Today we employ an English speaking guide to take us round the ancient city of Khiva. What a delight, the city is a little gem of a place. Our guide grew up in the walled city so knew the place inside out. It was baking hot however and was nice to occasionally get inside the relatively cool buildings to get a breather. We had lunch with our Lady guide and the guiding was still going on well into the afternoon. We learnt about the silk worm and how it's fine cocoon is turned into fine silk and this led to the history of the silk road.

• They are so friendly the people here and our guide at the end of the tour invited us round her house for an evening meal with her family. We thanked her for the invite but didn't want to really impose.
• Steve got a haircut and a shave at the local barbers and came out a different looking man!
• All of us finished the evening off with a meal in a rooftop terrace restuarant overlooking the city as the sunset. Swifts and swallows still very active in the sky above. A half moon started to replace the setting sun. Temperatures now perfect. Magical!