Guest blog by Josie: We're all going on a November holiday…

OK, as I nag S&R to update this regularly I couldn't really refuse to do my own guest entry!

Now back in KTM following a relaxing few days in the lakeside tourist resort, Pokhara.

Most days spent pottering up and down the main street (avoiding pot holes and cow dung where possible), chattering to fascinated locals who wanted to know how my wheelchair works ("batteries, like car") and tucking into yummy grub (thanks in particular to hospitality of all at Mike's - best brownies by far Mmmmm!). Well I am on my holidays after all!!!

Not a bad spot to stay, Hotel Fewa is right by the water (my usual sunny morning spot to sit with cuppa was just above the man in white shirt on left).

View from the lake (taken by Roshan whilst messing about on a boat!)

However, weather not too kind to us - too overcast for decent spot of the snowcapped mountains. A brief peak of a peak was all I got and even that wasn't as good as this photo mum got…

Alas, should have been like this…
Annapurna mountain range - views from Pokhara seen by Sheila during work visit in Sept

Hopefully cloud cover and mist has shifted enough over last 48hrs or so for Matt and Heather to get a good look. They embarked on a 5 day trek up to first significant spot on Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill - left at 7am on Tues with guide and porter, walking approx. 10km a day and dossing at teahouses along the way. All being well we expect them to arrive back in KTM c/o bus on Sunday and news of their adventures to follow…

As well as devouring a good book or two whilst sitting beside the lake (Phewa) it was great to watch the local life going on, especially the daily routine of kids coming across the water to and from school. In the mornings they are noticeably more conscious of time but on their homeward punts are far more leisurely and two or three boats full of girls gather mid-lake and seem to float home alongside each other as they focus more on chatter than getting to the other side!

On the way to school…

Now back in Kathmandu it is clearly festival time as bright and glittery decorations and garland for sale decorate shop fronts and firecrackers going off regularly in streets. Four days of celebrations has started, worshipping crows yesterday and dogs today - lucky old Whisky the mutt from upstairs got tikka'd this morning (could this have been something to do with him sitting so quietly beside me - S&R never seen him so well behaved!)

So happy Tihar (festival of lights aka Diwali) and er, Ben please note that Sunday it is time for brothers and sisters to show their love and respect for one another. We may have to do it from afar but I'm quite happy with an IOU: "sisters offer small gifts of fruit and sweets to their brothers while the brothers give their sisters money in return". So dear baby bro I look forward to my return, as I am sure you do too!

More news from dad and the trekking twosome in the near future I expect (and will insist upon!), in the meantime Namaste from me, Josie x