September 2007

Monica will be trekking in Corsica. She and Rod had planned a walking holiday in Corsica in May 2007, but sadly Rod's death meant that this didn't happen. Rod was so looking forward to the walking holiday and has spent hours and hours planning the various routes. By undertaking this challenge Monica feels that all Rod's meticulous planning will not have been wasted.

At the end of September 2007 - Monica and the family will be walking in the Yorkshire Dales where they will scatter some of Rod's ashes. This area was a favourite walking spot for the family, Penyghent in particular. Rod's ashes will be scattered on what would have been his 54th birthday. The family will link by phone to a group led by Geoff Wade, walking in Snowdonia, this is where Rod and Monica should have been this year.

Piton Climb - February 2008

Monica Kesson and Jane Wake conquered the Petit Piton in St Lucia! Petit Piton is the more difficult and less often climbed of the two Pitons (the other being Gros Piton) and is a 2,400 foot scramble which involves starting at sea level, passing through the rain forest over damp wet ground and boulders to higher levels where the climb becomes more difficult up and across larger volcanic boulders. The last half of the climb requires the assistance of fixed ropes. Monica and Jane found this climb more challenging than expected, but with the help of guide Melvin and Rich from the Body Holiday Le Sport, managed the round trip in 3hrs 50mins - the fact that it was such a challenge left them with stronger memories of the attempt. Rod's presence was very much felt during the climb as it was something he had always wanted to do - Monica and Jane did this climb in his memory and to add to the RKBF funds - in particular to contribute to the Barnard Scholarship.

Monica and Jane's Piton challenge was aimed at adding to the RKBF and to benefit the Barnard Scholarship fund. The Barnard Scholarship Fund gives grants to children of hotel employees in order to help them through their secondary school education and these children met Monica, Jane and Andrew Kesson during a recent stay at Le Sport. Monica says 'We were very privileged to meet the young students and they and their parents seemed very grateful to meet us. They were all well turned out in their immaculate school uniforms and were happy to be photographed with us - we gave away 2 RKBF caps and there was fierce competition to be the one to wear the cap for the photos!' The students told us that in return for the grant their grades are monitored and they are expected to maintain their progress through school.

The Barnard Scholarship has recently been extended to support students through university courses within the hospitality industry and Monica and Jane met Genevieve, the first student to participate in the scheme. St Lucia now has it's own college which is part of the University of the West Indies meaning that students can now be educated at home rather than in Barbados. Craig Barnard represented his son Andrew at the meeting with the students and thanked RKBF for the help it hopes to give the scholarship fund.

New Challenges

None of you have taken up the idea of finding me a challenge so I have sorted out a couple that I think will stretch me and take me outside of my comfort zone. I completed the Petit Piton climb in December with Jane Wake, a full account and pictures are available on the RKBF website. I have also done a Walking Leader's course in Snowdonia, which has improved techniques and map reading skills. I have started a Climbing Course at the Arethusa Climbing Wall in Rochester and I am off again next week to do more scrambling in Snowdonia.

I am hoping that all this should prepare me for three challenges:

• I have challenged Barry Macguigan to join me in completing the 'Snowdonia Peaks Challenge'. This will be a guided traaverse of Snowdonia's highest peaks conducted over 24 hours. This is scheduled for early June.
• The Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain which is 10 days walking along the pilgrims' route with Sue Joyce.
• The Inaccessible Pinnacle on Skye planned for early October (I know that falls outside the fund raising year, but I couldn't fit it in any other time!). The Inaccessible Pinnacle is the most notorious of all the Scottish Munros (mountains over 3000 feet) and marks the summit of the Cuillin Ridge. It is the only Munro that requires rock climbing skills (don’t tell my mother!) and I shall do this with the support of Expedition Guide Rob Johnson.

Please support me by sponsoring these events you can use the methods of contact detailed above or you can go directly to my fund raising page on the ‘Just Giving’ website: www.justgiving.com/monicakesson

Visits - 1351