KATHMANDU TO KALIMPONG 2014: Wednesday, 19th February 2014. Lahan to Pakali

Distance - 64.5 miles Climbing - 380 ft
Route Details http://www.strava.com/activities/115453673

Usual excellent breakfast and on the road by 7.15am. You have to be 'tent organised' to be up and ready in time. The night before I organise my clothes, for the next day, and wrap them in my jacket so they won't get damp. Toilet bag, hairbrush, contact lenses all to hand. Bike helmet holds bike gloves, cameras, phone, tissues and bike computer. Everything ready to be lifted or packed.
Again very cool to begin with but soon up to 25*C. Lovely. We make good speed on the excellent, pollution free roads but there are rough, stoney stretches which catch us unawares. Dense bamboo groves give way to lush green fields growing wheat and rice. Vanda spots heron, kingfisher, minor birds, wagtails, stork and ignets. Me, I see nothing, what am I looking at ? Whenever we stop we are surrounded by interested welcoming villagers. One girl was desperate for me to visit with her sister, who had a month old baby. Vanda and I went to the nearby compound where we met the beautiful young Mum and perfect baby boy. As a mid-wife Vanda was able to give some good advise.
We passed over the Khosi Barrage, no river just now just a vast area of sand. Two years ago, during the monsoon, the river had blocked causing severe flooding, washing away many villages. The sand banks are all that remain. A young boy cycled alongside me this morning engaging me in conversation. Struggling to understand each other I said his English was much better than my non - existent Hindi. 'Just try' he said 'just try', I promised him I would.
All cyclists are coping well but there is the usual complaints of sore butts, sun burn and mossie bites. I have mossie bites on my ankles, thought I was covered up but no, gap between sock and trousers. The wee blighters never miss a trick and ooh they are so itchy.
Tonight, Ganga Basneth, one of our drivers sang and played the Tsarangi, a nepali musical instrument.
A hauntingly beautiful sound. He uses badminton racket string as wire, very effective. John had us playing the' spoon game' to great laughter and confusion and James entertained us with mis-quotes of John. Good fun.
Loving this free way of living, no responsibilities, all I have to do is cycle. Binod and his team look after our every need, all I seem to do is eat. Definitely will not lose weight on this trip.