We've been a tad remiss. We're still to write up our blog about the Singalila Ridge Trek: our five-day hike along the ridge that forms the India-Nepal boarder. So, rather than keep you in suspense, our fellow traveller and budding author, Little David 'The Tea' Bear, has kindly stepped in. We present to you an extract from The life and times of a travelling bear:

"...And so it was that I was forced from the creature comforts of Darjeeling and manhandled into the back of a jeep. On my release, after a somewhat uncomfortable hour, you can imagine my surprise to be passed from my usual mounts to a shorter, more indiginous-looking male! Apparently, despite both my normal carriers' size they needed this man to carry me (and the bag). Just grin and bear it, I told myself. Actually, my new mount acquitted himself excellently over the next few days. Well, with one small exception, but I'll get to that all in good time.

Me and my mount set off up the steep hillside at a cracking good speed; taking all sorts of secret shortcuts. I only became a little conserned the first time I lost sight of my regular mounts. But some roads are just for us bears.

Before I knew it, we'd slipped into Nepal. The change in culture was plain as the fur on my face: here, nestled in the hills, was a full on Tibetan temple, complete with prayer wheels and multicoloured flags briskly flapping in the wind. I really must get myself a more colourful neck tie!

After such a climb, my mount and usual transporters felt the need for a tea break -- the first of many, I would soon discover. A grand idea, I thought! Although I was soon to become a little concerned that they were all getting far too dependant on a constant supply of mango cream biscuits in order to function. I mean, how am I meant to get my paws on those, for them, at home?!

Refulled, we set of into an eyry, fog-like low cloud; one which would trail us for the next couple of days. It brought back memories of the autumn I spent roaming the moors.

Shrouded in the mists, and growing cold, the local homes where we'd rest for the night became warm and welcome places. We were invited to share the warmth of their cooking fires -- my fur still smells of smoke -- and to have our first taste of some of the local brews. As they say, "when in Rome..." Their home-brewed wheat wine was more like a weak, more drinkable vodka, if you ask me. But what really got my mounts excited was the never-ending fresh black beer: served in an oversized wooden tankard, hot water is repeatedly poured over malted yeast and wheat pulp. Amazingly, the water, now miraculously beer, is cold by the time it's filtered to the bottom! I found this to be the truth when questioning my mounts about the oddity of why they were drinking beer with a straw! Apparently, the best bit, as the name suggests: it never dries up, you just keep topping it up with more hot water.

I'm amazed my mounts were in any fit state the next morning. It was the forth day, and we rose early to beat the clouds. We were rewarded with a superb panorama, including the snow-topped Khangchengdzonga peak and, further off, Everest, his friends and the Three Sisters. This view stayed with us for most of the day as we traversed the ridge; and, if you can imagine it, actually improved the next morning. Bleary eyed, we watched the sun rise over the Himalayan chain stretching from Nepal to Sikkim and Bhutan.

This sight definitely made the increasing cold -- as fires became few and far between -- a bit more bearable. Though, I suspect, that what really helped my normal mount and her companion was the whiskey! I, on the other hand, found a stash of honey brandy to comfort me.

Perhaps it was the after effects of the honey (I'm sure it wasn't the brandy) that took a hand in the near disaster of the next day....

As we descended into the valley the airs became warmer and the land started to burst with life. We stopped beside a river for lunch, and I was captivated: I was surrounded by the widest collection of vegetation, both wild and cultivated, that I'd ever seen in one place. It was like the Garden of Eden. Truly all you need to live a happy life was here in this stunning valley: from fresh mountain water, to pears and wild strawberries. It was here, during our rest, while I was just enjoying some of the aforementioned berries, that I found myself ABANDONED!

After my initial distress subsided I pondered if this was perhaps for the best. For what better place would there be to become a free range bear and return to my ancestor's ways?

No. I decided I could not let my usual mount continue on without me. Mainly due to the fact that otherwise she would be stuck with just her companion, who (despite being rather dashing, if not quite so hairy as me) is generally as much use as toast without marmalade. She was sure to miss me. So, using my fearful roar, I coerced a new mount and his charges to take me after her. And by nightfall we'd been reunited.

For the final stretch of our journey, I was once again transported by my usual mount and her companion. A practice that I shall not let slip again."

If you'd like to know more about Little David "The Tea" Bear, his adventures or his books then check out his blog: www.tea-bear-adventures.paw