Well it has been an interesting week since our last entry. We spent most of the night in Bhaktapur throwing up. This is not the first time that the hotel has had problems with food poisoning, and now their contract is under review. We had to leave very early the next morning to go white water rafting, just the thing you need when you are feeling ill.

Never the less 24 hours of 'nil by mouth' and the next day we were as right as rain. A good job as the rest of our group were feeling rough, so we had to lead the paddling on the raft. It was great fun, once we got going. We stayed the night in a permanent tented camp on the river bank, quite idyllic and peaceful.

One night staying in a small village up in the mountains called Bandipur, and we were off to Pokhara to start our Annapurna trek.

The night before were due to go Eric developed the most violent diarrhoea imagineable. Consultation with 'Dr Lonely Planet' indicated bacterial diarrhoea possibly with giardia. The only treatment was a course of antibiotics. We went to a local pharmacist, he agreed and we purchased 1 week of 500 mg ciprofloxacillin and 500mg of tinidazole two times daily for less tha £4, who needs a real doctor!

We had a 45 min bus ride with our trek staff out into the mountains, and then we started walking.....up. There were about 10 porters, kitchen staff , guides totalling 15 staff for us 5 trekkers for 5 days. At first it felt quite uncomfortable being waited on, but you soon get used to it. They walk ahead of you and then lunch, dinner and tents are all ready when you arrive! The highest point we made was 3025m, called Tara Top. We were assured that we were surrounded by mountains, unfortunately it was very cloudy and also very very cold, The porters very kindly shared their fire with us. The 2nd and 3rd days we walked first up and then down through a forest of rhododendrons and magnolias, just beginning to flower. On the 3rd day we camped near a village called Sikles, and in the morning we were rewarded with spectaular views of the mountains, terraced hills and valley. After all of the ups the next day we had 2 1/2 hours of walking down stone steps, very hard on Abby's thighs and Eric's calves; sherpa's advise to take small steps on the balls of the feet to protect knees. The last night we camped on a riverbank. Eric practices his juggling, which he has learnt from Simon. On the 4th day we walk along the riverbank and further downwards. There are many colourful butterflys and big natural beehives in the cliff face. Just when Abby thinks she can't go any further the bus to take us back to Pokhara appears around a corner.

On arrival back into Kathmandu, our guide Indra tells us that it is traditional to have a farewell meal at the restaurant called 'Rum Doodle'. It is famous for being the place where trekkers and mountaineers start and finish their expeditions. So we go. You will have to check out the pictures to see why Abby thought it was the funniest place to have dinner.