How does porridge with a couple of spoons of jam sound? Mary and Dhana are not impressed. Tasted good- I was craving some sugar and something resembling fruit. Washed it down with a few cups of tea- we have graduated to ordering thermos pots of tea now- cheaper and you drink more fluids. Everyone seems to have gotten off earlier than us again today. We cut through a field leaving the village are in the shade for about 20 minutes, noticably colder each morning now- wool base layer, tshirt, fleece and "Survivor" buff (did I mention I love Survivor?). As soon as we hit the sun the fleece goes. We are rewarded by views of Manaslu, the views today are epically good, lots of snow capped mountain peaks. We climb through pine forests, lots of twittery ... read more

Gonna be a great day. Up early, the skylight works well. Cup of tea. Breakfast is late - 8am, potatoes and millet pancakes. More tea. Repack pack into dry sack (Kathmandu Australia brand). Looking a bit cloudy, get waterproof jacket out for the first time. Dhana tells us today is going to be easy- all down hill or flat with a bit of a climb as we approach Jagat (1330m). We get a bit of village culture today- Dan Kumari and Amma show us how to do traditional nettle weaving and hemp weaving. They have a room set aside with looms and other equipment for village use. The temple fund collectors make their appearance- we make the voluntary contribution of 1000 NPR (AUD $12.50). We are then invited to cultural show. Several of the villagers assemble ... read more

After a breakfast of potatoes, omlette, chappati and tea, Kamala Ghale bids us farewell with a flower garland and tikka blessing. The garland is beautiful- each flower has been individually knotted on a red string. Reluctantly, Santos also accepts his garland. Dhana informs us that today we will be on a punishing down hill schedule (down sounds good to me) but we will only be walking for 4-5 hours or so. We set off down the first few steps, basically they are uneven stone and dirt steps- pretty much like the ones that we are used to on the Kokoda track in Kings Park in Perth. They are then not like the Kokoda ones-they get steeper and more uneven and steeper. But so far, so good. Ultimately it's not as difficult as I thought it might ... read more

We are up early and have our trek bags ready to go. We are being picked up by Dhana Raj, our porter who we are yet to meet and a driver. I have read of a Nepali superstition that it is bad luck to start a journey on a Tuesday or return on a Saturday- it would appear that our trek is to be a good luck day departure - Sunday! Excellent news- let's move on full of optimism! Destination is Besisahar (Altitude 760m), about 5 1/2 - 6 hour drive from Tings. We bid a fond farewell to the crew at Tings and we are off. We meet Santos (23 years old) who is to be our porter, we instantly jettison a couple more items from our packs. We have a private vehicle for the ... read more

So the big day is here, we fly out with Thai Airways; Perth to Bangkok, transit night in Bangkok, Bangkok to Kathmandu on the 8/3. We are to be met by an agent for Sprit of the Himalayas and taken to Tings Tea lounge in Lazimpat. First of all the packing. I, like probably everyone else, have all of my stuff spread out (neatly) on the bed with the bag next to it. It is seemingly impossible that all of "that" will fit in "this". I perservere..... Off to Perth International Airport. Normally 15 minutes, today 40 mins- gotta love roadworks. Say goodbye to husband, meet Mary (friend, walking buddy, fellow bookclubber and now trekking partner extrordinaire). Wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Cool birthday present! Get on Thai flight, arrive in Bangkok 6 hours later. Smooth ... read more