We've been in India for over four weeks now. And we've spent most of it on the beach! Even Craig has something towards a tan!

This week we've been on a river trip with Ali and our new friend Guy. Peter, Ali's husband is doing an intensive yoga course and so isn't around much in the daytime. We had a great trip, we hired one of the local fisherman for a couple of hours to take us up the local river and back. Losts of lovely views and it was sunset as we returned.

This morning we took a dolphin trip, again by hiring a local fisherman for a couple of hours and again with Ali and Guy. Saw loads of dolphins, took hundreds of photos most of which I have since deleted but there are a few nice ones.

Our time here is coming to an end, we have had a great time relaxing, yogaing (if that's a word?) eating and drinking and enjoying the company of our friends Peter, Ali and Guy. We will miss them and our Holiday Dog Whinney. If we haven't mentioned our holiday dog, every one who stays for any length of time gets one. They choose you, you just realise that that dog is here again and is friendly and so you start to pet it. They attach themselves to you and follow you around hoping for a titbit or a stroke. The locals don't much like dogs and our Whinney, as we have named her, is very timid and whines when she sees you and as you stroke her. She is quite old and has learned to stay away from indians, especially boys. She doesn't go around with us because she is so timid but is always at home when we get up in the morning, whenever we're at home in the day, and at night. There are local charities here that neuter the dogs and clip their ear to show it's been done. Thankfully Whinney has a clipped ear. Apparently the animal welfare charity's greatest work is feeding all of the dogs in the monsoon season until the tourists come back. That's India I guess, this is no place for sissies!

We now have a period of time with just two of us, and a billion Indians! We leave Patnem on Friday to go to a national park famous for bird watching a couple of hours inland from here . Then onto Delhi, Shimla, Rishikesh, Corbett NP, Agra, Jaipur, Rathambore NP, Orcha, Gwaliour, Khajuraho, Bandavgagh NP, Varinesi and then onto Nepal.

Love to everyone who reads this, we are missing you all. Craig and Vanda.