A new dawn breaks and reality checks in. Did we really decide to haul our ageing bones up some lump of rock in the middle of nowhere? (Tanzania actually, or is it Kenya? Amazed at how little of my Geography O-level has stuck. If only I'd had a private education - perhaps I could claim some money back).
Anyway, my recollection's 100% clear - Kili 5, St Anton nil. Sensing my compatriots may demand a recount, on the grounds of being in an advanced state of refreshment when the voting closed, I feel we need to cement the decision while the iron's hot. But how?
If you're planning a party, the first thing you need is a date. A quick check of various websites reveals Jan - March good, but there's no way we'll be ready in time. May - June (our preferred option) very bad. Very bad indeed. Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing would skip up backwards in a couple of hours, but not amateurs like us. Especially if your compatriots think anything below a 3 star hotel is slumming it; and the only tent they've ever slept in is the hospitality facility they passed out in at Twickenham. Apparently July - August not good because of kids school holidays ("I don't think you'll see many kids on the mountain, except the ones carrying our tents" I offer, completely missing the point)
So September seems optimal - far enough away that Bobby Backspin and Punky can schedule their busy schedules, JG - who runs his lawfirm with a keen eye on the work/life balance, can get his knee in good shape, the Ageing Hipster can convince his missus it's not a boys only thing (we went to the World Cup for her 50th, be great to do my 50th together) and JK can get childcare sorted at his country pile in the middle of nowhere (he bought a development opportunity in half of Norfolk, securing help that doesn't have six toes and webbed feet needs plenty of notice apparently)
The text goes out to the boys "Book first two weeks of September off for Kilimanjaro trip" No ifs or maybes, best to keep a confident, never-in-doubt-was-it, tone to these things, and see who blinks first. Fingers crossed.
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