Saturday, April 23, 2016

Best Man

Last weekend we attended a wedding where G was best man. It was held at a farm stay overlooking Somerset Dam, about 2 hours drive from home; it started on the Friday night and went through to Sunday morning. On the morning of the wedding we took a walk up a nearby hill in the early mist; it was quite beautiful.






The farm stay itself was a great location; 2 houses, a cabin, a bunkhouse and plenty of camping space. The set up is quite rustic and provided plenty of country style photo opportunities.












The ceremony was held under a huge moreton bay fig tree.








Eight of us slept in the bunkhouse; a converted shipping container with a double bed, 4 bunk beds and a single.


Dinner was pork, lamb and beef cooked on and in two spits.


The ablutions block at the end of the bunkhouse was very practical - toilet, handbasin, shower and sink/mirror area - all corrugated iron walls and concrete floor - I really liked it and thought it perfect for a bathroom block.








The groom and best man.


The 'feedlot' area was attached to one of the houses; it was a great setup for feeding a group of people.




The wedding was a casual one; dress code was shorts and thongs. I didn't quite meet that.




The later it got the sillier they got…..


It was a relaxing weekend and a good break away.


Everest Base Camp

April 21 - Everest Base Camp
Had an incredibly tough couple of days but made it!

I am in awe! What an achievement!












Lubuche

April 20 - Lubuche
No oxygen but made it. Headaches and nausea.







Drinking Tea in Namche

April 15 - Namche
8 hours walking, the last 4 exceptionally gruelling. Cold, cold, cold, wearing lots of layers. 5 suspension bridges.
April 16 - Namche - acclimatisation day


April 17 - Phortse Gaon
April 18 - Dingboche - feeling acclimatised but suffering a little bit from altitude sickness. Snowed while hiking!

The little nubbin on the left is Everest!










April 19 - Dingboche - acclimatisation hike








Sunday, April 17, 2016

Onwards and Upwards

And so it begins. A flight to Lukla (the airport rated most dangerous in the world), a short safety talk, an introduction to the porters, gear up and the trek commences with a 3 hour journey to Phakding.


















12 degrees and raining!


Next day, a 9km walk to Namche Bazaar. We caught up - me drinking coffee in Kilcoy, Meg drinking tea in Nepal. The wonders of technology!