It’s been a bit of a re-acclimatization for Arnprior residents Wayne and Lori Van Wyk, having returned from their September assault on Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro; perhaps “assault” is not the word, but when the couple captured their views from the summit, they also planted the Men’s Shed flag.
At an elevation of 5,895 metres, the peak is Africa’s tallest.
Wayne sets the stage.
Wayne Van Wyk says the summit trek was Lori’s idea; it was always on her bucket list- but Lori says she was persuaded by friends, and the challenge of a group trip was not one they could turn down.
Through her day job at Sullivans, Lori has been on the fundraising committee that assisted the Arnprior-McNab-Braeside Men’s Shed in its relocation to, and renovations at, the former Braeside Public School on River Road.
Wayne says the idea of carrying the Men’s Shed flag didn’t take him aback- but it did catch him by surprise.
Van Wyk says having the flag in their bag served to quiet any self-doubts the pair may have had.
Lori says once atop the summit, there was simultaneous applause for the gesture.
Wayne says the process of summit selfies is quite protracted, given the assembled throng.
Lori Van Wyk says, with “Mission Accomplished”, the Mt. Kilimanjaro summit banner will be accorded an honoured place in the Men’s Shed’s new home.
That’s our Spotlight story of the Men’s Shed banner summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro- but for those who, vicariously, will enjoy the full story of Lori and Wayne Van Wyk’s trip to the top- check it out now, at renfrewtoday.ca
By Rick Stow