Finally the Briquette Press is Launched

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Geo: 28.3949, 84.124

Well the ride back from Pokara was very cool. The mist lifted and those really cool snow covered Himalayan Peaks poked through. Wow!! Darren was so excited I was sure we were going over the edge or head long into something. Sadly biking and sightseeing in these types of countries are mutually exclusive events.

We have been really keen to take our latest Briquette Press to one of the villages to demonstrate and get some comments. One of the political parties, of which there are seven major ones here called an indefinite Bandah. Bandah is a Pali word meaning a lock and it is basically an attempt to cripple the country by preventing vehicle travel outside of the towns. It is an attempt to force their view point through Government not unlike the latest stunt, you guys faced as a result of the Qantas Boss standing up for his rights. Those who are enforcing the Bandah have a nasty habit of vandalising vehicles that are moving when they should not be. Anyway we waited for several days and when it was clear the Bandah was not going to be lifted anytime soon but traffic had started to move our boss decided we could run the gauntlet down the back-roads to the village to test our machine. So we strapped the press onto a roof of a taxi and headed out to meet with one of the Women's groups. We also took a bag of Briquettes Darren and I had prepared and dried to demonstrate the finished product. Interestingly these were quickly snapped up by the women and I guess will be used to cook this evening's dinner. I demonstrated the press by putting a bucket load of washed dung through the press and was watched by an ever increasing crowd.

I think we did alright as a couple of the women asked Madan our translator if they could have a go and did a batch for themselves. We will head back next week to get their thoughts on the briquettes as fuel and the press to see if they have been trying themselves. There are 63 Womens groups in total so I guess if the press is well received there could be a serious amount of work to do to visit all the groups.

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Photos

Very Cute
It is hard to resist taking the look on the kids faces, foreigners in their village is probably not a common sight

Loved the Gloves
My kitchen gloves where a huge source of entertainment. Everyone tried them on either hand and with fingers going every where, Madan was busy and so I could not explain how best to wear them.

Madan our translator, very cool guy
Talking about the benefits of washed dung briquettes

Dropping a bore
This guy had been on this pole all day, wow!!

Briquette making
It is amazing how little you really need language if eveyone is interested

A Stray Cat has moved into the garden
She is not silly and has worked out the foreigners are a soft touch. We are hating having to pat her and the kittens not.

Smoke free cooking
The briquettes burning in one of the traditional kitchen stoves with very little smoke

Comments

[Rosemary]

Why?

[Juliet Watts]

Just found out where you are from Rosemary when at Coles!!!!!! Have just read all your blogs and life seems fascinating and at times rather daring! The Enfield looks good so lets hope it keeps going..........

[Nic]

So many experiences guys! Photos look great too! Take care, xx

[claire conroy]

The other benefit is that your knees allow you to squat like the ladies!

[harryabroad]

Hi Juliet, great to hear from you. Yep never a dull moment here in Nepal. Hope you and Keith are both well. Regards Lisa