I have chosen the Drifters classic for today’s blog seems appropriate.

I went yesterday to Devon as 12th man for cricket and we came second! Although a long way to go I didn’t mind missing fielding in that heat! I was supposed to be captaining us at Worcestershire today but Covid struck their team so have cancelled all their games this week. It had to happen.

Busy with stories next week so spending some time on this today- both writing and learning old stories.

Inca Trail

Final installment today – apologies I have taken so long to finish this.

On the fourth day of our track we started our trek about 4 a.m. while it was still dark so our head torches were vital. The aim was to get to the Sun Gate before dawn breaks over Machu Picchu – it was fun and surreal making our way in the dark. Scrambling up a long flight of steps and the excitement was growing as we could see the sky gradually lighten. Once we reached the Sun Gate the view was wonderful (there were pictures in previous blogs both of the view of dawn creeping over Machu Picchu and Clare and I at the Sun Gate)

It took some time to make our way down the ruins of the city. I was surprised to see Humming birds darting around. Words can’t really do justice to the the ruins, the surrounding hillsides and that wonderful feeling of your footsteps walking back through history.

After exploring the ruins I went with a couple of others to climb Huayna Picchu (Young Peak) -it is the great rock that dominates the whole site that you see in all the pictures. It was quite a scramble, holding onto ropes in places. It was certainly not an undertaking to take if you had vertigo! The picture of me below is me on the top-you can see the Inca Trail where we descended to Machu Picchu in the background! Getting down was actually harder than climbing up and you had to have your wits about you. It was an exhilarating experience!

Finally, in a previous blog I mentioned the wonderful porters who carried tents, cooking equipment etc . A picture of them below.