India here I come

I've just returned from Napier. The trip was to drop Rapid off with Simon and Ang. For the first time in years I don't have a dog in the room with me. I'm not sure where Ella is sleeping. She goes to her home with Glenn and Natalie (and Olly there 5 year old son) tomorrow.

On Thursday morning I fly out for Delhi. I have Friday as a recovery day in Delhi and then on Saturday I fly out to Leh in Kashmir. I will be doing the Markha Valley trek. This starts at 2300m and climbs to over 5000m. There are 3 passes to cross each one over 15,000ft high - higher than Mt Cook.

I have 2 days in Leh to acclimatise to altitude and then 8 days trekking. I'm doing it in a small group - I haven't met any of the other people - with a guide, cook and some sort of beast of burden to carry the packs. The temperatures in Leh are forecast as 10C minimum and 27 degree maximum for the next 3 days but Wikipedia says to expect temperatures in summer between -3 and 30C. I've bought long johns, a possum jumper, merino vests and a down jacket but I hope to spend the majority of the time in tee shirt and shorts - just like at agility.

On 3 August I return to Delhi and then begin a private trip (with chaffeur) to Agra (Taj Mahal) and Jaipur.

On Sunday 8 August I fly to Bangalore for the boring part of the trip - work. I get back in New Zealand on 24 August - just in time for my son's (Iain) birthday on 25th.