Arrived on 29th October following an overlong journey from Rome, however at Delhi airport met a delightful Nepalese couple who have since then shared their Tihar "brothers' festival with me. The whole family have made me feel very welcome and with their business connections have facilitated, in a matter of days, a 32 day trek to Annapurna base camp at a reasonable price. Remal's family are attending the Hindu Temple today and have invited me, and tonight they are giving a dinner for me and others in their family who helped arrange the trek, to send us on our way on Monday (3rd).
The first full day in Kathmandu was spent on the back of a motorbike seeing the layout of this surprisingly large city. My guide took me to the 'Monkey Temple' a Buddhist temple on a hill overlooking the city which gives the appearance of being overun with red faced monkies. When approached they are not friendly, though they seem to live in relative harmony with the monks and the many dogs living at this enormous temple (one walled side is approximately 3/4 mile long).
Kathmandu is a surprising city in which to spend time, a mixture of third world facilities and environment and 21st century living. There is a great sense of activity in the narrow streets and the noise from car amd bike horns is incessant and loud. The motor bike dominates the mainly single lane roads which are largely dirt tracks or unrepaired metalled roads with enormous pot holes,that is, once you move off the main roads. Narrow roads with 3-4 storey buildings are crammed with vendors selling from small stalls or shops. There are many shops selling beautifully embroidered and colourful fabrics, and for trekkers, shops selling cheap kit - I purchased two walking poles for 1100 Nepal rupees (ten pounds ), but will not need a down jacket until Pokhara, for the higher altitudes. Other than these 2 items have managed to bring the right kit!
Walking back to the Kathmandu Peace Guest House in the early evenings has proved challenging as the electricity is cut in areas of the city, apparently on a rotational basis, and the experience is fairly hazardous due to motorbikes and cars and the lack of pavements.
Sadly the uploading of photo's is still proving difficult and annoyingly will need to wait for another time, in the meantime am tempted to place all photo's on a disc.
Given that the trek will mean the internet is inaccessible for much if not all of the time , it may be December before this is updated.
Photo 1&2 The Brothers and Sisters Festival at Ram Rimal's home.

This 40-ish hour journey to Kathmandu consigns Rome to my memory file. A great experience despite the need for prophylaxis for strep meningitis when my room mate had a nasty episode. Fortunately 2 of us managed to persuade the ambulance crew that A was in need of treatment and was suffering more than 'flu symptoms!
The penultimate day in Rome was not finding the route to the Appian way but by default touring the Roman cathedral of San Giovanni. The cathedral's bronze doors were another example of the re-cycling of ancient Rome's artifacts.
My third attempt was successful in walking part of the Appian Way, the bonus was visiting the St Cecelia Catacombs. This experience finished the Rome visit on a high note.
Photo 1 The main Square in Kathmandu

5 days in this city are fast disappearing.
The accommodation, whilst basic enables me to meet many young and older people (mainly young) also travelling . The dorm I'm sharing at the moment is a reflection of the Commonwealth, an Aussie, Kiwi, and Canadian, all are in the middle of their travels.
It reminds me of being in a YHA hostel with the added luxury of an en suite! So far have taken the tourist route of visiting the Colosseum, Forum and Trevi fountain in one day and the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St Pietra Basillica on the second day. Day 1 was spectacular and the Forum worth a second visit. The Vatican was breathtaking and took some time to absorb the truly amazing artwork.
Tomorrow will be a chance to visit the Appian Way and a catacombs if all goes well.
Achieved both and despit difficulty in locating catacombs did finally go down to level 2 of St Catherines catacombs after walking about 2 miles down the Appian Way from Circus Maximo.
Photo 6 The Trevi fountain
Photo 5 The palatine Hill with its jumble of palaces built one on top of another.
Photo 4 The Colosseum
Photo 3 The Roman Forum
Photo 2 The Appian Way
Photo 1 Leaving Rome for Nepal, Termini Stazioni.

An interesting day spent bellringing and attending the St Mary's church service, my last in the country for some time. Following an hours walk along the River Thames, seeing herons, swans and cormorants, I reflected on some of the good memories of my grandchildren, Josh and Chloe, and my daughter, Kate, given that all is not well between us . Helped Josephine and others count monies for the Macmillan charity collection .
Josephine(sister-in-law) and Desmond have made me feel very welcome in their home for an unexpectedly long stay, given the delay in leaving on my travels. I am very grateful for their unstinting hospitality.
Have now booked 2 tours in Rome, for the Colosseum and the Vatican, and am relishing the thought of spending 5 days in Rome.

London pre-travel

6 days in London staying with Josephine and Desmond in Barnes whilst waiting for the passport and visa. Spending time in Barnes is very much a reminder of the 11 years I have spent here whilst working in South London. Being here without working has a different feel to it and is infinitely more relaxing.
The two achievements today were booking the flight from Auckland NZ to Lima, Peru, am now booked for 2/3rds around the world, and the passport has now reached Grimsby and is on it's way to London. I can't begin to describe the relief after the trials and tribulations of the past 16 days, it has taken exactly one month to process!!
So now the fun can begin.... am flying to Rome on 22nd and then to Kathmandu on 29th October, all being well, that is.
Will be able to attend an ex-colleagues leaving party tomorrow and hope to ring the bells at Barnes church on Sunday, and in the meantime take advantage of the river walks along the Thames between now and Tuesday..

Dorset

The coastal path and Durdle Dore

Dorset Journey

6 days in sunny Dorset have been very relaxing and ennervating. Gareth has been an excellent host and we have taken advantage of the brilliant weather (average temp 22 C in October!) and walked part of the Dorset coastal path. Attending bellringing practice in Cattistock has enabled me to catch up with old friends in the area. Friday night supping a few beers with the ringers in the local hostelry reminds me of past times in the village with many happy memories.
The train to London is on Tuesday and the flight out to Rome on 16th October.

Travel beginnings -update

Today is a good day. Promised arrival of passport and visa on Monday 13th October , plan C is to start by journey to Rome on 16th Oct. Sadly have had to cancel stay in Venice, but will leave that to another journey sometime in 2010.
My frustration levels have reduced and there has been enough time to recoup some losses whilst staying with Maggie in Grimsby - she has been a brick and given me the space and facilities to email etc to my hearts content. I have been asked to up the profile of the Grimsby stay by adding the following:
' best place - Grimsby;best view - Grimsby; best company - Grimsby; best humour - Grimsby'
- Maggie!!!
Yesterday we re-visited our childhood holiday memories and walked from Cleethorpes to Humberston fitties. It could be described as 'bracing' and Gareth, a Dorset person's perception as 'BIG SKY'.
Wednesday, 8th Oct will be travelling to Dorset for a 5 day stay, but more of that later...

Today is not a good day, still no news of arrival of passport /india visa. 3 days before leaving UK, appears increasingly unlikely that will be delay in setting off on 6/10/08. However there is still 1 working day left. May need to activate Plan B starting Sunday!!