I've just realised that I didn't conclude this series of postings when just the last day was needed. That's now done, and here's an index.
Index
The Annapurna Circuit - Introduction and Day 1 - Travel to Kathmandu
Wednesday 24 November
[Diarist: Sue]
After a leisurely 8
am breakfast (Andrew had already watched 'Shakespeare in Love' on his room's
satellite TV!) a taxi driver was co-opted to take us to the south side of
Narrow carpets - one woman; medium carpets - two women; and wide carpets - four women. They occasionally glance at the pattern hanging in front of them.
Upstairs were piles of carpets divided into 60 knot, 80 knot, or 100 knot, the latter being the highest quality. Patterns and colours were diverse. It takes 45 days to make a large carpet, with four women working. The prices seemed appropriate for this much labour, at around US$250 for a medium-sized one.
After this [there's no comment in the diary as to whether Andrew bought
a carpet - Ed], a visit to a shopping area in Patan, where we bought a
picture with gold leaf [where is it now?], probably
paying over the odds. Next stop was Patan's
This final batch of pictures from this trip were taken in Patan and Durbar Squares, and on the way back to the hotel.
Eventually, Shirish and Mahesh arrived to see us off, and cream coloured scarves were placed around our necks as last goodbyes were made.
The following 24 hours
were spent either waiting or flying. Yahtzee was introduced to Andrew and
occupied the time before our 7:25 pm flight left
Whilst I slept for
a good chunk of the 7 hour flight to London, Martin watched films etc. Then
only 2 hours at Heathrow before the 40 minute flight to
Our short taxi journey
returns us to
Note re costs: We kept a full record. The three and a half week trip cost Sue and me each around £2500.
This week's 'Isabella Day' pictures actually start with a wet walk along the towpath last Sunday. Sadly, the miniature railway at Walton Park had packed up for the day, much to Isabella's disappointment, but the 'Walton Perk' barge was happily selling steaming cups of Sicilian latte.
Izzie did get her wish of a ride on the tram - and she watched the barges for a while from Marsland Bridge before crossing to Brooklands Station for the ride home.
