On Saturday 27th February 2010 and 1 week later than originally planned, my team and I embarked on our Ingane Yami ocean swim, and I can honestly say “this was one of the toughest ocean swims I have ever experienced”.

I was accompanied by the two current Guinness world record holders for swimming 25 hours non-stop, one a lawyer, and the other a swimming coach.

Already knowing that the sea conditions were on orange alert and against official advice we decided to go ahead. We set off from Playa San Juan, 5 swimmers and 2 support members in kayaks, the team was only 10 minutes into the swim when we noticed that the conditions along the horizon looked less than friendly, in fact they looked decidedly hostile. After a few moments of consultation we all decided to continue and proceeded to make good pace.

However, halfway to our destination things started to get complicated with strong winds and currents halting our progress, that decision to carry on was now looking like a bad judgment call.

After a distance of 6km and 1 hour and 24 minutes into the swim a sudden storm hit us at Mar Azul, waves 4m tall suddenly came crashing around us and the currents became very fierce and difficult to swim against, we were only 1km from our destination but we decided each of us had to swim for safety. We saw a small exit point with steps leading out of the sea to the safety of land, swimming against the current in a panicked and frightened state, it took us 20 minutes to cover a distance of 100m, the waves were hitting the rocks back and forth with such incredible force and we somehow had to try and get out of the water without getting thrown against the rocks.
By now the two kayaks accompanying us could not be seen, they too were frantically searching for a landing area 50m from where we were, both had lost their oars and were desperately trying to reach the safety of land.
It was only due to our fitness levels and experience that we all arrived safely and nobody was injured.

We will definitely try and do this swim again in calmer waters. In total I raised €300.
Thanks to all the following donators for contributing to Ingane Yami, much appreciated:
JJ + VJ, MARTYN ANDREWS, BOB WAYMAN, SALLY–ANNE GUERRERA, DENNIS MARKHAM, MARGARET HAMER, JOHN SELLEY, PETER CLARKE, DOUGLAS JOHNSTONE, MIKE BRAVERY, COLIN AHERN, BERNIE ROBINSON, STEPHEN SWALLOW, EW GOODING, JOHN ALSOP, NICK VALE, MALCOLM JENNINGS, CHRIS+TONY WEEKS

Ryszard Majewski

On Saturday 27th February 2010, Ryszard Majewski ‘General Manager - Pearly Grey’ will be doing an open ocean swim from Playa San Juan to Callao Salvaje, a distance of 7.14km along the west coast of Tenerife in aid of the Ingane Yami project

He will start at 10h00 and estimates to pass Pearly Grey at 12h30, weather and sea conditions permitting.
His goal is to reach €1000, before the set off date. There will definitely be currents, cold water and all kinds of sea life encounters, he will be accompanied by 2 kayaks and a swimming companion for safety reasons, this will be his personal longest swim.

Ryszard is also currently training for the World Masters Championships in Sweden in July where he will compete in the 400m and 800m freestyle race and the 3km fresh water lake race with competitors from all over the world, representing his club from Tenerife.

You can donate via Swim for Ingane Yami or when you are on the resort before the set off date.

Your donations are very welcome and remember its for a good cause.

On Friday 19th February 2010 our Pearly Grey reception team once again donned costume outfits for the busy Friday checkin/checkout.
The theme this time was carnival, so our guys could wear pretty much anything!!

We’re not sure what Gemma was meant to be but she cut an imposing figure and led the team well, William was a Gynaecologist for the day and had a name badge to prove it, Carine looked quite the part and an obvious oriental beauty, while Laura, deputy receptionist for the day looked deliciously devilish!!
Lahcen, our resident night receptionist took over the late shift and came prepared with sequin wig, and looked the part, maybe a sideline career for you there Lahcen????

Everyone had a great day and we also raised €144 for our adopted charity Ingane Yami.

Our reception team are once again preparing for a Friday checkin/checkout in fancy dress, the theme this time will be Carnival.
The annual carnival in Tenerife is one of our most popular events and is second only to Rio de Janeiro on the world stage.
We hope to raise money for our Ingane Yami Charity and with your support we hope to raise €300 which is our target for the reception team to get dressed up.
It promises to be a fun day for everyone!!

Day 1,
Well! As I am now relaxing on the ¨TXC994L¨ Tenerife to East Midlands / Nottingham, I can start my day by day account of our once in a lifetime adventure to Kilimanjaro Africa.

11am
A very emotionally charged moment, as I had to say bon voyage, or should I say Ana Maria and Rafael (aged 6 months) had to say Bon Voyage to their husband & Papa! I am trying to put a brave face on, but every time I think back to saying Goodbye I start filling up. Rafa who had just woken from his mid morning snooze was as always smiling from ear to ear. I gave him a big kiss in his Chicco pushchair. I turned to my beautiful wife who was already in floods of tears, I gave her a big hug and kiss & a few words of comfort. The weather in Las Moraditas was once again stunning as I climbed into Kims car to head to the airport.

I love my family with every cell I have!

11.20am Las Chafiras (close to the airport)

No sign of Troy!!
We should have checked in by now!

Kim, Callum & I are awaiting Troys presence at the Las Chafiras turn off. I am trying to put a ¨chilled, not panicky face on¨ As the minutes tick by, I had to slope off to the nearest bar to have a quick beer (Cobra).
Finally Troy turns up then heads into the bank, after a couple of minutes we are on our way to the airport, Late!!
We quickly located our check in desk to find hundreds of Thomas Cook fellow travelers. Kim grabbed the nearest badge carrying employee & after a couple of blurbed sentences we were whisked off to a last minute check in desk only to find we were not on the list!!!
So not only are we late we were missing in action. Ok chill now Douglas, do not panic I repeat… Eventually we sorted everything out at the Thomas Cook desk! A man mountain of a guy, signed a couple of documents and away we sprinted to the security check point, not forgetting time to say goodbye to Kim (Troys wife) & Callum (Troys boy).

1.30pm
I had earlier in the day had visions of having a nice chilled cerveza in the Bill Bentley pub in Departures, but as soon as we passed security, the plane had already started to board. This of course was no deterrent, we ran to the pub to find massive queue to get to the bar. We ran to the nearest coffee bar & grabbed a couple of ¨cañas¨, we quickly downed our ¨halfs¨ and headed off to our bus with wings.

4.20 pm
Now I have to say well done Troy ¨why I hear you ask?¨ well do you know them exit seats that cost a small fortune, we are at this very moment stretching our soon to be very tired legs & having a glass of vino in our free exit seats.

Tuesday 8th December 2009

8.41pm Marangogate
Ok where do I start? Since the last entry, we have stayed at Troys mums house (brilliant). We had complementary drinks in First Class on our Virgin flight to Kenya (bliss), thanks to Drea & Ward.
We all checked into a dodgy ¨Meriden¨ hotel, had a fabulous curry, followed by a nine hour journey on a rickety bus to the Springlands hotel in Moshi Tanzania (no roads almost), that’s where we met up with James & Karen. Oh yes and also started to walk the worlds largest free standing mountain!
We walked through the forest today about 8.5k. We met our guide & mentor ¨the teacher himself¨ a local legend who as walked Kilimanjaro 495 times!! He is also a teacher to 145 very poor kids & he is opening an orphanage for 32 kids, a great man.
The walk today was not difficult, none of our six showed any sign of altitude sickness. The forest was so lush so green.

The day started at our local hotel Springlands, we had a fantastic breakfast of omlette and sausage, then we gathered our kit together paid our $150 goverment fees and proceeded to our second rickety bus. Two hours later we arrived at the Marango gate to start our adventure , after a briefing from our friend ¨Teacher¨ we headed off up the track in good spirit. I soon struck up a DMC (deep, meaningful conversation) with our teacher. What an amazing human being he is. He is only 32 & he has set up a school on his own & is opening an orphanage. A completely Selfless man.

We are climbing this mountain to raise funds and awareness for our ´INGANE YAMI¨ orphanage protect in South Africa, that we are so proud of. When you see the conditions people live in over here it is shocking. We in the west spend Zillions on the arms race and think nothing of what our fellow human beings must be going through. We can live with dignity, free health care, they cannot!
I do not want to get on my soap box.

As I write now in the pitch black, with my headlamp on, I have mixed emotions. I miss my wife & Family. My beautiful Ana Maria & my beam of love Rafael so much, but also realizing what a great moment in time this is. We have not seen the majestic peak of Kilimanjaro as yet but this is due to it being very cloudy. But I have been told on good authority by Teacher, that when we get woken up at 6.10am she should be cloud free and beautiful, I cannot wait.

We are all sleeping in an area of less than ten square meters of each other. Troy is already starting to snore, it is so dark outside you cannot see your hand. Also it is so quiet, apart from some very strange animal noises. These huts are minus five star believe me.
I really need to pump due to all the carbs we have consumed today, but cannot bring myself to do it with everyone listening. So if I do not blow up through the night, I will hopefully make an entry tomorrow evening!!

Goodnight Ana & Rafa xxxxxxxxx

6.10am Wednesday 9th December
Bad night of sleep due to sleeping on what felt like concrete, Troy snoring & Ward also, I definitely snored too as I woke myself up a few times! The porters have just brought us some hot black tea, Kenyan style in Tanszania. Nobody has let rip as of yet!!!

Walking to 3.720 meters today, just a bit higher than the peak of our magnificent ¨Mount Teide¨

8.12pm
Just had our supper consisting of white rice cabbage & pea sauce!! James, Karen, Ward & Drea have gone to bed in our six sleep hut about the size of a mini van! Troy & I are sat in the mess room after a long days walking.
We left our camp at 8am, we headed straight into the dense lush forest. Teacher pointed out the ¨Impatient Kilimanjaro Flower¨ this magnificent flower only grows on Kilimanjaro, he also pointed out some more exclusive to kill vegetation.
The weather was perfect for walking. Unfortunately we have still not seen the peak of Kilimanjaro due to some high cloud covering her beauty.

Teacher our guide was setting the pace today, we were a little over excited on our first day. Especially Troy, who had to be reined in a couple of times. The pace was so slow, he wants us not to dispel too much of our stored energy. We will definitely need it on ¨Summit Day¨ in a couple of days time that is for sure.

We were chatting to a lot of people who had or had not reached the Uhuru Peak that morning. They were on their way down, some looking very ill or very elated. Most people seem to make it, so as a group we are starting to feel confident. Our inexperience showed a couple of times today. It is very showery at this height and the weather can change in a second. So as soon as a shower appeared, off came our day packs out with the ponchos and other waterproof hats, trousers, bag covers, head covers & covers for covers…. As soon as we, well I say we but because I am traveling very light to say the least, Troy & I were not involved with the Melee. So as soon as they were water, wind snow & frost tight the sun popped out. Then here we go again, wet gear had to come off sun hats, sun creams, shorts & sunglasses came out. I am not joking here, five minutes later it started raining again! And yes you are correct off came the sun clothes etc, etc, etc… This went on for about 2 hours, you had to just laugh & be positive. Being positive is definitely thee most important goal you need here in Africa. We are so used to hot water, clean toilets, good food etc. This is a third world Country and you either adapt & accept or you will soon get negative. Especially with the hygiene & food you have to live with day in, day out.
I believe over & above everything, that you have to tune yourself into the mountains way of life, respect mother earth. Accepting that we humans are the guests and it is not the other way round!

I eat the food, drink the water directly from the mountain, totally respect my surroundings, my western ways of no use up here. I cannot wait until we summit on Saturday. The peak has had a lot of snow this week so it will be a truly great sight.

Troy has now given up trying to play patience with Spanish cards, it is time to go to bed. Goodnight. Oh one more thing during the walk today I found a big basket in the bush, I was at the back of the group, so I decided to do a porter impression. All day the porters are carrying supplies up & down the mountain on their heads, So I popped it on my head & shouted ¨Traffic¨ and pushed myself through are group, when they all realized it was me, we all laughed our heads off, a good moment.

9.31pm 10th December 22, 2009
Happy day for me
Horombo Camp. My second anniversary!!!
We started the day as usual, the porters always bring us hot sugary tea at 6am. The sunrise was incredible, the view over Africa was breath taking. Then they bring three hot bowles of water to wash in . After washing you head for breakfast, today was a lovely porridge, followed by eggs & Vienna sausages & tea or coffee. We all call the Vienna sausage the all day breakfast because it repeats on you all day!
After Breakfast we got our day kit together & trekked just under 6k to zebra rock & then a viewing point of Kili in all her glory.

Today was acclimatization day. We walked up to 4300 meters to see how all the group handled 20 to 30% less oxygen. Glad to say we were all ok. Without doubt the best moment happened when we arrived at the viewing point. There was not a cloud in the sky, Kilimanjaro looked unbelievable. No clouds, blue sky awesome. We got back down to camp for a day of chillaxing as we were going to need all our energy walking to the kibo camp 4709 meters tomorrow. We should get there around 13.00, eat & then hopefully sleep as we walk to the summit from midnight the same day. This without doubt is going to be the biggest challenge to date, temperatures have dropped to minus 20 up there this week.

We have finally sussed out Dreas Spanish cards she brought over. We played jim rummy at lunch I took the honours. We played just now & Troy was triumphant.
The last word today goes to my wife, she made me the happiest man in the world two years ago today! Sorry I cannot be there my darling, I love you with all that I am. Home soon xxx

Goodnight.

Friday 11th December after another restless night in our 5 star luxury cabin, we were once again woken by our porters laden with fresh hot tea. It is 6am (3am uk time) and we are all packing our kit to walk 10k to base camp. Kibo sits at 4709 meters. We hurried along to porridge and pancakes, New York Delis watch out for this break through. Lots of tea & our egg omlette, with yet another Vienna sausage.
We set off 7am sharp to Kibo. We all definately had a spring in our step as this was the day that we started our ascent of the worlds largest free standing mountain Kilimanjaro 5895m.
On arrival at Kibo we checked in, in the usual shack / office and were allocated room 5. Ok now where is room 5? There was a big building / shack, we followed the hard working porters to room 5. we have stayed in some grotty places on this trip but I think Kibo takes the biscuit. Other walkers guests were already in their bunks, we quickly arranged who was sleeping where etc… At this point the porters had arranged our popcorn & biscuits with a flask of hot water. I thought I would brave the toilets. Let me tell you right now, the term toilet bares no resemblance to the ones we see at home or in our workplaces. I saw them in the distance one block for tourist and one for the staff etc.. there were three holes in the floor that’s it! No mens, no ladies just three holes in the floor separated by a bit of plywood. Well the stink was bad enough, it nearly knocked you out, but crowning glory was the hole it all landed in. The hole was about two meters deep & it was already about half full! No flush, no loo paper, basically hell on earth.
Anyway that aside we were all ready for our 11pm wake up call. The plan is to leave at 12 midnight. So my next entry we have either reached the Uhura peak, the highest point in Africa or we have been affected by altitude sickness that up to 40% of walkers experience

Wish us all luck, Goodnight.

5pm Sat night
WOW, WOW, WOW
5 out of six of us reached the summit. It was so difficult we have been awake for 18 plus hours walked 32k including a mountain up & down. What an incredible experience , unbelievable. It all started at midnight, the temperature outside was minus fifteen, snow had covered everywhere. We all had our headlamps on I felt like a miner!

The group atmosphere had definitely changed. Some were feeling a bit anxious, not surprisingly really, as we had never tested ourselves at this altitude before. The air has a massive 50% less oxygen at this height.
After a short while we were making a good pace. Unfortunately Karen was then first to feel nausea, a classic symptom of altitude sickness. She soldiered on up to 5300 meters and sadly for the group had to turn back for base camp.
We trundled on up the very, very steep peak, we have to take a criss cross route so not to fall down.
Drea was the next to get affected, sheer exhaustion took hold & she had to slow down & take many breaks to get her breath back.
Teacher our guide had climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro so many times. His experience was priceless. He kept our spirits up by singing & leading from the front. It was now 6am the sun was slowly rising above the majestic horizon. We had not reached Gilmans point yet, the third highest peak in Africa.
Teacher decided to have a break, we drank tea & I ate my kendall mint cake to give me an extra energy boost (thanks Julie & Gary). As the sun rose, what an incredible view, I will never forget the sheer jaw dropping beauty of Africa at dawn. I could not stop thinking about how lucky I am to have a beautiful family waiting for me at home in good ole Tenerife. I love them both so much.

Anyway we had to get up & get on , Drea was really struggling by now, she found some reserve energy from somewhere & carried on regardless. After a couple of hours we finally reached Gilmans (5861 meters).
We took another well needed break & some more tea & cake. It was then it hit me what a once in a lifetime moment this was. We were sat on the rim of the crater unbelievable views at every turn. The glazier was indescribable in its magnificence. The sun shone & the feeling that I was experiencing was out of this world . I was at one with mother earth!
Again we headed off this time for Uhuru peak 5895 meters, this walk was not so steep, but still very testing. The snow was very thick up here & we walked on a foot wide path with a sheer 150m drop into the crater on our right hand side. This was not a walk in the park I was expecting. I really was focused at this point as I making sure I got home in one piece. Once again the views were just indescribable as Uhuru peak finally came into view.
Drea, to her credit managed to keep going despite sheer exhaustion.
We all finally reached Uhuru peak at 10am Sunday 13th December, all very tired but very proud to make it. Well done guys, thanks to Teacher & his crew for making this moment happen. The days of slow walking had finally come to an end. We took the obligatory photos hugged & kissed and started our descent to the Horombo camp all feeling elated.

In no time at all we were all back at the Hormbo camp we sprinted and skied down that mountain so quick as it was time to get back home to hot water flushing toilets and a clean bed!
That’s it now folks I am now back home getting ready for Xmas. The memories will live with me forever. I am so happy to be home & back to Pearly Grey. There is so much goodwill here, we have a unique resort, with honest happy people at every turn.

Merry Xmas & I hope we all have a prosperous New Year.

Love to all
Douglas

It was a lot of work going through all the items that you all so generously gave for us to sell, bagging them, and loading them up into Adrian’s & Ryszard’s cars. The early birds Ryszard, Adrian (who had only finished work at 1.30am Saturday night) and myself met at Guaza at 6.45am to set up tables. We were hounded by Moroccans before daylight but managed to get all done with the help of Catya and Danyika (Ryszard’s kids) who unpacked all the kids toys and kept an eye on things.

A Big thanks to Ryszard, Wendy, Adrian, Laura, Gina, Anabel, Jackie and Lily for doing the Car Boot Sale yesterday.

We made €319.56 which in today’s times I think is Fantastic — SO WELL DONE TO ALL.

Yesterday afternoon was Dougie’s final day at Pearly Grey before he & Troy travel to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro sits on the northern border of Tanzania, overlooking Kenya, and just over 200 miles south of the Equator. The area is not particularly mountainous; indeed, the nearest mountain to Kilimanjaro is Mount Meru, over 60km away to the south-west.

Rising 4800m above the East African plains, 270km from the Indian Ocean and measuring up to 40km across, Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, formed, shaped and eroded by the natural elements of fire and ice.
Kilimanjaro is actually a volcano, a trait it shares with Tenerife’s own majestic Mount Teide.
Dougie & Troy have been training on Mount Teide as part of their preparation for the Kilimanjaro climb, helping them to get used to climbing and also acclimatising their lungs to the high altitude and the resulting lack of oxygen.
Today (Friday 4th December 2009) they set off on this adventure to meet up with James & Karen Beckley before beginning their ascent of the mountain. They leave Tenerife with the support and admiration of all the owners & staff at Pearly Grey, returning in around 10 days time to what will be a heroes welcome.
We salute you!!

Ingani Yami project
Hopefully by now you have all heard of this worthwhile cause we are all supporting. Our staff, owners/guests/friends/family have already contributed to this project. Every week PG staff and owners are doing activities and events to raise funds. We will of course keep you updated on James and Dougie’s Kilimanjaro walk commencing on the 5 December. Please donate online to Ingane Yami or alternatively when you are on the resort we have collection boxes in the public zones.

Pool toilets
Recently we have placed non slip tiling for your safety.

Children’s pool
Currently we are also placing non slip tiles around the pool and the corridor coming into the children’s play area. This is to help prevent any accidents.

Restaurant
Owners and guests have been continually praising us regarding the new look of the restaurant and its facilities. We now have WiFi, a toilet with access for the disabled, baby changing facilities and practical furniture and ample space, you have to see it to believe it.
There are always special offers on meals and theme evenings offering cuisine from all over of the world.
For those of you who are here during Christmas and New Year, don’t forget to book your lunch and dinners to avoid disappointment.

Rent a Car
If you rent a car for your holiday and usually use a different company, then please contact Serge at PG RentaCar, he has some great offers you will find difficult to beat.
In addition we will soon have an active online reservation system to book your car rental.

JAZZY´S
Don’t forget to pamper yourself in the beauty salon, now under new management. Kim and her team can now offer great massages, hair and beauty treatments.
We have also re-located the internet facilities to a purpose built room next to the beauty salon.

Apartments
As we have smoking and non smoking rooms allocated like a normal hotel, we have placed a sign in your apartment for those who smoke. We kindly request you to please smoke on the terrace as when non smokers check in after you, they experience an uncomfortable environment.
We are also currently busy replacing floor tiling in certain apartments.

Social networking
As you are aware, Pearly Grey are a community with a strong focus on families, our open approach means we always want to be in contact, providing our owners with updates & news about the resort. A great way to do this is using social networking, if you are not already following us online then please become a fan of Pearly Grey on Facebook and Ingani Yami on Facebook

On behalf of the STAFF and MANAGEMENT we would like to THANK YOU for your support this year & we wish you and your families a happy Festive Season and a Prosperous New Year. We look forward seeing you in the near future.

Ryszard Majewski
General Manager

Well you were warned, Friday 20th November 2009 saw the Pearly Grey reception team dressed in pirate costumes in aid of the Ingane Yami Children’s Village charity.
This was the pledge of Captain Gemma & her band of cut throats who raised a magnificent €425.00.

We’re not sure how much rum was consumed during the day but the parrott perched on Helyette’s and Carine’s shoulder was looking a little bleary eyed late in the afternoon..!!!

It was a great day for all the owners and guests who were either checking in or checking out, thanks for showing your support and joining in with the fun theme created by our world class reception team, you are the best!!

This Friday’s check in/checkout at Pearly Grey promises to be a little different, Gemma & her reception team pledged to dress up in pirate costumes if we managed to raise €300 from the reception raffle, well we actually collected €425 which is a great achievement.
The raffle prizes were handed out yesterday afternoon with the draw taking place at the Pearly Grey pool.

We would like to thank all those who kindly bought raffle tickets, all the money collected will be going to the Ingane Yami Children’s Village charity.

For all our owners & guests who will be here on Friday, we hope you enjoy the day and we appreciate the support you give us.