We are now in a small lodge at Lobuche, at around 4850m, having broken our journey back to BC as planned. The walk here took maybe four and a half hours, which was about the same time as I took GOING DOWNHILL two days ago!
This tells you, and me, that even that brief sojourn down at Pangboche has done me good, which is great news really. Obviously it takes more than two days of good eating(and drinking!) to reverse many weeks of weight loss, but it's a clear change in momentum for me, which I must try hard to sustain over the next week. I even finished a whole plate of egg fried rice at lunch-time in a lodge, and it's weeks since I did anything like that...I really am a lousy eater out here.
So, it occurs to me I have been like a watercolour in the rain, I've been fading away strikingly, but I feel as if I've had an injection of colour again. This is hopefully going to help me last the pace over the final week or so.
Andre and the Aussies are hopefully now at camp three, moving to the Col tomorrow etc. The weather up there has looked pretty grey and windy today actually. We wish them luck. We miss Andre.
Tomorrow will be a 3-4 hour day to camp, then we will be carefully thinking of the last things to pack/carry up for our summit bid. You don't want to forget anything that may turn out to be crucial.

So how do I feel now?

I feel ok. Not as strong as I'd like, but definitely ok, and that's good. No bad cough, no bowel upset, certainly no excess fat compared to seven weeks ago! I am determined to deal with the physical distress that's undoubtedly coming over the next week, and indeed any mental stress due to delays that may yet catch us too. Hope we don't get much of the latter, we're tight enough on time for flights and work as it is.

Messages:

Paul A, thanks for the updates on other teams, and, of course I wish Angus and Scott all the very best for their effort in the next few days. You'll notice Paul, that we actually went right down to Pangboche, due to a favoured lodge as much as anything, not Pheriche, which we find a bit if a hole!

Caroline, thanks for your lovely message and your good memories of base-camp. Mine are somewhat mixed of the place so far...I hope to make the feelings more positive in the next week, that's for sure.
Wendy, thanks for the compliment, and I may take you up on the chicken offer!
Alison, lovely message, I'm glad you have felt so involved! Just need to finish the job properly now.
As you have read today, the chicken's certainly done something good so far.
Sue, positive as ever, I'll be seeking all of that I can feel, for sure. Thank you again.
Finally, thank you Jill for your continued encouragement, despite what I still realise must be quite a bit of tedium shining through.

Responses from Greg, whose birthday is on 23rd!!!....
To Dave and all the guys at Adapt Outdoors (off Williamson Square), many thanks for all your support and help in preparation for my Everest expedition, you guys are the best in the North West! Best wishes, Greg.

Replies from Ray

Dave and Colin
Hi Guy's, hope the Etap went well and you are not too sore! How many "One for the road's" did you manage Colin? We are now on our way back to BC and will be heading back up the hill on Thursday for the last time - hurray! See you both shortly, i've beers dying to start saying that. Ray.

Message from Nadir for Sandrine:
salut ma cherie peux tu apeler hacina ma soeur au 0148605030 pour lui demander le numero au bureau de conchita ainsi ke son portable si tariv pa a joindre hacina apel salima 0662603808 ou ma mere 0148203155 surtout pa un mot de leverest tu me mankes jvais bien derniere ligne droite jvais tout donner jtkiss tres fort nadir