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Day 75 : Tuesday May 25th. RTU
Brother James had not been in his home country, England, since the early 1970s and he'd not had a plate of chips since. I'd not had any chips myself for two an a half months and I was feeling it. But 40 years was a bit much! The poor man needed sorting out. Something had to be done.
Day 82 : Tuesday June 1st. Chennai to London
This was a strange day, because it didn't really have a beginning it just carried on from the previous day, because I hadn't slept the night before.
Day 80 : Sunday May 30th. Chennai
In the morning there was a fire nearby and a huge cloud of thick black smoke formed. It didn't look at all healthy. After about 30 minutes or so, the first fire engine appeared. It wouldn't be the last.
Day 77 : Thursday May 27th. RTU
I'd set off from Manchester with the aim of raising £8,000 to build ten quality homes for ten poor families to replace homes like this one. I wanted to see houses under construction before leaving RTU.
Day 72 Saturday 22nd May. RTU
Brother James had disappeared to Bodi, a couple of days before, as he tends to spend three or four days there each week, and I'd been prevented from going to see him there as, apparently, Brother James thought I would be 'taking too much of a risk' if I went there by motorcycle. This was a bit rich coming from a man who, at 85, is still riding on a two-wheeler around RTU.
Day 74 : Monday May 24th. RTU
For some reason, there was a big staff meeting for all the departments of RTU, and it was to be held at a different venue - a village where RTU was doing some work. This was a perfect opportunity for me to escape to Kodaikanal - if I could get my hands on a motorcycle.
Day 73 Sunday 23rd May. Brother James 85 today.
It was 23rd May, Bro Jim's 85th birthday! I'd cycled a long way for a slice of his birthday cake, and, thankfully, Jo and David Cassidy, two very special old friends of Brother Jim, had sent a beautiful cake.
Day 76 : Wednesday May 26th. RTU
Having read about some of the terrible family backgrounds of some of the children under the care of RTU, visiting RTU's 'Miriam Children's Village' was a most delightful and humbling experience, a genuine highlight of my stay at RTU.
Day 79 : Saturday May 29th. Chennai
The plan was to spend the time updating the website, but there was a power cut which lasted for around 8 hours. There was nothing anyone could do. The substation at the local Polytechnic had blown up.
Day 78 : Friday May 28th. Chennai
St Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles, came to India in 52A.D. And he died there as a martyr in 72A.D. He was buried at Mylapore, San Thome, Chennai and the Basilica of St Thomas is built over the tomb - one of only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an Apostle.

Camping.

My camping gear tends to be cheap, small and lightweight.

Shelter. My tent was a Christmas present from my brother and his wife, and I love it. I tested it outside in the back graden when the temperature was below minus 5'C. I survived, so I'm not too worried about camping in the cold for this trip.

I also have a Basha for keeping the worst of the rain off and for sleeping under without a tent.

Sleeping bag. Snugfit Elite - supposed to be good down to minus 5'C and it packs down well. I have a silk liner as well, and I wear thick socks and a wooly hat when I need to.

Homemade tent warmer. It just takes the edge off freezing air when it is painfully cold. I made it from a couple of bean cans and it uses a tea light. It packs away nicely - spare candles can be kept inside.

Cooking. I use a 'Pocket Rocket' as it packs down really well. I need gas cylinders for this, but I take a few spares.

Making fire. I'll only make a fire if really necessary - if cold, out of gas, and in need of hot food and drink. I carry a fire steel and some Brasso wadding (easy to ignite) so I can make fire in an emergency situation.

Penknife. My friend, Iain Cant, Artist and Sculptor, gave me a Swiss Army knife. He inscribed it with the following words : "It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help." (Epicurus)

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Camping.