So at last I get a few minutes to myself to update the blog !!! M who has been sick for the last 2 or 3 days has now recovered and has had to go off to work. For me on the other hand, today is a holiday (as is tomorrow and the day after...working for the government has its perks !

Actually today is a pretty momentous one for Nepal.Following the elections that were held last month, today sees the first meeting of the new Constituent Assembly which has been formed to re-write the country's constitution and to act as an interim parliament. As the elections were won by the Maoists who have been campaigning to turn Nepal into a republic, one of the first decisions that will be made will be to abolish the monarchy !

As I write the TV news is reporting that the decision has now been delayed until later in the day, as discussions continue between the various parties on exactly how to go about shifting the King out of his palace. Nonetheless, we're told there are now big crowds in the centre of Kathmandu, the majority celebrating republic day and some (the pro royalists) probably intent on causing a bit of trouble. There were a couple of bombs which exploded yesterday, although as we're some way from the centre of Kathmandu we were none the wiser.

I was at work at the ministry yesterday and our "Under Secretary" popped out of the meeting we were in and returned a few minutes later to tell me that the decision had just been reached to have three days national holiday. With the decision being made at the last minute, some organisations (like Miranda's) will carry on with work as normal but all government offices and schools will be closed.

I went for a run this morning around Patan and the streets were very quiet and most of the shops were closed following the government's holiday announcement. The latest news I heard after popping in for a coffee at another volunteer's house at lunchtime is that a "bhanda" has now been declared so that will mean no buses, taxis or tuk tuks will be on the streets and blockades will go up on the main roads. This is quite a common occurance in Nepal when there are any significant events or tensions, for example when fuel shortages occur (in fact watching the news last night it seems Britain is having a few bhandas of it's own !). Anway getting rid of the King after 250 years certainly qualifies as a significant event so I don't think that the bhanda is that unexpected.

It will be interesting to see what the King does do. We heard he was seen leaving the palace last night, although nobody seems to know where he was going. I suspect he wasn't just popping out for a pint ! Anyway events will unfold over the next few days I'm sure.

On the domestic front, we finally got most of our furniture moved in over the weekend. It was hard work as we had to get stuff moved from another volunteer's house and as our place is down a wee alley and off the main street it all had to be carried. Fortunately we got help from some Nepali's as there was no way I could manage carrying a fridge and bed with a head strap ! The only fly in the ointment at the moment is that we haven't got our table and chairs delivered yet. There is a guy up the road who's making it for us and he chopped his thumb off when he was making the table legs, so we've run into a delay. He's back at work now but we haven't seen any sign of him making anything yet...After the thumb incident M gave him a reprieve for not getting to us on time but her patience is starting to wear thin so watch this space. His thumb may turn out to be the least of his problems if he doesn't get his finger out soon (apologies for the pun). Internet connection willing, we do plan to get a video posted soon of our place so that all those that wanted come and visit can decide whether or not they'd like to stay or would prefer a hotel !

Anyway with M at work, I'll be the one making tea tonight so I'll have to sign off now and go for a wander to see if I can find a shop that's open so that we can get something to eat.Alternatively I might tell her they were all closed so we can eat out !

More news soon !