Mid morning stopped for a snack of popped corn. They boil and roast the corn and we ate it off the cob. Also ate pieces of large cucumbers. The corn is grown for the animals and is not sweet like ours. A young Nepali women was lying on a bed in the corner with a severe eye infection. We are asked if we have any eye drops.

A lot of up and down walking to-day. I carried my full load but was a little tired. Too much Raski last night. Lunch at Dharapani 1943 m. The police checkpoint is situated under an overhanging rock. We snacked on roasted corn and soya beans. Really tasty. As we were leaving Nema spotted an Eagle soaring high in the mountains. We passed the big landslide where a group of Italian trekkers and their guide were killed in 1995. Crossed the river three times to-day. Walked through Bagarchhap, 2164 m. This village was almost destroyed in 1995 by a landslide coming off a large glacier. It happened at 6 PM in the evening and many people were able to escape it as they heard it coming.

Guide bought two chickens just outside Dharapani and carried them live all the way to Danaqu where we stopped for the night. The trail was difficult always up or down and always beside the roaring Marsyangdi river. The little children in the villages are so special.

We are now having apple brandy while the guides are getting the chickens ready to cook. Had a little problem killing one. Nema got all blood. Had a strange curved knife to do the job with.( I have since discovered that this knife was a Kurki, a knife used by the Gurkas. ) Ram just brought us a plate of giblets- spicy (I think it was curry), but it was so good I ate it. One piece we weren't sure what part it was but I ate part of it. Caroline and Luc said they ate it too.

Its 17:38 hrs, sitting in the dining room, almost dark. All the trekkers are writing in diaries or studying maps. Guides are congregated at one table waiting for the chicken. Just brought in a lantern. We have decided to pass up a cold shower to-night. Out house is over by the river bank.

For dinner rice, lentil and more chicken, very good. Apple brandy before dinner.