Ghande Valley

Yesterday we had a nice picnic in the Valley of the Black Necked Cranes.
We were lucky there was weather so there were lots of cranes feeding in the marshes. They don't fly too far from the feeding areas when weather is bad. They are bigger than I thought they would be and so graceful when they take flight. They just come and land in the farmers fields and find grubs and such. Leaving the valley there was a light sprinkle of snow at the top of the pass.
And the miracle is that claire is walking well with the stick...the massages seem to have helped...did I mention that the woman had learned how to cure sprains by working on her livestock. She also mentioned on her second visit that it was an evil spirit that knocked Claire over.
Tsering and Christine are over at the courts trying to get the final papers notorized....we were worried last night that it might finally snow...courts in Thimpu take a national h0liday on the first snow day....still with the fog it was a case of get me to the court on time. So yes that means we are back in Thimpu. It feels like such a whirlwind breakneck speed across the country and back again. My mind is a swirl of temples and incredible vistas.
We spent the night at a wonderful vegetarian only retreat by the river last night...beautiful gardens and lots of birds...white-crested red smart, kingfisher, and of course the morning thrush with it's beautiful wake-up call. If you ever come to Bhutan don't sleep through that one.
Day before we stayed at the Yangkhi hotel...most swanky....giant green marble bathroom...and excellent views. The Tshela hotel in bhumtang had the best breakfast and very caring service...this is where they got the massage lady for Claire. And Punaka, well Punaka is just wonderful.
Tomorrow is Losar in bhutan and we will do as the Bhutanese do and have a picnic...hopefully this means we will get to spend the day with Tserings kids again before we leave. Everybody else but grandpa is away at the moment. Then day after we go to Paro which means we will be on our way to the Tigers Nest...but it also means we will be leaving soon...so now we pray for snow....if there's too much snow to fly out we'll get a day or so more of this wonderful country. So everybody pray that it snows in Bhutan...plus the happy couple will get another night together.
Catch you on the dragons back...
that's bhutanese for see ya.