From here we travelled south by bus and train to Goa, the tropical backwaters of Kerala and on to the southernmost tip of India.

Four of my friends then travelled straight back-to Delhi and home, but ,two of us decided to go up the east coast via Madras, Hyderabad and Calcutta to Darjeeling. I loved the travelling. In 63 nights I stayed in 21 different places and spent 6 nights on trains and buses. My travelling companion then had suddenly and unexpectedly to return to England because of a family matter but being so close to Nepal I couldn't resist going back for my last 2 weeks.

I loved Nepal and India - from the backwaters of Kerala to the-towering- peaks of the Himalayas I loved it all, but at the end I was ready to come home. It was time to put the worry of where I was going next and how I would get there behind me, rickshaws were less of a novelty, especially the sixth time you- had to explain to the driver with minimal English where you wanted to go.

The past 6 months have been amazing. I have wonderful memories that I will never forget, and I have been humbled seeing people, especially in Nepal, who are so content with the little they have. Their lives are so hard yet they always have a smile for you

It is very pleasing to report that after a good PR campaign by Jaquie Lewis we ended up with a grand total of 26 boats at the Hythe on

May Day, so publicity does pay if you do it in the right media. We would have had even more if the rivers Neane and Ouse had not been in flood.

Another very good point was that after they had all gone I went down the Hythe on Tuesday morning to clear up and not a single piece of litter was to be seen. Thank you boaters for being so tidy I only wish other users of the Hythe would follow your lead!

As for the Tug of War, after some fits and starts we ended up with 8 teams pulling. It was most fortunate I had the help of Ernie & John Cole to keep the teams in order and my wife to make sure the scores were correct. The Woodton team won the Firkin of beer but the Black Horse put up a good fight in the final, it was a pity the Dykes End team failed to materialise. So thank you all.