Trek India 2010

Final day on trek completed. All the trekkers are on top form. We got a taxi back to Daramsala for a late lunch adn 30 minutes of shopping. We had a crazy journey back to Pankhot to get the overnight train. We have been given boiled eggs and a kitkat for breakfast...yummy!

Spent 10 hours on the train back to Delhi. The whole trip was a great success. Thank you to all our sponsors. We are going back to the project in the morning...

Had a really good day! We changed our itinerary and did a great walk in the morning, camped by the river and went swimming. A few trekkers did a second walk in the afternoon. We had a campfire and a singalong in the evening. Had an early night as at least 7 more hours of trekking tommorrow then we're taking the night train back to Delhi. The Shewee is being put to good use!!!

Jacqui

Survived train, not much sleep! Taxi ride for three hours to Daramsala. Those of a nervous disposition could not look...
Lunch at 3pm and we chilled out, ready for morning. Breakfast is at 5.30am and we leave at 6am! Another taxi journey for three hours then the trek starts.
The adventure continues... One thing's for sure - everyone has already earnt their sponsorship money 10 times or more!
Jacqui

I'm sure this will come in handy over the next few days...

Anyone know what this is?!!

Hope we don't break our Keech-coloured nails trying to use it!

Jacqui

Shirley, Shelagh, Jacky and I have just ordered a club sandwich and fries from the a la carte menu for dinner tonight. Hope it's not curry flavoured!

Lynda

In the Himalayas now. It's cold and raining up in the clouds - not enjoying the food. Surviving on naan bread and rice!

Lynda

Standing on Old Delhi station waiting for the train. I can only describe it as an experience never to be repeated! Have not seen the chickens yet but they are here somewhere...

We are in open carriages with 3 benches on either side meant to sleep on! It's smelly, hot and we have been circled by the locals. If we survive jumping off at 7am tomorrow morning you will get the next update...!

Jacqui

Off for our final morning. The monsoon rains are here again. This is one place you would never want to drive! Cars, put puts, lorries, bikes, cows, pigs, people and dogs all on the same piece of road - madness!!

We have said goodbye to Paul & Mark from Monster Play without whom this project would not have been possible. The playground is now officially open!

Jacqui

Off to work we go!! With the monsoon weather I think we could be in for a mud bath! We've got 11 holes to dig and fear we might need a canoe!

The heavens opened at the end of a long day. We built flower beds and erected more lay equipment. Billy is a hero with the locals. Ian and Mark are amazing. Monster Play need an award!

Jacqui

We have finally arived at the cancer hospice in Delhi. We had breakfast and went straight to the project on the edge of a shanty town. We then met Paul and Mark - the great guys from Monster Play Systems (who provided and are helping us install the play equipment) - and set to work!

We dug holes, made cement, painted walls and grafted for over 5 hours at 43 degrees...phew. Full day tomorrow, starting at 8.30am… this is not a holiday!

Jacqui

Delay

Sigh...delayed by an hour and we can't check in until 4pm as there is a problem with overbooking on the plane. Upgrades here we come...!

Nevermind, we are keeping our spirits up with some from the airport bar - cheers!

Jacqui

Great send off

On the M25 - have just sung 'Happy Birthday' to Lynda. Had a fantastic send off from Keech - thank you everyone! No singing yet...Claire and Jacqui going to lead the singalong. They camped together with the Guides thirty-odd years ago! Camp songs maybe...?!

Jacqui

Only one more night in a comfortable bed, because we head off tomorrow. I am really excited but also a little apprehensive of the task in front of us and what we are going to see. Family, friends and work mates have all helped with the sponsorship, so that will drive me on if it gets really tough. My bags are not packed yet but that won’t take long. I’m travelling light - especially if I am carrying it!

See you all tomorrow and thanks to Arriva who are transporting us to the airport in style. Hopefully we will manage to send daily reports and photos back so keep watching this blog. Will post again soon!

Jacqui