1 Traveller, you are transformed. You are living at an altitude two-and-a-half times the height of Ben Nevis. You have taken a meal, at that altitude, with a Tibetan family. You have eaten what they have eaten. You have extended the content of your direct experience beyond that of anyone I know, certainly anyone, without a doubt, here in the Close, probably beyond anyone in Lowdells Lane, perhaps anyone in East Grinstead.

1.1 There could be an article for the local newspaper. You're taking photographs? Of course.

2 I registered what you said about the family's support for the inclusion of Tibet within China, within a Chinese sphere of influence. As I read (and as I key) I wonder if I have ever asked 'What do we know about the preferences of the people who live in what we know as Tibet?'. To what extent are the expressions of feeling in Katmandu representative of the feelings of the other people who live in the country?

3 From your account, the family were welcoming. They shared their food. The people came in from the fields. I wonder what they found interesting about you. (Perhaps the answer is 'Everything'.) I wonder what they wanted to know. They had a considerable impact on you. I wonder about your impact on them. You hadn't taken a Tibetan meal before; I wonder if they had served one to previous travellers from beyond the mountains. Gifts: did you leave one; did they give you one. (No, not another glass of yak's milk.)

3.1 As I key, I remember that account I heard of the nomadic peoples in southern Ethiopia. Four million of them, I heard. I wonder who had counted them. Now those peoples, I heard, whilst sticking to their nomadic ways, use their radios and mobile telephones to check their position and to help them to find the likely watering-places.

4 Twelve thousand feet, 3700 metres - a considerable height. I can imagine that it slows a person who is not used to the height. It slows the ascent, and it slows the movement once the ascent has been completed. I wonder now about the day-time and the night-time temperatures.

5 Here, on the third successive rain-free day, the sun is concealed again. The clouds have returned. Pells has been open since 1500, and it will remain open until 1800. It will also be open between these times tomorrow and Wednesday, weather permitting. I was thinking of going, but it may be sensible to complete some jobs here. I have earmarked tomorrow for Form 4. Fingers crossed for Wednesday.

6 Form 4. I will take your laptop, and I will seek to construct a Form 4. However, I will need to know what has been entered. I sense that I will be occupied tomorrow, after a visit to the dentist.

6.1 I also intend to visit Brian Wright, who is poorly. I visited him on Friday when he reported that he was declining. He is in touch with the hospice. He reported today that he remains poorly.

6.2 Sheila Lloyd was discharged from hospital last Friday. Alan gave the news that she had been re-admitted yesterday. We wait.

7 Mick Roberts is on his way round.

8 Continue to enjoy the good news. Continue to garner those experiences which will add to the content of the adventure, which will mark you out from those who have stayed at home.

One of those