Good Day! (J)

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Well hello there! How are we all doing? Many of you well from the various messages and comments I get. Thanks all for them, always good to log in and see we're not forgotten!

I don't think I've contributed to this blog thing since arrival in Cusco so here I am again. Please forgive, but a large part of this whole crazy idea was to get away for a wee bit. Its been great to not touch a computer for 10 days or what ever it is now. I'm much more of a hill person than a computer one, and boy have we seen some hills. Yep, we have.

I hope the spreadsheet advice to work got through. Sorry Damien, in essence its quite simple. In practice I wish you luck!

So where to start, photos would be a good place but my camera is in mi room and I'll loose the computer spot if I go get, so wait please!

Peru is stunning as we were beginning to realise on our first major off road trip, and before to be fair. This has been further confirmed on our last two trips. The scarred valley around the back and to Aqua Calenties (the access point to Machu Pichu) and most recently the trip to the Jungle. Suppose to be a nice long descent from Cusco (3600m) to Jungle (500m). Add the nearly 3000m climb as well and there's a lot of descent in there somewhere. Notoriously poor road, traveled on election day. Fortunately due to our light weight choice of vehicle we weren't as scupered as the more conventional larger ones by the land and rock slides caused by heavy rain the previous night.

Very long way, very few places to stay, very rough road, very hard on hands and arms. Not helped by a recurring back brake problem that means the lever springs out every bump else held in with thumb the whole time and the pressure is slowly dispersing. Problem should be able to be sorted out today, I hope, while in Cusco. Quite possibly last day before hitting the road (route to Lima) again. From all accounts gathered so far we are in for more treats which ever route we take, of which there are about 3 or 4 major alternatives.

I feel we've been so lucky to be able to do this so thanks again to work and all them others that helped it be possible. Coming around to the idea of coming back even! All though not sure that will last too long into the New Year! By the way I'm up for Leeds, sorry Cazza to not have got you that cheque before leaving, I'll make it up to you some how.

Shall post brief thoughts on two trips since last when with camera, shortly, love to all and/or regards depending how keen on my love you are!

James

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Photos

Never again.
What is the point of ballast?

Sand Flies
Where was the sand

Serene
Ahh

Good Lad!
Another Climb

Manu Park
Eventually!

Rocks Fallen
Woops

Proper Land SLid
Bikes are good!

The Jungle
Ha Ha

Arrived
Hot

ArrivedJungle Chess
Ingenius

Ponting Punting
Loads o Birds

Comments

[M]

Hi Jimbo
Great to find you've surfaced once more. We will look forward to hearing about Peru very much when you return. In fact we are trying to arrange our trip there and tossing up whether to try and walk part of the trail... bearing in mind we are 95 and wondering about vertigo etc! Any comments? Have just been to yoga and am feeling pretty chilled out. How is yours going? Send us those pictures. They are amazing. We've booked you in for a lengthy slide show! Dad is off swimming. 32 anniversary next week! How time flies! Say hello to Dom and don't do anythimg too crazy! All my love M xx