Nepal Update

I have just returned from two weeks in Nepal.
The main purpose of the trip was to activate the new programme to distribute iodised salt to remote and mountainous places.
The reason for this is that iodised salt prevents a tragic condition called iodine deficiency disease, which causes goitre, cretinism, stillbirths, premature births and mental retardation.
We managed to collect about 150 urine samples to test for the incidence of the disease and distributed 200 containers of iodised salt.  The places for collection and distribution were 3-5 days from the nearest road, so we had no option but to trek by foot to the remote and mountainous areas.  The salt was carried by three porters.
Fortunately the weather was superb, the views magnificent, the food better than I remember from before and the accommodation in tea houses quite adequate.  The major bonus this time was that I had with me three companions (hopefully friends by now!) who made the whole experience far more enjoyable than previously when I walked alone.
I also met up with Bill Kyte who will be running a similar salt distribution programme in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, Northern India through his many contacts there.
My next task is to find a big grant to roll the programme out to other parts of Nepal.
They say there is no peace for the wicked, so I must be pretty wicked.
Keep on trekking!