The celebrity circus is in full swing

The long hours sitting in the office now are being sporadically cheered up with calls from Raj on his sat phone from Africa..

Seems as if he is having a very interesting time over in Kili region.. the paparazzi are out in force as are all the followers of the celebs!! madness!!! the mountain has turned into a circus and much of the BBC film equipment is stuck in customs.. so I think back-handers are now in full swing to try and get it out.. it all sounds like a totally mad classic African adventure.. !!

Raj has spent the last 4 days on a recce with the BBC on the mountain, where he caught up with Rolfe. (photos will be wiring there way courtesy of the BBC to us hopefully in the next few days) along with a first hand account of the goings on.. which did keep me very amused.. Raj had a dream he was leading this expedition only to actually wake and see the reality unfold around him!!! (not sure i feel that sorry for him though!!) It seems that its not easy controlling these kind of events in the back country of Africa. Raj described the atmosphere as "totally crazy" with people trying to get on the mountain for a glimpse of the action!! The worry is that this is a tough climb were high altitude sickness and fatalities is not uncommon..

It also has become very apparent to the BBC that filming in these conditions is far harder than they anticipated and the whole plan is being re thought out.. this has taken much time and effort in the past 4 days which should be all finally coming together ..

Raj is now off to the airport to do the first pick up, Ben Sheppard and Alisha Dixon ...so its all go now....

We are looking forward to seeing how this all pans out!! I will of course keep you posted.