Nepal Iodised Salt Update

Just returned from two weeks in Nepal.
The primary purpose was to start the process of distributing the iodised salt to remote and mountainous areas.  This is to prevent the dreadful condition of iodine deficiency disease which causes goitre, cretinism, stillbirths, premature births and mental retardation.
We took urine samples from about 150 children to establish the incidence of the disease and gave out 200 containers of iodised salt to children and teachers.
The areas of distribution and collection were from 3-5 days from the nearest road so it necessitated us trekking there on foot.  Fortunately the weather was superb with clear sunny days and cold nights.  The views of the mountains were excellent with views of the whole Annapurna range including Dhaulagiri and Fishtail.  Food in the tea houses was far better than expected.  The real bonus for this trip was that  I had three companions (now friends - I hope) from England who made the whole experience much more fun.  Geoff Thompson, James Hyslop and Crispian Collins all brought with them skills and experiences that really added to the trip.
Before the trek started, we also met up with Bill Kyte, who is to extend the programme into the Nubra valley of Ladakh in North India, which is really good news.
I will now be seeking a large grant to try to roll out the iodised salt distribution programe throughout Nepal

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy (clickety click) today and what a day. Opened presents with grandsons, walked dog, went running, went to Rotary president's lunch, went to Angela's garden party, went to Josh's birthday party (It was over by then), but had a home made walnut layer birthday cake (always the special treat when I was young). Currently reading a student thesis while waiting for M to return from her church meeting to ensure a news blackout until we can watch the recording of the Ingerland footie. Big news is that I was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. The citation reads "in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world". Very surprised and honoured and will value. Rock on.

Book Sales

Sales of Treacherous Games from www.davidbrodie.org are going well when I doa book signing.  25 sold in Linghams of Heswall last Saturday, but the father's day effect was acknowledged.  Sold 37 today by attending a local village fete and a seperate village fair with £1 to charity for each book sold.  Managed to sell one to a cabinet minister so expect fireworks.

Rowing from Oxford to Marlow

I had the privilege of being part of the happy band who did the above over three days.  We all enjoyed a great experience including some hard work, relaxed breaks and lots of fun along the way and raising money for research into a rare cancer.
One night I slept overnight in our skiff and learned later that the very same boat is to be leading the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Procession.  I even sold a few copies of Treacherous Games!
www.davidbrodie.org

Chalfont St Giles Literary Festival

I plan to be there on Monday for the session on self publishing, if I am back from Krakow in time.
Meanwhile the book sales are still steady although amazon.com and amazon.co.uk cannot seem to change their message saying the book is temporarily unavailable.  That is absolute tosh as I have plenty of books for sale and its easiest to go to www.davidbrodie.org

Treacherous Games for Charity

I've made the decision.  All profits from Treacherous Games will go to charity, so do help me raise money for good causes by buying on www.davidbrodie.org

Tweeting Like Crazy

John Medd has shown me the tweeting ropes and already have 8 followers so watch this space to get updates on "Treacherous Games" If you want one go to www.davidbrodie.org
Just returned from Pickering to visit Jenny and John.  Whitby was wet, but I enjoyed the steam train ride which took me back to my youth when they had to move the dinosaurs off the line first