Leaving Phokara

September 28 2007

Well just as last week I dont have anything too interesting to write so you will be forgiven for switching to google now and searching for Brad Pitt stories...

I have, however put up some photos that may interest you they are mainly of Jon but one of the kiddies too. We finished work in Pokhara this morning and there were tears again. It is heart-breaking to have to say goodbye even after this short time and it's funny how it is always the toughest kids who cry the most. So for today we have checked into our favourite hotel in Lakeside and we are travelling back to Kathmandu tomorrow. Jon has gone off biking with the Nepalis again but I think he was a little scared. He went for a mini ride with them a few days ago, setting off at his usual military speed of close to 100mph, but soon realised that he has not been biking for 3 months and they ride up and down these crazy mountains every day! That or he is getting old. Anyway he came back completely exhausted and today he has gone for the whole day so he was a little nervous. Also the temperature is still around 30+ degrees here with no wind so it is not ideal biking weather (if you ask me).

We are really going to miss Pokhara it is a beautiful place and now that the rains have stopped we have a clear view of the Annapurna every morning and glorious weather. The running here is excellent and although we havent been clocking up too many miles the trails we get to run on are spectacular I really have never seen anything like it. Up and down over hilltops, across cliffs, over rivers on wooden bridges (somewhat more stable than those we trekked over) and all the while the snow capped mountains loom overhead. That said I am also looking forward to being in Kathmandu - I mean it is a hell hole there is no doubt about that but it does have a certain something that you cant help but love.

It will be great to see the family again and the little orphans that we left behind, the climbing is great there and we also have a lot of friends waiting for us.

We never managed to get a place on the Everest Trail Run (they do not answer emails and appear to not have a phone), and so we are going to have one final adventure in the form of an expedition in the Everest Region (Khumbu). After the falling out we had with our guide we need to find a new company which is rather a pain due to the sheer number of trekking/climbing companies that exist. It is really hard to find out which ones are any good. I am going to leave all that to Jon and concentrate on socialising and arranging parties in London over Christmas!

Caroline x