Hiking in Kashmir Valley.

1^st August –Kashmir Valley

Neil awoke this morning feeling a little fragile and decided that it was probably best if he rested and stayed close to amenities. After making sure that he was comfortable and that the staff would pamper him I headed off with Salim and our driver, later to be nick-named Dr Bengali (after the Indian Tonic that cures all from baldness to skin ailments and erectile problems) to Pahalgam in the Kashmir Valley for a spot of alpine hiking.

On the way we passed through Pampore where the fields were being prepared for the next saffron crop. In October the fields are reported to be beautiful when the bright purple flowers of the saffron plants bloom. This area is apparently famous for its saffron.  

Nest we passed through Avantipur and Ananatnag , towns famous for their production of cricket bats. Stalls line both sides of the road with hundreds of bats for sale and bright coloured dusty bags to put them in. 

At Ananatag we left the main road that continues on to Jammu and headed into the hills. The scenery in the Kashmir Valley and, for that matter, all of what we have seen so far in Kashmir is breathtaking. The first part of our hike was in shade as the mornings in the mountains are misty but by mid- day it was sunny and warming up. We climbed steadily up for about two hours, passing villagers and gypsies. Salim has a poor opinion of the gypsies, complaining that they have such a good life living simply in the mountains and should not always want money. I cannot be the judge of that as to me their life looks hard but they do certainly live in a paradise. Their mud huts are built into the hills surrounded by green fields and pine trees. Some remain behind in summer but many trek up into the mountains to graze their animals. Some of those who do remain behind earn money giving pony rides to the holidaying Indians, others as parts of the various trekking expeditions, leading their ponies that are used to transport the trekking equipment and a spare pony or two for any trekkers who find the high altitude too heavy going. 

When I returned Neil was back on his feet and ready for dinner. I returned rather late as it had been a long day made longer by an accident ahead of us once we were back on the main road.

 Walnuts on a walnut tree, of course!

 Gypsy mud and turf winter cottage.

 You won't catch me walking on these stable bridges!

 The easy way home?

 Girls learn to carry things on their heads from an early age.