Caithness.org News Bulletins

Aug 2002 Index

Caithness.org News 2002 Index

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September 2002

Maggies centres are currently in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee and the are currently trying to raise money for a Maggies Centre in the Highlands. These centres provide a place for people who suffer from cancer to go to, that enables them to address all aspects of living with cancer, share experiences with others in the same position and to inform themselves about the medical realities of their disease. These centres are located next to major cancer treatment hospitals to make them more accessible to the people that need them.

Fiona McLellan

The centres provide information through books, literature, tapes videos, the internet and trained staff. They provide psychological support via trained, full-time, psychologists who offer one to one sessions as well as facilitating carer's groups, patient groups, art therapy groups etc.  They also have trained relaxation therapists for anxiety reduction and stress management. For further information about the centres visit www.maggies.ed.ac.uk    

Fiona will be hiking 100km across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Maggies Centres. This will be done over four days, with five nights under the Saharan stars.The hike is taking place next April. All funds raised have to handed in by the 12th January 2003.  I am hoping to raise over £2000 by doing this. If you would like to make a donation please contact me by email [email protected]  or telephone: 01955 604602

Day 1 - Fly from Scotland to London and from London to Ouarzazate

Day 2 - Transfer into the heart of the Sahara Desert by coach and the local open- air cattle trucks. The village of Oum Jrane marks the start of our hike. Time permitting we will walk the last 5kms into the camp giving our travel weary muscles a welcome stretch.

Day 3 - Following the Boukechhba dry river valley we cross the first of many sand dunes as we begin our journey into the hidden depths of this ancient desert. We pass Tamarisk trees that defy nature by flourishing amongst dunes in such extreme arid conditions. Lunching under a band of trees for shade, before taking the afternoon hike away from the dunes and heading out to a flat, rocky plain towards overnight camp at Maider Bouzlane.

Day 4 - After hot drinks and breakfast we set off into the dunes at Maider Bouzlane and marvel at the shapes formed by the constant action of the wind over centuries. Nomadic people herd their goats and camels. After lunch we pass through the spectacular palm grove of Ikhefnirir for another night under the Saharan stars.

Day 5 - Heading for the village of Tafraoute which is a tiny desert oasis offering a splash or green amidst the desolate and barren surroundings. We will walk among the small fields of crops accompanied by many children who are intrigued by our presence. On the way to the village we climb up Jebel Ziteg to reach the plateau of Forum El M’Harech where we can admire the stunning scenery of the surrounding plains and the distant mountains. Our camp tonight is in the sheltrerd gorge of El M’Harech.

Day 6 - Our final day of hiking involves crossing a desolate and windswept rocky plateau.

Our camp will appear like a mirage in the distance, nestling by the small dune of M’Harech. Sheltered by the dune , this is the perfect setting for our final view of the sunset in this fantastic Saharan Desert. We have or last night in the desert.

Day 7 - Our open cattle trucks give us a final view of the desert as we head back to our coaches. We slowly head back to civilisation and a shower.

Day 8 - Early rise as we depart to fly home.