What a difference four days make...

---

Well what can i say, since i last wrote I am in better spirits and not feeling the affects of altitude anymore although even the smallest amount of effort needed can often leave you out of breath. Rafting was an experience down the Indus river, it is not quite the grade three rapids you will find in Colorado or anywhere like that and hours can be spent drifting on very flat water. However when you do hit the rapids it does set the adrenaline racing and the striking valleys of mountainbs that you travel through really are something to behold. We spent three days rafting down different sections of the river camping close or nearby each night which was really good. On the third night we were a little way from the river and were camping in an orchard of apples and apricots. We were not told that for the farmer to water his trees, as there is little or no rain that he cyphens of river water and lets it run free down through his orchard. By this point all of the tents were up and all the kit was out and unpacked. The view of 10 sherpas running around with pixk axes trying to dig trenches faster than water travels out of a river was something quite remarkable and very well managed bearing in mind they were not expecting it. Two tents and two toilet tents had to be relocated but there was no damage and as soon as the water came it wen again. all excitement. We are on a rest day today before setting out on 5 days of mountain biking of which i am slightly apprehensive but am still looking forward to. We have adjusted our bikes and just had lunch which was not pasta, rice or curried vegetables for once although the food is not bad considering it is being made for 29 people out of tents. i will update you all in 6 days time and i hope all is well at home with everyone. Jonny

---