A day of contrasting emotions. We awoke at 0700 to the fantastic sight of the rising sun shining against a backdrop that included magnificent forests and the dramatic mountains that are the foothills of the Himalayas. Scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast - the first 'non curry' meal for almost three days - was followed by one of the most hair raising journeys across India we have ever taken!
This years monsoon season (now finished, thankfully) was a particularly heavy one and the landscape has paid the price in the form of major landslides that have washed away significant sections of hill roads and bridges. This meant the 'new' temporary roads are perilously close to the edge of 1500 foot drops into deep ravines, causing Tim to want to move significantly away from the car doors whilst Mhairi giggled and enjoyed the new 'fairground' ride experience. Finally arrived at our camp site after 2 full days of travelling India, happy but also anticipating the same drive back to civilisation!
Then for the serious matters. We had a not so light lunch (curry again!) and then set out to visit the site of our work here 2 years ago, a memorial to the 18 children who died here when their school was destroyed by a landslide. The memorial garden has a plaque commemorating the children, the eldest of whom was 10, the youngest 4. We then moved on to the site of the new school which was a pleasure to see as its being used now by 100 children. We watched them finish their classes and sing their end of day songs before they went off back to their villages and families.
So, we are now off to change into thermal clothing as the sun has set behind the hills of the valley and the temperature is dropping rapidly as it turns dark. Thankfully, we can find our way to our tents due to the diligence of our Indian friends who have managed to "steal" some electricity from a nearby overhead cable - don't ask!! More soon....
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