6 hour hike today. Did not sleep as well as I would have liked to. Was comfortable in the sleeping bag but sleep came and went. Gorgeous morning though. Walked to the end of the corridor (Nimah and Denise’s side grr...) and got two priceless photos of Thamserku overlooking Namche and also the market creaking to life. Slightly sore from yesterday’s walk so will take it easy today. Running to some breakfast
1630 hours
Phortse Gaon, Thamserku View Lodge
3780 meters
Micro Issues: my left knee hurts. Been a terrible 2 hours up and down hills. However, it seems to be diagnosed as a trekkers knee – stretching, anti-inflammatories and a slap to me should make it fine!
Macro: We’re staying at a lovely tea house. Its owned and run by a Sherpa family where a few of the men have climbed a chunk of the world’s 8-thousanders between them. I see certificates for Cho-Yoo, Everest and Makalu up on the wall. The tea house is also set in the middle of a village (phortse). Fields all around, mountains in the distance, people tilling the land peacefully or chilling in the sun – all seems reassuringly alright with the world!
1756 hours
Showered and changed. The dining room is nice and toasty. Despite the 14 people in the room though you could hear a pin drop (just experimented with a toothpick). Egg fried rice and Sherpa stew for dinner. Nimah has passed me some anti inflammatory for the knee. I also have been told two stretching exercises. Hopefully all will be well.
1944 hours
Knee hurts but dinner was awesome. I was so taken in by Phortse earlier that I forgot to mention our brilliant views of Ama Dabalam and Thamserku earlier this afternoon. Hopefully I have some stunning pictures to boot.
The conversation post dinner turned to British geography with Helen. With three Welsh and two English on the trek its pretty clear that regional distinctions are nice and vivid. The Welsh have a great back up in the form of Adrian and Kate – another couple who are charting the same route as us and meet us often. So now I know a little more about the midlands, Wales and Scotland. My roomie Nigel comes from Milford Haven and Denys and Kate from Haverford West.
Stina on the other hand bought up Kabbalah, religion, India and spirituality. Its always a challenge as I seek logic in these things and they are a recreation for most people. I think I managed to not cross the line by appearing too firm. That is good.
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