A few days ago, with an apparent good weather window looming for the Chinese torch-bearers etc, we had been lead to believe that activity on this side of the hill could recommence very soon. It's not seeming so hopeful right now, partly because of some evident deterioration in the weather (at least, down here), partly from noises from the military. Some groups have actually gone a long way down valley as far as Namche (fleshpots, remember), expecting no further mountain action until the 10th at the earliest! There's something of a gamble involved here. Most of us, however, don't fancy getting involved in a "stampede" to camp two and beyond once permission is given, so a measured approach makes more sense, and I'll be doing my best to keep calm and patient. I won't pretend this will be easy. I'm as keen to get back home as the next man, and I don't much enjoy too much of this weight loss thing either!
What a mental exercise this is, the longer it goes on?
Today has seen more battery charging and reading ( Death in the Truffle Wood, thanks Jackie), apple pie beckoning for tea-time, and maybe a walk of some sort tomorrow. This cough, and indeed dry sore throat, hasn't left me quite as planned after these few days rest, which is disappointing, but still lots of time yet to mend.
For the first time since we got to BC, today's weather has changed from the typical clear blue skies until mid-afternoon, so it's now clouded over earlier, it's snowing a bit, and it's colder....part of us wants a big snow dump to try and make the Lhotse face easier to climb later on...the hard blue ice currently awaiting us will be very tiring, we think, but a big snowfall will only suit if we were paralysed by politics anyway, if you see what I mean?!

Messages

Christine, thanks for the kind words, though I'll say I'm not so much brave as daft...and a bit of a dreamer still. You have no need to change GP's, that's for sure, I hope to remain sympathetic as ever!
Fi and Sue, for it must be you, food taunts are just cruel, stop them AT ONCE! Hope your long journey has gone well, and that Sue is getting some golf in with the spring weather...ha ha! Take lots of care. I'm trying to be positive and confident, within my usual boundaries of being realistic, and I'm going to hang on here for as long as it's going to take, for sure. Henry does his bit to build me up, underneath all the sarcasm! We understand each other ok.
Kate, how nice to here from you! Dream on, don't ever stop, but consider acting on them occasionally, before it's all too late. But not too much, please! Yes, I AM doing alright, I reckon.
Colin, we all have the utmost respect for the Sherpa staff, whether it be the camp/kitchen team, or the climbing Sherpas, whose strength is legendary. They are attentive without ever being subservient, a proud people, and we ALL know that we couldn't realistically have a hope of getting up and down this huge mountain without their help and support. They have big hearts, quite literally, and ready smiles too.
As for the water thing, lower down the hill we have water bottles inside rucsacs usually, and especially if warm when put in the bottle, it usually avoids freezing(certainly not completely). Some have bottles outside their packs, often insulated, which can work ok too.
Above 7000m it gets trickier, and on summit night, above 8000m, even INSIDE our down suits/jackets, most water freezes quickly, though this can be delayed with HOT fluid...trouble is, it's not always nice to drink then. Many summiteers have a 12-16 hour day with just a few hundreds millilitres of fluid intake....a very significant additional reason for extreme fatigue/frostbite by the end of that special day.....
Pat, good to hear from you, having read most of last year's blog before I left home. Kenton was sitting opposite me as I got your message, and says "hi" straight back! You did great last year, congratulations, and I hope I can mimic you this year (without, perhaps, the epic descent!).
Shanda, still watching, good for you, I'll remember you to Kenton too...quite the ladies man eh?!

Replies from Ray

Andrew, Gaz & Rob
Hi guy's, thanks for the messages. Things are going to be very quiet here for a while I think. Even when
the Chinese summit we still have to establish camp 3 before we can
move up.
Well done with the footie Andrew perhaps KK is looking for an assistant for next season?
Gaz, thanks for the league table. I hope RK can attract the right players for next season.
Rob, congratulations to Louise and yourself. I guess you will be after even more overtime when I get back.
As for movies, apart from the ones on the plane's i've only seen 2 others since leaving the UK.
We are not allowed to use video cameras until the torch thing is finished , so i've not used mine much, yet.
Don't work too hard and make the most of DM being off.

Claire & Paul
Never mind Paul, you wouldn't have beaten Man Utd anyway and who would you have preferred to beat you? Not Man Utd i'm sure. If you follow a team like SAFC then you never end up disappointed about Europe anyway!

Jan
Hi Darling. It was nice talking the other night. If you go to Dave and Anne's then say hello from me. I'm sure they will spoil you with good food and wine (I beginning to wish I was there now). Take care lots of love Ray XXX

From Greg:

Hi Elaine, hope all is well, it must be strange with Heather being away, hope that you haven't been too lonely. I know that she is back today, please let me know if she enjoyed her adventure, I guess that she has had fun. It is quite boring at present, confined to base camp with little to do and it is snowing heavy as I write. I guess this is sent to test the resolve! Anyway, take care for now, love Greg xxx