It has been nearly two weeks since we added anything to this site, and it's been a busy time with a week spent in Nepal's Mid West region visiting INF projects there and I'm now coming towards the end of my first full week of work – this is no longer feeling like a holiday!!

The trip to Nepalgunj is 420kms but takes 10 hours if you're lucky. It is a fascinating journey with two distinct halves. From Pokhara the road climbs over and through Nepal's hilly middle regions with no straight sections longer than about 100m. Then you each Butwal on the edge of the Terai, and suddenly the land flattens out and the country takes on a completely different feel. The horizontal horizons felt a bit disorientating after six months in the hills, straight roads stretching into the distance teeming with rickshaws and buffalo carts.

INF's work in this region covers both urban and incredibly remote districts and involves treating people with complicated TB and leprosy and then getting them re-integrated into their communities, community development, drug rehabilitation and support for the government run health service. INF works in the poorest communities, often behind the scenes, helping people to work together to prioritise their needs and then either do the work themselves, or go out and find other sources of funding to carry out development. This is a slow process that can take several years, but as the communities are integral to it, and drive the pace of it, this way of working seems to develop a greater sense of ownership among the community, and developments are more long term and sustainable.

We also had some fun, meeting some great people and sampling life on three wheels. The owner of this rickshaw was nervous to say the least...

We visited the Indian border - seemingly open to anyone with a brown skin, but westerners need a visa. It was incredibly busy, with a constant stream of trucks, carts and cycles. Goods are cheaper in India than Nepal so many Nepalis travel across regularly to shop.

Unfortunately Elle picked up a nasty dose of amoeba, which surfaced while we were away. She was really laid low for three days, and is now slowly regaining strength. This has been our first real case of illness since we arrived, and has been sobering. Your prayers for continued good health would be much appreciated.

Evie has kept well and is on great form - now moving around the house rapidly from one dangerous situation to another!

In the last couple of weeks it is has warmed up dramatically and the day time temperature gets to ~30C and rising: at 8.00 in the evening it is still about 26C in the house. The approaching summer feels a little daunting!

I am now a full time Donor Liaison Advisor..... Working with a team of three Nepalis to ensure that INF's various projects are fully funded and that donors know how their money is being spent. After several years in an open plan office, I feel a bit lonely in a small office by myself. Other than that, my work is remarkably similar to what I have been doing in the UK: writing and compiling reports and presentations, communicating with donors (suppliers) and ensuring deadlines are met. Oh, and anyone at Eurotherm who wants to complain about the heat in the office is welcome to swap!

P