Well done everybody! We made it home weary, grubby but all intact.
A big thanks to all the parents for being there to welcome us home last night - apologies for being slightly later than planned...the driver decided we needed to witness the glory of Bath City centre as part of our repatriation package. However, it is nice to see that there ARE roads without corrugated iron shacks at the side, screaming big potholes, bullocks lounging in the central reservation or a thousand auto-rickshaws coming from all angles.
Having spent four weeks in the close company of your offspring we'd just like to say how surprisingly lovely they all are! You've done well! It has been a real privilege to have accompanied them on such a journey and wonderful to witness the rapid growth in confidence and eagerness to see more of the world beyond the Valley.
Congratulations to you all for completing your challenge and thanks again from Al, Jon and Jo for letting us be part of your adventure. Wishing you all the best for the future xxx
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Friday, 14 August 2009
Farewell to the mountains
Hi everyone,
Since the last post we have completed another trek, this time to Lake Bhrigu in the Kullu Valley at 4,200 metres. More than accustomed to the altitude by now, everyone practically skipped up and completed a predicted 5 day trek in a mere 4, despite a hellish descent. To our delight, this allowed us a much needed extra day of r'n'r in Manali, following which the local pashmina salesmen are desparately restocking. We are also now experts at dreadlock maintenance, haggling for 'best morning price', and acquiring the most stylish henna tattoos.
Be warned...some of you may not recognise your children when they get off the bus at school at 9pm on Tuesday 18th August 2009 (that's in four days time!!) We will text if we're going to be early.
Before that though, there's the delightful fifteen hour overnight bus journey to Delhi, which we will enjoy/endure from 5pm tonight. And then at 6am Sunday we catch the train to Agra where we'll be arising with the dawn on Monday to witness the spectacle of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Expect some beautiful photos!
Apologies for recent lack of photos on the blog btw- they take forever to upload.
This is likely to be our last blog for the trip - thanks for following us and leaving your encouraging messages - they've been much appreciated by all the trekkers!
Look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday. Get the kettle on!
Since the last post we have completed another trek, this time to Lake Bhrigu in the Kullu Valley at 4,200 metres. More than accustomed to the altitude by now, everyone practically skipped up and completed a predicted 5 day trek in a mere 4, despite a hellish descent. To our delight, this allowed us a much needed extra day of r'n'r in Manali, following which the local pashmina salesmen are desparately restocking. We are also now experts at dreadlock maintenance, haggling for 'best morning price', and acquiring the most stylish henna tattoos.
Be warned...some of you may not recognise your children when they get off the bus at school at 9pm on Tuesday 18th August 2009 (that's in four days time!!) We will text if we're going to be early.
Before that though, there's the delightful fifteen hour overnight bus journey to Delhi, which we will enjoy/endure from 5pm tonight. And then at 6am Sunday we catch the train to Agra where we'll be arising with the dawn on Monday to witness the spectacle of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Expect some beautiful photos!
Apologies for recent lack of photos on the blog btw- they take forever to upload.
This is likely to be our last blog for the trip - thanks for following us and leaving your encouraging messages - they've been much appreciated by all the trekkers!
Look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday. Get the kettle on!
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Project Finished!
So the project was a tremendous success and Trek Team Chew Valley have decorated not one, but two schools in Kibber. We have enough project money left over from our two years of fundraising to be able to buy uniforms for the primary school when we get back to the UK, and we reckon we'll stay in touch with the lovely people we met there.
Our visit to Kibber finished with a dance-off that truly warrants our performing arts college status! Some of the girls learned a few local moves and the local folk were delighted to be taught that traditional English dance routine...'Hey Maccarena!'
Trek two has begun...another steep climb into the hills...will our knees make it?...watch this space!
Our visit to Kibber finished with a dance-off that truly warrants our performing arts college status! Some of the girls learned a few local moves and the local folk were delighted to be taught that traditional English dance routine...'Hey Maccarena!'
Trek two has begun...another steep climb into the hills...will our knees make it?...watch this space!
Group photo!
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