What a great day, in the scheme of things....an early riise on a crisp, clear morning in Lobuche, the prospect of a swift return to Kathmandu by helicopter. Within a half hour of the expected time a small white machine passed above us impressively, to return a few minutes later from up valley, landing gently nearby. I jumped in, and via Lukla airstrip (fuel) returned to Kathmandu in just over an hour. Spectacular views. Dramatic increase in heat...I was in a down jacket!
Then a trip, after a welcome shower, to a well-known private health clinic for an opinion on my dodgy ear, and an addition to the current antibiotic treatment. The doctor agreed evacuation was good, and suggested getting home ASAP.
I'm trying for a saturday flight.

Best news of all is Ray and Greg got out of Lukla today, and we are reunited again at the old Mustang Holiday Inn! They both seem in great spirits, considering everything, and we are soon to get out for a much-talked of meal and a bevvy...though we're all weary.
It's been so good to meet, and catch up. They are battle-scarred, but still resilient...a lot better than I'd manage in the same circumstances, I reckon.
Tomorrow I hope to make time for an account of the summit climb, which I've not actually done yet, I realise, frustratingly for some I know. It's a tale, for sure.

Your many messages have been fantastic, and only now can Ray and Greg get to see the recent ones.
Thank you all so much.

One last thought: I got to weigh myself at the clinic. I look emaciated, more so, I thought, than after past trips. Not healthy at all.
My weight loss since the start of the trip has been.......36 pounds.
Scarey. I'm not the man I was before setting out in more ways than you might have expected! There is serious rebuilding to do again, perhaps avoiding the overweight state of recent years? I put my heart and soul into getting up and down that mountain, I hope you can see.