Sedua to Ruru

We could see the first village that we would pass through, Num, across the valley. However, this involved a 700m descent to cross the Arun Khola before climbing back up 700m to the same height. The village looked deceptively close but the steep descent and then climb could not be avoided. It was the hottest day of the walk-out and the narrow track and thick forest meant that we were all sweating heavily by the time we reached the river. Climbing back up to Num was no better and frequent stops were required to replenish water on the way up. Our cookboys had as always rushed on ahead and the traditional refreshing juice was waiting as we crested the ridge and entered the village of Num. Like the previous day we took time out for lunch - relaxing in the cool breeze and welcoming the opportunity to take off our boots. Most of the children were at school so the village was relatively quiet, just the few locals going about their daily business. The hard days were taking there toll on the porters and as we finished our lunch many were just arriving in the village. However, they are extremely robust individuals and following short periods of rest they once again shouldered their loads and raced off along the trail.
By late afternoon it was beginning to drizzle and the final few miles to our campsite, the school at Ruru, were completed in the mist. On arrival, our cookstaff took over one of the classrooms as a kitchen and set too preparing the evening meal. It is impressive to watch the speed with which the porters and staff begin to establish the camp, never waiting to be asked to do something. They are always eager to help, even telling us to sit down whilst they take over.The school at Ruru, like most in Nepal, attracts children from many local villages. The very basic school buildings are often built by the villagers and the teachers are paid by the Nepalese Government. Blackboards are generally made of dried mud and then painted black and the children sit on long wooden benches, often without desks. As a way of thanking the school for the use of their playground to camp in the expedition made a donation which will enable wooden lockers to be built for each class. This will allow the children to store their books at school rather than carry them the many miles to and fro each day. In addition, the expedition has supported the Community Action Nepal programme that is run by Doug Scott CBE to help build schools in rural Nepal.