Surprise meeting

So, after Steph nearly burnt down the Ger we headed off to Lake Hovsgol. It is called the sister lake to Lake Baikal (wait, I hear you cry, we know this lake!) but in fact it is not nearly as big. A very beautiful place though, partly spoilt by the crazy Mongolians playing techno (or techtonic as they like to call it, which in fact is also a dance craze sweeping Mongolia as I speak with arm movements to rival Simon's best efforts) at all hours of the night, as well as circling in the lake in a boat with a megaphone shouting nonesense. More horse riding.

We next attempted to get to Delger Murun but the river was so high we had to camp somewhere else. A beautiful evening though, with the temperature finally rising, and we were allowed to have our first camp fire. Yipee! We roasted ChocoPies (doubt any of you will have heard of them, a mix between chocolate teacakes and wagonwheels, so we got a bit of marshmallow action) and tried to sing a song everyone knew but the Swiss wouldn't make a decision so we didn't sing anything. Really much to my relief but much to Stephs disappointment.

On to Uran Togoo, and another campfire, and the next day to Amarbayasgalant Monastery. As you will remember this was one of the three remaining Buddist monasteries left in Mongolia. We had hoped to hear the monks chanting but it turns out we arrived on the full moon, and they were having a full moon party or something. No, not like Thailand Katie. So no chanting monks. Boo.



So that night we camped just in a wild spot, our last night in the wilderness. We sat around having just finished tea when our guide disappeared off over the hill in the van taking the two drivers with him. Everyone was very cross about him disappearing. When he re-emerged, with another car. Confusion. He then strides up to me and gives me a note. I open it, tres confused, and it turns out to be a note I left under Coulson's pillow the morning I left London. Even more confused I stand up shouting "what?", and then of course, whose silohete should appear in the head lights but Mr Simon Coulson's. Of course, most of you know what happened next but for those of you who don't, he got down on one knee and proposed and I said "yes". Cheese Master Flash. He had hunted me down on the Mongolian Steppe, it doesn't really get more romantic does it? The only problem now is, in a fit of enthusiasm I rammed the very small ring (I think Simon got me confused with a midget or something, or at least had forgotten that his future wife has massive sausage fingers, thanks Mum) on to my finger (I desperately wanted it to fit), and now I really cannot get it off. It is wedged on, so any tips for how to get a sausage out of a ring, or vice versa, then let me know.

So the next morning I said goodbye to the group and headed off with Simon to Terelj National Park and a HOTEL, with a hot shower, massive bed and food other than mutton. Glorious. We spent the next 3 days horse trekking (mine was called Bad Boy, Simon's Mohake) across the park, visiting Gers, drinking arag and generally having a lovely time.

I left UB for China and Simon flew home. What can I say about Mongolia? It is massive, the people are lovely, the roads are a nightmare and arag is disgusting. As promised I am a different person now, and have to start planning a wedding.......