KATHMANDU TO KALIMPONG 2014

Monday, 24th February, 2014 Last day in Kalimpong.

Writing this in a shaking, shoogly sleeper train heading from Siliguri to Kolkata. Started the day at 8.00am, breakfast of porridge, omelette, and toast. DGH sits on a ridge above Kalimpong but the road continues behind it, up to the top of Deolo Hill, from where there are stunning views of Kanchanjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. Usually at this time of year the mist is down and on my two previous visits I have never seen it. Maybe I will be lucky this time ? Olga and I take a taxi to the top, a beautiful flower lined road, fantastic views of the flowing Teesta River and surrounding hills. And yes, there it is , the Kanchanjunga Range appearing through the mist, not sharply clear but visible. We are so happy, definitely worth the visit. We take plenty of photos, oohing and aching away. Reluctantly we leave and the taxi drops us back in Kalimpong to do some shopping, bought some presents for my grandchildren. Bags for the girls, colouring and designs from Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. Singing Bells for my grandson. We then went to Gumbo's Restaurant and had 4 large pork filled Momo's. So delicious. Ken and his family came in and joined us. We returned to our hotel to await out transport back to Siliguri, down the steep dusty hill that we had cycled up. How did we manage it? Some took sickness pills but the journey wasn't too bad this time. In Siliguri Prakash met us and we were treated to dinner by his company, Heat Flexi Travels. It is 10 years since they started assisting John with the bike ride so Prakash made a moving speech and presented John with a plaque. John was very emotional in his reply. Prakash then conveyed us to sleeper train, he has taken care of the bikes too, so efficient. John has booked us into the '1st class' sleeper carriage. We have a separate compartment, 4 ladies together, Janine, Olga, Vanda and myself. What luxury. Before I was sleeping along the side of the corridor being passed by all sorts. I have, 2 sheets, blanket and pillow but I am using my sleeping bag liner just to be on the safe side. The train noise is quite soothing, I hope I sleep. So sad to say goodbye to Prakash and his team, he is such a lovely man. Vanda is still not a hundred percent, her tummy has troubled her all week. She has cycled the whole way, even managing the hill at the end, without stopping. Some girl. Natasha has to go into hospital in Siliguri and have her wrist reset and plastered. She has not complained when she must have been in pain, camping must have been so difficult for her. How quickly this trip is now coming to an end. Don't want it to finish.

Kanchanjunga

Janice and Kanchanjung Range

Kalimpong Market

Olga in Kalimpong

Pretty Ladies in Kalimpong

How Did We Cycle this Road?

John and Prakash

Janice Receives Kada from Deepah

My Red Bag with Another on Top

John's Plaque

Night Cap

Vanda Rests

Sunday, 23rd February, 2014 Himalayan Hotel, Kalimpong

Total Distance - 320.5 miles Climbing - 18,704 feet

Rose at 7.45am for breakfast at 8.30am, no cycling today, feels strange. I didn't sleep too well in my nice comfy bed, too hot. We had a lovely celebratory dinner in the hotel last night, our last together as Michelle leaves this afternoon. Too soon we start splitting up. We left for church at DGH, an outdoor service , under canvas. The School Chaplain conducted the service with Fraser playing the bagpipes at the beginning and end, he presented a plaque from the Royal Scots Guards to the school. David read from the bible, John gave a lesson and Digby spoke about his life and played the organ for the last hymn. Cottage girls sang an enchanting song. It was a lovely service on a beautiful day. Afterwards I spent time with Tracy, my sponsored girl. Although we correspond I haven't seen her in 4 years, some sponsors never meet their children so I am very lucky. She is a beautiful, intelligent girl and we had a special time together. She showed me around Birrisa Cottage where she lives with other girls the same age, I met her Housemother, Auntie Margaret. Before dinner tonight James entertained us with jokes then John treated us with a trick involving, water tumblers, a tray, eggs and matchboxes. A tumbler with water, tray on top, matchbox on it's edge, egg balanced on top of matchbox. John then hits tray away and eggs fall into water. He then repeated this with 4 eggs. So clever, must try it sometime !!! Ken's siblings have arrived, they plan to visit the Homes and tour India over the next fortnight. Ken is a former pupil of the Homes and he spoke of his school experiences, good and bad. Fascinating. Willie leaves for home tomorrow, another one away. We sat up late ( for us ) tonight chatting and enjoying each other's company. This has been a friendly group, we all gelled and helped each other out. It is always sad to say goodbye.

Himalayan Hotel

janine, olga and Janice

Sunday Service

The Boys

Fraser

The Girls Sing for Us

So Good to Meet Tracy Again

Tracy and Janice

Birissa Cottage - Tracy's Bed is Dark Check

Boys Play Football

Cottage Lunch is Ready

Catherine Graham Church

Saturday, 22nd February, 2014. Siliguri to Kalimpong. Hill - 4000ft

Distance - 44.5 miles Climbing - 11735 feet
Route details http://www.strava.com/activities/115455343

Our last cycling day, where has the week gone? Rose at 6.00am for breakfast at 6.30am, just toast and tea served in tiny cups. Oh the joy of a real bed ! John, James and Binod left at 6.00am to give themselves a good start on what was to prove a gruelling day. The rest of us left just after 7.00am, dull with spots of rain which came to nothing, thank goodness, road already quite busy with traffic. For about 20 miles we cycled through forests with beware elephants signs. Elephants have right of way here, I wouldn't be arguing. Then disaster, the road is under construction and now congested with close, noisy, incessant traffic. The winding, stoney, uneven surface throwing up clouds of dust is unbearable. We are given face masks to wear but I find it makes me too hot. This goes on for 10 exhausting miles, what a nightmare, not the best lead in to the Himalaya's. Poor Willie's chain broke, so unfair so close to the finish, I could see he was very disappointed. Then I remembered I had a chain link with me, I have been carrying it for 5 years and never had to use it. After a bit of a struggle the chain was repaired and Willie could continue, so happy for him. Knowing the big climb was coming up I didn't push myself but held back conserving my energy for what was to come. We are met by a party of children from Sai Samity Bah Bikas Kendra School holding placards of greetings, they place kada's round out necks. (Scarves of welcome). So friendly. Eventually, we crossed the bridge over the Teesta River and the 4000 ft climb over 10 miles begins. Slow and steady cycling with Vanda and Janine but going at my own pace, I never allow myself to be pulled along beyond my ability. A third of the way up Prakash has arranged a lunch break but Vanda and I keep going, we are in a rhythm and don't want to stop. It is harder than I remember but I feel good. Vanda is talking to herself, scolding herself to keep going. Steep, horseshoe bends, constantly up, no respite, twisting, turning, up, up, up. Teasingly the road flattens out, only to climb again, steeper, higher. 5 miles in, going well, 8 miles in, going well, breathing good. 10 miles and one and a half hours later , relief, round the corner there is Soods Hotel and a warm welcome from the Principal, Mrs Hilda Peacock and Headmaster, Mr Bannerjee of Dr. Graham's Homes. I have made it, I feel great, in good shape. The others arrive soon after, some cycling, some walking but all completing their journey. The hotel provides us with very welcome tea and snacks. The band of Dr. Graham's Homes escorts us through the town of Kalimpong, the Police have closed the main street. The town's people stand and stare, I wonder what they make of it all. Many people dart in front of us, taking photos, I feel quite a celebrity !! DGH is 5 miles further on, John has decided, because we are behind schedule that we will take a shortcut (?) up the much steeper Tirpie Road. We all walk, muttering, pushing our bikes. At last we near the Homes and we can hear the children before we see them, the road is lined with screaming, waving children, what a emotional welcome. They crowd round us, some shy, some smiling. Mrs Peacock makes a speech of welcome and we are welcomed with more kada's and book about DGH. John replies thanking the boys and girls for their very rewarding welcome. I see Tracy, my lovely sponsored girl, and arrange to meet her tomorrow after church service. At last we are free to pile into the vehicles and be conveyed to the Himalayan Hotel. Our cycle is over, we are tired and weary, a bit relieved but ooh so happy. Tomorrow we will explore the Homes. All good.

Our Last Day

Unbelievably Dusty

Rough, Stoney Roads

Olga Disappears Into the Dust

Incessent Traffic

Constant Traffic

Coronation Bridge

Children of Sai Samity Bah Bikas Kendra School, Tista

Janine and Janice Start up the Hill

Kalimpong Sign - Nearly There

Dr Graham's Homes Band

I'm Here - Down the Main Street, Kalimpong

Celebrity Parade

John Gets Cheered Home

Ken and David - Well Done

What a Welcome

Welcome Smiles.

Friday, 21st February, 2014. Duday to Siliguri

Distance - 42.3 miles Climbing - 403 feet.
Route Details http://www.strava.com/activities/115454910

We had a long lie till 7.00am this morning, breakfast at 8.00am and on the road before 9.00am. Bliss.
Lovely clear morning for our last camp start, breakfasted outside and bid goodbye to the team. Very sad to see them go. Prakash is now in charge and it is good to see him in the lead vehicle hanging out the passenger window, counting heads, making sure we are all ok. The nearer we got to the Nepal/Indian border the heavier the traffic became. At customs there was the usual form filling, fine, but as the bikes had no point of entry stamp there was a bit of a problem. After a bit of tooing and froing Prakash and James took care of that with a 1000 rupee donation !! All sorted we headed for the large town of Siliguri, past beautifully manicured Tea Plantations. This is where Ken was brought up and he said the tea bushes were cut level, by men and women, with a scythe. It would be a few months before the leaves are ready for plucking. We hit Siliguri in the rush hour so had to keep very alert in the heaving, noisy mass of traffic. I love this, jinking in and out, traffic appearing on all sides, so colourful. Great fun.
We were welcomed at the Sarovar hotel by former pupils of Dr Graham's Homes and Jennifer Webster, John's wife. Jennifer had travelled to India, on her own, to support us on the last day and visit old friends in Kalimpong. It is great to see a weel kent face. Kada's, scarves of welcome were draped round our necks. Oh it was lovely to be in a hotel, I washed my hair at last, had a proper shower and changed into clean clothes. Felt so good. We all met for a celebratory meal but I found myself missing the camp cooking. It was so delicious.
Some of the group have asked me about the hill tomorrow, 4500 feet over 10 miles. It is doable but daunting, I walked it in 2008 but cycled it in 2010. My advise is slow and steady, conserve your energy, go at your own pace. I feel a bit of pressure to cycle up without stopping, as I have done it before, but that was 4 years ago. As long as Spike doesn't let me down we will give it a go.
Lying now in a clean bed, oh it would be so nice to have a long lie tomorrow.