A hilly birthday (by Joe)

It was my birthday yesterday (34).

We are staying in Mcleodganj (a village above Dharamshala, the Himalayan retreat which the Dalai Lama has made his home).

Birthday treat was a big trek up one of the local mountains. It was an ascent of around 1000 metres over 8 km.

The guide was friendly (see left). We talked extensively about international cricket and the stunning views.

We passed goats, monkeys, shepherds and walked through clouds on the way up. Arriving at the top, were greeted by a very nice man who lives in a shack on the summit with his dogs (see below left).

He cooked us lunch which we ate in his shack (see bottom).

I had a bit of a cold, so found the climbing hard going (its always hard at altitude in any case - we reached 2800 m at the peak.

It was a fantastic birthday treat - very different to the usual (but also pleasant) beers and dinner at the Canbury Arms.











Joe