Woman required

< Newer | Older > Tue, 04/08/2008 - 12:09 — Mike Brennan

Andre,Greg and Ray basking in the sun(out of the wind) earlier today after arrival at Dingboche,4400mWe require a woman, or indeed women, but not for any of the obvious reasons! It's all to do with conversation really. We have plenty of that between us, but the tone has drifted inevitably downwards, such that we badly need a moderating influence. This is a common phenomenon on expeditions, indeed in any situation where men are together too long. On the odd occasion we have had chats with ladies, it's quite clear how much more normal it all becomes at once.  So, any suggestions?

Earlier today, after a good night by all, we again had a leisurely stroll up here to Dingboche, at around 4400m, with perfect light and great views.  We are right below Ama Dablam's northern aspect now, and very fierce it looks too. This lodge, probably the best of those here, actually has some sort of satellite internet connection, though slow and 20 pence per minute...a bad combination. I may be tempted to try it, mostly to try and find out what news, if any, is on any Everest sites about the situation up on the mountain at Base-camp. We are hearing all sorts of odd rumours, none of them good, and it's a bit wearing to say the least.

Charging problems persist

Unfortunately I continue to have major problems with re-charging all my various batteries, due to a dodgy connection from the solar panels, which we again tried to repair this afternoon with uncertain results. The connection is very frail, and I fear I may have to try and get a part sent out to Base-camp, which can no doubt be done, but will take time and money!! I may well run out of ability to update in the next two or three days, at least until we get to BC on the planned 13th, so bear with me if I do. It's incredibly frustrating, and I often wonder what I'd have found to think about if I hadn't had this site-enabling technology stuff to pre-occupy me. It's the phone that is at biggest risk, hence I've made no calls home yet, for which I apologise, and I've said before that texting seems very unreliable too.  We have been told that up at BC people are struggling too, as if the satellite system is problematic.

Messages

Jacquie With respect to finding old updates and messages, I seem to remember that at the bottom of the page on the oldest one is a small blue link saying "to see a list of all previous updates,click here". I think this what you need. You haven't missed much yet.
Debs I was interested to hear of your impending bath and bed, but the wine sounded best of all! I was pleased to hear that Steph is doing well, she being my excellent locum at the practice while I'm away...I know she had lots to get the hang of in the first few weeks, and it sounds like she's doing what was needed. I'm grateful to her, as she knows.
Bill Less of the cheek about body doubles please, though I must admit I decided against posting a particular picture of me today as it made me look like a teletubby or similar. More weight loss required...
Lynne I'm glad you all keep watching, and I'm sorry about your bit of snow. I bet it's gone now though.
WP I enjoyed the Ed Hillary article, thank you.

Tomorrow we troop up to Chukkung, at 4700m, remember that Tom? Maybe a three hour day, can we cope? We plan to stop there for two nights, with a slow romp up to around 5500m on the intervening day.
When my younger son Tom was here with me in 2006, he felt wretched with bad diarrhoea on our walk up to Chukkung, but bravely pressed on, and I was very proud of his determination. Where does he get it from? (And why doesn't it show much at school???)

Love to everyone who wants it, battery concern will stop me for now
Tomorrow I will try and talk about our food.  Any texts about tomorrow's big Liverpool match will be gratefully received , depending on the score. I can't get the world service to work.

Music to download

Might I suggest you look for "Driftwood", by the Moody Blues, from their album "Octave", a gem.

Messages

Got 'em

Visitor — Tue, 04/08/2008 - 12:57

Thanks Mike....I did get all the updates but not the messages!! As for the missing feminine influence........I suspect you will have lots of offers, not least from me! Just send the ticket mate!
What you need is a 'virtual woman'.....maybe you could fill some time in 'creating' her amongst yourselves......she would have to be specific to your needs in that environment, so no supermodels I'm afraid! Once she has been created you could refer to her when conversation is going downhill!! Did you hear about the farce of the Olympic Torch carrying. Lots of disruptions/protests in London & France and more expected in San Francisco today and no doubt on most of it's journey to Beijing. China must be listening......doubt if they will respond though! Looking for a decent map to plot your progress........I'm so enjoying sharing this with you !! Big hug! Jacq.

curry

wend — Tue, 04/08/2008 - 16:06

HI uncle Ray. Hope you are ok. When you get home you can have curry at ours and a slice of rice, ha ha! Take care of yourselves and goodluck. Johnny x

Olympic flame update...

wmpopper — Tue, 04/08/2008 - 16:14

(04-08) 06:54 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The Olympic flame arrived in San Francisco from Paris early this morning under cover of darkness and security typically reserved for head-of-state visits.

No protesters were evident at San Francisco International Airport, which was largely deserted except for a heavy police and media presence.

A contingent of San Francisco leaders, including City Administrator Ed Lee and business consultant Rose Pak, joined Bay Area Olympians to welcome Beijing Olympic officials bearing the flame in a rectangular gilt and crystal lantern at San Francisco International Airport's Gate 94.

"I was giggling like a teenager," said Pak, one of the most influential figures in San Francisco's Chinatown, after watching the flame arrive shortly before 4 a.m. "I felt immense pride and excitement."

The arriving Olympic officials disembarked a specially modified Airbus A330 jet designated "Air China 2008" at about 3:40 a.m., paused briefly for photographs, went through customs and left the airport through a side entrance. They were then whisked into the city, where the torch will remain overnight in an undisclosed location before Wednesday's torch run.

The plane, after a scheduled refueling stop in Reykjavik, Iceland, landed about 20 minutes early.

It's the only North American stop for the Olympic flame, which has generated heated protests during previous stops in London and Paris. Seven protesters were arrested Monday in San Francisco after three of them scaled suspension cables on the Golden Gate Bridge and unfurled banners supporting Tibetan independence 150 feet over the roadway.

That incident has prompted increased security for foot traffic on the bridge, where officers this morning searched purse and bags for walkers, bikers and others using the bridge's walkway.

Several San Francisco police officers guarded every entrance to the airport's international terminal this morning and patrolled heavily outside. Initially some officers wore riot helmets, then later took them off. The U.S. State Department, Secret Service and customs officials were also part of the security contingent, airport spokesman Michael McCarron said. He declined to comment on how many officers were on hand, saying simply "a lot."

San Francisco officials say they are confident the city will host a successful Olympic torch run Wednesday and avoid a repeat of the chaos that engulfed the relay in Paris, where police were forced to extinguish torches and carry the flame in a bus.

But Mayor Gavin Newsom said the protests in Paris in London on Sunday would result in changes in San Francisco's plans for the flame when 80 runners carry it through the city's streets.

Newsom said the planned 6-mile torch route along the central waterfront and around Fisherman's Wharf could change up to and even during the relay. Police said security plans would include having officers run alongside torchbearers to protect them and the flame from any protesters who might try to disrupt the run.

Scenes in Paris and London of demonstrators trying to grab torches from runners and put out the flame with fire extinguishers "obviously play a part in our security approach and will play a part in terms of our making any final decisions," Newsom said.

One teenage torch runner in San Francisco has already bowed out because of concern about the run, said David Perry, a spokesman for the city's Olympic torch preparations. Perry declined to go into details about the runner who bowed out, citing privacy concerns.

As the flame's only North American stop, San Francisco is attracting protesters from around the country who want to advocate for a range of causes, most notably China's human rights record toward Tibet and Falun Gong practitioners and Beijing's policies toward Burma and the Darfur region of Sudan.

City officials were concerned with both the rights of protesters to voice their position and for supporters of the Beijing games to carry out a successful torch run, Perry said.

"I like to think in San Francisco we know how to do a protest," Perry said. "Here in San Francisco, we're not the type to jump on people in a wheelchair to try to snuff out the flame."

Staff writer Wyatt Buchanan contributed to this report.

I hope that the weather turns fair and much is well with group. Can appreciate the observation about the total company of males.
Cheers..
WP

Liverpool Match

billrea — Wed, 04/09/2008 - 06:43

Am mandated to tell you that the score was 4-2 to Liverpool. Apparently a wonderful Torres goal, disputed [by Arsenal] penalty by Gerrard and fabulous Walcott developed goal. Usual Wenger whinging.
[Actually, this was dictated by caroline].
Hope all going well and you have sorted your recharging problems.
Bill