The Nature Trail..

 Saturday Jan 25

My colleagues wanted to jumpstart the year with an easy trail 

I suggested Oloolua as I had done it twice before and it was quite OK

we reached the venue at 9am sharp and off we went after making the payments. A group of elderly women and men also came at 9am each having a stick and they started off slowly and we were like...this is the life...enjoying a quiet walk as part of your Saturday morning routine! self actualisation at its best....

as we started off, we decided to do 10km (mind you I was coming for the 5km...but isorait...we soldier on)

I had no idea Oloolua had such a trail!

the 10km was very long for me; but I enjoyed it

we began at 9.30am and cleared at 1.30am - 4 hours of a slow walk...12km in total

the cherry at the top was finally making it to the elusive waterfall...we almost didnt see it!

I wore my hiking boots so that  I can break them in and that was part of the reason for my limp...I think i didn't tie them well

Oh well.....hears to more trails!

ACT NOW for 2025

 I was listening to Dr Cindy Trimm speaking about 2025 and the Urgency of Now! (dated Jan 6 2025)

Loved it 💓

here is an excerpt from the notes i took!

ACT INTENTIONALLY NOW!

• ALIGN yourself with purpose
• COMMIT to courageous action
• TRUST in Gods timing

• INVEST in yourself
• NURTURE strong relationships - everything rises and falls on relationships, build connections, have a deliberate success circle of trust
• Taking TERRITORY - ask God to enlarge your reach like Jabez - not just physical but spiritual. Convenience is where I shoot my potential at point blank range! 
• INVEST in others
• OPTIMISE your time, Time is a currency of purpose.
• NEVER Quit, there will be storms and challenges, but stay focused 
• AIM high! raise that bar, dream big
• LEAD by example, LIVE fully!
• LIVE with gratitude every day!
• YIELD to the Holy Spirit

• NAVIGATING challenges - obey God and you can be able to ride the winds of change
• OVERCOMING doubt, this is the first step to victory -esp doubt of self
• WORK and excellence - excellence is the language of KINGS, and the currency of influence!

Go out and conquer!

The mountains await....

 So I decided 2025 is the year I will push myself to walk more... hike more...and not to give excuses when opportunities come

so when I saw the poster from Itchy feet Hikers that their first hike was ranked as moderate, I was like letsgoooo!!

vitu kwa ground was different...

very different

off we went on Saturday Jan 11 to Empaash Conservancy in Kajiado county, some 2 hours drive from Nairobi

we reached the conservancy camp site...and, i must say i like the way its been done..a gazebo place and washroom/shower 

at 9.30am we started off .....after the briefing and intros

the starting was ok...and clearly this was not a trail that had been walked on often...the conservancy began recently

then the climb began...ok...it was a slow climb....but I was already panting...and this was not even hour 2

after trekking for some 2 hours, and seeing very interesting vegetation and  great landscapes....we reached a section where we were to basically push thicket aside to get the path to the caves....this is where we gave up.....the thought that we need to come back the same way....my sister and I decided we can go back now

and so the other group went on....and we turned back

mercifully we had two guides for the tour

so one could take us back to base

he was very patient with us, as we walked slowly

at some point we heard a strange noise, and he said those are monkeys...we asked, which ones? he said the big ones....but its ok, they will not come near!

and then after some time we see him being more keen and looking around...he says...there are animals around, they just look at us...if we had goats then  probably they can attack ....sema adrenaline rush...weuhh

we reached base after 4 hours of walking (and resting....) and waited for the rest for close to three hours!!

meanwhile, some young ladies were selling lovely jewelry, we bought some and we took photos with the elaborate ones

(oh...and my shoes gave up on me!)

back to the story, i have come to terms with this, that me..am not ready for these tough hikes

i will still do the simple ones for now

still....

the mountains await

one day, i will manage it!

New Year 2025

 I M A G I N E

Its already 2025!

I can vividly remember the turn of the century - 1999 to 2000 when the world went berserk regarding the Millenium...oh, so many conspiracy theories were spinned...including the world ending, the computers switching off....weuh...I know IT guys who keshad at work just to watch and be on guard when the change happens at midnight

My sis and I were in Carnivore to usher in the millennium at an electrifying show by Chaka Demus and Pliers and of course, this is when I first heard the Redemption Song!! sang by none other than Rita Marley herself!! weuh....I have never attended another concert that matches this one...and the fireworks? Carnivore outdid themselves!!

Now its 25 years later...so much has changed

am 50years old....

and my phrase for my next decade is 

Rejoice in the Lord Always, and AGAIN, I say Rejoice (Philippians 4: 4)

I have a good feeling about this year...5 is the number of GRACE! 

I read somewhere that 5 symbolizes Gods grace, kindness and mercy towards humankind! 

May this be true for all of us!

Happy New Year!