Seriously I can't really explain why this mountain is calling to me. But it is - and I've always loved the look of it even if before I never imagined actually hiking to the top of it.

I've always loved the look of Africa from photos, films and documentaries and always imagined myself there. There is something very romantic about it and that was highlighted with the movie "Out of Africa".

A safari has been on the bucket list ever since I can remember having dreams and a wish-list so a trip combining Kilimanjaro with a safari seemed obvious.

I was meant to visit Africa back in 2006. I signed up to do a charity trek with the Maasai through the Great Rift Valley and taking in the Ngorongoro crater. Sadly my Mum passed away so it was postponed until the following year. Then, that year, my Dad passed away - so it never happened.

Africa has been calling my name ever since.

After I successfully hiked the Inca Trail, I wondered what my next big challenge would be - and Kilimanjaro was a thought that popped into my head and stayed there.

Now that it's looking like travel is back on the menu again, the time just feels right.

I can imagine myself being in Africa. I can imagine myself standing on top of Kili looking out over the African plains. And I can imagine how absolutely incredible that's going to feel.

I have some work to do to get fit. While I haven't done much hiking at all because of the heat over the summer, I've kept reasonably fit through dancing and have 4 months to get myself hike and mountain ready.

My starting point is way better than it was when I decided to do the Inca Trail.

My weight is the same now as it was when I returned from Peru, so I haven't got much to lose, although losing around another 14 -20 lbs would be ideal.

The biggie that stops people is the altitude.

And I know that's something that you can't really prepare for.

I also know that whatever experience I had with altitude in the past may have no bearing on how I do with Kili.

However, to look on the positive side....

When I went to Peru, I hiked up Rainbow Mountain and got to 5,100. So the summit of Kili is only 800 metres more. And apart from the difficulty in breathing and the need to go slowly, I suffered absolutely no other side effects from the altitude. No headaches or nausea or loss of apetite - maybe some slight light headedness now and then.

So - considering that the route I've chosen is the best for altitude acclimatisation and has a 90+% success rate, then I'm feeling very optimistic - even though it's reported that 70 - 75% of people experience symptoms of altitude sickness.