With Kolkata hitting the 40's have escaped into the cool refreshing breeze of the Himalayan foothills and the tow of Darjeeling.

The trip involved another overnight train up forum the city and then a 3 hour drive up into the hills around rather sharp bends overlooking some rather scary drops. Not for the faint hearted, especially the way Indians drive.

Darjeeling is a quaint little town built literally on the side of a hill. Whatever made anyone want to build here is a mystery given some near vertical climbs to get to places.

The whole place is shrouded in mist at present so no chance of seeing img the glorious views that the place is renowned for, apart from the odd tanterlising glimpse through the clouds.

Certainly seen lots of tea bushes. And some glorious flower displays. Something the locals got from the British as a love of pot plants.