Hi Since visiting the home of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, i have been at peace with the World. Moving first to Manali, home of most of Israel\'s post-National Service population hanging out and smoking in cafes with their falafel and german bakeries, I escaped over three 13000ft+ passes through the Spiti and Pin Valleys to the village of Mud \"population 250 souls\". If I hadn\'t left part of my too-heavy bag in Manali, I would have joined a couple of German Swiss over the snowy pass with their 2 yaks. Onto Shimla to relive days of empire at the Indian hill station. I duly arrived with umbrella, briefcase and suit to find a crumbling but delightful town centre comprising Gaeity Theatre, Christ Church and the Viceregal Lodge, a huge Scottish baronial-style mansion, for which every stone was carted up to 6000ft. After a long day (12 hrs) at Delhi airport, I finally landed an available seat on the flight to Kathmandu. Tourist season has really arrived! The city preparations for Desain, the biggest annual Nepali religious festival, are well underway, thousands of goats milling around totally unaware of the fate awaiting them in the city square next week. Fortunately (as a large-part vegetarian) I\'ll be up in the mountains then. The Annapurna Circuit awaits me tomorrow. 15ish days carrying my own bag on the \"tea house trail\". The weather is clear and I\'m raring to go.. Up the Rovers - I hope the Utd win was celebrated in style.