Back in Blighty - Prelude

Now I’m back in Blighty, apart from the washing - my first goal is to get these blogs out - the blogs that I noted in my journal ready to publish at the earliest opportunity - the problem wasn’t simply the internet - which was actually very good everywhere once you got on it. I did have issues with the App which had changed since Nepal and wouldn’t let me upload photos - trying to see on my iPhone and use a browser was nigh on impossible in the evenings with subdued lighting and tired eyes! But it was more even than that - with the words were pouring out and filling my head continually when I was cycling I found that there was no time to sit with my nose stuck in my phone.

welcome ceremony over - listening to breifing..

Once we were arrived at a hotel there was a ritual to go thorough - welcoming ceremonies of drums, flower garlands and the bindi (red dot on the forehead), go to reception area where we would be refreshed, room numbers, internet codes and the time of dinner would be given out. Go to your room where the luggage would be delivered or you could take it with you, wash, change, set up your kit for in the morning, have a look at your surroundings. It will now be time for local entertainment (6.30) then dinner (7pm), savour fabulous food, eat, drink, chatter, share stories, energy and friendship. 8ish one of the guides would be giving the briefing for the next day - timings*, terrain, kit. By 8.15pm most people had drifted to their rooms to finish getting organised for the next day, write, read, catch up with social media, families at home (most had travelled alone) if you were still awake by 8.45pm it was a miracle!

* Most days we were breakfasting by 6.00am, ready to go as soon as there was enough daylight and if we were travelling by coach first  - we watched the sunrise through the coach window!