This month's talk at the Town Hall to Evesham & District U3A entitled 'Journey to Everest' told the story of Ray Sturdy's travels to Kathmandu, Nepal's lively capital, followed by a trek to Everest Base Camp.

We were amused to see that the light aircraft used to take trekkers to the start of the route to the Base Camp belonged to Yeti Airlines. The small plane had to make a perilous landing at the Tensing and Hillary airstrip which is only 500 meters long.

Since Ray Sturdy made this trip Nepal suffered the devastating earthquake earlier this year. Many of the slides we were shown depicted the ancient and traditional buildings which are of such interest to tourists. Sadly these are now extensively damaged, or indeed have been totally destroyed. It is believed that the UK gave more than any other country to the Earthquake Relief Fund.

MARGARET HIBBARD