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Well, unfortunately, when we woke at 4.30, the weather outside was miserable – in a cold, wet cloud with visibility <10m. So we had a lie in, but even by 8 there was no sign of the weather clearing. So we had a nice breakfast and then set off down the hill. No sooner than we left, it started to rain. We were quite surprised, and pleased, by how far we had climbed the day before – it was a long, slippy, way down. Drew (aka Bear) fashioned us a couple of walking sticks to make the way less treacherous. We made it down in under 3 hours, arriving back in Melamchi tired, aching and wet. The start of the monsoon really has brought out the leeches – lost count on Drew, but includes one on stomach, back and about 5 in a 1cm squared area on one ankle. Somehow Heather is still free – a couple of near misses but none managed to draw blood yet. Drew must be more tasty!

We were down in time for lunch at mother-in-laws and then returned to our room to rest, wash and listen to the rain.

Sunday and Monday saw both class 9 and 10's assembly presentations. Both classes did their dramas very well and seemed to enjoy it, so that was good.

We have both mainly been working on the computers. Drew doing the techie stuff and Heather setting up spreadsheets and templates for the school .

Purna arrived back from Kathmandu on Wednesday with dongle for internet, wireless router and a few other techie things for Drew to set up. So the computers are now networked... unfortunately, can't get signal for internet from the school. Drew did take the laptop for a walk up the hill and got connected but not very practical for general use.

The monsoon has really set in this week, most days early on were very wet and the village has been in the clouds so very little views. The rain has formed a pond in one place which was full of hundreds of big frogs the next day. Never seen so many in one place before – a big seething mass of slimy frogs, which have all now disappeared into the walls leaving trails of frog spawn in the pond.

Heather also managed to pick up a nasty cold – apparently people often get sick due to the water supply being full of storm water. Recovering now with a hearty cough.

Thankfully, the weather on Saturday was nice. In the morning Drew showed Karma some computer games and generally relaxed before going for a short walk round the side of the hill.

After lunch, it was still quite warm, so we bravely gathered our swim suits and headed to the waterfalls. Typically, by the time we got there, it had started to rain slightly. Undeterred, we got into our swim suits and went for a splash around. It was VERY cold! but very refreshing, With all the monsoon waters, the waterfalls were very powerful.

Refreshed, when we got back, we treated ourselves to some more refreshment and sat enjoying a beer looking out over the valley in the sunshine. Most pleasant.

After very heavy rain overnight, we woke today to another warm, sunny day. Been trying not to be too disappointed that it seems Tharapati peak has been clear every morning other than the one night that we were up there.

Also, been listening to the tennis updates on the World Service and very disappointed to hear Murray knocked out (although I suppose slightly relieved as we would have been very frustrated to have missed all the excitement if he got to the final).

Now into our last week here, we have slightly delayed our departure so that we can enjoy the first few days of the festival here. But also looking forward to some creature comforts and excitements that Kathmandu has to offer.

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