Picked up my new car today - Jaguar XF, 3.0 L. Diesel. Have only driven it about 10 km. but I now have a car I plug my iPod into properly and play some seriously LOUDDDD music.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Another New Toy!
Picked up my new car today - Jaguar XF, 3.0 L. Diesel. Have only driven it about 10 km. but I now have a car I plug my iPod into properly and play some seriously LOUDDDD music.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
NEW TOY! - iPAD arrived today.
Here I am in my study, proud owner of an iPad. (taken by the computer using 'Photobooth')
Already got plenty of music, videos, books and App games to get me started. Also trying 'The Australian' daily newspaper to see how that is on-line.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sat. 5th June. Belated Birthday Dinner -- THE BEARD IS OFF!
The beard now off and minor hair trim. (Given enough wine I don't feel too sad....)
Nicola turned up sporting glasses for the first time. Comparisons with Nana Mouskouri were made (see Facebook). Paula also resorting to specs so she could read the menu.
Jake & Madeleine.
Nicola turned up sporting glasses for the first time. Comparisons with Nana Mouskouri were made (see Facebook). Paula also resorting to specs so she could read the menu.
Jake & Madeleine.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Souvenirs of Nepal
Before leaving Kathmandu I invested in a couple of Thangkas for my collection.
This first is the 'Wheel of Existence'.
Yama, Lord of Death and Time, holds up a mirror in which can be seen all the possibilities for our life and future lives. Scary stuff this - but we have choices!
Careful, or Karma will come round and bite you on the backside.
Rather more tranquil is the Buddha Thangka where Buddha sits at the centre of a traditional Tibetan mandala surrounded by protective deities, including White and Green Tara..
This first is the 'Wheel of Existence'.
Yama, Lord of Death and Time, holds up a mirror in which can be seen all the possibilities for our life and future lives. Scary stuff this - but we have choices!
Careful, or Karma will come round and bite you on the backside.
Rather more tranquil is the Buddha Thangka where Buddha sits at the centre of a traditional Tibetan mandala surrounded by protective deities, including White and Green Tara..
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Day 24. Thu. 27th May. Last Day in Kathmandu
So, after 18 days without a shower and a weight loss of 2 kg. - in spite of eating like a pig, the trek came to an end.
Sad farewells were made along with promises of staying in touch.
There was only 1 photograph out of my 1,770 which had Annapurna in it - and here it is;
Day 23. Wed. 26th May. Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara.
We leave Jomsom in this tiny plane which, it has to be said, was put through some pretty tight turns just to clear the valley.
Weather caused a 3 hour delay at Pokhara. The Bridge School was in full swing. However, at this juncture we were amazed by the reach of the all-powerful Bikrum. He swung our flight even though nothing else was moving. Bikrum for PM!
As the strike was off we were able to get into Thamel for clean-up shaves of neck, faces or heads.
Then the much anticipated 12 course banquet at Dwarika's. This also involved much beer, rakshi, wine and whisky (thanks Dr. John)
Weather caused a 3 hour delay at Pokhara. The Bridge School was in full swing. However, at this juncture we were amazed by the reach of the all-powerful Bikrum. He swung our flight even though nothing else was moving. Bikrum for PM!
As the strike was off we were able to get into Thamel for clean-up shaves of neck, faces or heads.
Then the much anticipated 12 course banquet at Dwarika's. This also involved much beer, rakshi, wine and whisky (thanks Dr. John)
Day 22. Tue. 25th May day in Jomsom
A free day in Jomsom. The view from our campsite to the Nilgiris.
In the evening we had a celebration party for our sherpas and porters who had been magnificent.
Ram and Ratnaman.
In the evening we had a celebration party for our sherpas and porters who had been magnificent.
Ram and Ratnaman.
Day 21. Mon. 24th May. Walk to Jomsom 2,800 m.
Today we climbed down about 2,000 m., 6,500 ft. to reach trek's end at the village of Jomsom.
Spent most of the day walking parallel to the Nilgiris.
After about an hour we had tremendous views of Dhaulagiri - 7th highest mountain in the world at 8,167 m., 26,795 ft.
Then, at last, that first beer! And wasn't it good.
Later we adjourned to the 'Snooker and Pool House Pub'. Ouch!
Spent most of the day walking parallel to the Nilgiris.
After about an hour we had tremendous views of Dhaulagiri - 7th highest mountain in the world at 8,167 m., 26,795 ft.
Then, at last, that first beer! And wasn't it good.
Later we adjourned to the 'Snooker and Pool House Pub'. Ouch!Rumour has it that Jez was locked out of our campsite and had to sleep with the porters!
Day 20. Sun. 23rd May. Eastern Pass 5,340 m. - 17,519 ft. Mesokantu La High Pass 5,400 m. - 17,716 ft. Camp, High Kharka
A tough day this. 17.5 km. virtually all over 5,000 m. We started at sunrise.
Great views of glaciers and the Great Barrier.
Malcolm spotted this ammonite. At 5 km. up in the sky we were really walking along the bed of the Tethys sea from 100 million years ago.
This is the only glimpse we got of the summit of Annapurna I, climbed by Herzog & Lachenal 60 years before.
We had a little bit of rope-assisted descent.
Eventually our campsite - and don't John & Jeremy look pleased to be there?
Great views of glaciers and the Great Barrier.
Malcolm spotted this ammonite. At 5 km. up in the sky we were really walking along the bed of the Tethys sea from 100 million years ago.
This is the only glimpse we got of the summit of Annapurna I, climbed by Herzog & Lachenal 60 years before.
We had a little bit of rope-assisted descent.
Eventually our campsite - and don't John & Jeremy look pleased to be there?
Day 19. Sat. 22nd May. Tilicho Lake viewpoint 4990 m. - 16,371 ft. Camp, Tilicho High Camp. 5,035 m. - 16,519 m.; ascent, 885 m. - 2,903 ft.
MY 57th BIRTHDAY
We started up towards Tilicho Lake. This was the view looking back down towards Manang.
This is taken from a German website - 'Die Berge des Himalaya' with the mountains labled. (Clicking on the picture should make it larger and readable)
The Great Barrier was right next to us giving off the occasional small avalanche.
Middle of the day we reached Tilicho Lake - still frozen over - at 4,919 m. We looked down on it from just over 5,000 m.
Many photographs taken. Here, Joe, Phil, Sir Chris & myself.
This is taken from a German website - 'Die Berge des Himalaya' with the mountains labled. (Clicking on the picture should make it larger and readable)
The Great Barrier was right next to us giving off the occasional small avalanche.
Middle of the day we reached Tilicho Lake - still frozen over - at 4,919 m. We looked down on it from just over 5,000 m.
Many photographs taken. Here, Joe, Phil, Sir Chris & myself.
Day 18. Fri. 21st May. Climb to point 4,560 m. - 14,960 ft.
Krys & Dave & Phil.... NOOOOO! Don't drink it Phil!
Joe, Jon, Phil, Malcolm, Andy & I go for a 1,500 ft climb up a ridge then a fast scree run down. Brill.
Marvellous view of Herzog's 'Grande Barrier' with Roc Noir and Glacier Dome.
Today was Malcolm's 60th Birthday. And, Yes, he got a cake baked by Ratnaman.
Joe, Jon, Phil, Malcolm, Andy & I go for a 1,500 ft climb up a ridge then a fast scree run down. Brill.
Marvellous view of Herzog's 'Grande Barrier' with Roc Noir and Glacier Dome.
Today was Malcolm's 60th Birthday. And, Yes, he got a cake baked by Ratnaman.
Day 17. Thu. 20th May. Tea - Khangsar 3,734 m. - 12,200 ft. Camp, Tilicho Base Camp 4,150 m. - 13,610 ft.; ascent, 610 m. - 2,001 ft.
A long day's walk uphill across massive scree slopes.
After lunch there was a spot of inclement weather.
Eventually we made camp next to the Tilicho Base Camp Hotel - rather pleasant place in the middle of nowhere.
After lunch there was a spot of inclement weather.
Eventually we made camp next to the Tilicho Base Camp Hotel - rather pleasant place in the middle of nowhere.
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