliving the day, and relaxing with a welcoming beer and the odd rice wine, before sleeping well rested for the next day. At the end of eight days trekking we said goodbye to some of the party, and the rest of us went to Bejing train station to travel by overnight train to Xian. The journey was such fun, with us all having our own little parties in our four berth cabins. The visit to the terracotta warriors, was fascinating, and there is still so much that hasn't been uncovered. I would recommend anyone to take part in one of the Discover Adventure Challenges, they are extremely well organised, great fun, and of course you meet and make new friends."
St Francis Hospice
Our most local hospice, St Francis is located in Havering-Atte-Bower, near Romford. They have superb facilities for caring for adults with terminal illness, and also offer respite care. We have been keen to support them over the years and in 2004 jointly with Essential Beauty from Brentwood High Street we arranged a sponsored walk with our 100 year old hand bier from our Brentwood High Street premises to St Francis Hospice. However not everyone was keen to walk the hilly route, and Gary elected to have his back waxed instead. We raised in excess of £550.00 for the hospice. Each year in lieu of flowers many families choose to request donations, one of the most popular charities is St Francis. Over the years we have forwarded them tens of thousands of pounds, in the last two years alone we have sent them in excess of £37,000.00.
Light up a Life Appeal
Since its conception, we have supported the Little Havens Light up a Life Appeal, we financially support and have leaflets for the appeal in our offices, the actual lighting up event is attended by the local mayor, councillors and families who have been touched by the desperate loss of children.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
In 2004 Bennetts supported the Essex Fire Brigade with their smoke alarm campaign, we sponsored the provision of three hundred smoke detectors which were distributed free of charge to homes in the Brentwood area. We also used our front window for the display of posters to advertise the smoke alarm campaign. The use of the smoke alarms gives immediate response, it is considered to be crucial and as a consequence the properties and the families using them are far better protected.
Essex Wildlife Trust
We have been corporate supporters of the Essex Wildlife Trust since January 1992. We willingly display their posters for local events and sponsored the printing of the leaflet for Warley Place, its such an interesting place to visit.
Red Nose Day
Bennetts Funeral Directors contiunally support Red Nose Day