Cats and dogs

The monsoon has definitely arrived in Kathmandu, it's chucking it down, the streets are awash, the brollies are out and it's hot.

We did most of our chores with the stores and equipment yesterday and have arranged to meet with the Sherpas and kitchen crew later this morning for a little ceremony where we give them their tips and bits of excess equipment. We have written letters of reccomendation for each of them because they were all so splendid. I am still in awe of their strength, stamina and good spirits,
they made it all possible and pleasurable for us.

Tim flies back home today, arriving tomorrow morning early. The rest of us will follow on Wednesday so we will see you all very soon.

We had a meal at Rum Doodles last night (Everest summiteers eat for free!) with Alan Hinkes who returned from a successfull Kangchenjunga expedition, his last of the 14 x 8000m summits. Well done to him.

We are still rushing around sorting stuff and I have to apologise for not giving the full story of the Karrimor team Ascent yet. This will have to wait until I get home.

To whet your appetite and keep your interest up though, you may want to know who had to self administer an injection of Dexamethasone (an extreme pick me up) after he collapsed below the second step, who reached the summit first, do you
really climb past loads of bodies on Everest, can you see my house from the top, is there life on Mars, etc.

I'll let you know most of that and much much more very soon, with pictures.
Thanks again everyone for all the support. Stuart.