Alps

To stand on top of a Himalayan peak, and feel the sense of achievement of having scaled a mountain much bigger than anything in the Alps is the 'ultimate dream' for many trekkers, and indeed climbers. In 1978 the Nepal Mountaineering Association designated a number of peaks throughout Nepal as 'trekking peaks', which could be attempted with a minimum of bureaucracy or formality, and this has allowed the 'dream' of a Himalayan ascent to be realised for many people. A more appropriate title, however, would be non-expedition peaks as none can be 'trekked up', and some present serious mountaineering challenges. We detail two of the most popular of these peaks - the highest, Mera Peak, and one of the most stunning, Island Peak.

"Unhand my patio heater, archbishop.

By Jeremy Clarkson

The Archbishop of Canterbury told the faithful on Christmas Day that unless human beings abandon our greed, we will be responsible for the death of the planet.

Hmm. I’m not sure that I can take a lecture on greed from a man who heads one of the western world’s richest institutions. As we huddle under a patio heater to stay warm while having a cigarette in the rain, his bishops are living in palatial splendour with banqueting halls, wondering where to invest the next billion.

Or, put another way, the Italian Church wants its followers to forswear text messaging, social networking websites and computer games in the run-up to Easter.

....Perhaps we need to give up QL for lent also .................................

While many Italians traditionally give up fatty foods or, in extremis, alcohol, the appeal to go without some of the trappings of the modern world, including Facebook, iPhones and computer games, on Fridays – and on other days if possible – is unprecedented.

It appears to stem partly from Pope Benedict XVI's recent warning to the young not to substitute "virtual friendship" for real human relationships.