Mon 12th Sept

Good day yesterday. We climbed up a long valley to a bleak snowy pass at 5100 where it was even too cold for the yaks. Then traversed alongside another glacial lake with beautiful blues and greens. The bare mountains are like instant geology lessons. Climbed up another 4300 pass where the electrity pylon was decorated with flags. Then a fine ride along a high valley with ripe yellow barley and fortress like houses. 

Spent the night in  gyanste where Younghusband had his stronghold. Now turned into a anti Britsh museum.  Did 104 km yesterday. Slept well. 

Sun 11th Sept

First climb to 4800m was eased by a lift up the pass but was then a steep climb and getting enough air into my lungs was a problem. However my snail approach paid off and I was not the last up! At the top there was a vast collection of colourful prayer flags and tame yaks for photos. Below us was a bright blue glacial lake that we then biked around. We then stayed in a rather sad town where all the official buildings were aggressively Chinese in design.

Sat 10th Sept

65 km along the valley. Beautiful scenery with a fast flowing grey blue river and mountains, autumn just starting with some yellow leaves.  Excellent cooked lunch of rice and veg curry 

(yak for the meateaters) under the trees by the river. We stayed in a village guest house with a courtyard. The village houses had wonderful finely carved doorways with painted wood, metal grilles with gods and double doors with huge door handles. 

First big climb today.

Fri 9th Sept - Lhasa day 3

Visited the Dalai Lama's summer palace, a beautiful group of stone buildings set in woodland. inside were murals of Bhuddist and Tibetan history. There was a picture of the 14th Dalai Lama but sited behind a bed so people would not be tempted to photograph it. The palaces  were also colourful with pots of English flowers (dahlias, marigold) which had been put there to spruce the place up because Lhasa has just hosted the national yoghurt festival. In the afternoon we visited a monastery where young monks were debating theology, some with kung-fu like actions. 

I then did last minute shopping of a woolly hat for Everest Base Camp. I think we are all a little nervous about the biking and the altitude.

Fri 9th Sept - Leaving Lhasa

Leaving under clear blue sky after stretching exercises and testing our bikes. Shaistse in 4 days... 

Thur 8th Sept - Hi from Lhasa

Lhasa is a beautiful city, low stone houses and surrounded by mountains. These are treeless and some have a green hue from the summer grass. 

Yesterday saw too many chapels and gold covered dalai lama tombs in potala palace. Dark and oppressive despite the butterlamps. The monks interpret the religion for the people.  Made me glad of martin luther and cromwell. 

Short bike ride this afternoon. 

Wed 7th Sept - Hi from Lhasa

Good ride in Kathmandu, mostly nice group, one woman who is very self centred.

Now in Lhasa, mild chest tightness only and fine today. Tibetan landscape amazing.