Our Journeys

Author: Steve

  • Day 06 – All the way back down again.

    The sleeping bags worked. We are alive. “Bed tea” is delivered at 6.30 the trigger to get ready for the day. The drill is get washed, get everything done, get packed so the porters can take our bags. Then breakfast at 7.15. Ready to set off in the frosty air at 8.15. We begin the…

  • Day 05 – Up, up and it’s just like Scotland

    Leaving our accommodation in the sunshine at 3600m. Our path goes up and up to the col in the centre. Up and up. A very steep path. Hard work with oxygen now at 2/3 what it at sea level (13% vs 20%). And on up… …to the pass at 4200m, where the views south are…

  • Day 04 – Mostly Up

    We left along a path up through the village. Nothing other than foot traffic or pack animals this high. The village had a particularly attractive prayer wall and wheel housed in this beautifully made hut. Most of our early walk is up steep, stone-crafted steps in the shade of the mountain. It is chilly. Eventually…

  • Day 03 – A Long Way Down Then Back Up Again

    In the morning, after a good night’s sleep, we realize what an incredible location we’d spent the night. Here is our first view of Mera Peak. The central top of the three peaks. Even the room looks nicer in the daylight with it’s lovely painted door. The high summits really are stunning, but we’re not…

  • Day 02 – No room at the inn

    We leave our first night’s accommodation. Bit disappointed with the food, noisy rooms, dubious facilities but at least some internet (no more for a few days). Steep paths, well built. Up we go. Concentrate on the breathing. Amazing scenery. Rhododendron forest. Lots of downs as well as ups. We hear that our tea house for…

  • Day 01 – Helicopter to Lukla, then the Trek Begins

    Change of plan because the roads are affected by the recent heavy rains. We are getting a helicopter to Lukla. Lovely birds eye views of the Nepalese countryside . And as we approached Lukla, superb views of the high peaks including Everest. But I don’t think this isn’t it. Time for morning tea and a…

  • Day 00 – Jet Lag and Culture Shock

    A wander around Kathmandu Objective: hire the big boots we’ll need for the summit.

  • Day 03 – Plovdiv – Slow Trains and Roman Ruins

    First journey today. Time to do some interrailing. The nearest metro station, Serdica, under the Roman ruins, was the way to get to the main station. Smart and modern. Metro tickets easy, but I nearly have a senior-traveller, meltdown moment buying them: 320lvs for a single? I don’t have that much cash in my wallet.…

  • Day 02 – Sofia – Tiny Coffees and Big Churches

    Awake at a civilised 8am, ready for a day of wandering Sofia. First breakfast at the Rainbow Café, as suggested by Sarah’s newest, bestest friend, ChatGPT. Despite using my oldest, bestest friend, Google Maps, we walked straight past thanks to its “don’t-come-in-here” entrance, complete with person lounging outside having a fag. Inside, a different story:…

  • Day 01 – Flight to Sofia – Wrong Buses and Grand Hotels

    Our day starts early with a nice cup of tea in our hotel room at the Ibis Styles, Heathrow. We only need to go across the road to catch a bus to the airport. Obvious bus stop, not the right one – back down the road, lugging all our bags. How are we going to…