What a new world we found ourselves in last night, here at 3900m in a comfortable small lodge again. We had the famed chicken and chips, and as described by the others previously, before we had finished, seconds, then thirds of chicken and chips were offered...big pieces of chicken too, like at home. We enjoyed a beer too. Almost paradise really.
I slept deeply (Nadir says I snored, disgraceful!), and have had a good breakfast followed by a shower...more bliss.
We've heard one sided radio transmissions from our camp two today, which felt odd as from down here we can just see the top part of Everest poking over the Nuptse-Lhotse wall. All very mysterious, technology.
We are very aware that any issue that delays the "first" group will knock us on later, but so far, so good it seems.
I was keen to save weight in my bag on the way down, so brought no camera with me...you will have to make do, perhaps, with an "old" picture stored in the pda this time.

I feel pretty weakened I must say, though the huge meal must've helped me, and there's more to come! We are expected back at BC on the evening of the 20th, and I have to decide on whether to split the long journey back(leaving tomorrow, therefore), or do it in one go, risking undue fatigue. I did the trip in one go in 2006 after seeing son Tom off on a helicopter from around here, but that was near the beginning of the trip, when I was fresher! Difficult decision here to be made.
My lips are still pretty sore and cracked, I must say. Bad mistake that was.
It's quite intimidating looking up to the summit from here...nearly 5000m above us...have a think about that, bearing in mind we are already at the height of a respectable alpine summit here. We may be there around 26/27th! I can just see the spot where I turned down in 2006, which helps in a funny way to reassure me that the top isn't as unattainable as it looks!
One step at a time should get us there eventually. Sounds simple enough then.

Messages:

Sue E, glad you are so gripped, but please, don't keep mentioning food...it's cruel!
Bill, I think your weight loss plan sounds better than mine by quite a way.
Ruth, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better again...if you think about it, it's what usually happens isn't it?
I thank you for your good wishes, as always. I don't know if my brief ITN interview ever got transmitted, but it was likely to be some lunch-time bulletin in the end...a moveable feast. I've seen the editted tapes, you won't have missed much anyway!
Pam, I can't quite imagine it either, or at least, I can't imagine how I'll FEEL..that's part of the fascination. It'll partly be affected by how many other people, if any, will also be around.
Jacq, we had a good laugh at your ideas, thanks. A less Elvis-like person than me will never exist...surgery won't help that!
Sandrine, lovely message, lovely english...I don't even know what "abnegation" is all about myself. Nadir was vert excited, and the rest of us enjoyed our hugs, thank you...it's been a long time!
Mary Clare, sure hope you're right about summitting, I appreciate your hunch.
Harry, the reporter, Phil Wray-Smith is a really good bloke, very professional with it, sits in our mess tent...their task is all about Ran, of course, not us.

Here's a plea to everyone!
If there's anyone out there who's been watching this blog for a while, wondering whether to send a message, but felt a bit unsure or similar, well PLEASE send one soon...as we are running out of time!
When we set off for the last time towards the summit, I'll probably try and carry the pda and phone to camp four at the col (and the phone to the summit, maybe), but as battery power will be a premium, updates may be brief, our responses to messages almost non-existant!

P.S. We've decided to set off back tomorrow, splitting the return journey into two days.

Responses from Greg:
Hi Elaine and Heather, hope all is well, I think that I will be at camp two on my birthday so any celebrations will have to be on hold. Enjoying our stay here, very basic but plenty of fried chicken! I think our summit day may be the 26th, but things may change. Good to hear that Minx is well behaved and that she is respecting your lie-ins! Will try to phone soon, lots of love, Greg xxx.

Hi Sarah, thanks for your message, it all seems very close now, who knows what is about to unfold, hopefully we will all summit but it is the uncertainty that fills the mind in the run up to it. I guess the hardest part now is keeping the mind strong with positive thoughts as we prepare to go back up the mountain. It is strange to think that I could be back at work 3 weeks tomorrow if all goes well, but i've got a lot to do between now and then! Best wishes, Greg.

Responses from Ray:

Jan
Hi Darling. Well i'm here in Pengbouche filling my face with as much food as I can. If we are having a weekend of take aways, remember NO CHINESE! Tell Mel i've got compo for high up, It's at Base Camp and Camp 2 that we struggle with some of the food, same as 2004. Things are coming to the end now just a bit of luck wth the weather and we will be back on our way home. Can't wait for all that DIY waiting for me or perhaps you will have sold the house and bought the one in Greystoke by the time I get back? See you in a short while. Lot's of love Ray X X X