Friday was my last day at work. The last two weeks have been a little different as around half the children left and about 6 new ones came, leaving us with only 18 if they all turned up. I'm not sure why so many children left. It was the start of a new school term but most of them weren't old enough for school. The new children cried a lot but most had stopped by the second week. On my last day none of them cried until lunch time (which was amazing, we had one that had screamed all day, every day until then).

My last day was lovely. I'd bought presents for the children: a tool kit with plastic pieces and wheels so you can build things, a doctor's kit and two balls. The tool kit was very successful. We all had fun with that. The balls were also good, although they fought over them a little. The doctor's kit was more trouble than it was worth as they fought over it and pulled most of the pieces apart. They still enjoyed it though. I managed to teach some of them to play catch with the balls (about the first thing I've managed to teach them) and later Indra (one of the 'aunties') played it with them too so maybe I'll leave some impression behind!

I found it sadder than I thought I would saying goodbye to the kids for the last time, knowing that I'd never see them again. We didn't share a common language and often couldn't understand each other but I got to know their different personalities and got quite close to a few. I'll definately miss them.

Before I left the women gave me a lovely white scarf and two beautiful green bangles. It had been terrential rain most of the afternoon but luckily it was easing off by the time I cycles home. The light rain seemed somehow appropriate to my mood! I only got a little wet, which wasn't bad, I've often cycled home in pouring rain and been drenched.

I've spent the last few days realxing around Lakeside: shopping, reading, sunbathing (and getting a little burnt!), enjoying the view (althought there aren't really any mountians at the moment). Tomorrow I'm hopefully going to join Akit, Jess and Ryan at their school to experience a government school in Nepal, it should be interesting! Then on friday I'm taking the bus to Kathmandu.