DAY 59 (Saturday 17 September 2011)

Well poor Charlie didn’t make it out for the ride this morning, he wasn’t feel too good, so he just stayed at home.  We did head for KAKANI today, so that made a difference; even though it is Saturday there was still a fair bit of traffic out on the roads, even at 0645hrs.  On our way through town we managed to not lose anyone and we more or less stuck together, but when we finally made it to the quiet of the road that we wanted to be on, that’s when everyone got into their own rhythm of pace, me as usual was at the back, well come on this road was a constant climb up, but once you get in the gear you need you just keep your pace going, however, for me, I wasn’t alone at the back for long as BK, the RAO and a couple of the Gurkhas, (I think one of them is known as PK) always came back to see how I was getting on, to get to where we were going I noticed that there were a some signs, just like town ones in the UK, one was called MUDKA and the other TINPIPPLE, if these were showing you little villages, let me just tell you, that the only buildings I saw were dotted around and not grouped together.

The scenery today was blanketed by a bit of mist, me personally, I think it was the clouds as we were constantly climbing, (hence no photos) but the good thing that came out of this constant climb was knowing that I was going back the way we came so downhill would be quicker and less taxing, but you had to watch out for the lorries, as they wouldn’t think twice about NOT getting out of your way, at the end of the day I suppose they were bigger than me.

When we had our tea break and headed back to town, we had just come across a road and going up very tight side street, that it is virtually impossible to have to vehicles go past side by side, anyway, someone (who wasn’t in our group) came tear arsing down the road passed us lot, but then slammed on his brakes, all I saw, was the bike go past, back wheel come up and the feet come up and over, he must have been putting on a brave face when we stopped to see if he was alright as he must have hit the ground with some force, anyway, to be honest it’s one of those moments that you wished you had a video camera so you could send it to one of those TV shows that airs video clips.

We left the bloke as his friend was with him, and carried on so that we could get home, after riding down the ring road we were to turn left, and I am not joking you, even though the hill was short and sharp, it was steep too, not right at the beginning, but half way up it just suddenly went up, well I must admit I mentally hit a brick wall, I just couldn’t get up it, so I am ashamed to say that I had to get off and push.

When we got back to camp, the boys washed down all the bikes at the jet wash (it was working properly this time) then it was home for a shower and something to eat.  However, when I got back I found Charlie to be dressed in the most clothes I have seen him in since we got here as he was feeling cold, trust me when I say, that it has not been cold since we got here and it’s still another couple of months or so before it should be getting cold.  Needless to say, he must be seriously not well if he has got that much clothing on.

Can’t believe that I got called over to the Mess to sort out the accommodation bookings, the Mess if you will is in a mess at the moment, rooms have had to be blocked off due to circumstances beyond the Mess Staff’s control, water leaks and damp carpets, but I can’t believe that I have just had to go and change people round in the accommodation, surely that is the Mess Manager’s job????

Anyway, that was it for my day, nothing much to tell.  I doubt we will be going out in a group as such next week as it’s the KATHMANDU Marathon and I am going to follow Nicky round on my bike as I am her water girl.   I may speak of tomorrow, but as nothing is planned it could be a quiet Sunday for a change.