Page 17 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

THE GAZETTE QARANC 15
in altitude it was very difficult to sleep. The researchers collected further medical data from the participants at this height; once this was complete a few of the girls took the opportunity to wash their hair - what a sight: heads in bowls avoiding wind chill with one of the highest mountains in the world behind! We headed towards the French pass (5340 metres) the following day; this was to be the highest point we get to on the trail. The summit was covered in prayer flags and memorials to climbers who never made it home from their trek. We spent a few minutes on the summit due to the wind chill; we quickly started to descend to the Hidden Valley Base Camp (5100 metres) to spend the night; the researchers gathered their final data.
We thought after the rest day at Hidden Valley the descent to Yak Kharka at (4100 metres) should be simple in comparison to what we had accomplished so far and with massive decrease in altitude we were looking forward to oxygen filled lungs! We were wrong! The weather set in quickly and the scenery soon disappeared. The snow began to fall and fog came through the valley. We were in a ‘white out’, unable to see our hands in front of our faces; the path soon disappeared as 20cm of snow fell in one hour. Navigation was very difficult, as Nepalese maps are notoriously inaccurate, making micro-navigation
impossible. Eventually our Sherpa Guide found some upturned bamboo sticks placed in the snow and assured us this was the path. Reluctantly we followed and thankful he was right and led us safely to the campsite; amazing how he could find his way with bamboo sticks and piles of stones. We were all cold and exhausted as the 6hour trekking day took us 12 hours and one porter was still to be accounted for by the time we reached Yak Kharka. We were all grateful of the hot soup that was waiting for us. The next day the news came the lost porter was safe
and well. The team then headed down to Marpha, a village that is famous for its apple orchards, brandy and wine and we celebrated with a lovely cider in one of the bars, after having a long- awaited hot shower.
The trek to Dhaulagiri was the trip of a lifetime, having the opportunity to assist in medical research, whilst completing the most challenging trail in the Himalayas, as well as making new friends and memories along the way.
Cpl KA Abbott-Hull DPHC (WX)
Defence Medical Rehabiliation Centre Headley Court (DMRC)
QARANC Corps Day 23 March 2016
So, it was that time of the year, when members of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) celebrate Corps Day. LCpl Brock organised a day for all QAs at DMRC Headley Court to visit the Royal Star and Garter home (RSGH). The day started bright and early where we all paraded to jump on the minibuses to start our journey to RSGH.
Once we arrived, we were greeted by a member of staff who took us into the tea and coffee room for a quick introduction and most importantly tea and biscuits! After this we were introduced to the residents who were ex-military and had some very interesting stories to tell. After about an hour of chatting to the residents, everyone moved into the church service room. The service consisted of a few hymns and prayers including the QARANC Corps Hymn and Prayer. During the service Sgt Thomson-Bowers, Cpl Hodgson and Pte McCabe gave an overview of DMRC and what roles are undertaken by QARANC personnel at Headley Court.
After the service we were welcomed to stay for a concert that the RSGH had arranged for residents - how can you turn down a good sing song and dance?! A local group of singers came and sang classic songs from each decade starting with the 1920s all the way to the noughties! So we enjoyed songs ranging from ‘Fly me to the moon’ to the Beatles ‘Penny Lane’ and Westlife’s ‘You Raise Me Up’, finishing with a good old bit of patriotism in ‘God Save The Queen’. During the concert a few people (whom I shall not name) were singing away, clapping and dancing.
After the concert had finished we said our goodbyes and thanks to all the staff and residents and jumped back on the minibus for the return journey to DMRC. Once we arrived back at Headley, we proceeded to the Sgts Mess for the traditional curry lunch, which everyone enjoyed. Corps Day was completed with cake which was delicious!
LCpl Evans