Triumphs great and small

So, we are in the final week of our almost year out.

Basically, due to bad exchange rates, bank charges on withdrawing money, and Australia and New Zealand being pricier than we thought, we ran out of our year out cash 2 weeks ago... so it officially ends on Monday when we see the white cliffs of Dover and once again will set foot on Blighty.

We're still with Rob and Emma (www.mountainbug.com) and had a few triumphs:

• this time Martin went with an 18 year old lad and cycled up the very Col Du Tourmalet that was in last week's Tour De France. It's 18km long with an ascent of 1500m. Nasty. Luckily Rob lent him some vaseline.
• Kara has proven to be babysitter extraordinaire, looking after Jenny with a hint of panache. Successes here include: getting her to drink formula milk (a first); getting her to have 2 naps a day with minimum fuss (a first); Kara managing to change awful nappies and not vomiting (came close - the poor child looked very startled when Kara made retching noises over her); remembering to feed the child and not accidentally injure her (Kara has past form in these things).
• Martin replaced a guest yesterday and went canyoning. This involves jumping in a river, abseiling into a river, swimming down a river, and just titting around on a river.
  
• unfortunately one of Rob and Em's chalet staff has had to fly home for a family emergency. Team Stanford have manfully stepped in, cleaning, looking after guests and cooking. Our Mexican effort last night got TONNES of compliments.

It's also been pretty cool to just step outside for a quick "walk" which involves those beautiful mountains in the photos. We've got out every other day (with Jenny - she loves it) and it's been bliss.

Last post to come soon... might even do a round up of the year out... sob sob sob. if anyone wants to fund us for another month, we'll wear a t.shirt with your photo on it saying "Sponsored by..."