We are all suffering now from exhaustion due to lack of oxygen and despite following our guides instructions to keep eating the garlic soup twice a day (I kid you not, we must be a smelly bunch).

Todays walk was about 6 miles and a 2000 ft climb but we are all completely shattered, I have just reached my room and have collapsed on the bed which unbelievably has an electric blanket. It does not work of course but the thought was there. 

We are now well above the tree line and the walking is though what looks like desert, very dry and sparse shrubs and lots of dusty soil but of course we are surrounded by the most amazing mountains. Most of the time we were climbing steadily but after lunch we had the killer ascent which finished us off.

Tomorrow we have a 3 hour walk in the morning and after lunch a walk up a hill called Kalapathhar which at 5545m is the highest point of the walk. The idea is to stand on the top at sunset and have a beautiful view of Everest, but we presumably then walk down the mountain in the dark!

Not sure if we will have internet access so it it might be the day after that we are back in contact with the outside world. One bit of news has got through, grandchild number 6 was born yesterday to Sian and Will, a boy so I had better hang on to the motor racing set when we move.