12th March 2017 The first week back from Nepal felt like a slow and reluctant slide into a dismal British winter. There wasn’t much we could do outside (not that we particularly wanted to) apart from trudging to the log store behind the garden shed. By mid-afternoon, as the sun slumped behind the bungalow next… Continue Reading

3rd February 2017 Our final early wake-up of the trip, and sadly, it meant a return to the rain, gales, and cold of the UK. We had freshened up and dressed by 6:15 am and made our way down to reception, where we picked up a packed breakfast, kindly provided by the hotel. Soon, our… Continue Reading

2nd February 2017 As expected, we received a knock on the door at 6:30 am to ensure we were awake in time to witness the sunrise over Everest. I managed to shower before Sue, and we opened our balcony door to watch the much-anticipated event, scheduled for 6:50 am. Disappointingly, the hotel was shrouded in… Continue Reading

1st February 2017 Today, we planned to retrace our steps back to Kathmandu and continue further north towards the Everest range, staying at a mountaintop hotel in Nagarkot. While there, we were to enjoy an afternoon walk around a mountain village and witness the sunrise over Everest from the balcony of our accommodation at the… Continue Reading

31st January 2017 Dosed up with tablets, I rattled down to an early breakfast. Feeling ok, I managed some cereal and two slices of toast, washed down with a small glass of mango juice. I crossed my fingers that I wouldn’t be seeing them again, but thanks to the powers of modern chemistry, I needn’t… Continue Reading

30th January 2017 Up again at the crack of dawn (5:15 am). An early start was essential for our journey to Chitwan, as part of the road closes to all traffic after 9 am for six hours. The government is carrying out much-needed road improvements following the 2015 earthquake. Unfortunately, I woke up with a… Continue Reading

29th January 2017 We didn’t have to keep the heating on overnight. Down at this altitude, it was much warmer, and we slept well. I had to rise early for an appointment with a harness and cable, but Sue opted to stay snug in bed while I dressed and went down for breakfast. As I… Continue Reading

28th January 2017 Around 10 pm, the clouds parted to reveal not just a sky full of bright, twinkling stars, but also the equally stunning lights of Pokhara far below. As if that weren’t enough, the horizon intermittently flickered and flashed with electrical discharges, creating a light show that left an imprint on your retina.… Continue Reading

27th January 2017 Three fried eggs, a heap of chopped sausages, two grilled tomatoes, and a slice of some kind of aloo dish were washed down with two cups of coffee. After that, two slices of toast set me up for the day. I’ve no idea what Sue fuelled up with, probably fruit, cereal, and… Continue Reading

26th January 2017 After breakfast, we all gathered in the reception, ready for the short journey to Gupteswar Mahadev. The peaks of Annapurna, crowned with wisps of cloud, glowed in the early morning sun as we boarded the minibus and rattled our way towards our destination. On arrival at the gorge and cave complex, we… Continue Reading